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Martinique

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Overview

Volcanic in origin, Martinique is a mountainous stunner crowned by the still-smoldering Mont Pelée, the volcano that famously wiped out the former capital of St-Pierre in 1902. Offering a striking diversity of landscapes and atmospheres, Martinique is a cosmopolitan and sophisticated island that boasts world-class beaches, top-notch hiking, great culinary experiences, an enormous array of activities and some colourful cultural life.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Fort St-Louis

    Fort St-Louis

    Fort-de-France

    The hulking fortress that gave the city its name lies on the far side of La Savane and dates from 1640, although most of what stands today is the result…

  • Plage Anse d'Arlet

    Plage Anse d'Arlet

    Martinique

    This gorgeous stretch of dark-golden sand in front of Anse d'Arlet Bourg is backed by the village's 18th-century church and is one of the loveliest places…

  • Jardin de Balata

    Jardin de Balata

    Martinique

    Just 10km north of Fort-de-France, this mature botanical garden in a rainforest setting is one of Martinique’s top attractions and will please anyone with…

  • Grande Anse des Salines

    Grande Anse des Salines

    Martinique

    A perfect arc of white sand, Grande Anse des Salines is the Caribbean you came to see. Palm trees lean over the ribbon of beach that shelves ever so…

  • Anse l'Etang

    Anse l'Etang

    Martinique

    This palm-fringed beach with coarse golden sand and lots of shade is one of Martinique’s most appealing strands. It's not altogether suitable for swimming…

  • Château Dubuc

    Château Dubuc

    Martinique

    The ruins of this 17th-century estate are set almost at the end of the peninsula and are a haunting and atmospheric sight. The story goes that the master…

  • France, Martinique (French West Indies), St Pierre, the ruins of the theater

    Theater Ruins

    Martinique

    St-Pierre’s most impressive ruins are those of the town's 18th-century theater. While most of it was destroyed in the 1902 eruption of Mont Pelée, enough…

  • Musée de la Banane

    Musée de la Banane

    Martinique

    An 'a-peel-ing' attraction near Ste-Marie, this museum is dedicated to all things banana and documents the journey of the world's favourite fruit from…

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