The 8 best places to visit in St Lucia

St Lucia, an idyllic Caribbean island, stretches across a mere 620 sq km (239 sq miles), yet it teems with a wealth of attractions to satisfy every wanderlust. The echoes of history resonate in the time-worn ruins of Pigeon Island National Park, while the natural spectacle of the Sulphur Springs bathes the landscape in a steamy embrace.

The magnificent Pitons, extending skyward, form an iconic backdrop to the island's volcanic narrative. Whether you’re here to chase waterfalls on an exhilarating hike or relax into the rhythm of island life on a sun-soaked beach, St Lucia delivers. These are the best places to visit when you arrive.

1. Pigeon Island National Park

Best for budding historians

Do you enjoy learning about local heritage, but also want a taste of the great outdoors or the opportunity to relax on the beach? You’ll adore Pigeon Island National Park. History buffs will be interested in the ruins and artifacts – including an officer's kitchen and soldiers' barracks – from St Lucia's past as a strategic outpost during the British and French battle for control, and adventurers will enjoy the hikes and views.

Located at the island's northernmost tip, the national park spreads across 17.8 hectares (44 acres). A leisurely climb to Fort Rodney's (69m/225ft) summit unveils spectacular panoramic views of the northwest coastline.

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This living museum continues at the top with an authentic cannon, the remains of the military fort and a powder room. An intrepid adventurer will find Signal Hill's large rocks and loose gravel terrain more of a challenge. Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, the unfettered panorama will make the scramble to the peak worthwhile.

For an idyllic end to the day, retreat to the immaculately trimmed, expansive lawn for a picnic, or laze the remaining hours away on one of two white-sand beaches onsite.

Local tip: Don't worry if you forgot to pack a picnic. I’ve spent many weekends hidden away on the secluded sands inside the park, taking breaks only to grab a Bounty Rum and orange juice or some wings from The Thirsty Parrot located just outside the gates. 

2. Gros-Islet

Best for amazing fresh seafood and barbecue 

The Gros-Islet district stretches from just outside the capital of Castries to the island's northern tip, and it has a long-standing reputation as the most convivial corner of St Lucia. But it's also an underrated paradise if you love trying local dishes, especially fresh seafood. 

The Naked Fisherman, a secluded restaurant with a thatched-roof, serves delicious seafood delicacies, including conch fritters, crispy squid with pickled veggies, ceviche, creole fish stew with curry, and ahi tuna poke with cucumber. Enjoy the delicious spread as the waves gently caress the shoreline. 

Located a few minutes south, the quiet fishing village of Gros-Islet comes alive with pulsating live music every Friday night for the staple street party. Amid the revelry lies a veritable buffet of local cuisine. I have many tips and insights to ensure your trip to St Lucia goes smoothly, but joining a street party is one decision you'll never regret.

Duke's Fish Place sits on the seafront and welcomes the crowd with a menu of grilled or fried marlin, tuna, barracuda, pot fish, and lambi (conch), accompanied by their sinfully sumptuous garlic sauce. Diners can also dig into Auntie's green fig salad (a mix of boiled green bananas, shredded saltfish, chopped vegetables, mayo seasoned with fresh herbs and spices, and a sprinkle of the magic found in any West Indian meal), along with other side dishes like ground provisions and local fruit juices. 

Other options include barbecue chicken and bakes – fried doughy discs – from one of the vendors peppered along the roadside. Another favorite local haunt, the reggae-themed Irie Bar, is near the beachfront and offers cold libations and lighthearted conversation. 

Detour: At the entrance of the nearby Beausejour community, a cluster of trucks makes up the bustling Food Village. Feast on authentic Jamaican fare, Mediterranean meals, wraps, vegetarian and vegan options, dairy-free artisanal ice cream.

3. Rodney Bay

Best for sailing enthusiasts  

To take a breather, unwind and bask in the warm golden glow of a sunset, head to Rodney Bay Marina. In addition to being a premier yachting location, this is also one of the top sport fishing locations in the Caribbean. 

The premises are well-equipped with a host of facilities and amenities for boaters and sailing enthusiasts, including private showers, WiFi connectivity and customs and immigration. There’s also a fully-equipped boatyard onsite with a 23m (75ft) travelift and dry storage staffed by an expert technical crew. 

Since 1986, Las Palmas in the Canary Islands has been the starting point for the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, a race heading west across the Atlantic bound for St Lucia.

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Upwards of 200 boats participate, making it the largest trans-ocean sailing event on the planet. As soon as the participants arrive on the shores of St Lucia, the following two weeks are one nonstop celebration after another heading into the Christmas season. 

The Marina transforms into the ARC Village, with a wave of events including fire eating, limbo, J’ouvert jump-ups (daybreak street parties), performances by several local bands, chef demos and costume parties. ARC attendees can even pit their athletic skills against those of locals in football. It can get pretty crowded, but it’s hard not to get swept up in the revelry.  

For the more introverted, Rodney Bay Marina also lays claim to exquisite waterside dining options like Rituals Sushi, La Mesa Bar and Grill (my personal favorite haunt), and Elena's Italian Pizza and Gelato – the strawberry cheesecake yogurt is divine.

Planning tip: Enjoy the perfect end to your day by booking a spot on one of the serene sunset cruises that set sail from the dock multiple times a week.

4. Babonneau

Best for adventurers 

If you're looking for an adrenaline fix, look no further than the Babonneau region, where you can ride a thrilling zip line through the rainforest treetops and get a bird's eye view of the St Lucian countryside. 

Guests of Rainforest Adventures St Lucia will receive a safety briefing from a trained naturalist before heading out on a practice run on the park's training cable in groups of no more than eight. 

You'll arrive at the top station from the training cable by taking the aerial tram, which navigates you through the dense thicket of the rainforest. After about 10 minutes of hiking along a trail that gradually descends through the rainforest's underbrush, you will reach the first platform. 

From here, you can travel along eight different zip lines high above the rainforest canopy while taking in spectacular views of the north of the island, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

5. Castries

Best for shopping

The Castries Market is the heartbeat of St Lucia's capital and a veritable treasure trove of local wares – find everything from woven baskets, carved wooden sculptures and fragrant spices to unusual trinkets made from coconut shells and calabash. 

Saturdays buzz with energy as locals descend upon the market at the break of dawn, weaving through stalls brimming with local produce and freshly picked herbs. Wander out back to purchase a coconut from one of the open-backed vans parked in the large lot. I like to have the vendor break the husk open to scoop out the translucent jelly. It’s even better – and crunchier – when it’s on the cusp of the firmer copra state. 

For those yearning for a more refined shopping experience, the Pointe Seraphine complex awaits just a 15-minute walk from the city center. This duty-free compound is where you’ll find a wide variety of services that are helpful for travelers. It has everything from car rentals and land and boat tours, plus an enticing array of souvenirs, luxurious fragrances, fine jewelry and clothing.

Once a month, Helen's Daughters, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering rural women, hosts a FarmHERS market at Pointe Seraphine. Here you'll find a smorgasbord of locally produced goodies like coconut tablet, guava jam, paime (cornmeal pie), souse (pickled meat) with cucumber, and icicles. 

Local tip: The Pointe Seraphine Shopping Complex also doubles as a dock when cruise ships are in port, so be prepared for crowds on these days. The city has limited parking but is very walkable, so you can skip the car rental and take a bus or taxi to the market.  

6. Marigot Bay 

Best for set-jetters 

Forget jet-setting, set-jetting is the new travel craze. The most recent trend in wanderlust involves organizing a vacation around a filming location for a television show or movie you love. It might seem odd initially, but it makes perfect sense for pop culture enthusiasts and cinephiles.

Enchanting, turquoise-hued Marigot Bay, once dubbed "the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean" by American novelist James A. Michener, has been featured in scenes from several films, including 1967's original Doctor Doolittle (starring Rex Harrison), and 1979's Firepower (starring Sophia Loren).

Marigot Bay also makes a memorable cameo in the first installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean blockbuster film series – it's here that Captain Jack Sparrow first spots the skeletons suspended from an arch projecting from the crystalline Caribbean waters. 

Even if you're not a film buff, Marigot Bay is worth a visit for the views as one of the prettiest places in St Lucia. A palm-fringed slip of sand sits in the calm, azure-blue waters amidst the verdurous slopes, creating a postcard-perfect scene. 

7. Soufrière 

Best for natural attractions 

Coastal Soufrière is a popular draw due to the abundance of beautiful scenery and natural sites within its borders. The island’s most famous landmark, the Pitons, rise majestically from the lush, emerald landscape, inviting hikers and outdoor adventurers to explore. If you don't feel like climbing, there are multiple other vantage points where you can enjoy the views of those vividly green mountains juxtaposed against blue waters. 

The Sulphur Springs are the remnants of a collapsed volcanic crater, and the attraction is touted as the world's only drive-in volcano. Even though the volcano has not erupted since the 1700s, visible wisps of smoke waft into the air, and the pungent sulfuric scent permeates the surroundings.

Its mineral waters are reputed to alleviate inflammation, ease the pain of arthritis and eczema, purify the body, and ease muscle soreness. Slather on the magnesium- and sulfur-infused mud for a skin treatment that will leave you feeling silky smooth and supple. If you’re lucky you will encounter Sherman – one of the onsite guides and a Soufrière native – who can help apply the mud and provide a detailed history of the springs. Rinse off in one of the four pools, which vary in temperature. 

On the edge of Soufrière, the Toraille Waterfall cascades down a 15m (50ft) cliff face into a plunge pool cocooned in thick vegetation. Another waterfall sits at the foothills of Petit Piton. The appropriately named Piton Falls is a 9m (30ft) drop from the top, with the water spilling into a small pool. Not to be outdone, the water at Diamond Falls appears to change color due to various minerals from volcanic rocks and rain. The falls are flanked by botanical gardens brimming with a riot of vibrant plants. 

Local tip: Hiking Gros Piton without a guide is strongly discouraged and should not be attempted following rainfall, when the terrain becomes slippery and muddy. Unfortunately, swimming in Diamond Falls is not permitted due to safety concerns, but you can still bask in its splendor.

8. Sugar Beach

Best for lazy beach days 

Both a popular public beach and one of the island’s most sought-after private resorts, Sugar Beach boasts some of St Lucia’s most spectacular natural beauty. The island’s most famous beach has a prime location in a secluded bay between the famed Gros Piton and Petit Piton.

The easiest way to access this stretch of sand is by staying at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, which provides guest access and full facilities. However, accessing the beach is still possible even without reservations at the five-star resort. Many travel by boat, enjoying a breathtaking view of the Pitons and opportunities for snorkeling en route. If you're hiring a car to see more of the island, you can park nearby and walk to the beach, but be prepared for the 15-minute walk – it feels even longer on the way back.