Travel to Grenada with travel insurance from Essential Travel

click here for a holiday insurance quotation

Information on Grenada

Grenada is an independent, three-island nation (the other two islands are Carriacou, the largest of the Grenadines, and Petite Martinique) located in the southern Caribbean. It offers a lush, mountainous landscape, making it an excellent destination for those who enjoy hiking as well as beaches. The island is still relatively unspoilt by tourist development and is known as the Spice Island for its production of nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. The beautiful mountainous interior is comprised of rainforests and dotted with waterfalls; while the indented coastline offers protected bays and serene beaches.

The capital of Grenada is St Georges, which is home to a pretty harbour and has a good balance of comfort to suit even modest budgets. It has steep, winding streets, a Creole aura, and colourful, pastel buildings with a mix of French and English colonial influence. Fort George dates from 1705 and offers excellent views; while the well preserved 18th century Fort Frederick is at the harbour entrance. One of the main attractions is the 18th century pink Anglican church, on Church street, and Market Square, where there is an assortment of colourful produce for sale. Also of interest, the Grenada National Museum is located in the foundations of an old French army barracks and prison built in 1704.

Away from the capital, you can head to the mountains to the north. Annandale Falls is 15 minutes away and is a tropical wonderland with 15-metre falls and a refreshing swimming area with amenities. The spectacular drive along the western coast takes in pristine beaches, exotic spice plantations, and Grenada’s traditional fishing villages. Gouyave is a spice town at the centre of the nutmeg and mace industry, where you can visit the Grenada Cooperative Nutmeg Association to see where the spice is aged, graded and processed.

Grenville lies on the east coast and is the islands second-largest city. Visitors here on a Saturday morning can enjoy the bustling native produce market, and there’s also a fish market along the waterfront and a nutmeg factory. In the centre of the island, along the major interior road between Grenville and St Georges, is Grand Etang National Park, home to the islands spectacular rainforest.

Grand Anse is Grenadas main resort area and boasts a scenic location backed by hills. Here, visitors can enjoy plenty of sun and sea, with luxurious hotels, bars, eateries and water sports on offer. You can cross the peninsula of Quarantine Point (once a leper colony) to the picturesque Morne Rouge Bay for a bit of peace and quiet. In the northeast corner of the island is palm-lined Levera Beach, which is ideal for picnicking. The 180-hectare Levera National Park has several white-sand beaches for swimming and snorkeling, and is excellent for hiking.

Carriacou is a tiny, rural island with some good beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. Petit Martinique is northeast of Carriacou and is extremely quiet and isolated, with most travellers getting around on foot.

back to city guides