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Holidays in St. Kitts - what to see
Basseterre
Reminders of St. Kitts's rich colonial past are everywhere in the capital. At the heart
is The Circus, with its ornate Victorian clock tower. Surrounding it are
graceful buildings with latice-work balconies, a range of stylish shops,
and bars with verandahs where you can sit and watch the world go by. There's
even an old-fashioned red telephone box. A short walk brings you to Independence
Square, where slaves were once bought and sold. Today, it is a peaceful garden
overlooked by elegant houses and the Roman Catholic cathedral.
Brimstone Hill
No trip to the island would be complete without visiting this mighty 18th-century fortress, which sits high on a hillside and has spectacular views over the Caribbean Sea. Built by African slaves, the fort's five bastions and citadel cover 38 acres and took more than 100 years to complete. The fort is considered to be one of the finest examples of British military architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Romney Manor
Here's a perfect opportunity to combine clothes
shopping with a visit to an outstanding tropical garden. Romney
Manor is part of an estate once
owned by the Jeffersons, whose grandson went on to become US President, and
is now home to the Caribelle Batik factory and a lovingly restored botanical
garden.Watch live batik demonstrations, browse through the shop with its
huge range of riotously colourful fabrics, and then wander among the lush
vegetation of the 17th-century sugar estate.
Rainforest
While sugar cane covers the coastal plains, the lush interior of the island is an ecological haven for a wide variety of rare birds, butterflies and the elusive green vervet monkey. St. Kitts is one of the few places in the world where the rainforest has actually grown in the last 20 years and is bursting with tropical fruits, colourful flowers and exotic wildlife. We strongly recommended you take a trip with one of the experienced local guides who will talk you through the various specimens of flora and fauna and explain their medicinal uses.
St. Kitts Scenic Railway
If you want a relaxing and unusual way to see the island, then a sugar train tour is the perfect answer. The
train uses the track still used to transport cane from the plantation estates
to the sugar factory and deep-water harbour. There are breathtaking ocean
and mountain views as it hugs the coastline, passing old plantation homes
and crossing dramatic bridges. Each of the five double-decker carriages has
air-conditioned seats below with an open-topped upper deck.
Beaches
St. Kitts may be a small island but there are still plenty of beaches to suit all tastes. The dark, volcanic bays in the north are striking but most beach action tends to concentrate in the protected south-east. At Frigate Bay, where the island is so narrow you can walk from coast to coast in a few minutes, the rollers on the Altantic beach are good for bodysurfing while the calm waters on the Caribbean side make it popular with families. Both beaches have bars and restaurants nearby. If you are looking for more deserted coves and bays, then head for the south-eastern tip of the island. Friar's Bay South has a couple of bars with a local feel while Cockleshell, Sand Bank Bay and Banana Bay are very secluded. The liveliest place on the peninsula is Turtle Beach, which has a popular bar and live steel band.