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Martinique✨ 10 best things to do in Martinique

Things to do in Martinique

1. Hike Mount PeléeClimb the volcano's slopes through cloud forest to sweeping views over the island and sea.
2. Explore Saint-Pierre's ruinsWalk among the remains of the 'Paris of the Caribbean', destroyed by the 1902 eruption.
3. Swim at Les SalinesRelax on a long, palm-fringed white-sand beach near Sainte-Anne.
4. Snorkel with turtlesSpot sea turtles grazing in the calm bays of Les Anses-d'Arlet and Grande Anse.
5. Tour a rum distilleryLearn how rhum agricole is made from fresh sugarcane juice.
6. Wander the Jardin de BalataStroll among tropical flowers and walk treetop bridges with views of the Pitons du Carbet.
7. Sail past Diamond RockSee the iconic rocky islet off Le Diamant, once commissioned as a 'ship' by the British navy.
8. Hike La CaravelleFollow trails on a wild peninsula with mangroves, cliffs and the ruins of an old estate.
9. Taste Creole cuisineTry accras, colombo curry, court-bouillon fish and a ti-punch.
10. Visit the Grand MarchéBrowse spices, fruit and crafts in Fort-de-France's covered market.

Martinique🗺️ Where to visit in Martinique

Where to go in Martinique

• 
  Fort-de-FranceCapital · markets and historyThe capital, with the Schoelcher Library, Fort Saint-Louis and lively markets.
• 
  Saint-PierreNorth Caribbean coast · historic ruinsThe former capital, with ruins, a volcano museum and dive sites on old shipwrecks.
• 
  Mount PeléeNorth · volcanoThe island's highest peak, with challenging hikes and rainforest scenery.
• 📍
  Sainte-AnneSouth · beachesBeautiful beaches including Les Salines, and a lively seaside atmosphere.
• 📍
  Les Anses-d'ArletSouthwest · fishing villageA postcard village with a seaside church and excellent snorkelling.
• 📍
  La Caravelle PeninsulaAtlantic coast · nature reserveHiking trails, mangroves and beaches on a wild peninsula.
• 
  Les Trois-ÎletsSouthwest · heritage and beachesBirthplace of Empress Joséphine, with a pottery village and nearby beaches.
• 📍
  Jardin de BalataNear Fort-de-France · botanical gardenA lush garden in the hills with exotic plants and canopy walkways.

Martinique🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Martinique

Best time to visit Martinique

Martinique has a warm tropical climate year-round, tempered by trade winds. The north and the mountains are wetter and greener, while the south is drier and sunnier.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Fort-de-France (approximate averages).

Martinique🎉 Festivals & events in Martinique

• February–March
  CarnivalParades and costumed dancers fill the streets, ending with the burning of King Vaval on Ash Wednesday.
• Late July–August
  Tour des Yoles RondesA week-long race of traditional sailboats around the island.
• 22 May
  Abolition of Slavery DayA public holiday commemorating the 1848 abolition of slavery with cultural events.
• December
  Chanté NwelFriends and neighbours gather in the weeks before Christmas to sing Creole carols to drums and shak-shak.

Martinique🧭 Martinique itinerary ideas

How many days in Martinique?

Martinique🎒 Backpacking Martinique – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $70–100 a day

• Public transport is limited, so sharing a rental car with other travellers is often the most practical option.
• Taxis collectifs (shared minibuses) run between towns, mostly during daytime.
• Self-catering apartments and gîtes are cheaper than hotels, especially outside high season.
• Eat at roadside snack stands and markets for accras, bokits and fresh fruit juice.
• Small ferries link Fort-de-France with Les Trois-Îlets and other bays, avoiding traffic jams.

Martinique🛡️ Safety & money in Martinique

Emergency: 112 general · 17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance

Martinique🛬 Getting to Martinique

Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport near Fort-de-France has flights from France, the Caribbean and North America. Ferries connect the island with Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint Lucia.

✈️ Cheap flights to Martinique: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Martinique💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Martinique

• Martinique is part of France and therefore part of the European Union.
• Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon, was born on the island.
• Martinique's rhum agricole has a protected designation of origin.
• The British once declared Diamond Rock a 'ship' and garrisoned it during the Napoleonic Wars.
• Kalinago people called the island Madinina, a name still used poetically today.

Martinique❓ Martinique travel FAQ

Martinique travel questions