14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Grenada

In the far south of the Caribbean, gorgeous Grenada is known as "the Spice Island" for the fragrant nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and cocoa that flourish in its fertile volcanic soil. The nation of Grenada also includes the two smaller and quieter islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, northeast of the mainland. For travelers seeking an authentic Caribbean experience, Grenada offers a spicy mix of local culture and colonial roots as well as rainforests, lush mountains, colorful seaside villages, plantations, and beautiful beaches framed by frangipani and flamboyant trees.

St George's, Grenada's capital, is one of the prettiest cities in the Caribbean and is popular with yachters who dock in the busy harbor of Carenage. Many visitors spend their time around nearby Grand Anse Beach, but Grenada offers more than just golden sands. Waterfalls gush in the island's interior at Grand Etang National Park, and hiking trails thread through the lush rainforest while scenic Levera National Park boasts dramatic coastline vistas and coral reefs. Swimming, diving, snorkeling and fishing are all popular activities in Grenada's turquoise waters, and history buffs will enjoy exploring the country's forts and museums.

1 Grand Anse Beach

Fringed by sea grapes and coconut palms, Grand Anse is Grenada's most famous beach and one of its most beautiful. Cruise ship visitors flock to this three-kilometer arc of golden sand and gentle surf, and many boutique resorts and restaurants lie along its shores. Water hues range from clear turquoise in the shallows to deep cobalt blue, and the calm waters are perfect for swimming. Midway along the beach, visitors will find the Grande Anse Craft and Spice Market while independent vendors patrol the sands hawking trinkets and souvenirs.

Address: South of St. George's

2 St. George's

One of the prettiest port towns in the Caribbean, the capital city of St. George's curves along a horseshoe-shaped harbor backed by volcanic hills. This colorful capital is popular with yachters who dock in the busy harbor of Carenage. Brick and stone buildings with red tiled roofs line the streets where locals sell spices and crafts. One of the main attractions in the city is Fort George, built by the French in the early 18th century, and Fort Frederick offers beautiful views of St. George's. Housed in a 1704 French barracks and former prison, the Grenada National Museum displays a hodgepodge of historical items including Carib and Arawak artifacts and exhibits on the sugar and whaling industries. St. George's Market Square is home to the popular Saturday morning market as well as local events. Among the town's other attractions are the Sendall Tunnel, built in 1895, which joins the Carenage to the Esplanade, and the Bay Gardens with more than 3,000 species of Caribbean plants.

3 Fort Frederick

At the end of winding hairpin turns atop Richmond Hill, Fort Frederick offers stunning views of St. George's, residential areas, and the sea. Visitors will enjoy the fort's interesting history. The French began construction of Fort Frederick in 1779 and the British then completed it in 1791. It is nicknamed the "backwards facing fort" because its cannons face inland instead of out to sea thanks to the French who feared a surprise land attack after they used this successful strategy with the British. In 1850, the fort was abandoned completely until it was later occupied by the Grenadian military.

4 Fort George

Built in 1705 by the French, Fort George lies on the promontory to the west of the harbor and is Grenada's oldest fort. It was built to protect the harbor, but the police force uses many of the buildings today. Much of the fort is still intact and open to visitors, although the main draw is the spectacular 360-degree view across the town's red-tiled roofs and church spires to the harbor and sea beyond.

Address: Church St., St. George's

5 Carenage

The inner harbor and anchorage, known as the Carenage, is a lovely place to wander along the waterfront, browse the shops, and watch the dockside activities. Wooden schooners are loaded and unloaded here and visitors can chat with the locals or relax at one of the restaurants selling fresh seafood and snacks. Wharf Road runs along the harbor offering great views of the area. Look for the bronze Christ of the Deep statue donated by the owners of a luxury liner in gratitude for local rescue efforts after the ship exploded off Grand Anse.

6 Morne Rouge Bay

One bay south of Grand Anse, near the southern tip of Grenada, Morne Rouge Bay is usually a quieter alternative to Grand Anse Beach. Calm jade-green seas slosh upon this one-and-a-half kilometer crescent of white sand making this a safe beach for swimming. Resort restaurants along the beach offer snacks, and the lush foliage fringing the beach provides plenty of shady areas to sit and relax.

Address: Morne Rouge, St. George's

7 Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve

Home to a rich diversity of plants and animals, Grand Etang National Park, in the interior of the island, offers some beautiful rainforest scenery and rewarding hikes. One of the focal points of the park is the beautiful crater-formed Grand Etang Lake. From the Grand Etang visitor center, several trails lead through the park, ranging from the 30-minute self-guided Morne LaBaye Trail with many specimens of native plants to the more challenging Concord Falls Trail, which passes a trio of cascades with swimming areas. Other popular hikes include the Shoreline Trail around the Grand Etang Lake, the Seven Sisters Falls hike, and the Mount Qua Qua Trail, a three-hour uphill trek with views over the forest. Along the trails visitors can spot many species of birds, orchids, and towering rainforest trees.

Address: St. Andrew

8 Levera National Park

On the northeastern shore of the island, Levera National Park offers some dramatic scenery where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic. Backed by cliff walls, coral-sand Bathways Beach boasts views of Sugar Loaf (Levera Island) and other islands in the distance while a natural offshore reef affords good protection for swimming. Also of interest in the park is Levera Pond, a water-filled, ancient volcanic crater, and a Bird-Watch Bridge which extends into a mangrove area. A visitor center lies at the entrance to the park. Admission is free

Address: Levera, St. Patrick

9 Annandale Falls

In the mountains north of St. George's, Annandale Falls is a 10-meter waterfall plunging to a pool tucked in tropical foliage. The short trail to the falls begins at the Annandale Falls Centre. Visitors can swim at the base of the cascades and watch local divers leaping into the water from the top. Change rooms are also available here. Be prepared for locals hawking souvenirs.

Address: Annandale, St. George

10 Underwater Sculpture Park

On the west coast of Grenada, a short drive north of St. George's at Moliniere Bay, the Underwater Sculpture Park is a unique submerged gallery that also serves as an artificial reef in a Marine Protected Area. Created by artist Jason de Caires Taylor, the sculptures range from Amerindian petroglyphs to life size figures cast from local children. Divers, snorkelers, and glass bottom boat passengers can admire this underwater exhibition, although the best views are face to face with these sculptures below sea level.

Address: Moliniere Bay, St. George's
Official site: http://grenadaunderwatersculpture.com/

11 Dougaldston Spice Estate

One of Grenada's oldest and largest nutmeg plantations, Dougaldston Spice Estate is a rustic operation where local workers demonstrate how the island's spices are grown and processed. Visitors can also buy bags of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves. Near the Dougaldston Spice Estate is the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station, the largest facility on the island, where workers sort and pack nutmeg and share interesting facts about Grenada's famous spice. Tours are open to the public.

Address: Gouyave, St. John

12 La Sagesse Nature Centre

La Sagesse Nature Centre, located on the Atlantic side of the island, is on the former estate of Lord Brownlow, Queen Elizabeth's cousin. His beachside residence has been renovated and turned into a romantic inn fronting a golden sand beach with great swimming in the protected bay. Nature trails in the area lead up through the windswept hills and provide pretty views over the ocean. The area is also great for birding. Many avian species make their home in the area's scrub forests, mangroves, and salt ponds.

Address: La Sagesse Bay
Official site: http://www.lasagesse.com/

13 Carriacou

Known as the "Land of Reefs", the island of Carriacou (carry-a-cou), northeast of Grenada, offers visitors a pleasing taste of the old Caribbean. Both white and black sand beaches fringe the coast, and coral reefs lie offshore with great opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Nearby Sandy Island, in a Marine Protected Area, is also excellent for snorkeling. The island has a number of small villages but the main population center is Hillsborough. The Carriacou Museum here displays Carib, European, and African artifacts, and the island offers several hiking trails. Visitors can access Carriacou via high-speed ferry from St. George's Carenage or flights from Grenada's Point Saline International Airport.

Official site: http://grenadagrenadines.com/about-the-islands/discover-carriacou/

14 Petite Martinique

Five kilometers northeast of Carriacou, Petite Martinique is even quieter than its neighbor and equally beautiful. Fishing is the mainstay of this tiny island, and visitors can watch the locals haul in their catch or stroll along the beaches and chat with boat builders as they work. This is truly an island getaway with few tourist facilities except a couple of guesthouses and family-run restaurants, but visitors will find plenty of local color. Many yachters stop here to dine at one of the island's excellent restaurants. From Carriacou, visitors can catch a ferry across to the island.

Official site: http://www.petitemartinique.com/