36 Best Sights in Grenada

Touring the nutmeg-processing co-op, right in the center of the west-coast fishing village of Gouyave (pronounced GWAHV), is a fragrant, fascinating way to spend a half hour. You can learn all about nutmeg and its uses; see the nutmegs laid out in bins; and watch the workers sort them by hand, grade them, and pack them into burlap bags for shipping worldwide. The three-story plant is one of the largest nutmeg processing factories on the island.

Grenada's loveliest and most popular beach is Grand Anse, a gleaming 2-mile (3-km) semicircle of white sand lapped by gentle surf and punctuated by seagrapes and coconut palms that provide shady escapes from the sun. Brilliant rainbows frequently spill into the sea from the high green mountains that frame St. George's Harbour to the north. Several resorts face the beach, from Mount Cinnamon at the southern end of the beach to Spice Island Beach Resort, Coyaba Beach Resort, Allamanda Beach Resort, Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, and Silversands as you head north. Several of these hotels have dive shops for arranging dive trips or renting snorkeling equipment. A water-taxi dock is at the midpoint of the beach, along with the Grand Anse Craft and Spice Market, where vendors also rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Restrooms and changing facilities are available at Camerhogne Park, which is the public entrance and parking lot. Hotel guests, cruise-ship passengers, and other island visitors love this beach, as do local people who come to swim and play on weekends. There's plenty of room for everyone. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

A rainforest and wildlife sanctuary deep in the mountainous interior of Grenada, Grand Étang has miles of hiking trails for all levels of ability. There are also lookouts to observe the lush flora and many species of birds and other fauna (including the Mona monkey) and a number of streams for fishing. Grand Étang Lake is a 36-acre expanse of cobalt-blue water—1,740 feet above sea level—that fills the crater of an extinct volcano. Although legend has it that the lake is bottomless, maximum soundings have been recorded at just 18 feet. The informative Grand Étang Forest Center has displays on the local wildlife and vegetation. A forest ranger is on hand to answer questions; a small snack bar and souvenir stands are nearby.

Definitely plan to visit St. George's Market Square, a block from the Cruise Ship Terminal and Esplanade Mall in downtown St. George's. This is the place to buy fresh spices, bottled sauces, and handcrafted gifts and souvenirs to take home. In addition to local spices and heaps of fresh produce, vendors sell baskets, brooms, clothing, knickknacks, coconut water, and more. The market is open every weekday morning but really comes alive on Saturday from 8 to noon. Market Square is also where parades begin and political rallies take place.

This long, narrow stretch of beautiful sandy beach in L'Esterre, between Hillsborough and Tyrrel Bay, has calm, clear, inviting water. Popular with local folks on weekends, it's very quiet—often deserted—at other times. The Hardwood Bar, at the southern end of the parking lot, serves local specialties for lunch. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

At this rustic operation, kept open primarily as a museum, a limited quantity of rum is produced by the same methods used since the distillery opened in 1785. River Antoine (pronounced an-TWYNE) is the oldest functioning water-propelled distillery in the Caribbean. The process begins with the crushing of sugarcane from adjacent fields; the discarded canes are then used as fuel to fire the boilers. The end result is a potent overproof rum, sold only in Grenada, that will knock your socks off. (A less strong version is also available.)

This is a truly deserted sandbar off Paradise Beach—just a few young palm trees on a spit of pure white, powdery soft sand—except for those who come by boat to snorkel and swim in the sparkling clear water. A 5-square-mile (3-square-km) Marine Protected Area surrounds the island. Arrange transportation to the island (about $20 round-trip) with a local boat owner at Paradise Beach, Hillsborough, or Tyrrel Bay; be sure to arrange the pickup time! Wear your bathing suit and bring along snorkeling gear and everything else you'll need (sunscreen, towel, hat, shirt, food and water, etc.), making sure to leave only your footprints when you leave. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

This is a lovely, cool spot for swimming and picnicking. A mountain stream cascades 40 feet into a natural pool surrounded by exotic vines. A paved path leads to the bottom of the falls, and a trail leads to the top. You'll often find local boys diving from the top of the falls—and hoping for a small tip.

This is a lovely, cool spot for swimming and picnicking. A mountain stream cascades 40 feet into a natural pool surrounded by exotic vines. A paved path leads to the bottom of the falls, and a trail leads to the top. You'll often find local boys diving from the top of the falls—and hoping for a small tip.

About a 15-minute hike north from the village of Prospect, on the northwestern tip of Carriacou, this often-deserted beach has white sand, sparkling clear water, and abundant marine life for snorkelers. The beach was named for a huge rock where pelicans gather, so bird-watchers will also be thrilled. And because of its relative inaccessibility, Anse La Roche is never crowded. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

This broad strip of white sand on the northeastern tip of Grenada is part of Levera National Park. A natural coral reef protects swimmers and snorkelers from the rough Atlantic surf; swimming beyond the reef is dangerous. A magnet for local folks on national holidays, the beach is almost deserted at other times. Changing rooms are located at the park headquarters. A vendor or two sometimes sets up shop near the beach, but you're smart to bring your own refreshments. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

For a great bird's-eye view of Hillsborough and Carriacou's entire west coast, drive to Belair in the north-central part of the island. The vantage point for the magnificent view, 700 feet above sea level, is adjacent to Princess Royal Hospital. On the way to Belair, you'll pass by the photogenic ruins of an old sugar mill.

Housed in a building that once held a cotton gin (the second-oldest cotton ginnery in the world), and just one block from the waterfront, Carriacou's little museum has exhibitions of Amerindian, European, and African artifacts, a collection of watercolors by native folk artist Canute Caliste, and a small gift shop with local items. Founded in 1976, the museum is supported by the Carriacou Historical Society. Museum manager Clemencia Alexander, one of Caliste's daughters, has worked for the museum for more than 30 years and is happy to give a guided tour.

The Roman Catholic cathedral, high on a hill overlooking the harbor, is the city's most visible landmark. The Gothic tower dates from 1818.

The Roman Catholic cathedral, high on a hill overlooking the harbor, is the city's most visible landmark. The Gothic tower dates from 1818.

In the suburb of St. Paul's, five minutes east of St. George's, De La Grenade produces syrups, jams, jellies, a nutmeg liqueur, and other homegrown fruits and spices. You're welcome to watch the manufacturing process, visit the shop, and stroll around the adjacent herb and spice gardens.

Visitors are welcome to this small, farmer-owned chocolate producer in the far northwest of Grenada. A worker will show you the cacao pods growing in the field and explain the bean-to-bar chocolate-making process before giving you a tour of the small factory. You can buy the company's Jouvay-branded dark chocolate bars, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, cocoa nibs, and other products.

Jouvay chocolate is also sold in gift shops throughout Grenada.

Just south of Gouyave, this historic plantation still grows and processes spices the old-fashioned way. You can see cocoa, nutmeg, mace, cloves, and other spices laid out on giant racks to dry in the sun. A worker will be glad to explain the process (and will appreciate a small donation). You can buy spices for about $5 a bag.

Overlooking the city of St. George's and the picturesque harbor, historic Ft. Frederick provides a panoramic view of about one-fourth of Grenada. The French began construction of the fort; the British completed it in 1791. Ft. Frederick was the headquarters of the People's Revolutionary Government before and during the 1983 coup. Today, it's simply a peaceful spot with a bird's-eye view of much of Grenada.

Visit in the morning for the best photos of the harbor.

Overlooking the city of St. George's and the picturesque harbor, historic Ft. Frederick provides a panoramic view of about one-fourth of Grenada. The French began construction of the fort; the British completed it in 1791. Fort Frederick was the headquarters of the People's Revolutionary Government before and during the 1983 coup. Today, it's simply a peaceful spot with a bird's-eye view of much of Grenada.

Ft. George is perched high on the hill at the entrance to St. George's Harbour. Grenada's oldest fort was built by the French in 1705 to protect the harbor, yet no shots were ever fired here until October 1983, when Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and several of his followers were assassinated in the courtyard. The fort now houses police headquarters but is open to the public daily. The 360-degree view of the capital city, St. George's Harbour, and the open sea is spectacular.  Visit in the afternoon for the best photos of the harbor.

A residential and commercial area about 5 miles (8 km) south of downtown St. George's, Grand Anse is named for the world-renowned beach it surrounds. Grenada's tourist facilities—resorts, restaurants, some shopping, and most nightlife—are concentrated in this general area. Grand Anse Beach is a 2-mile (3-km) crescent of sand, shaded by coconut palms and seagrape trees, with gentle turquoise surf. A public entrance is at Camerhogne Park, just a few steps from the main road. Water taxis carry passengers between The Esplanade in St. George's and a jetty on the beach. St. George's University, which for years held classes at its enviable beachfront location in Grand Anse, now has its sprawling main campus on a peninsula in True Blue, a nearby residential community. The university's original beachside building in Grand Anse is currently used for student housing.

Like its counterpart in Gouyave, this nutmeg-processing plant is open to the public for guided tours. You can see and learn about the entire process of receiving, drying, sorting, and packing nutmeg.

At 955 feet, the highest peak on Carriacou is in the High North Nature Reserve, a designated national park site that allows breathtaking views as far as Grenada to the south and St. Vincent and all its Grenadines to the north. Visitors can hike the trails, either alone or with a guide, and are likely to encounter iguanas, land tortoises, soldier crabs, and various birds—perhaps even a few macaws—along the way.

Day-trippers (and others) can take a dip at this strip of sand adjacent to the jetty in the center of town. The beach extends for quite a distance in each direction, so there's plenty of room to swim without interference from any boat traffic. The best parts of the beach are at the northern end, along what's called the Esplanade, and at the southern end in front of Mermaid Beach Hotel and Callaloo Restaurant. Ade's Dream House is across the street from the beach, and snack bars and restaurants are nearby. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.

Surrounding a sheltered bay along the southeastern coast at La Sagesse Nature Centre, this secluded crescent of fine gray sand is a 30-minute drive from Grand Anse. Surrounded by tropical vegetation, the beach provides a lovely, quiet refuge. The water is fairly shallow and always calm along the shoreline. Plan a full day of swimming, sunning, and nature walks, with lunch at La Sagesse Inn's restaurant, which is adjacent to the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

The 6½ acres of gardens here are part of an old plantation at Laura, near the village of Perdmontemps in St. David Parish and about 6 miles (10 km) east of Grand Anse. On the 20-minute tour, you will learn all about spices and herbs grown in Grenada—including cocoa, clove, nutmeg, pimiento, cinnamon, turmeric, and tonka beans (sometimes used in vanilla substitutes)—and how they're used for flavoring and for medicinal purposes.

This portion of Grenada's protected parkland encompasses 450 acres at the northeastern tip of the island, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. There's a trail that circles 45-acre Levera Pond. The shallow lagoon by the beach is one of the most important wildlife habitats on the island—thick mangroves provide food and protection for nesting seabirds and seldom-seen parrots—and a natural reef protects swimmers from the rough Atlantic surf at Bathway Beach. The southernmost islets of the Grenadines are visible from the beach.

Not far from the international airport in Point Salines, Magazine Beach is a magnificent strip of pure white sand that stretches from Aquarium Restaurant and Maca Bana Villas at its southern end to the Royalton Grenada, farther north. Never crowded, it's excellent for swimming and sunbathing; the surf ranges from gentle to spectacular. Cool drinks, snacks, or a full lunch are available at the Aquarium's La Sirena Beach Bar—or stick around for happy hour. You can also rent snorkeling equipment and kayaks there. Access to the beach is next to the restaurant or next to the Royalton. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.

One mile (1½ km) south of Grand Anse, a ½-mile-long (¾-km-long) crescent of pure white sand is tucked away on Morne Rouge Bay. The clear turquoise water is excellent for swimming, and the gentle surf makes this beach perfect for families with small children. Light meals and snacks are available at Gem Holiday Resort's beachfront bar and grill or next door at Kalinago Beach Resort. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.