★ Top sights 20
Oldest permanently settled village in Guadeloupe (1636) with a beautifully preserved colonial church.
Elegant colonial mansion museum celebrating Nobel laureate poet Alexis Leger, born in Guadeloupe in 1887.
Quiet beach east of Sainte-Anne with wild dunes, nudist-friendly areas and strong Atlantic waves.
Secluded golden beach on the far north of Grande-Terre, rarely crowded and surrounded by cliffs.
Long wild beach on Basse-Terre's Atlantic coast with strong waves and untouched golden sand.
Remote dark-sand beach backed by rainforest on Basse-Terre's northwest coast -- wild and spectacular.
Picturesque small bay beach at Vieux-Habitants on Basse-Terre with calm clear water and fishing boats.
Guided trail through hardened 1976-77 lava flows on La Soufriere's flanks, surreal volcanic landscape.
Uninhabited island in Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin covered in pristine mangrove forest, a birdwatcher's paradise.
Extensive coastal mangroves at Guadeloupe's northernmost point, vital habitat for migratory birds.
Dramatic southernmost headland of Basse-Terre with sweeping views across to Les Saintes islands.
Lush tropical rainforest above Deshaies village with hiking trails, waterfalls and endemic wildlife.
18th-century French fortress on Grande-Terre coast with well-preserved ramparts and panoramic sea views.
Imposing 1649 fort in Basse-Terre town named after the hero who resisted Napoleonic troops -- national heritage.
Elegant 18th-century Catholic church in Capesterre flanked by royal palms lining the historic Allee Dumanoir.
Unique cemetery with thousands of black-and-white chessboard-patterned tombs -- most distinctive in Caribbean.
Museum dedicated to Victor Schoelcher, the abolitionist who ended slavery in French colonies in 1848.
Historic town center with a colonial church, old sugar warehouse and covered market by the fishing harbour.
Magnificent 19th-century avenue of royal palms leading to Capesterre, one of the most photographed roads in Guadeloupe.
Sheltered reef at Vieux-Habitants bay with excellent snorkeling over brain coral and colorful reef fish.
Activities & local 28
Guadeloupe's favorite street food snack, crispy saltfish fritters (accras), served hot with ti-punch.
Guadeloupe's unique fried bread sandwich stuffed with accras, chicken or salt fish -- found island-wide.
Guadeloupe's iconic spiced Creole black pudding, sold at roadside stalls and markets across both islands.
Cluster of lively open-air Creole restaurants at Gosier waterfront serving fresh grilled fish and accras.
Spectacular Caribbean carnival from Sunday Gras to Vaval burning on Ash Wednesday with vivid Creole costumes.
Flat terrain of Grande-Terre makes it ideal for cycling -- rental bikes available at Saint-Francois marina.
Big-game fishing charters departing Saint-Francois marina targeting mahi-mahi, marlin and wahoo.
Guadeloupe's largest rum producer at Le Moule with guided tours of its cane fields and distillery.
Oldest sugarcane agricultural rum distillery in Capesterre, producing award-winning rhum agricole since 1895.
Family rum distillery near Sainte-Rose with a small rum museum and tastings of vintage agricole rum.
Full-day guided hike to the active summit of La Soufriere, passing fumaroles and volcanic moonscapes.
Guided kayak descent down the Lezarde River through dense jungle and past natural swimming pools.
World-class kite-surfing lagoon at Saint-Francois with flat water, trade winds and several rental schools.
Charming Breton-flavored fishing village with colorful houses, outdoor cafes and the famous doudou pastry.
Artisan craft market at Sainte-Anne selling madras fabrics, woven baskets, shell jewelry and local spices.
Busy Saturday market in Capesterre-Belle-Eau with bananas, vanilla, cacao and local Creole prepared foods.
Vibrant central market overflowing with exotic tropical fruits, Creole spices, madras fabrics and flowers.
Hilltop village market near Basse-Terre town offering fresh mountain produce, herbs and local handicrafts.
Small museum at Reimonenq distillery tracing 400 years of sugarcane and rum history in Guadeloupe.
After-dark kayak through glowing bioluminescent plankton in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin lagoon.
Row of beach restaurants at Sainte-Anne grilling freshly caught fish over charcoal -- unmissable Creole dining.
Self-guided rum distillery circuit along Basse-Terre linking agricultural rum producers with tastings.
Rent a scooter on Terre-de-Haut to explore the island's bays, fort and hillside viewpoints car-free.
Kayaking between the islets of Les Saintes through turquoise lagoons and secluded bays, rentals available.
Traditional barley-sugar candy made by nuns in Basse-Terre since the 18th century -- unique local sweet.
Atlantic-exposed beach at Le Moule with consistent reef breaks, popular with local and visiting surfers.
Guadeloupe's beloved aperitif of white rhum agricole, cane syrup and lime -- served at every local bar.
Canopy zip-line park above Basse-Terre rainforest offering thrilling rides and treetop aerial platforms.
Beaches & coast 20
Postcard-perfect beach at Port Louis on northern Grande-Terre with crystal-clear turquoise water.
Vast protected lagoon north of Basse-Terre with extensive coral gardens, sea grass beds and sea turtles.
Wide golden-sand beach on southern Basse-Terre, sheltered by palms -- arguably Guadeloupe's most beautiful.
Small volcanic islets within the Cousteau Reserve offering superb diving with turtles and nurse sharks.
Tiny protected islet off Gosier accessible by kayak or boat with shallow reefs and abundant fish life.
Wild undeveloped beach on northern Grande-Terre accessible via short path, beloved by locals.
Crystal-clear waters around Terre-de-Haut with rich coral reefs, rays and exceptional underwater visibility.
Pristine barrier reef off Marie-Galante's west coast with untouched coral gardens and hawksbill turtles.
Pristine white-sand beach on Ilet Fajou in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin nature reserve, boat access only.
Popular town beach at Gosier with cafes, water sports and a view of the small Ilet du Gosier.
Sheltered cove beach near Gosier with calm clear water, good snorkeling and a relaxed atmosphere.
Calm turquoise lagoon beach near Gosier, popular with families for its gentle shallow waters.
Exposed Atlantic beach near Le Moule with powerful waves and dramatic scenery, popular with surfers.
Long white-sand beach near Sainte-Anne fringed with palms, partly bordering the Club Med resort.
Remote white-sand beach on Marie-Galante's southwest coast backed by salt ponds and casuarina trees.
Central town beach of Sainte-Anne lined with restaurants and bars, lively with local beach culture.
Calm reef-protected beach near Sainte-Anne, ideal for swimming and snorkeling in shallow turquoise water.
Dramatic rocky peninsula at Grande-Terre's eastern tip with rugged coves and panoramic Atlantic views.
Dramatic reef system around Guadeloupe's eastern tip with Atlantic currents bringing diverse marine life.
World-famous marine reserve declared by Jacques Cousteau in 1960, teeming with coral and tropical fish.
Culture & history 1
Atmospheric ruins of a colonial sugar mill estate with original stone windmill tower amid tropical vegetation.
Getting there 8
Southern Basse-Terre ferry terminal with frequent crossings to Les Saintes archipelago.
Local ferry operator departing Pointe-a-Pitre serving Les Saintes and Marie-Galante islands.
Major car rental agencies at Pole Caraibes Airport -- essential for exploring both islands freely.
Daily ferries from Pointe-a-Pitre to the flat, rum-producing island of Marie-Galante.
Main inter-island ferry hub linking Guadeloupe to Martinique, Dominica, Saint Lucia and Barbados.
Main international airport serving Guadeloupe with direct flights from Europe and the Americas.
Charming northern Grande-Terre harbour with fishing boats and ferry connections to Basse-Terre.
Eastern Grande-Terre marina and hub for boat charters, day trips to La Desirade and Les Saintes.
Nature 9
Easily accessible freshwater waterfall near Pointe-Noire with a natural swimming pool and forest trail.
Three-tiered spectacular waterfall cascade in Basse-Terre rainforest, tallest falls in the Caribbean.
Coastal salt pond near Sainte-Anne attracting flamingos, herons and migratory shorebirds year-round.
Ancient tropical hardwood forest in southern Basse-Terre with giant mahogany trees and rare tree ferns.
Volcanic crater lake at 400m altitude in dense rainforest, surrounded by tree ferns and exotic orchids.
Stunning botanical garden in Deshaies with 1,000+ tropical plant species, flamingos and parrots.
Active stratovolcano at 1467m, the Caribbean's highest peak south of Cuba -- steaming fumaroles on summit.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve covering 74,000 hectares of volcanic peaks, tropical rainforest and mangroves.
Challenging multi-day ridge trail crossing Basse-Terre's volcanic spine through cloud forest and peaks.