The back story
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The back story
Castries and Morne Fortune: the back story
The capital and cruise port: its 1891 market, Derek Walcott Square, the cathedral, duty-free Pointe Seraphine and the forts of Morne Fortune.
Area guide · The capital
Castries & Morne Fortune: Our Favourites
Castries in one page: the 1891 market, Derek Walcott Square and the cathedral, duty-free Pointe Seraphine, Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte, Howelton Estate, Vigie Beach and the airport.
What's onThis week in St Lucia
Plan your trip:Pigeon Island and the forts
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What to see and do
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Private photo excursions
St. Lucia Photo Tours
Private, photography-focused excursions to scenic spots around the island.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The capital’s beach
Vigie Beach
Soft sand and relatively calm water just minutes from the centre of Castries.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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A family beach
Malabar Beach
A relaxed beach with shallow areas, listed by the tourism authority among its best beaches for families.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The view over Castries harbour
Morne Fortune & Fort Charlotte
The hill above Castries, a key French and British stronghold, with the remains of Fort Charlotte and sweeping views over the capital and harbour.
Morne Fortune, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The square named after a Nobel poet
Derek Walcott Square
The square in the heart of Castries, named after the Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott and shaded by a great samaan tree.
Derek Walcott Square, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Murals and wood in Castries
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
One of the largest churches in the Caribbean, an early 20th-century cathedral in Castries with colourful murals and wooden architecture.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The soul of the city
Castries Market
Castries’ central market, established in 1891, with fresh produce, spices, crafts, sauces and Creole snacks, liveliest on Saturday mornings.
Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The island’s story
Saint Lucia National Museum
The national museum in a former colonial building in Castries, telling the island’s history from Indigenous roots to independence.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The studio of Llewellyn Xavier
Llewellyn Xavier Art Studio
The studio of the Saint Lucian artist Llewellyn Xavier, open by appointment.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Listed by the tourism authority
Dive Fair Helen
A long-standing Saint Lucian dive and snorkelling operator listed by the tourism authority.
P.O. Box MF7071, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Listed by the tourism authority
Scuba Steve’s Diving
A PADI dive school (Dive Saint Lucia) with courses and dives, listed by the tourism authority.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Catamarans and private charters
Carnival Sailing
Catamaran tours and private charters along the west coast.
P.O. Box 3042, La Clery, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Half a day down the west coast
Papa Boat Tours
A half-day catamaran trip along the west coast with Piton views and time to swim.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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A long-standing marine operator
Hackshaw’s Boat Charters
Sport fishing, snorkelling, whale watching and private coastal tours from Castries.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Blue marlin and wahoo
Captain Mike’s Sport Fishing
Sport-fishing and whale-watching trips from Vigie Marina in Castries.
Vigie Marina, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Where to eat
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Local favourite
Hardest Hard Restaurant & Bar
A local restaurant and bar with venues in Castries and Gros Islet, listed by the tourism authority.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Cocoa tea with Helen’s Daughters
Cocoa Tea at Castries Market
A tasting of traditional cocoa tea, the island’s breakfast drink, with products from women farmers and artisans, arranged by Helen’s Daughters.
Pointe Seraphine, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Where to stay
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A 220-acre hillside estate
Sandals Regency La Toc
An adults-only all-inclusive set on a 220-acre estate of rolling hillside at La Toc, just south of Castries, with nine restaurants.
La Toc, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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On Choc Bay
Sandals Halcyon Beach
An adults-only all-inclusive on the beach north of Castries, with seven restaurants and access to the other Sandals resorts.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Family-run villa suites
Villa Beach Cottages
One- and two-bedroom villa suites near Castries, with a sister plantation inn, La Dauphine Estate, near Soufrière.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The former St. James’s Club Morgan Bay
Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa
A 355-room adults-only all-inclusive on the north-west coast, opened by Hyatt in June 2025 after the multi-year rebuild of St. James’s Club Morgan Bay.
Bars, rum shops and nights out
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Saint Lucian craft beer
Antillia Brewing Company
A Saint Lucian craft brewery at the cruise port in Castries, listed by the tourism authority.
Cruise Port, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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A local bar in Castries
Glamity Bar
A local bar on Odsan Road outside Castries, listed by the tourism authority.
Odsan Road, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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In the hills of Babonneau
J’s Bar and Grill
A bar and grill at La Guerre, Babonneau, listed by the tourism authority.
La Guerre, Babonneau, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Shopping
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Chocolate in an 1896 estate house
Howelton Estate
An estate house of 1896 on 8 acres above Castries, home to Howelton chocolates, batik, handbags and a gift shop, with bean-to-bar and candle-making workshops.
Morne Fortune, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Duty-free by the cruise ships
Pointe Seraphine
The cruise port and duty-free shopping complex in Castries, with stores, local boutiques and harbour views.
Pointe Seraphine, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Hand-painted ceramic souvenirs
Caribic Design
Hand-made and hand-painted ceramic souvenirs, using imported white and local red clays.
Sunny Acres, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Spas and health
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The island’s main hospital
Owen King EU Hospital
The main public hospital, near Castries, run by the Millennium Heights Medical Complex.
Millennium Highway, Coubaril, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Private care with 24-hour A&E
Tapion Hospital
A private hospital in Castries with a 24-hour accident and emergency unit, specialist departments and a community pharmacy.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
Getting there
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From Hewanorra to the north in minutes
St. Lucia Helicopters
Helicopter transfers between Hewanorra and the north (10 to 15 minutes), and island tours, for up to six passengers.
P.O. GM945, Sunny Acres, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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The inter-island airport by Castries
George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU)
The island’s regional airport at Vigie, just outside Castries, for flights to and from neighbouring islands.
Vigie, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Martinique in an hour and a half
FRS Express des Îles: ferry to Martinique
The fast ferry linking Castries with Fort-de-France, Martinique (1 h 30, non-stop), and on to Dominica and Guadeloupe; formerly L’Express des Îles.
Castries ferry terminal, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Taxis from the cruise port
Courtesy Taxi & Tour Co-operative
A taxi and tour co-operative based at Pointe Seraphine, offering transfers and short tours such as a trip to Reduit Beach.
Pointe Seraphine, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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Arriving by cruise ship
Castries cruise port
The cruise berths at Pointe Seraphine and in Castries harbour.
Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map
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How to get there
Getting to Castries
About 1 hour 15 from Hewanorra; George F. L. Charles Airport is just outside town.
Questions and answers
When is the best day for Castries Market?
Saturday morning, when farmers and artisans come in from across the island.
Where does the ferry to Martinique leave from?
Castries; FRS Express des Îles takes about 1 h 30 to Fort-de-France.
Share your Castries & Morne Fortune tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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