Vacation in Martinique: The Paris of the West Indies

What Should I Do in Martinique?

Picturesque bays, zouk music, exotic plants, and rum distilleries, you will find all this and much more in Martinique. Here is a list of the highlights that you should not miss on your Martinique vacation.

1. Hike to the Top of Montagne Pelée

The Montagne Pelée is 4,583 feet high, no longer an active volcano that mostly hides in the clouds. However, the volcano is also known for a very dark chapter in Martinique's history. In 1902 the volcano erupted, killing all the residents of the town of St Pierre and neighboring villages. Almost 30,000 people lost their lives.

2. Visit the Town of St Pierre

For several decades the city lay in ruins, but today it is a popular tourist destination and is known as the "City of Art and History". In addition to climbing the volcano, you can also do wonderful diving here and even see sunken ships that went down when the fiery cloud reached the sea.

3. Walk in the Jardin de Balata

In the private botanical garden Jardin de Balata, you can admire 3,000 different types of tropical plants, including 300 different types of palm trees.

4. Swim and Snorkel at Anse Mitan Beach

The golden beach of Anse Mitan has incredibly clear but also deep water. Therefore, you should always be careful when splashing around. There is also a lot on offer culturally, such as the Musée de la Pagerie or La Savane des Esclaves, so you don’t even have to go far from the beach to learn more about the culture and history of Martinique.