A Guide for Travelers to St. George, Grenada
Welcome to St. George’s, Grenada’s lively, culturally rich, and beautiful parish. It is the island’s second largest parish, with 67 km² (25 mi²). The capital, St. George’s, is generally called one of the most beautiful harbor towns in the Caribbean. The parish has about 27,400 people and is made up of seaside villages, hilltop communities, and green neighborhoods in the middle of the country. This makes it a great place for vacationers looking for holiday rentals that feel like home.
Where People Live and Where You Might Stay
St. George’s, Grenada’s main town and port, is at the center of the population. It stretches through beautiful coastal villages like Fort Jeudy, Lance aux Epines, Calivigny, Woburn, Morne Rouge, Grand Anse, Cherry Hill, Grand Mal, Moliniere, Happy Hill, Beausejour, and Brizan. These towns along the coast are great places for travelers to find flats, villas, and guesthouses that are only a few steps from the beach. Inland, lovely residential communities including Morne Jaloux, Hope Vale, Springs, Mardigras, Mt. Parnassus, La Mode, Boca, Vendome, Mt. Moritz, and New Hampshire give a more serene retreat, perfect for guests seeking cooler breezes, local life, and houses with stunning mountain or valley views.
A Parish That History Made
St. George’s has had a strong feeling of place for hundreds of years. When the British took over, they changed the name from Basse-Terre to St. George’s in 1764 to commemorate England’s patron saint and King George III. Settled mostly along the sheltered leeward shore, the area quickly became an important harbor because of its deep-water port and naturally protected waters. This benefit helped it expand far faster than neighboring districts.
The southern shore of the parish, which is drier and has several beaches, became the center of the island’s holiday and hospitality business. Visitors can find everything from charming local-owned guesthouses to seaside boutique hotels, luxury homes, and modern furnished apartments here, especially around the world-famous Grand Anse Beach. This is the perfect mix for travelers who want a comfortable, independent, and affordable place to stay.
Different cultures, from Native American heritage to colonial architecture
St. George’s is beautiful, but what makes it really special is its rich cultural past. Point Salines and Beausejour are two important archeological sites that show us how the Kalinago people lived long before Europeans came to the area.
French settlers came in 1649, and by the 1650s, a series of violent wars forced the Kalinago to leave their homes. The French had set up the parish of St. Jacques et St. Philippe by the 1660s. It was centered around a chapel in Ville du Fort Royal. French influence is still seen in the town’s layout, narrow streets, and many architectural characteristics.
Plantation agriculture, which relied on the work of enslaved Africans, became the parish’s main source of income. The first estates grew indigo, but by the 1700s, they were growing cotton and, more importantly, sugar. Water-powered mills were used all across the parish. At Beausejour, Calivigny, and Moliniere, you can still see parts of ancient sugar works. The stone structures are largely concealed, but they remind you of the parish’s agricultural heritage.
A “City on the Hill” That Will Always Be Beautiful
People often call St. George’s, the capital of Grenada, a “City on the Hill” that looks like a picture. The red-tiled roofs, pastel Georgian homes, and old churches are all examples of how French and British architecture has changed over the years. Visitors can walk along the Carenage, which is a crescent-shaped inner harbor with colonial houses from the 1800s, cafés, and fishing boats unloading their catch.
Lucas Street, Young Street, and Melville Street are some of the most famous examples of 19th-century Caribbean architecture. People who rent a vacation home in the capital can simply walk to museums, the busy market, waterfront restaurants, and cultural sites.
Must-See Beautiful Places
St. George’s is a feast for the eyes, with amazing views of the Caribbean Sea, the town, and the verdant countryside:
- Richmond Hill and Old Fort lie on the edge of an old volcanic crater. From these high places, you can see the capital, the port, and the coast all around. People who love photography and those who are staying in neighboring hotels will love them.
- Grand Anse Beach is Grenada’s most famous beach. It has three kilometers of beautiful white sand. Visitors who stay in vacation rentals in the Grand Anse or Morne Rouge districts love it because the sea is calm, there are restaurants on the beach, and it’s simple to go to water activities.
- Annandale Waterfall: This waterfall is a short drive into the parish’s verdant interior and is great for a dip or a walk in nature. People who stay in Springs, Vendome, or Mardigras can easily get to this natural treasure.
Amazing things to see underwater and attractions that are good for the environment
Some of Grenada’s most amazing marine and natural features are in St. George‘s:
- The Moliniere Underwater Sculpture Park is the first of its kind in the world. It has dozens of sculptures that have become an artificial reef full of marine life. If you snorkel or dive, you have to do it, especially if you are staying in Grand Mal, Moliniere, or a nearby seaside town.
- Dragon Bay and Coral Reefs: The western shore of the parish has many easy-to-reach snorkeling spots that are great for morning swims and marine photography trips.
- The Grenada Dove, the island’s national bird, is critically endangered and lives in Mt. Hartman National Park and Perseverance Forest Reserve. People who enjoy nature and birdwatchers regularly visit these reserves when they stay in Lance aux Epines, Woburn, and Calivigny.
Modern Living and Unique Experiences
Calivigny Island, a privately owned island situated off the southern border of the parish, is one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive places to stay for vacationers looking for luxury.
On the other hand, St. George’s University (SGU) brings a modern, global touch to the parish. There are a lot of restaurants, cafes, shops, and short- and long-term rental alternatives around the institution that are great for students, families, and tourists.
