Things to do · Saint Lucia
14 best things to do in Saint Lucia
14 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mjr74, Public domain
Quick answer
The essential sights in Saint Lucia are The Pitons, Sulphur Springs and Sugar Beach. Of the 14 picks below, 7 are free, 1 work on a rainy day and 6 suit children. Allow about 7 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- The Pitons
- Free sights
- 7
- Good on a rainy day
- Castries Central Market
- Time to see the highlights
- 7 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pitons | Soufrière | Half a day for viewpoints | Free |
| Sulphur Springs | Soufrière | 1–1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Sugar Beach | Soufrière | Half a day | Free |
| Gros Piton hike | Soufrière | 4–5 hours return | Mid-priced |
| Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens | Soufrière | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Tet Paul Nature Trail | Soufrière | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| Anse Chastanet | Soufrière | Half a day | Free |
| Pigeon Island National Landmark | Rodney Bay and Gros Islet | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
| Reduit Beach | Rodney Bay and Gros Islet | Half a day | Free |
| Marigot Bay | Marigot Bay | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Castries Central Market | Castries and Vigie | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte | Castries and Vigie | 1 hour | Free |
| Toraille Waterfall | Soufrière | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| Rainforest aerial tram and zip-lines at Chassin | Rodney Bay and Gros Islet | 2–3 hours | Expensive |
The 14 best things to do
Nature · Soufrière
1.The Pitons
Gros Piton and Petit Piton, both over 700 metres high, are volcanic plugs rising directly from the sea south of Soufrière, linked by the Piton Mitan ridge. Together with the surrounding reefs they form the Pitons Management Area World Heritage Site, and they are visible from much of the southwest coast.
See them from the sea on a boat trip and from the Tet Paul Nature Trail viewpoint; each angle shows a different pair of shapes.
- Time needed
- Half a day for viewpoints
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Free
Nature · Soufrière
2.Sulphur Springs
Inside the collapsed caldera of the Qualibou volcano, steaming vents and bubbling grey pools give off the smell of sulphur, and visitors walk viewing platforms with guides. Downstream, warm mud and mineral pools let you coat yourself in volcanic mud and rinse off.
Wear an old dark swimsuit for the mud baths, and remove silver jewellery, which the sulphur can tarnish.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
Beach · Soufrière
3.Sugar Beach
Also known as Anse des Pitons, this beach sits directly between the two Pitons, with a reef close to shore that is part of the marine reserve. It fronts a resort, but the beach itself is accessible to the public, and water taxis from Soufrière stop here.
Arrive by water taxi from Soufrière for the best view of the Pitons from the sea, and snorkel the reef on the right side of the bay.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Free
Experience · Soufrière
4.Gros Piton hike
The trail up Gros Piton starts at the village of Fond Gens Libre and climbs steeply through forest, with mandatory local guides. Most fit hikers reach the summit in about two to two-and-a-half hours, with views over Petit Piton and the coast from the top.
Start as early as possible to avoid midday heat, and bring at least two litres of water and proper shoes.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours return
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
Garden · Soufrière
5.Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
On the old Soufrière Estate, landscaped tropical gardens lead to a waterfall stained by minerals in streaks of colour. Restored mineral baths, originally built in the 18th century, can be used for a small extra fee.
Go early or late in the day to avoid tour groups, and bring swimwear for the mineral baths.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Soufrière
6.Tet Paul Nature Trail
A short, guided community-run trail through gardens and farmland near Soufrière climbs the 'Stairway to Heaven' to a viewpoint looking straight across at the Pitons. It is a far easier alternative to hiking Gros Piton for the views.
Go in the morning, when the Pitons are usually clearest, and allow time to talk with the guide about the plants on the farm.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Beach · Soufrière
7.Anse Chastanet
A dark-sand bay north of Soufrière with one of the island's best reefs, reached by a steep, rough road or by boat. A dive centre runs shore dives and snorkel tours, and coral, turtles and reef fish are close to the beach.
Snorkel along the right side of the bay, where the reef drops off just offshore, and combine it with neighbouring Anse Mamin.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Free
- Outdoors
Historic site · Rodney Bay and Gros Islet
8.Pigeon Island National Landmark
Joined to the mainland by a causeway, this former island holds the ruins of British forts and barracks from the 18th-century wars with France. Trails climb to Fort Rodney and Signal Peak, with views to Martinique on clear days, and there are two small beaches.
Climb Signal Peak in the late afternoon for the views over Rodney Bay, then swim at the small beach before leaving.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
Beach · Rodney Bay and Gros Islet
1.Reduit Beach
A long stretch of pale sand with calm water in Rodney Bay, lined by hotels and beach bars, with watersports rentals and space for families. It is the island's most popular beach and the easiest to reach in the north.
Walk towards the quieter northern end, near the marina channel, when the central section fills up.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Marigot Bay
2.Marigot Bay
A sheltered inlet surrounded by steep, palm-covered hills, with yachts anchored in the bay and a small beach on a palm-lined spit. Restaurants and bars around the marina look over the water, and a short ferry crosses to the beach.
Visit around sunset for drinks overlooking the bay, and use the small water taxi to reach the beach side.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Photo spot
- Free
Market · Castries and Vigie
3.Castries Central Market
Under the orange roofs of the Victorian-era market on Jeremie Street, stalls sell spices, cocoa sticks, hot sauces, baskets and produce, while a food section serves local lunches. Derek Walcott Square and the Cathedral Basilica, with its interior painted by Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St. Omer, are a few minutes away.
Go on a Saturday morning, the busiest market day, and avoid cruise-ship hours if you want a calmer visit.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Castries and Vigie
4.Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte
The hill above Castries was fought over by Britain and France, and the 18th-century buildings of Fort Charlotte now house a college. The road up passes viewpoints over Castries harbour, Vigie and, on clear days, north to Pigeon Island.
Stop at the viewpoint near Government House on the way up for the classic panorama of Castries harbour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- History
- Free
Nature · Soufrière
5.Toraille Waterfall
A roughly 15-metre waterfall dropping over a cliff into a pool in a small tropical garden on the road into the hills above Soufrière. You can stand under the falls for a cool natural shower.
Bring swimwear and visit after lunch, when most tour groups have moved on.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Experience · Rodney Bay and Gros Islet
6.Rainforest aerial tram and zip-lines at Chassin
At Chassin in Babonneau, inland from Castries, an aerial tram glides through the rainforest canopy with a naturalist guide, and zip-line courses cross the valley. It is an accessible way to see the rainforest from the north of the island.
Choose the tram for wildlife spotting and the zip-lines for thrills; morning visits usually have more bird activity.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| History | Pigeon Island National Landmark, Castries Central Market and Morne Fortune and Fort Charlotte |
| Views | The Pitons, Gros Piton hike, Tet Paul Nature Trail and Sugar Beach |
| Outdoors and nature | The Pitons, Sulphur Springs, Gros Piton hike and Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens |
| Food and markets | Castries Central Market |
| With children | Sulphur Springs, Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, Pigeon Island National Landmark and Reduit Beach |
| On a rainy day | Castries Central Market |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Saint Lucia?
The Pitons. Gros Piton and Petit Piton, both over 700 metres high, are volcanic plugs rising directly from the sea south of Soufrière, linked by the Piton Mitan ridge.
+What can you do for free in Saint Lucia?
The Pitons, Sugar Beach, Anse Chastanet, Reduit Beach and Marigot Bay. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Saint Lucia when it rains?
Head indoors to Castries Central Market.