Tourist Attractions in Saint Kitts

The island of St. Kitts is an island of villages, linked together by a single road that circumvents the island. They are tucked around deep gorges or ghauts as they are called on this island. Some are nestled along the seacoast.

St. Kitts is undisputedly a beautiful island, covered with fields and hillsides leading up towards the peak of volcano Mount Liamuiga; the largest peak (3,792 feet) in the mountain range.

It's possible to get around the island in one day, but it would be hard to see everything worth seeing. Better to spend at least three days touring this varied and beautiful, mountainous isle, giving yourself at least a day in Basseterre—the home to striking colonial architecture. The best way to see the island is by rental car and traveling around on your own. Remember to drive on the left, which may seem daunting at first. But just concentrate; it's easy to get used to. Just remember that you also go around the roundabouts the "wrong" way—around the left-hand side.

Day One

Beginning in Basseterre, head out the coastal road toward the west, which will take you out in the direction of Brimstone Hill. On the way there visit the Fairview Inn, a 1720 estate that was saved when it became an Historical Inn. It is a French-style building that was the headquarters of the commanding officer of the French Army at one time.

Continuing on, stop at the St. Thomas Anglican Church, located in the town of Middle Island. Currently under construction following hurricane damage, St Thomas churchyard holds the tomb of Sir Thomas Warner, the founder and the first governor of St Kitts. He died in 1648 and was the most famous island resident.

Along this route, turn right up the road to the Caribelle Batik, a former sugar plantation great house called Romney manor that has been restored and is now used as a factory and showroom for fabulous hand-made batik fabrics. It was owned by Lord Romney Marsh and is one of the first estates on the island. Delightful sales clerks, dressed in the frocks made there, will help you choose the right thing for you, and a batik artist will be there to demonstrate how she paints on this delicate cloth with wax and then process it by dying it repeatedly. Not only is this process interesting, but the grounds at Caribelle Batik are fantastic. Developed by St. Kitts' businessman Morris Widdowson, the property is now an unofficial botanical garden. While there, drive around or take a walk down to the Wingfield Plantation, which was part of the same plantation at one time. From there you can walk down a narrow pathway, or along a road, through a fantastic rain forest with giant trees, blooms and tropical plants.

The grounds host a Saman tree over 300 years old that was home of Carib Chief Tegreman. Continuing on you will soon come to the most important historic site on the island, Brimstone Hill, sometimes called "The Gibraltar of the West Indies." This multi-faceted fort sits on top an 800 foot hill.

Brimstone Hill is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, built starting in the late 1600s. The fort was first occupied by the French, and then by the English. You can drive up to the museum, gift shop, snack bar, and part of the fort, but it's necessary to climb up some gradual stairs if you want to go to the top. If you take your time, it's not too bad and the views from the top of the sea and surrounding islands are spectacular.

It's best to continue around the island road, stopping next at lovely Rawlins Plantation Inn, a 300-year-old plantation that was turned into a gracious inn. Nearby is artist Kate Spencer's working art gallery. Her fabulous paintings of Caribbean scenes are the best of the souvenirs to take away from St. Kitts. (Her work is also sold in her gallery in town, Kate Designs and at the Spencer Cameron Gallery of Caribbean Art on Independence Square in Basseterre).

Next comes the Golden Lemon another 17th century great house that was built as a former sugar warehouse, owned by Arthur Leaman, former decorating editor of House & Garden magazine. Continuing around the island, you'll pass through many small villages, tucked away on switchback and curves that wrap around the island. As you get closer to town, you'll come to Ottley's Plantation Inn, which is located near the rain forest, again in a former sugar plantation.

Day Two

Exploring Basseterre can easily take a day, especially if you decide to test out the many duty-free shops, or one of the nice in-town restaurants. The town is focused around two areas: Independence Square and The Circus. Around Independence Square, there are many lovely things to see. On the south end, notice the stately brick building, The Georgian House, which was formerly a restaurant. Continuing around the square, notice the Catholic Church, which is flanked by two remarkable West Indian buildings on each side, belonging to the church. Just off the square on Canyon Street is the wonderful St. George's Anglican Church. Though now a pillar of British culture, the church was begun by the French. The British took it over and it went though all sorts of destruction over the years. Another beautiful building is the Spencer Cameron gallery mentioned above.

Numerous typical West Indian commercial buildings surround The Circus, which is the newer center of the town. These buildings had first floors built of volcanic stone. The second floors were generally made of wood and were decorated with gingerbread fretwork.

Continuing from The Circus towards the sea, one heads directly into the Treasury Building, which houses the national museum of the Federation of St. Kitts/Nevis. With its domelike top, this building serves as the entrance to the city.

Day Three

A trip to the Southeast peninsula is essential, but start out by stopping in the Frigate Bay area on the way. This is where many of the hotels are located, and the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course. Numerous hotel rooms, apartments and villas sit in the hills overlooking the course and the sea.

The windward side beach is great for walking for miles. Rough in spots for swimming, this is a dramatic beach, so ask first at your hotel where the best swimming is located. Near the Timothy Beach Hotel, there's a good swimming beach, where there are also water sports available.

From this Frigate Bay area, you can drive on the wonderful, windy road that takes you down the Southeast peninsula. Cruising along this road which was obviously cut out of rocks and carved into hillsides, you can see incredible views of this island and beyond. Almost nothing is built on this end of the island; it's yet to be developed. At the far end there are several homes and a couple of beach bars, including the popular Turtle Beach Bar & Grill. There's plenty to do out there: swimming, snorkelling, boating, and partying (dancing and eating). Turtle Beach often has local green monkeys on the property, so don't be surprised if ones try to nab your lunch. There are also helicopter rides on Sundays.