Top Things to do in Martinique
What to do and see in Martinique, Martinique: The Best Things to do
This Gallic toehold in the Caribbean exudes a distinctly French air, enticingly spiced up by West Indian warmth. Local culture and cuisine combine both influences. The stylish isle is dominated by Mount Pelee, which destroyed the city of St. Pierre in 1902. Black sand beaches and rainforests are found in the north, with yet more beautiful sands to the south. Sights include La Pagerie, birthplace of Napoleon's Empress Josephine, and Diamond Rock, a 600-foot pinnacle, once registered as a British warship.
Restaurants in Martinique
1. Jardin de Balata
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,536 reviews
Just discover the most beautiful flowers, trees of martinique in the best creation of jean philippe thoze throught the visit of his grand mother property
Reviewed By JLK2011 - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
I am so glad we decided to visit these gardens. Fabulous views, an amazing rope bridge walk, humming birds, and a peaceful oasis that gives a real sense of the abundant vegetation, both native and generally tropical. Simply Beautiful ! (with a good gift shop, and nice restaurant at car park)
2. Plage des Salines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,927 reviews
One of the most popular beaches on the island, best known for its soft white sands and calm, sheltered waters.
Reviewed By rogerka - Bratislava, Slovakia
For us, this is the most beautiful beach in Martinique. White sand, incredible turquoise warm clean Caribbean sea, shades of palm trees... You can park your car right next to the beach. There are some restaurants, souvenir and ice-cream sellers. Don't forget to visit the beautiful wooden walkway above the salty pond Étang des Salines. It depends on the season, the day of the week and day time, whether the beach is bit crowdy or not. Of course, it is very popular but I don't feel like it's overcrowded there. You can see in the pictures attached. The beach is natural but you can find one or two picnic tables among the trees. We also enjoyed the sunset and saw the green flash at the sunset. You can see Diamond Rock (some 45 km) from the beach Les Salines. This is definitely one of our most favourite places in Martinique.
3. Les Gorges de la Falaise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 381 reviews
Gorges of the River Falaise.
Reviewed By 194LisaP - Cumberland, United States
We loved doing the gorge! Totally worth the effort! If you are on a cruise, it is doable. Prior to the trip, rent a car with Europcar in Pointe du Bout. It’s the only car company we found that will let you return the car the same day. We paid about 55 euros which included full insurance. Also purchase good road map of Martinique or get a gps from Europcar, if they offer it. We used a Michelin map we got from Amazon. Once in Martinique, get off the ship ASAP and over to the Vedette Tropicales ferry. It’s on the middle angled pier just east of the Pointe Simon Cruise terminal. If you are on Celebrity, that cruise pier is a 15-20 walk west to the ferry pier - just on the other side of the fort. There is very good signage that says, “Ferry to Beaches”. Once there, get roundtrip tickets to Pointe du Bout. There is a ferry schedule online at Vedettestropicales.com Make sure you get the ferry to Pointe du Bout. The ferries have more than one destination. Once at Pointe du Bout, it’s like a 2-3 minute walk to Europcar. I want to say it’s on Rue du Chacha. Streets aren’t obvious. It’s not a freestanding building on its own. Just look to the left as you walk out of the ferry area onto the town street. Or ask. I’ve attached a map where Pointe du Bout and Gorges de la Falaise is marked. It takes about an hour and a half to go from Pointe du Bout to the Gorges de la Falaise. Directions are towards places rather than East, West etc. We took D38 to D7 towards Rivière Salée, then the N5 towards the Aeropuerto or Le Lamentin, then the A1 towards Fort-de-France and then the D41. We then took the N3. There was a place on the N3, near the beginning where we weren’t surely we were still on the N3 (we had taken the road going toward the right at sort of a T place,) but there was a sign within a mile or two for N3, so we knew we had taken the right road. After that we just followed the N3 also called the Route de la Trace. (Look it up.) Very windy, but scenic. Gorges de la Falaise is a few kilometers beyond Le Morne -Rouge. There is a sign and it’s on the left down a non-descript road. Cost is 10 euros each cash. Be in a bathing suit, have a waterproof camera and good soled water shoes or sneakers you don’t mind being under water. Stairs are down are steep, but I did it and I’m almost 60. Read other reviews for more info on the gorge. Phone numbers for the gorge and the restaurant next door are 0596533653 and 0596533561. They will close if it rains. Going back, be aware that traffic in Fort-de-France can be bad. Leave plenty of time. We had no problem. We took the 8:45am ferry and were able to catch the 3:15pm ferry back. Plenty of time to walk the 15-20 minutes to get back for the all aboard at 4:30 pm on Celebrity pier. Note that after the 3:15om ferry, there is not another back to Fort-de-France til 4:15pm.
4. Fonds Blancs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 623 reviews
Coral barrier where visitors can swim, snorkel and enjoy the exceptional fauna.
Reviewed By Zolou25 - Kew, United Kingdom
Our guide Pablo took us on his boat for half a day to the Fond blancs, the baignoire de Joséphine, a secluded beach and the Mangroves. It was absolutely magical as was the incredible knowledge and hospitality he shared. It is well worth investing in this experience!
5. Habitation Clement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,117 reviews
From the name of the famous family who settled there for nearly a hundred years from 1887, the Habitation Clément is a vast agricultural area of 160 hectares, nestled in the town of Le François, in the South-East of Martinique. Dominated by a Creole house dating back to the 18th century, this site, listed as a historical monument in 1996, is home to a major heritage site, a well-known contemporary art centre and a renowned rum house in the heart of sugar cane plantations.
Reviewed By mwbarnes - Weymouth, United Kingdom
Our Cruise ship had called at Martinique and 6 of us quickly found a Taxi (Mini bus) just outside the port. We negotiated a fare (180 Euros Total - 30 Euros each) and the driver took us to Habitation Clement. The journey was about 30 minutes and the driver said we would need about 2 hours and that he would wait for us. The entrance fee was a further 13 Euros each. (So a total of 43 euros each person for the taxi & entrance which we thought was reasonable). You start off walking round the lovely grounds admiring the modern sculptures. Then there is the old (unused) Rum distillery building, equipment and Rum storage facilities which was interesting and then the old Plantation house to look around. The tour ends with a visit to the shop where you can taste (and purchase) some of the different rums they produce. All in all, a lovely trip and well worth the visit. The driver was waiting for us as promised and took us back to the ship.
6. La Baignoire de Josephine
7. Anse Dufour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,279 reviews
Reviewed By 61Waldo - Saskatchewan, Canada
Fabulous beach, though it is a bit small. It has really good bathroom and changing facilities, which is such a rarity. One area is good for snorkelling with varieties of fish. Sea turtles hang out here as well and that was really the highlight for us. A crowd of snorkelers was out looking around, and three turtles swam through, down to the bottom to feed, up to the top for air and back down again. One of the three was at least a metre long (shell length). Fabulous day! It tends to fill up quickly, and parking is on the side of the road, so for a successful day, plan on getting there no later than 8:30 in the morning, spend a few hours and head out before it gets too crowded.
8. La Savane des Esclaves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,310 reviews
400 ans d'histoire de la Martinique dans des jardins magnifiques: site prive cree par Gilbert Larose, un martiniquais passionne d'histoire, vous decouvrirez le mode de vie des Amerindiens avant l'arrivee des Europeens, la periode de l'esclavage tres approfondie sans tabou, et le mode de vie apres l'abolition dans les campagnes jusque dans les annees 1960, dans des jardins magnifiques et tres bien entretenus. prevoir 1h30 de visite avec la "crise covid" les visites ne sont plus guidees mais remplacees par une video du createur qui reprend l'essentiel de la visite guidee et ensuite visite en autonomie avec plan et panneaux explicatifs. masque obligatoire a partir de 11 ans
Reviewed By bob_james_t21 - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Set in beautiful grounds and only a short drive from Trois Islet, La Savane des Esclaves is a must visit site. It is one if not the best sites I’ve seen in the Caribbean depicting the history of the island and the slave trade. With plaques clearly written in English and French the site provides a fascinating history of Martinique with a story line that picks upon on key individuals instrumental in the Abolishment of the slave trade and the history of this beautiful Island of Flowers and people. Difficult to leave this site and not think about the peoples of Martinique and the wider Caribbean. Touches the heart and soul of what is to be a Martinican.
9. Grande Anse des Salines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 527 reviews
Reviewed By rogerka - Bratislava, Slovakia
For us, this is the most beautiful beach in Martinique. White sand, incredible turquoise warm clean Caribbean sea, shades of palm trees... You can park your car right next to the beach. There are some restaurants, souvenir and ice-cream sellers. Don't forget to visit the beautiful wooden walkway above the salty pond Étang des Salines. It depends on the season, the day of the week and day time, whether the beach is bit crowdy or not. Of course, it is very popular but I don't feel like it's overcrowded there. You can see in the pictures attached. The beach is natural but you can find one or two picnic tables among the trees. We also enjoyed the sunset and saw the green flash at the sunset. You can see Diamond Rock (some 45 km) from the beach Les Salines. This is definitely one of our most favourite places in Martinique.
10. Grand Anse d'Arlet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By 574uwes - Dublin, Ireland
The town of Anse d'Arlet has actually two beaches. The one to the north (Grand Anse d'Arlet) is mainly for tour boats and diving tours, very busy especially on the weekends. We would not recommend that for swimming as for swimming your are better off at the beach in town (Anse d'Arlet). The one in town is just beautiful, white sand and crystal clear water, ideal for snorkeling. There are lots of fishes but not very colourful fishes. Yet, you can swim in a fish swarm. There are some smaller colourful fishes at the pier. The pier divides the beach with the norther part a bit busier and having restaurants. The southern part is not crowded at all but has no shade to stay in. We saw a turtle when we swam out a good distance. One toilet (pay 20 Cents) on the northern part, no showers and surprisingly no shops in town except one bakery and one bar that sells a few items as well.
