Paradise beaches, breathtaking natural landscapes, waterfalls surrounded by lush forests and authentic villages: the Guadeloupe Islands in the French Antilles are the ideal place for a dream holiday.
With its characteristic butterfly shape, the island of Guadeloupe is divided into two parts by the narrow Rivière Salée: Grande-Terre, with its limestone plains and lively tourist centres, and Basse-Terre, dominated by the majestic volcano La Soufrière and covered by lush rainforest.
This French overseas department offers a fascinating mix of Creole culture, colonial history and wild nature. From the colourful markets of Pointe-à-Pitre to the hidden waterfalls of the National Park, from ancient plantations to rum distilleries, Guadeloupe is a kaleidoscope of experiences that seduces every type of traveller.
The Deshaies Botanical Garden, located on the north-western coast of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, is an oasis of lush vegetation that enchants visitors from all over the world.
This exceptional botanical garden, created by the famous French gardener Thierry Théol, offers an immersive experience in the heart of tropical nature, with an incredible variety of exotic plants, colourful flowers and enchanting landscapes.
During the visit you will also see hummingbirds, blue parrots and even pink flamingos.
Guadeloupe, the jewel of the Caribbean, is home to one of the region’s most fascinating natural treasures: the Soufrière volcano, affectionately nicknamed The Old Lady.
Located on the island of Basse-Terre, this majestic active volcano offers a unique experience to visitors seeking adventure and exceptional discoveries. At 1,467 metres high, it offers several hiking trails suitable for all levels. The Pas du Roy trail, ideal for beginners, offers a picturesque walk through lush tropical vegetation in the heart of Guadeloupe’s nature.
Adventurers can choose the strenuous ascent of the Soufrière trail, which offers breathtaking views at the top of the crater. The duration of the Soufrière ascent depends on the route chosen and the pace of the hike. On average, it takes three to four hours to reach the summit. The trails offer different panoramas, from lush forests to rugged ridges, making each step a unique adventure.
On the outskirts of Soufrière, nature reveals another of its treasures: the thermal springs. Visitors can relax in these waters naturally heated by the geothermal activity of the volcano. It is a relaxing experience that offers a pleasant contrast after a day of exploration.
The capital of the department, at first glance the city seems unattractive, yet it holds many treasures that will fascinate you.
Surrounded by colourful colonial residences, Pointe-à-Pitre has a very rich cultural heritage with numerous museums. You can visit the former infantry barracks classified as a historical monument or the ACTe Memorial, the Caribbean Centre for Expression and Memory of Trade and Slavery, which will impress you both for its architecture and its contents.
Also take time to stroll through the city’s different markets: Saint-Antoine, the Darse, St Jules, the flower market. The atmosphere is cheerful and you will find all kinds of local products. Don’t miss a trip to the Saint-Antoine market to stock up on spices and handicrafts, with a stop at Place de la Victoire, where you can take beautiful photos with the palm trees and colonial houses in the background.
Take a stroll especially in Rue Saint John Perse (Guadalupian poet and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1960), one of the most typical streets in the city, where you can buy many souvenirs and finally, go and see the incredible metal arches of the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul church (19th century).
Fort Napoléon is an extraordinary historical site that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Saintes archipelago.
This fort was built in the early 19th century and bears witness to the region’s military history. Visitors can explore its walls, cannons and well-kept gardens while enjoying spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea.
The Habitation Murat is a perfectly restored former sugar plantation that offers a fascinating insight into Guadeloupe’s history.
Visitors can explore the historic buildings, lush gardens and learn about the island’s colonial era. It is a journey through time that provides a better understanding of the region’s cultural heritage.
The Pointe des Châteaux is a spectacular rocky point jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Visitors can follow trails to the end of the promontory to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean. It is an ideal place for hiking or simply contemplating the power of nature.
Marigot Bay is a picturesque cove on the island of Terre-de-Haut, offering a tranquil setting for relaxation and contemplation.
The calm, clear waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, with magnificent panoramic views of the sea from the surrounding heights.
The Grand Cul-de-sac marin Natural Park is one of the most important places to visit during your stay in the Guadeloupe Islands. Here you will find very large mangroves and a series of uninhabited islands surrounded by a long coral reef. You can dive in a paradisiacal lagoon on a shallow sandbank that is home to thousands of marine species.
Designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, this magical place can be visited by boat or catamaran. Organised excursions usually take you through the mangroves along the Rivière Salée that separates the two islands of Guadeloupe: you will discover the island of Caret and swim or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Grand Cul-de-sac marin.
Located in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the Antilles, a place to observe the island’s biodiversity, as rich as it is exceptional, which will amaze nature lovers.
At the foot of Soufrière, the park is home to a diverse flora and fauna: you will discover a lush and completely preserved tropical forest where hundreds of species of exotic plants and flowers mingle. The fauna is no less impressive, as there are several species such as bats, hummingbirds, pelicans and even iguanas.
Besides the imposing volcano, take the opportunity to stop at the Carbet Falls. In the heart of the national park, three imposing waterfalls gush from one of the volcano’s flanks. The first two, with a height of over 100 metres, have a spectacular waterfall while the third has a magnificent pool.
Away from the big beach resorts, the fishing village of Port-Louis enchants with its calm and authentic nature, wild beaches and mangroves in the background. Travellers in search of white sand will find themselves near Souffleur beach, lined with coconut trees and overlooking crystal-clear waters.
Port-Louis is also the starting point to discover the mangroves, an extraordinary ecosystem in which these particular trees populate the brackish waters of the wetlands. There are footpaths with wooden walkways leading into the middle of this incredible jungle. Finally, don’t miss the marine cemetery of Port-Louis, its tombs decorated with shells and the colourful huts of the city of Port-Louis.
On the islands of Guadeloupe there is one of the most famous and unusual cemeteries in the world, in the municipality of Morne-à-l’Eau, west of Grande Terre and 15 km from Pointe-à-Pitre.
Built in the shape of an amphitheatre, the cemetery of Morne-à-L’Eau houses beautiful chequered tombs covered with black and white tiles. A small village with alleyways, cottage-like cellars, stairways and balconies, Morne-à-l’Eau is also very photogenic. If you are in Guadeloupe on All Saints’ Day, be sure to visit the cemetery: during this time, candles are lit on the graves and families come to pay their last respects in a festive atmosphere.
The Cousteau Reserve, located on the west coast of Basse-Terre in Guadeloupe, is a true underwater treasure and a renowned dive site, named after the famous oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
This protected marine reserve is a sanctuary of the seabed and marine life and a must-see exploration site for divers from all over the world.
The Rum Museum is a fascinating immersion in the history and art of making rum, Guadeloupe’s emblematic drink.
Visitors learn about the island’s sugar tradition, the distillation and ageing processes of rum, and the rich culture surrounding this drink.
This museum offers a sensory experience that awakens the taste buds and immerses you in the intoxicating world of Guadeloupe rum.
The Route de la Traversée is a 17 km long mountain road that crosses Basse-Terre from east to west. It winds through the tropical rainforest and crosses several important sites, including the zoo, the botanical park, the cascade aux écrevisses, the Maison de la Forêt and its trails.
This lush forest is dotted with 2,700 species of flowering plants, including 300 species of trees, 250 species of ferns and around 100 species of orchids.
Guadeloupe is also called the island of beautiful waters, a nickname derived from its many waterfalls and pools to be discovered in Basse-Terre, the western part of Guadeloupe, which is green and mountainous, unlike Grande-Terre, which is flat and less lush.
The Cascade aux Écrevisses, located in the heart of Guadeloupe National Park on the island of Basse-Terre, is a natural wonder that attracts nature lovers and adventurers from all over the world.
This picturesque waterfall is one of Guadeloupe’s hidden gems and offers a refreshing and memorable experience in the lush rainforest.
The Leap de la Lézarde is a 12-metre high waterfall in Petit-Bourg to be discovered after a pleasant walk through the rainforest.
Along the way, you can admire beautiful local flowers such as alpinias, porcelain roses and balisiers.
Le Saut d’Acomat is a beautiful emerald-coloured pool in Pointe-Noire, which can be reached by an approximately 15-minute walk over uneven and muddy terrain, access to which is only recommended in good weather conditions.
The Galion chute at Saint-Claude is an imposing waterfall, no less than 40 metres high, carved into the lava on the slopes of Soufrière and requiring a 2.5-hour round trip hike.
The Paradise basin at Capesterre-Belle-Eau, located 15 minutes from the second waterfall of the Carbet, is deep enough to do some diving.
A little tip: 10 minutes down from the Paradise Pool is a warm-water waterfall.
Nestled in the lush rainforest, they are a true natural wonder and one of Guadeloupe’s most iconic attractions. Located in Guadeloupe’s National Park, at the foot of the Soufrière volcano, the Carbet Falls consists of three waterfalls. The highest is 115 metres, the second is 110 metres and the third is 20 metres.
The second is the most popular and can be reached by following a small path in just 30 minutes. Bear in mind that the third descent is inaccessible due to the risk of rock falls.
Give yourself about a day to enjoy this incredible natural site and the spectacle offered by the Carbet Falls.
Guadeloupe is surrounded by a series of islands, more or less large, all incredibly enchanting: they are many small paradises of unspoilt nature.
They can all be reached by ferry or by private excursions and are well worth including in your travel itinerary. They boast picture-postcard views, unspoilt corners and the chance to get close to the vibrant local culture.
An essential stop during your stay in Guadeloupe, the Saintes archipelago will not disappoint. It is made up of 9 islands of which only 2 are inhabited, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas: a little corner of paradise, where the beaches are simply heavenly, with blue water and fine sand.
Terre-de-Bas is distinguished by its wilder and more discreet side: you will find a quiet environment where you can swim and discover fishing villages. Its authentic character will charm you and, thanks to its relief, the island is more suitable for excursions with beautiful walks in the tranquillity of the place.
More touristy, Terre-de-haut boasts a bay renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world. Climb up to Fort Napoléon and its museum, from where you can enjoy an exceptional view of the entire archipelago. And above all, don’t forget to taste the tourments d’amour, cakes filled with guava and coconut.
Marie-Galante, nicknamed Island of the Hundred Mills, located south of Grande-Terre, is the third largest island in the Antilles.
Wild and peaceful, the island has managed to preserve its authenticity. Little frequented by tourists, it nevertheless has many magnificent beaches. The inhabitants have maintained a more rural lifestyle and continue certain traditions such as the ox-pulling competition.
You will discover colourful villages, sugar cane plantations and numerous rum distilleries. Don’t forget to stop at the Écomusée de Marie-Galante, which traces the history of the island. A visit to this piece of land will allow you to see Guadeloupe from a different perspective.
If there is one place in Guadeloupe that seems like a real little paradise, it is the island of Gosier. It is a small island à la Robinson Crusoe, with palm trees, a small white sandy beach, incredibly clear turquoise waters and the second oldest lighthouse in Guadeloupe, built in 1929.
On a clear day, the colours of the island are spectacular. With its coconut palms, crystal-clear waters and fine sandy beaches, the island of Gosier is visited by tourists during the week and by Guadeloupean families on weekends.
La Désirade, a small island located east of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, is a pristine jewel that offers a peaceful getaway and an authentic experience of island life.
This island, part of the Guadeloupe archipelago, is an oasis of tranquillity, natural beauty and Creole culture.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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