Grenada
Grenada offers visitors a great slice of Caribbean life with its main island playing host to excellent spices, chocolates, local food and lots of fun to be had!
Grenada travel guide
The Caribbean Spice Island of Grenada is one of 3 islands that form the wonderful little country of Grenada – the other 2 spectacular islands are Carriacou and Petite Martinique, well worth exploring on day trips. Grenada is the main island of the 3, a hilly spot, home to the postcard-pretty capital, St Georges, which is filled with colourful homes, Georgian buildings and ancient Fort George that overlooks narrow Carenage Harbor.
Grenada is a laidback, picturesque tropical island paradise, known for its glorious sandy beaches, stunning mountainous interior filled with valleys and pretty waterfalls, lush rainforests, chocolate, nutmeg and rum factories.
The only part of the island that resembles a resort is the Grand Anse district, where lovely Grand Anse Beach is found. The rest of the island is relatively untouched, boasting around 44 beautiful beaches, many secluded coves, nutmeg and cocoa plantations, nature trails, rainforest and mountains.
St Georges is a busy little town with a picturesque harbour and many historic landmarks including Fort George and Fort Frederick, as well as other sites that tell the story of battles between the indigenous Carib people and the French.
The Caribbean islands are renowned for superb diving opportunities and Grenada is no exception. But this magnificent island offers so much more – untouched islands a short boat ride away, superb rum and exotic nutmeg, mace and cocoa plantations that make its food, and its atmosphere, completely unique.
The birdlife, hiking trails, spectacular marine life, colourful colonial houses and plantation houses are all part of what make this beautiful island so extraordinary and unique.
Grenada means lush nature intertwined with colourful local life.
Best time to visit: December, just at the end of the rainy season and before the crowds start arriving for peak season (January to April).
Best Area for Sightseeing: The entire island is a delight to explore. See Things to do in Grenada, below, for some inspiration.
Shopping in Grenada: You can’t leave Grenada without some spices and chocolate to take home with you. In St Georges, visit St Georges Market to pick up cinnamon, clove, ginger and other exotic spices. Head for Young Street to the café, museum and shop called The House of Chocolate for great cocoa products. On Lagoon Road you’ll find All Things Nutmeg, where you can purchase soap, butter, massage oil and other nutmeg products. In Grande Anse, visit the Craft and Spice Market for spices and souvenirs.
Food & Restaurants in Grenada: The island’s many resorts offer a variety of excellent international dishes, and in the south-western part of the island are numerous traditional eateries offering freshly caught fish and local produce.
Nightlife: Most of the resorts offer excellent evening entertainment and local bars and clubs feature live Calypso and Reggae music or DJs on certain nights.
Beaches: Popular 2-mile long Grande Anse is a main attraction in Grenada and there’s also Morne Rouge. Magazine Beach is an unspoilt paradise as is BBC Beach, or Rouge Bay. There’s also peaceful La Sagesse Beach and you’ll find 2 untouched, spectacular sandy stretches on the neighbouring island of Carriacou – Anse La Roche and Paradise Beach.
Things to do in Grenada:
- Explore pretty St Georges to see its colourful buildings, stone churches and picturesque harbour.
- Spend a day on beautiful neighboring Carriacou Island, a taste of what the Caribbean isles used to be like half a century ago.
- Visit the rainforest in the Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve with a variety of wildlife and beautiful Grand Etang Lake, situated in a volcanic crater.
- Dine on the marina in St Georges, called the Carenage.
- Go deep sea diving in a choice of over 30 incredible dive sites.
- Embark on a fascinating spice tour to learn all about Grenada’s spices.
- Explore the River Antoine Rum Distillery where rum has been produced since the 18th century.
- Visit the Underwater Sculpture Park at Moliniere Bay.
Best way to get around: Public mini buses run frequently along the island’s main routes. For a full-day tour, rent a car or a taxi for the day.