Belonging to the country of France, Martinique is a beautiful Carribean island and an overseas region of the country. It has a vibrant culture that is a perfect blend of West Indian and French influences. It boasts of breathtaking wonders from marvelous landscapes to stunning beaches. While in Martinique, you can enjoy some hiking and reconnect with nature at the Mount Pelee. Also, you should visit Anse Mitan and spend a day basking in the warmth of the sun, swimming in crystal clear waters, and enjoy building sandcastles with your loved ones. Plus, you can not end your Martinique adventure without checking out the gorgeous Jardin de Balata. For a more in-depth guide, here is a list of fantastic things to do in Martinique that you should definitely try when you visit this majestic region of France. Feel free to browse below.
1. Visit the fishing village of Les Anses d'Arlet (from USD 74.0)
If you like city tours and sightseeing, this exciting and authentic tour of Southern Martinique might pique your interest. This tour lasts for half a day. Some of the places that you will get to visit throughout the duration of the tour include Diamon Rock, pottery, and a distillery. This tour package is exclusive to a small group making it intimate and focused. It is a fun way to make friends with other tourists while immersing yourself in the culture of the southern side of Martinique. This tour package includes a professional guide and a convenient and comfortable transport service.
Southern Martinique: Pottery Studio, Distillery, Diamond Rock
Duration: 5 hours
2. Attend a Creole cooking class (from USD 119.0)
Surely, Martinique has breathtaking sights, marvelous landmarks, and a breathtaking landscape. More than that, it has a rich heritage and a vibrant culture. One testament to that is their delicious dishes and their method of cooking them. If you want to learn more about the tasty side of their culture, you might want to book this Creole cuisine cooking class and rum tasting at La Mauny distillery tour package. On this tour, you will learn to cook a three-course meal in the city’s Creole-style tradition. Plus, a tour to a distillery is included in the itinerary. You will definitely acquire knowledge and techniques that you may brag to your friends when you get back home to your city.
Creole Cooking Class, Rum Tasting at La Mauny Distillery
Duration: 4 hours
3. Enjoy the tranquility at Jardin de Balata
If you like reconnecting with nature and taking time to breathe fresh air and reflect on life, there is a fantastic place in Martinique that you will surely love - Jardin de Balata on Route de Balata. It is a vast garden that will make you feel like you are in paradise. With lush greeneries, exotic flora, and breathtaking views of the city, you will surely feel relaxed and refreshed in Jardin de Balata. The garden has been preserved and nurtured for over 50 years now. It is also a gorgeous place to conduct photoshoots for special events.
Jardin de Balata
Address: Route de Balata, Fort-de-France 97234, Martinique
Website: Jardin de Balata
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 8.97 USD
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4. Trek through Gorges de la Falaise
The Gorges de la Falaise is a majestic natural park in Martinique. To get to this marvelous landmark, you will pass through beautiful tropical forests and two huge cliffs. At the end of the journey lies an enchanting waterfall with crystal clear waters. Gorges de la Falaise is popular to tourists who like nature adventures and discovering hidden gems. The journey to the waterfalls is only a 30-minute walk. So, you don’t necessarily have to be an expert hiker to take part in the adventure. It is advised that tourists visit during the summer season as it is sometimes close to the public during the winter season.
Gorges de la Falaise
Address: Unnamed Road,, Martinique
Website: Gorges de la Falaise
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 4.48 USD
5. Conquer Mount Pelee
Mount Pelee is a volcano nesting in the northern side of Martinique. Its last eruption was in 1932 and has been dormant ever since. Its name is a translation for the word bald in the English language. In history, the eruption of Mount Pelee was considered the worst volcanic disaster of the 20th century, wiping out the whole city of St. Pierre in as fast as a minute. It destroyed lots of heritage sites and landmarks in the city including Théâtre de Saint-Pierre.
6. Shop for spices in Grand Marche
If you are into some shopping for some fresh meat, fish, and organic vegetables, you should head over Rue Isambert and do your shopping in Grand Marche. It is a charming fresh food market that is open from Monday to Saturday. It is the largest market on the island. Aside from fresh food, they also sell spices that are authentic to the region. Be sure to bag some of those for when you get to your hometown. Also, it is an ideal place to make friends with locals. You can ask some friendly locals for recipes as well as travel tips for your Martinique adventure.
Grand Marche
Address: Rue Isambert, Fort-de-France 97200, Martinique
Website: Grand Marche
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4:30am - 4pm; Sat: 4:30am - 2pm (closed on Sun)
7. Learn about the area's history at Saint-Pierre
St. Pierre is a town in Martinique. In history, it used to be the most important city in Martinique in terms of commerce and economics. That was before it was gravely destroyed by the volcanic eruption in 1902. It was once referred to as the Paris of the Carribean, teeming with life and showcasing vibrant culture. A total of 2800 people died due to the unfortunate disaster. At the present time, St. Pierre is trying its best to get back on its feet and rebuild what was lost. Though, you may see remnants and ruins of the eruption, St. Pierre is starting to get its colors back as well as its fascinating culture.
8. Go shopping and sightseeing in Fort-de-France
Located in Martinique, Fort de France is the capital of this Carribean island. It is a territory of the French government. It features a combination of West Indian influences as well as French culture. This city boasts a rich colonial architecture, gorgeous beaches, stunning natural wonders, as well as modern attractions like retail shops and upscale restaurants. While in Fort-de France, be sure to visit the Martinique Museum of Archaeology and Prehistory to learn more about the region’s culture and heritage. You should also visit La Savane park and take souvenir pictures of Napoleon’s wife Joséphine’s statue. You can also shop until you drop in this area of Martinique or gorge on excellent eats from various exquisite restaurants.
Fort-de-France
Address: Capital of Martinique
9. Learn about Napoleon's first wife at Musee de la Pagerie
The Musee de la Pagerie stands in Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique, the birthplace of Empress Josephine. She was the first wife of Emperor Napoleon I. This fascinating museum features a lovely property with an old colonial architecture, surrounded by vast gardens with lush greeneries and stunning flora. The views from this place will take your breath away. A lot of tourists visit this place to learn more about the life of the late empress and to take amazing souvenir pictures of the place.
Musee de la Pagerie
Address: Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique
Website: Musee de la Pagerie
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 4:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9:30am - 12:30pm (closed on Mon)
10. Escape to the beach in Les Salines
Les Salines is a breathtaking beach located in the southern end of Martinique. Its fine white sands and crystal clear waters are popular to tourists. If you have a big love for pristine beaches and exciting watersports, you will surely love an escapade to Les Salines. Imagine swimming in refreshing waters, basking in the warmth of the sun, and building sandcastles with your loved ones. These are a definite recipe for a great memorable time away from the busy city life.
Les Salines
Address: southern tip of Martinique
11. Visit the village of Le Carbet
Le Carbet is an iconic village that is part of the French department - Martinique. It is a gorgeous village with mostly residential areas, a pristine beach, and lots of lush greeneries. While in the village, be sure to visit Beach Carbet and spend a day swimming in crystal clear waters and playing in the sun. Also, be sure to visit the scenic zoo called ZOO Martinique Housing Latouche. If you are into physical activities and exploring natural wonders, you might be interested in hiking through the Canal des Esclaves.
12. Try authentic Creole dishes at Restaurant 1643
If you are done with the sightseeing, city tours, and all the partying that Martinique has to offer, you might want to try its delicious food offerings. If you like the idea, start your food escapade at the Restaurant 1643. Restaurant 1463 is a charming casual restaurant with a cozy feel to it. Its interiors are decorated with bright colors and lots of natural light come into the establishment. The food they offer is guaranteed to be delicious and the flavors will tickle your palate. Plus, the presentation of it is done in the most creative way you’ll ever see.
Restaurant 1643
Address: Zoo de Habitation Latouche, Martinique
Website: Restaurant 1643
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 7pm - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm (closed on Mon)
13. Pay a visit to Habitation Clement
Found in the heart of the lovely town of Francois, Habitation Clement is a large agricultural property in Martinique. Featuring a vast 18th-century house in the middle of the estate, Habitation Clement is considered a historic site in the region. This agricultural property is popular among tourists. Aside from a charming house, it also has sugar cane plantations, a contemporary art center, a rum house, and a botanical garden. It is a must-visit for people who are into industrial and agricultural functions.
Habitation Clement
Address: domaine de l'acajou, Le François 97240, Martinique
Website: Habitation Clement
Opening hours: 9am - 6:30pm (daily)
Price: From 6.73 USD
14. Enjoy hiking the La Caravelle Nature Trail
Do you find peace when you get to be reconnected with nature? Do you enjoy activities that involve physical strength and pushing yourself to the limits? If so, you might want to try hiking on La Caravelle Nature Trail. This majestic paradise is found in La Trinité, in Martinique Regional Nature Park. It showcases a vast, gorgeous, protected land with a fascinating landscape. To better appreciate this natural wonder, you should definitely hike it with your friends and families and pass through scenic routes.
La Caravelle Nature Trail
Address: Arrondissement of La Trinité, Martinique
Website: La Caravelle Nature Trail
15. Explore the ruins at Château Dubuc and Caravelle Peninsula
Chateau Dubuc is a fascinating landmark and destination in Martinique that features ruins of a 17th-century castle, scenic views, and a charming museum that houses exhibits that are relevant to the history of the region. It is a beautiful place to breathe fresh air and take souvenir pictures. Not to mention, from this vantage point, you will get to enjoy a panoramic view of La Trinité, Martinique.
Château Dubuc
Address: Arrondissement of La Trinité, Martinique
Website: Château Dubuc
Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)
16. Visit the gardens of Les Ombrages
Are you a florist by profession or a regular Tom with a green thumb? If so, you might like to visit the Gardens of Les Ombrages. It is a majestic natural park with excellent hiking routes, a botanical garden, environmental laboratory, nature preserve, and other facilities. For hiking enthusiasts, the hiking trail through lush forestry is an adventure they will surely love. Throughout the hike, you will see exotic flora, lovely plants and fruit-bearing trees, natural wonders, and scenic views.
Les Ombrages
Address: Ajoupa - Bouillon, Martinique
17. Check out Zoo Martinique
If you are thinking of a wonderful place to bring your kids during your Martinique adventure, a trip to Zoo Martinique might pique your interest. Featuring the oldest house in Martinique, surrounded by lush greeneries and adorned with scenic views, Zoo Martinique is a zoo that actually looks like a natural habitat of the animals. It houses hundreds of animals from jaguars to monkeys to pumas, to anteaters, raccoons, birds and fish species, and a lot more. Watch your kids as they marvel at the uniqueness of the friendly fellows in Zoo Martinique.
Zoo Martinique
Address: Anse Latouche, Le Carbet 97221, Martinique
Website: Zoo Martinique
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 10 USD
18. Learn about volcanology at Musee Volcanologique
Martinique has witnessed the destruction that a volcano can do. No wonder it keeps records, information, and knowledge that are valuable to the study of volcanology. If you have an interest in this branch of science, you should check out the Musee Volcanologique at Saint- Pierre. It was established in 1933 and features galleries, exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and documents that are relevant to the science of volcanology. You will see a glimpse of Martinique before and after the volcanic eruption when you visit this fascinating museum.
Musee Volcanologique
Address: Arrondissement of Saint-Pierre, Martinique
Website: Musee Volcanologique
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
19. Visit the unique Banana Museum
Just when you thought you’ve seen all the fascinating museums in Martinique, you can only be sure once you get to visit the gorgeous Banana Museum. It is an interactive museum dedicated to bananas. Featuring banana structures, non-edible displays, and other banana-related objects, this is a unique museum that is filled with yellow and green colors. Aside from exhibits and galleries, it also has an onsite restaurant that you should try.
Banana Museum
Address: Martinique
Website: Banana Museum
Opening hours: 9:30am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: From 8 USD
20. Dine at La Mandoline
Posted by Restaurant La Mandoline Martinique on Saturday, 2 June 2018
Want to try exquisite and authentic Martinique dishes? If so, you might enjoy the dining experience in La Mandoline located in Village de la Poterie. It is a simple yet charming restaurant with rustic interior design accents and a laid-back ambiance. The lush greens and lovely flora that adorn the place add charm and calmness to the restaurant. The food they serve is not only delicious but it is also organic and served in an aesthetically pleasing way. Plus, it is served in generous portions without breaking your budget.
La Mandoline
Address: Village de la poterie, Les Trois-Îlets 97229, Martinique
Website: La mandoline
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 12pm - 3pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 7pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
21. Grab a few drinks at Garage Popular
Posted by Garage Popular on Friday, 8 March 2019
Planning for a delightful night out with some friends? You might want to try some excellent drinks at Garage Popular. Located in Rue Lamartine, Garage Popular is a casual bar and pub in Martinique. Its interior design is mostly rustic-inspired, and it exudes a laid-back ambiance. It is ideal for beer nights with friends. But mind you, they serve not only beers but also premium drinks and popular cocktail mixes.
Garage Popular
Address: 121 Rue Lamartine, Fort-de-France 97200, Martinique
Website: Garage Popular
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 12am; Fri: 12pm - 2am; Sat: 7pm - 2am (closed on Sun)
22. Enjoy a night of dancing at Dream Club
Posted by Dream Club Martinique on Monday, 6 November 2017
If you love dancing and you like the high-energy ambiance and the laser lights, you should see the party atmosphere in Dream Club. It is a fantastic modern club with a majestic bar. Live music from talented DJs will make you dance to your heart’s content as the night goes by. The food is great at Dream Club and the premium drinks are overflowing. You know, as they say, when you visit a foreign city, party like a local.
Dream Club
Address: 45 Rue de la Republique, Fort-de-France, Martinique
Website: Dream Club
Opening hours: From 7:30pm onwards
23. Pamper yourself at Eden Paradise Spa
Do you feel your body starting to take its toll on you after days of city walks, museum visits, and restaurant hopping? If so, you might like to pause for a while and treat yourself to a day of relaxation and pampering. The best place to do so is at Eden Paradise Spa. It is a charming spa with relaxing rustic interior design, lots of natural light and a cool and airy ambiance. Some of the services they offer are anti-aging treatments, massages, facial treatments, and a lot more.
Eden Paradise Spa
Address: D36 Villa Volcart, D36, Sainte-Luce 97228, Martinique
Website: Eden Paradise Spa
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6:30pm; Sun: 10am - 5:30pm
24. Browse the branded stores at La Galleria
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you are done with all the museum visits and sightseeing, you might be interested in some shopping, pampering, and gorging on delicious food. La Galleria is a fantastic mall in Acajou Sud where you will find almost all of the mundane pleasures life has to offer. It features retail stores both of global brands and local ones, exquisite restaurants with different cuisines, and other well-visited establishments like salons and spas.
La Galleria
Address: Acajou Sud, Le Lamentin 97232, Martinique
Website: La Galleria
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 8:30pm (closed on Sun)
25. Tee off at Golf des Trois-Îlets
Even if you are in Martinique on business, it wouldn’t hurt to pause for a while, take a break, and play a few rounds of golf at Golf des Trois-llets. It boasts a vast, perfectly landscaped 18-hole golf course that will surely challenge you to amp up your game. Play against your friends or you can play with other tourists at the golf course. Not to mention, the place has scenic views that you will surely love.
Golf des Trois-Îlets
Address: Rue des Trois Chandelles, Les Trois-Îlets 97229, Martinique
Website: Golf des Trois-Îlets
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 35.87 USD
26. Catch a movie at Cinéma Madiana
If you’re interested in some movie viewing with your friends, Cinema Madiana is the place to go to. It is located in Avenue du Petit Florentin Schoelscher. The cinemas in Cinema Madiana are clean and comfortable, and they play up to date movies. For a schedule, you should check out their website before going to the cinema as it varies depending on the movie they will screen.
Cinéma Madiana
Address: Avenue Du Petit Florentin Schoelcher, 97233, Martinique
Website: Cinéma Madiana
Opening hours: From 1pm - 11pm (Schedule varies per movie)
27. Catch a live football match at Stade Louis Achille
You can not end your Martinique adventure without watching an exciting game of football at Stade Louis Achille. It is a vast infrastructure with lots of recreational areas for different sports. It is the venue of the most awaited football matches in Martinique. If you’re not into football, it also has an athletics track, a throwing and jumping area, a gymnasium, a multisports field, and other facilities.
Stade Louis Achille
Address: Fort-de-France Bay 97200, Martinique
Website: Stade Louis Achille
28. Take the kids to Jump Siyo Trampoline Park
Posted by Jumpsiyo on Friday, 7 June 2019
Have you been thinking of a place to bring the kids that they will surely enjoy? You might want to take them to the fantastic Jump Siyo Trampoline Park. It is a vast park that looks like a giant playground where kids and kids at heart will surely love. In total, it has 14 trampolines where you and your kids can jump and feel like almost flying in the air. It also has a dodge ball area, a cardio area, a gym, and other facilities for different activities.
Jump Siyo Trampoline Park
Address: Route des 3 ILETS Domaine Chateau Gaillard Les 3 Ilets, 97229, Martinique
Website: Jump Siyo Trampoline Park
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
29. Pay your respects at Cimetière de Ducos
If you have some family members in Martinique who already passed away, you might like to pay your respects to them at the Cimetiere de Ducos. It is a peaceful burial ground where you can pray for their souls and reminisce on some memories with them. Bring a candle or some flowers and pray in peace when you visit the cemetery.
Cimetière de Ducos
Address: Ducos, Martinique
Website: Cimetière de Ducos
30. Check out the ruins of an 18th-century theater in St-Pierre
Also called the La Comédie, Théâtre de Saint-Pierre is a fascinating landmark in Martinique. It was operating from the years 1786 up to 1902. At the present time, what tourists visit in the old 18th-century theatre are its ruins. It has been a symbol of the vibrant culture of the West Indies for over a century. Its operation ended when the eruption of the volcano destroyed it in 1902. A fraction of the structure is still visible up to this day. Don’t forget to take souvenir pictures of this iconic landmark when you visit the place.
Théâtre de Saint-Pierre
Address: Saint-Pierre, Martinique
Beautiful Martinique
Discover the other side of France by visiting the majestic island of Martinique. It boasts breathtaking beaches, marvelous landscapes, and stunning natural wonders. Its culture reflects a mix of French and West Indian influences. Not to mention, the nightlife in Martinique is always lovely and filled with wonderful moments. If you are planning to visit this gorgeous Carribean island any time soon, you might want to use this article of the best things to do in Martinique as your guide in planning an itinerary. May you have a fantastic adventure ahead.
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