St Kitts & Nevis Travel Guides

If you’re looking for a holiday destination that effortlessly combines sun, beach and history, then the Caribbean island of St Kitts fits the bill. The 15^th Century was when European settlers came ashore to St Kitts, and its location made it a critical land mass during the struggle for the West Indies. The culture that is felt on the island today is a melting pot of historical events and various colonisations over the years – creating a singular island that is brimming with natural treasures. Here’s just some of the best historical sites that you should stop by while on a visit.

Old Treasury Building and National Museum
Probably one of the best places to start your historic tour of St Kitts is the National Museum. Located in what is the Old Treasury Building in Basseterre, its historic collection deals with colonial and sugar history, the road to independence, and local lifestyle and traditions.

Fairview Great House & Botanical Gardens
Dating back 300 years, the Fairview Great House and Botanical Gardens is a prime example of 18^th Century colonial architecture. Built entirely from wood, the original resident was a French military commander and over the years the residence has been used as a hotel before being restored to its former glory just after the millennium. Inside, visitors can wander  through the dining room with its sixteen seat mahogany dinner table and antique silver service. In the surrounding area you’ll find the cobbled courtyard, which is home to the original kitchen with its volcanic stone and brick oven – as well as the original bathroom with its large sun-warmed volcanic stone bath. Complete your tour with a stroll into the Botanic Gardens that is home to flowers, tropical fruit trees, – and monkeys!

Independence Square
Found in the capital of Basseterre near Porte Zante, Independence Square is the historic administrative, commercial and social hub of the island.  Originally named Pall Mall Square by European settlers, its name was changed following the country’s independence on September 19th, 1983.

The St. Kitts Scenic Railway Ltd.
The St. Kitts Scenic Railway Ltd. is one of the few remaining operational rail tracks in the Caribbean. Originally it was built in the early 20^th Century to modernise the sugar industry, but today it is one of the most scenic ways to admire St Kitts organic landscape. 

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
Constructed intermittently over 104 years between the 1690s and 1790s, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park stands at 800 feet high with steep and precipitous slopes that are prominently built from rock  and held together by hand-made limestone cement. Its location provided the British military with an unbeatable lookout over Sandy Point and the neighbouring Caribbean islands – and the view remains as spectacular today as it was back then.   Brimstone Hill has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site of historical, cultural and architectural significance.

It’s true that good things come in small packages. St. Kitts & Nevis, the two-island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, is one of the smallest states in the Americas but offers the perfect holiday package.

1. Zip line through the rainforest
St. Kitts is home to a vast lush rainforest and, while hiking routes are available, the island’s zip-line experience offers a chance to see the rainforest from an entirely different angle.  There are five zip-lines with some of the highest and longest offering thrill-seekers a panoramic view of the rainforest, neighbouring islands and historical sites as they soar at speeds of up to 80km/hr.

2. Stroll through the Botanic Gardens
One of the youngest attractions on Nevis, the Botanic Gardens, was created to preserve flora from across the world.  With the Nevis Peak visible in the distance, this is a beautiful area of the island blooming with various gardens such as roses and vines, cactuses, fruit trees, orchids and a tropical rain forest conservatory, built to emulate the conservatory at Kew Gardens in England. This is also a popular location for wedding ceremonies.

3. Dine on authentic Caribbean cuisine
One of the best islands to get stuck into some authentic Caribbean cuisine. Conch Fritters, Johnny Cakes, stewed saltfish and goat water are just some of the delicacies available. If you’re visiting the islands in July, you’ll also be able to immerse yourself in the St. Kitts & Nevis Restaurant Week, where participating restaurants and bars offer special set menus that introduce visitors to local dishes.

4. Play a round of golf on two world-class courses
St. Kitts  & Nevis is home to two sun-drenched 18-hole championship golf resorts. On St. Kitts, the Royal St. Kitts uniquely allows golfers to play two full holes on the Caribbean Sea and three complete holes on the Atlantic Ocean while on Nevis,  the beautiful Robert Trent Jones II at the Four Seasons Resort, offers a  challenging course with  stunning views of its sister island.

5. Tour the historic capitals
Basseterre in St. Kitts and Charlestown in Nevis are quaint harbour towns and a hub for nearby islands. In Basseterre, start in Independence Square and move onto the National Museum, taking in the surrounding colonial architecture and the Circus, modelled after London's own Piccadilly Circus. Afterwards browse the many shops, colourful markets, galleries, bars and restaurants.