St. Kitts is  one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean with Intoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters,  white sandy beaches and lots of famous landmarks! 

Iconic Sites

The first European settlement in the Leeward Islands occurred at Old Road in 1623, when Sir Thomas Warner and 15 others established an estate that was the island’s capital until 1727. Today, the St. Thomas Church at Middle Island in Old Road is the burial place for not only Warner, but also the grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, another settler. Also in the quiet hamlet are some stone carvings, or petroglyphs, from the original Carib inhabitants. In Basseterre, one of the most distinctive St. Kitts icons is the cast-iron Berkeley Memorial in the center of the Circus.   

Famous Forts

St. Kitts’ most famous landmark is the magnificent Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built from the 1690s onward, in a terrific feat of engineering and backbreaking work, Brimstone sits on top of an 800-foot sheer hillside, dominating views on all sides.    

Places of Worship

The church in Old Town might be the oldest Anglican church in the Caribbean, but the most-visited today is St. George’s in Basseterre, which was first built in 1710 on the ruins of a French catholic church the British had destroyed.  Also in Basseterre is the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1856. The British banned Roman Catholic worship at the start of the 18th century but were later obliged to allow it. Today’s edifice is in fact a 1927 rebuilding of the original church, but construction matches the first church.     

Plantation Legacy

The Belmont Estate was once a 300-acre plantation with steam-powered mill. Today, the ruins of the factory and mills can still be toured. Romney Manor near Old Road is the oldest colonial plantation on the island, built in the late 17th century. Today, the building is home to a Caribelle Batik factory, while the beautiful grounds and botanical garden are home to a 350-year-old saman, or "rain tree." Finally, the St. Kitts scenic railway was built in 1910 to transport sugar and remains one of the few working railways in the Caribbean, crossing 24 bridges and ravines. The 18-mile, narrow-gauge railway can be enjoyed as part of a tour.      For more information, visit stkittstourism.kn