Spellbinding blue waters, forts filled with historical charm, cheerful people, the ‘Isle of Spice’ and so much more – this is Grenada. With so many Caribbean islands to choose from, how do you know if you’re choosing a country worth visiting? No stress, I’ve visited most of the countries in the region and I’m here to tell you the ways in which Grenada is different from the rest – so you can decide for yourself – Is Grenada Worth Visiting?

Brief History of Grenada

Located in the southern part of the Eastern Caribbean region, the country of Grenada is made up of the main island (also called Grenada), as well as smaller surrounding islands. One striking aspect about Grenada is how colourful and visually memorable the country’s flag is. Donned with strong red, yellow and green colours, the flag not only represents Grenada’s richness in vegetation and agriculture, but also the importance of nutmeg, as seen on the flag, to the country.

Like many of the countries in the Caribbean Sea, Grenada was passed through the hands of both the French and the British from the 1600s until 1967, when it finally achieved independence. Although Grenada is now a beautiful destination for holidaymakers, it’s also important not to forget its rather tragic and sombre past, which involves slavery, violence and conflict.

Thankfully, Grenada stands today as one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated destinations. Particularly known for its richness in spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon ginger, cloves, turmeric and more - visiting Grenada is not only a treat for the eyes, but also for every other sense.

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What is there to see and do in Grenada?

Caption: Grenada is a small country with a total area of only 344 square metres, and roughly 115,600 people. Given its tiny size, it was a massive surprise to me to learn about all the stunning things to see and do in Grenada. Here are some things you can’t miss when visiting the Spice Isle.

Fort Hopping – Fort Frederick, Fort Matthew, Fort George

Forts are all the rage in the Caribbean! Because the islands in the region were all contentiously fought by colonies such as the French, British, Spanish, Dutch and more, these islands had to constantly protect themselves from pirates and other invaders.

Three of my all-time favourite forts in the Caribbean are the forts of Fort Frederick, Fort Matthew and Fort George – and I love them for different reasons.

Fort Frederick is a fortress built by the French in 1779. What’s super unusual about this fort is that the canons are actually facing inland rather than out to sea! This was because the French had confused the British (who were expecting a naval attack) by attacking from inland. The French then decided to face the canons inwards to minimise the chances of the British employing the same strategy against them. Nowadays, Fort Frederick is known for its 360-degree panoramic views, where you can get clear vistas of St George’s, Carenage, Grand Anse Beach and more.

Its neighbour, Fort Matthew, was more recently built by the British – though it was bombed by the Americans in 1983 for reasons involving the Soviet Union, Cuba and communism (the history is really interesting for this, so I would encourage doing a quick Google search on it). Before the bombing, the Fort had previously been converted to be used as a mental institution for all of the Caribbean Windward Islands. I absolutely love Fort Matthew for its semi-destroyed, slightly macabre appearance. To me, it’s the perfect combination of hidden beauty and history – all topped off with wonderful views of the island. I think this is one of the most underrated attractions in all of the Caribbean region.

Fort George is located more closely to the center of town, and is remembered as the site of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop’s execution in October 1983. Despite its dark past, Fort George is now used as the venue for the Royal Grenada Police force, and boasts one of the best views of the capital, St George’s.

Beaches – Grand Anse Beach and More

Grenada has no shortage of gorgeous beaches, and provides the perfect setting for beach lovers and relaxation seekers. One of the closest beaches to the downtown area, Grand Anse Beach is a stunning, long stretch of sand that is dotted with spice markets, souvenir stores, restaurants and more. It is the most popular beach on the island, and although it is absolutely worth visiting, I would still venture out to see the other beaches Grenada has on offer.

One of these beaches is BBC Beach, otherwise known as Morne Rouge Beach. Quieter and more laidback than its neighbour, Grand Anse Beach, this beach features dreamy blue water and some of the most memorable views on the island.

Other stunning beaches include Magazine Beach, Bathway Beach, Paradise Beach and Levera Beach - an absolutely spectacular beach located on the northern tip of the main island.

Waterfalls – Concord Falls, Annandale Falls, Mt Carmel

The Isle of Spice is also no stranger to luscious waterfalls. Among these, Concord Falls, Annandale Falls and Mt Carmel Falls are the most famous.

While the other two look breathtaking, I only had time to visit Annandale Falls, which I loved. With easy access straight to the falls, taking a dip in the waters was a really refreshing way to start my day.

I would also recommend you check out Golden Falls and Seven Sisters Waterfalls, though these require a bit more of a hike to get to.

Welcome Stone

Grenada is known for its breathtaking views, and one you can’t miss is the view over at Welcome Stone. Overlooking the northern coast of the island, taking in the panorama at Welcome Stone is the perfect welcome to Grenada! Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit this stunning site, but I will most definitely be making my way over there on my next trip.

House of Chocolate Museum and Other Spice Experiences

In easy walking distance from the cruise ship port and the heart of downtown, House of Chocolate is a cute mini-museum which allows you to understand the history of chocolate in the country. Feel free to watch a live demonstration or sample some of Grenada’s finest chocolate here too.

Dotted all across the islands, you’ll also find various spice experiences, such as Belmont Estate and Laura Herb and Spice Garden, where you can learn even more about the country’s relationship with spices.

Distillery Tours

Grenada also has a rich history of distilleries in the country, as it has been an important producer of rum for hundreds of years. Of these distilleries, I would recommend visiting the Belmont Estate, River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery, or the Clarke’s Court Rum Distillery.

At Clarke’s Court Rum Distillery, I was toured around the distillery and learnt all about how Grenada’s famous rum is made. I even got to experience a fun rum tasting exercise! Personally, my favourite is the Coconut flavour. I’m not that big on alcoholic drinks, but I do admit that the flavoured rums were awesome to try.

The last time we went Rum Tasting in the area was in St Lucia, and while we loved doing that there, the Rum Tour in Grenada was more extensive. Grenada and St Lucia are located quite closely to each other, so visiting both in a single trip is a great idea. A lot of people these days also try to apply for Grenada citizenship or St Lucia citizenship by investment, which is bringing more people to the area.

Religious Buildings – Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

The Caribbean islands aren’t particularly known for over-the-top cathedrals like Europe, but Grenada is home to some of the more impressive structures in the area. Of these, I would recommend visiting the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception and Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Both are easily walkable from the cruise port or heart of downtown.

The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception is beautifully built on top of a steep road. Make sure to explore the inside of the church, as you’ll be treated to some really nice views. Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church has been badly damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, but its picturesque façade remains.

How do I get to Grenada?

The easiest way to get into Grenada is to fly. You can fly directly into the country from airports in the United States (New York, Miami, Charlotte) and Canada, as well as other Caribbean countries such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Saint Lucia.

Grenada is sometimes featured as part of a Caribbean cruise itinerary by large cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and MSC – so if you’re looking to visit Grenada on a cruise, this option is also definitely a possibility.

How do I get around Grenada?

It’s possible to get around some of St George’s main attractions by foot, however, for a more robust itinerary, I would highly recommend renting a car. Despite some narrow winding roads, the driving here is relatively straightforward. Please note that in Grenada, they drive on the left side of the road.

If you’re not comfortable renting a car, there are plenty of tour providers that will offer comprehensive tours or shore excursions of the island. To find a reputable tour company that will suit your needs, please contact Pure Grenada.

How many days should I stay in Grenada?

Most cruise visitors only visit Grenada for a day, but I truly believe there is so much more to explore in the Isle of Spice. After assessing my experiences, I would recommend staying at least 5 days in Grenada, but 7-10 days is even more ideal.

Final Verdict – Is Grenada Worth Visiting?

I have visited so many countries in the Caribbean, and Grenada continues to shine so brightly among them as a true standout. I wholeheartedly mean it when I say that I was super impressed by the island in so many ways!

Not only is it visually stunning, but there is so much interesting history behind Grenada. Beyond that, the people were unbelievable friendly and hospitable, definitely some of the friendliest I encountered in the region.

I can say without hesitation that, yes, Grenada is worth visiting.

For more information on how to plan a visit to Grenada, check out the Pure Grenada website – the Official Website for Grenada Tourism, and your best planning resource.

Thinking about visiting Grenada? Have any questions? Let me know in the comments below!

Check out my shots of Grenada on Instagram!