Places / North & Central America / Saint Kitts & Nevis
Basseterre
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At a glance
- Country
- Saint Kitts & Nevis
- Region
- Saint George Basseterre
- Population
- 14,000
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Robert L. Bradshaw International (SKB)
- Coordinates
- 17.30°N, 62.72°W
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Overview
Basseterre is one of the oldest towns in the eastern Caribbean, a compact, low-rise capital of Georgian buildings, churches and busy streets running down to the harbour. Cruise passengers pour in on ship days, then the town returns to its unhurried pace.
St Kitts is small enough to explore in a day, with rainforest-covered volcanoes, a huge British fortress and quiet beaches in the south. The sister island of Nevis is a short ferry ride away.
Things to see
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Photo: Unknown photographer, Public domain The Circus
A small roundabout modelled on London's Piccadilly Circus, centred on the green Victorian Berkeley Memorial clock.
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Photo: Gertjan R., CC BY-SA 4.0 Independence Square
A shady square with a fountain, once the site of a slave market, overlooked by the Co-Cathedral.
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Photo: Ukexpat, CC BY-SA 3.0 Brimstone Hill Fortress
A UNESCO-listed British fortress on a volcanic hill on the west coast, with views to neighbouring islands.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: giggel, CC BY 3.0 Romney Manor
Old sugar estate gardens with a vast saman tree, where batik fabrics are made and sold.
Things to do
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Photo: Jeremy T. Hetzel from Boston, USA, CC BY 2.0 St Kitts Scenic Railway
Circle much of the island in double-decker carriages on the old narrow-gauge sugar cane railway.
Find tours -
Photo: Brian Tibbets Btibbets at en.wikipedia (www.tibbets.org), Public domain Ferry to Nevis
Cross to the quieter sister island for Charlestown, Pinney's Beach and Alexander Hamilton's birthplace.
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Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0 Beaches of the South East Peninsula
Drive the peninsula road past Timothy Hill to calm bays such as South Friar's and Cockleshell.
Where to stay
Basseterre
Small hotels close to the ferries, restaurants and Port Zante.
Hotels in BasseterreFrigate Bay
The main resort area, with beaches on both the Atlantic and Caribbean sides.
Hotels in Frigate BaySouth East Peninsula
Upmarket resorts and quiet beaches away from the town.
Hotels in South East Peninsula
Getting around
Minibuses run along the main coast road, and taxis are easy to find. Car hire is good for exploring, and you'll need a temporary local driving permit. Drive on the left.
The airport is just outside town, about ten minutes by taxi; cruise ships dock at Port Zante in the centre.
When to go
December to April is dry, sunny and the peak season. The hurricane season runs from June to November. The St Kitts Music Festival in June and Carnival over Christmas and New Year are lively times to visit.
Plan your trip to Basseterre
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.