Sightseeing in Kingstown - what to see. Complete travel guide

Perhaps, everyone watched at least one film from the Pirates of the Caribbean series but not many people know where the blockbuster was filmed. Do you want to see this famous place? Visit the marvelous city of Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Naturally, this wonderful city is famous not only because of a movie. Marvelous nature makes a vacation at the coast of the Caribbean Sea truly unforgettable and full of priceless emotions. The city is conveniently located among the woods not far from a picturesque bay.

The history of Kingstown started when famous explorer Christopher Columbus landed at the coast of the Caribbean Sea in 1498. This event happened on St. Vincent’s Day – January 22. This event gave the name to the island. After this event, the French captured the region and made it a French territory. Kingstown as a city was established in 1763 when the British claimed the island and made it a British colony. They brought slaves to Saint Vincent in order to grow sugarcane.

After the abolishment of slavery in the 30s of the 19th century in all British colonies, paid workers started arriving in Kingstown. These were mostly immigrants from Portugal and India. The first city council was established in Kingstown in 1925. Twenty-six years later, all citizens of the full legal age gained the right to vote for the country’s leader. When Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became an independent territory at the end of the 70s of the 20th century, Kingstown became the capital of the new country. Steadily, the city started developing, turning into a large and important industrial center. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There are no coastal areas suitable for swimming and sunbathing in Kingstown. The closest beach is situated in the neighborhood of the capital, at a distance of seven kilometers. It is called Villa Beach. Many tourists enjoy spending their free time on this beach during their vacation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The beach has a soft sandy surface and shallow water near the coast. This makes it suitable for tourists with children. Are you fond of diving? This coastal area has a miraculous underwater world that is easy to explore without any particular equipment because the water is crystal clear. Even strong waves of the Caribbean Sea cannot spoil your beach recreation because the bay is safely protected from strong winds.

Besides beach recreation, Kingstown can offer its guests to visit the city’s botanic garden. It was established roughly two centuries ago. Initially, local authorities planned to make a place where scientists could study different plants and conduct experiments with them. Different plants from all over the world were brought to the garden in order to test what species are suitable for the Caribbean region and can survive here. Of course, many plants didn’t survive in the harsh climatic conditions of the region. Despite this fact, biologists could discover enough species that became the main “inhabitants” of this paradise-like area.

Nowadays, the Botanical Garden is open all year round for citizens and guests of the city. Interesting excursions take place here every day. This is where visitors can learn more about different species of plants, hear recommendations about growing different species, and get acquainted with the history of numerous flowers and herbs. Needless to say, the indigenous flora of the region occupies the biggest part of the garden because it attracts attention the most.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption or simply St. Mary’s Cathedral is a beautiful Catholic church that is considered the main religious landmark of the city. The cathedral was built in 1823. It has been restored and rebuilt a number of times since then. The last extensive restoration happened more than forty years ago. At the moment, tourists can see a slightly adjusted look of the religious landmark. Despite this, St. Mary’s Cathedral hasn’t lost its beauty.

The design of this church is an interesting combination of several styles. If you are a connoisseur of architecture, you will notice traces of the Mauritian, Georgian, and Roman styles. The gorgeous façade made with volcanic black bricks is one of the most eye-catching details of this church. The cathedral has lush décor with skillfully made bas-reliefs, stucco, and buttresses. Arched windows adorn magnificent stained-glass windows with the image of the saint who this cathedral is named after. Inside, the cathedral features antique furniture, paintings of the 19th century, and a beautiful wooden altar in the center.

Airports in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines accommodate flights from the neighbor islands only. To get to Kingstown by airplane, tourists need to fly to another island in the Caribbean, for example, to Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad or Puerto-Rico. After that, take a flight to the airport not far from Kingston. It is also possible to travel by ferry that departs from the nearby island of Bequia.