Top Things to do in Martinique
Countries
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Martinique That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Le Jardin De La Montagne
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By robbygc - Toronto, Canada
It was hard to find this botanical gardens. It is located in the mountain with no indications, until we were close to it. The owner gave us a tour. We had great views and amazing flowers and plants. We took our time. It was amazing that the cost was 5 Euros. There were so many beautiful flowers, as well as plants. Our guide brought us to his home. He showed what he eats from his gardens. That was very interesting. He had also cacti. By the way, the guide is very friendly. A must see!
2. An Mao The Legacy of Ancestors
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
An mao the inheritance of the ancestors is a park situated right in the heart of the space in which lived runaways slaves then the former after the abolition of slavery. Through its gardens, and its attractions, it highlights their ancestral knowledges. Reveal the leading role that played certain trees, plants, legends and faiths in the sociocultural development of martinique. We only welcome by appointment !
3. 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)
4. Route de la Trace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
The island's most scenic drive, winding up mountains through lush tropical landscape.
Reviewed By 157yvesd
Remarquable road trip with trails around the day. Scenic view. Flower tard en route to Mount Pelé. Recommended
5. 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.
6. Diamond Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
A giant seaside rock once used by the British as an armed fort, now a diving site for the more adventurous scuba diver.
Reviewed By drlau99 - Montreal, Canada
Visited on a catamaran trip organized by club Med Martinique Impressive rock This is a must see!! Highly recommended
7. 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!
8. 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.
9. Zoo de Martinique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 933 reviews
Reviewed By KreolHarbour - Fort-de-France, Caribbean
Best attraction on island aside of the Balata Garden! A place where you don't see time passing and a very nice botanical garden.
10. 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.
