Basseterre Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Basseterre
Basseterre
Basseterre
Basseterre

With white-sand beaches, artisanal markets and attractive colonial buildings, this Caribbean capital offers a fresh island experience and a sense of history.

The Caribbean island of St. Kitts has a long trading history, centred on its lively urbanized port, Basseterre. Admire Basseterre’s colonial landmarks, dine at beach-side restaurants and explore undeveloped island landscapes.

Make your base in Basseterre's downtown, a grid layout of thoroughfares along St. Kitts' southwest coast. Wander the shop-lined avenues between Central Street and Liverpool Row to find Independence Square, the port's social centre. Restaurants along the Bay Road promenade offer seafood dishes and ocean views.

Browse boutiques and enjoy a coffee at the Pelican Mall. Artisanal goods and cute souvenirs can be bought at the Amina Craft Market or the Public Market.

The island was settled by the French in the 1620s, making Basseterre one of the Caribbean's oldest towns. Despite colonial struggles and natural disasters over the decades, restoration efforts have ensured Basseterre's historic buildings are still standing. Admire the columned façade of Government House or stroll the manicured gardens surrounding Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden.

Learn about the island's colonial wars at the National Museum. Take daytrips to Spooner's Ginnery or the St. Kitts Sugar Factory to see relics of the island's production history.

Pay your respects at the Church of Immaculate Conception and admire the commanding Gothic tower of St. George's Anglican Basilica. Get a photo of the Berkeley Monument, a misty fountain bubbling beneath a decorative clock.

St. Kitts' climate is unflinchingly temperate, allowing for year-round enjoyment of its sandy coves. Drive to Banana Bay and relax beneath coconut trees or walk a 2-mile (3-kilometre) stretch of white sand at Cockleshell Bay. Snorkeling, fishing and birdwatching tours offer fresh perspectives on this invigorating environment.

Fly into Basseterre's international airport or cruise into its harbour. Downtown Basseterre can be easily navigated on foot, while its surrounds are best accessed by bus or taxi.

After enjoying the town, experience the island's verdant valleys and fields from the Scenic Railway. As evening falls, follow the music to Frigate Bay, where beachfront clubs provide lively nightlife.

Where to stay in Basseterre

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Monkey Hill

While Monkey Hill may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and Warner Park Sporting Complex.

Monkey Hill
St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa
St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa
4.5 out of 5
858 Frigate Bay Road, Frigate Bay, Basseterre, St. Kitts
The price is £196 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£196
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Basseterre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"This was my second time staying at the Marriott in St Kitts. Overall it was a good experience. Only issue is that after spending my first night the next morning while I was laying in bed someone walked into my room apparently there was a mix up with the system and they gave someone else the keys ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa
Koi Resort Saint Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton
Koi Resort Saint Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton
4 out of 5
100 Koi Resort Drive, Basseterre
The price is £136 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
£136
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Basseterre. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (375 reviews)
"This property was really clean, secluded and have a unique style about it."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Koi Resort Saint Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton
Royal St. Kitts Hotel
Royal St. Kitts Hotel
4 out of 5
406 Zenway Blvd, Frigate Bay, Basseterre, St. Kitts
The price is £145 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
£145
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Basseterre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (479 reviews)
"Clean and very comfortable"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Royal St. Kitts Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Marriott's St. Kitts Beach Club
Marriott's St. Kitts Beach Club
3.5 out of 5
858 Frigate Bay Road, Frigate Bay, Basseterre, St. Kitts
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Basseterre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and Frigate ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (90 reviews)
"One Of The Nicest Hotels I've Ever Been Too. Suite was Huge. Customer Service was Very Much On point. Design and Layout is A Big Plus. I'll be back real soon."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Marriott's St. Kitts Beach Club
Luxury Villa, Panoramic, Ocean, Mountain Views, Turtle Beach, Grill, Pool!
Luxury Villa, Panoramic, Ocean, Mountain Views, Turtle Beach, Grill, Pool!
Basseterre, Caribbean
Stay at this business-friendly holiday home in Basseterre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
Great Stay
"We enjoyed everything about our stay. The views were absolutely amazing."

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2025

Luxury Villa, Panoramic, Ocean, Mountain Views, Turtle Beach, Grill, Pool!
Sunset Reef St.Kitts
Sunset Reef St.Kitts
5 out of 5
Main Street, Boyd's, Basseterre, Trinity Palmetto Point
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Basseterre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Romney Manor and St. George's Anglican ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Sunset Reefs is simply extraordinary! From the location to the staff to the food. Our best meals of the week were at Drop the Anchor. I cannot say enough about the amazing experience we had. I’d highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2025

Sunset Reef St.Kitts
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Basseterre

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 6%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 82%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Ida

Reduce the use of plastic bottles - please offer drinking fountains and bags of life. Supermarkets tend to pack separately all groceries in individual plastic bags. Look after your beautiful beaches and bin or take litter (garbage) home.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice attractions to visit away from the beaches such as the fort,sugar cane railway tour and Romney Manor. Driving is safe unlike some islands

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Improvements noted. Supermarkets have been upgraded. The Bakery has been upgraded. The Inland Revenue Department is now at an accessible location. Easier for those who have mobility challenges.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

US dollar is the most used currency because of the number of US visitors. Therefore prices can be higher especially the bars around the Marriott. Form Timothy beach you need a taxi to almost anywhere, but the beach is on The Caribbean so v nice

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Friendly people, as always

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I like the place. Its pretty well chilled out and you do not get bothered much. Plenty of ferrys over to Nevis. A really nice place to see. The rum shacks by the bus terminal are a must at night for a few beers. Even there at night everyone was nice.

Cities near Basseterre