Karl WP Beyer Guadeloupe's main islands - Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre - lie next to each other and separated by a narrow waterway and together measure 1.628 square kilometers. This sheer size and the fact that guests arriving on cruise ships only visit the French overseas department for one day leads to the conclusion that a stay in Guadeloupe should be well planned.
Guadeloupe - La Darse
However, this excludes experiences such as the hour-long climb of the 1.467-meter-high, active volcano La Grande Soufrière or a visit to the Jardin Botanique de Deshaies. The two spectacular destinations are on Basse-Terre, the western, left "butterfly wing". The volcano is located roughly in the middle of the island and the seven-hectare botanical garden with its variety of plants and animals is in the far northwest.
If you are only staying for one day, it makes sense to limit yourself to the closer destinations in Pointe-à-Pitre and those places that are easily accessible by taxi or shared taxi.
Guadeloupe - Taxis in front of the cruise terminal
Such places worth seeing and visiting are the Cascade aux Écrevisses waterfall, located just over 20 kilometers from the capital, selected destinations in Pointe-à-Pitre and the town of Sainte-Anne with its beautiful sandy beaches, also located about 20 kilometers east of Pointe-à-Pitre.
Cascade aux Ecrevisses
The Cascade aux Écrevisses waterfall is located in the Parc National de la Guadeloupe on the western butterfly wing. On an area of 17.300 hectares, visitors can experience impressive tree ferns and more than 300 other tree and shrub species.
Guadeloupe - Plant life in front of the Cascade aux Écrevisses
The waterfall can be reached after a 30-minute taxi or shared taxi ride. The taxis wait for passengers at the cruise port. The path to the waterfall and the small bathing lake is in excellent condition. Wheelchair users and parents with small children can easily manage it.
Guadeloupe - Signpost to the Cascade aux Écrevisses
Guadeloupe - Path to the Cascade aux Écrevisses
The waterfall itself is wide, but at around ten meters deep, it is not as high as expected. Our verdict: The height of the fall leaves a lot to be desired. However, the mixture of forest and water is very attractive. It is said that more than 200.000 visitors make their way to the waterfall every year.
Guadeloupe - Cascade aux Ecrevisses
Guadeloupe - River below the Cascade aux Écrevisses
Pointe-à-Pitre
Pointe-à-Pitre is not only the capital of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe but also its cultural center. A city tour takes you past town houses in colonial architecture, colorful markets, dilapidated houses and historic squares. The cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired and the city does not seem particularly spectacular; it is provincial, boring and yet pleasant. Visitors to the city gain good impressions at the following sites.
Guadeloupe - Pointe-à-Pitre - wall painting
Guadeloupe - Pointe-à-Pitres morbid charm
Victory Square
The Place de la Victoire is the city's central square, surrounded by colonial houses and shady mango trees. Visitors can take in the hustle and bustle of the city there. Cafés invite you to enjoy a coffee.
Guadeloupe - Place de la Victoire
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral
People often speak of a “Cathédrale” when they are talking about the church of St. Peter and Paul. The building, which was never consecrated as a cathedral, is the largest place of worship in the city.
Guadeloupe - Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul was completed in 1817 after ten years of construction. In 1843, an earthquake severely damaged the church. During the necessary reconstruction, Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul was given a metal frame structure that has since protected it from earthquakes and hurricanes. The high altar, which is a listed building, was made of Carrara marble. The stained glass windows and wooden vault are also attractive. The church is currently in need of major renovation in many areas. However, the building is open to visitors, especially during the cruise season.
Marché Saint-Antoine - spice market
In the open Marché Saint-Antoine, exotic spices, tropical fruits, rum and colorful fabrics captivate visitors. The market stalls are a feast for the senses. Spices are omnipresent. Wherever you look: ginger, coriander, pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, Colombo powder and much more merge into an orgy of scents.
Memorial ACTe Museum
During colonial times, Guadeloupe was a center of the slave trade and the use of forced labor. Historians say that at least 200.000 slaves were brought to Guadeloupe. In total, four to five million slaves were brought to the Caribbean. However, the number of unreported cases is extremely high.
Guadeloupe - Slavery monument in the cityscape of Pointe-à-Pitre
Guadeloupe - Pointe-à-Pitre - Memorial ACTe Museum
The Memorial ACTe Museum commemorates the fate of slaves with a 1.700 square meter permanent exhibition in six stations and is part of the UNESCO "Slave Route" project that began in Benin/West Africa. All in all, the Memorial ACTe Museum is a moving and informative place right on the water.
Marche La Darse
Water taxis and excursion boats dock in the harbor basin at La Darse, which travel to the neighboring islands. A covered, permanent market offers the basic necessities. Fishing boats and fish stalls along La Darse attract shoppers, tourists and the frigate birds that prey on the leftover fish.
Guadeloupe - Pointe-à-Pitre - Marché La Darse
Guadeloupe - Marché La Darse - freshly caught fish
Rue Frébault & Rue Nozières
Rue Frébault runs past Place de la Victoire. If you want to experience a little local color, Rue Frébault and the parallel Rue Nozières are a good choice. Both streets are lined with historic buildings with colorful facades. If you like, you can buy handicrafts and other travel souvenirs in boutiques and souvenir shops.
Guadeloupe - Rue Peynier - Maison Forier
beach of Sainte-Anne
The small town of Sainte-Anne, like Pointe-à-Pitre, is located on Grande-Terre, the predominantly flat part of the island. On Grande-Terre, agriculture is the main activity. In the town of Sainte-Anne, on the other hand, all efforts are directed towards the well-being of holidaymakers.
The city is Guadeloupe's most visited resort thanks to its inviting, popular beaches. The turquoise sea is shallow, the sand is fine-grained, and there are also various leisure activities. Here, people experience perfect beach days. Guadeloupe – Sainte Anne Beach on your own we present a self-organized beach trip.
Update February 2025