Castries, St Lucia
Castries is the colourful capital city of St Lucia, located on the north-west coast, welcoming cruise ship passengers and honeymooners alike.
Castries
The capital is a great place for duty free shopping as well as picking up local handicrafts. It has a cruise port and sandy beaches and is well located for sightseeing.
Beaches
On the outskirts of the Castries, the long golden sands of Vigie Beach and Malabar Beach are not usually too crowded. The smaller crescent shaped sands of La Toc Beach offer a vibrant atmosphere and the long sweeping bay of Choc Beach is complete with coconut palms and watersports.
Things to Do
Sit on a bench in the shade of the Saman tree and step back in time with a look around the Derek Walcott Square which is lined with 19th century buildings. Browse the exhibits in Le Pavillion Royal Museum and stroll through the colourful interior of the 19th century Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Visit the historic site of Fort Charlotte on the hill of Morne Fortune, where you can enjoy fantastic views over Castries, the harbour and on a clear day, you might even see across to the island of Martinique.
Take a catamaran cruise around the island and see the majestic twin volcanic Piton peaks. Go deep sea fishing, dolphin and whale watching, snorkelling, diving or kayaking; hike through the rain forests and enjoy the unspoiled countryside.
Out and About
For fresh produce, Castries Market is a hive of activity and next to this you will find the Craft Market where you can buy all manner of local handicrafts. Duty free purchases including jewelry, perfumes and clothing can be made at Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage shopping malls as well as many shops throughout the town.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from offering menus of local and international cuisine as well as international fast food outlets and supermarkets. Water taxis and sight-seeing tours are readily available in and around Pointe Seraphine cruise ship terminal and the town is well serviced by buses and taxis.
Nearby Attractions
Soufriere offers a good dose of historical charm dating back to its French colonial days and is also home to the drive-in volcano and the botanical gardens at Diamond Falls.
Pigeon Island National Park has a National Trust Museum and Visitor Centre, housed in the former barracks of the British Army and, if you venture up the hill to the ruins of Fort Rodney you will be rewarded with far reaching views.
St Lucia Resorts
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