Martinique is a great little Caribbean island with lots of quiet beaches and peaceful beach bars. It is an island of eternal sunshine and the island of flowers. It offers more than 360 restaurants, many of which offer French cuisine dishes with a Caribbean twist.
Martinique is a rugged, mountainous island in the Caribbean Sea. The ancient name of the island is Madinina, which means "The Island of Flowers" in the local language. In the 16th century, the Spanish showed no real interest in the small island, but later Martinique became a well-known and popular tourist destination.
A few facts about Martinique
- The capital of Martinique is Fort de France - a city with some historical landmarks, such as the Bibliothèque Schoelcher - a library that was built in Paris and then dismantled, shipped in parts to Fort-de-France and rebuilt in its current location.
- The total area of Martinique is 1,100 square kilometres with 350 km of coastline
- Mount Pelee is the highest point on the island of Martinique. It is 1,397 meters high.
- The average temperature in Martinique varies between 27 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.
- Martinique was first settled by Europeans in 1635, and many parts of the island are associated with the history of the last three centuries.
- Martinique is world-famous for its cuisine. If you are a foodie, you must visit La Paillotte Bleue restaurant, which serves classic French dishes with a hint of Caribbean influence, such as a veal stew cooked with vanilla or curried roast lamb, or visit Côté Sud, which is known for its French dishes such as cassolette of sea snail or sea bass cooked in vanilla-lime sauce.
- Martinique is a popular destination for snorkelling due to its rich marine life, historic shipwrecks and healthy reefs.
The Island of Flowers
"Nomen est Omen," they say. And that's certainly true of this small Caribbean island. Many trees and lianas are growing on its hilly terrain. Since Martinique is a volcanic island, its soil is very rich and perfect for diverse vegetation.
Top Beaches in Martinique
As one of the Caribbean islands, Martinique has many great beaches that are popular with visitors and locals.
- Grande Anse is best known for its beach restaurant Ti Sable. Visit this beach to lounge in comfortable chairs and enjoy a few cocktails, and at sunset, you can enjoy a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant.
- Anse Grand Macabou is a classic wild beach on the Atlantic coast. It offers you white sand and shade from the surrounding coconut trees. Can you imagine anything better?
- Petite Anse is a small, quiet beach on the road towards Le Diamant. This beach is quiet and peaceful even on weekends.
- Anse Tartane is the largest beach in Martinique. It is a beautiful natural attraction that you will find on the North East coast of Martinique.
- Anse Dufour is located on the South West coast of the island. There is also a restaurant right on the water, so if you don't want to leave Anse Dufour at all, it's worth a try.
Rent a car and explore this volcanic island
The roads in Martinique are generally well-maintained. Traffic rules and road signs are the same as in France. Renters should be at least 25 years old. Traffic moves on the right side of the road, seatbelts are mandatory, and children under 12 must ride in the back seat of a car. Children under six must be in a suitable child seat.
