Best Things To Do in St. Kitts and Nevis

Nature hasn’t made this Mount Liamuiga Crater easy to get to – a good 2 hour hike up 1155m with steep and scrambly bits - but it’s stunning (all jungle vines and tropical flowers). When you reach the final ladder, climb to the edge of the crater, sit on ‘sofa rock’ and look down over the ‘Giant’s Salad Bowl’.

Owned by generations of the Earls of Romney, this 17th century estate once watched over a sugar plantation and now houses the Caribelle Batik workshop. Watch live demos and buy products made onsite. Just don’t miss the surrounding gardens with their ancient saman tree.

Brimstone Hill and the fort built on top of it are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their cultural, historical and architectural importance. This is one of the best-preserved forts in the Caribbean - designed by British engineers and built from 1690 for over a century by African slaves, using volcanic rock and limestone mortar from the surroundings. It looks out over the island, Sandy Point, and nearby islands of Nevis, Montserrat, St Maarten, St Barths et al. Fort George ‘aka the Citadel’ is the crowning glory, a prime example of a Polygonal fortress. The area has a visitor centre in the old Commissariat Building, as well as nature trails leading between the sites.

Like nothing else in the Caribbean, the Sugar Train harks back to the days when sugarcane was a prosperous trade - set up in 1920’s and circling the whole of St Kitts. When sugarcane production stopped in 2005, thankfully the train kept chugging as a means for visitors to see the sights of the island. Not all of the track remains, but anything not covered is taken care of by coach. The full tour takes three hours, leading 30 miles around the island.

An 18th century Great House, Fairview has been lovingly restored as a place to gain a glimpse of the island’s past. See antique furnishings and learn of the house’s happenings over the past few centuries. The views of the sea and tiny Nevis island from the master bedroom are incredible. The house has some gorgeous botanical gardens, as well as a gift shop (selling locally made pottery and crafts) housed in the former cellar.

The colonial Old Treasury building, built in 1894 and nicknamed ‘the gateway to Basseterre’, became the home of the National Museum in 2002. Inside, exhibits tell of the island’s past and heritage, from the days of the natives through to slavery and sugarcane, rebellion and achieving independence from Britain.

Brit and keen botanist Tim Mosley began the story of these gardens a couple of decades ago when he bought the land, cultivated it for tropical plants and built what’s now called The Garden House with it’s awesome views over the island. The latest owners – the lovely Douglases – have continued his legacy in style, creating a spectacular space with trees, cacti, flowers, fountains, sculptures and art pieces. The tropical rainforest conservatory was built to emulate the conservatory at Kew and a gift shop, bar and restaurant are also open for visitors.

Hamilton House on Charlestown harbour was built in Georgian style around 1680, then rebuilt in 1983 following hurricane damage. It’s named for the fact that Alexander Hamilton was born here (who helped draft the US constitution, became first secretary of the treasury and also encouraged the end of slavery – quite a chap!). These days it has two museums on the first floor, telling of Hamilton’s life and island history, while the upper floor’s used by the Nevis House Assembly.

Islanders have been reaping the benefits of Nevis’ hot springs for hundreds of years, and the site was cherry picked as the spot to build what’s thought to be the Caribbean’s first hotel – Bath Hotel – in 1778. It was surrounded by landscaped gardens and hosted grand balls in its day, when legendary patrons included Nelson, Coleridge and Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence. These days, the building is used by the Premier’s Ministry who lead the island’s administration. You can walk around and enjoy the views from the top, as well as take a dip in the Spring House’s four thermal baths – wonderfully hot and a treat to relax in.

Wherever you go on Nevis, your eyes are drawn to the spectacular 3232 ft peak. It's a challenging hike but you will be rewarded with great views of the tropical landscape... unless the peak is surrounded by clouds! Nevis Peak is covered in thick jungle and is steep in places with muddy hillsides. If you think you've got what it takes for this tough climb then we recommend you wear hiking boots and hire a guide (locals insist on it).