Grenada
Grenada earns its Spice Isle nickname honestly: a nutmeg appears on the national flag, and cinnamon, cocoa and cloves grow in the rainforested interior. St George's wraps its pastel houses around one of the Caribbean's prettiest harbours, Grand Anse Beach runs for about two miles nearby, and the sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique move at an even slower pace.
Overview
Grenada is a volcanic island about 34 km long, with a mountainous, rain-soaked interior falling to beaches and bays in the drier south-west. Most visitors base themselves around Grand Anse or the coves of Lance aux Épines and True Blue, close to the airport and St George's. From there, day trips run up the west coast through Gouyave to the north, or over the mountains via Grand Etang to the cocoa and rum estates of the north-east. Carriacou, about two hours away by ferry, is worth two or three nights rather than a rushed day trip.
Grenada feels less polished than Barbados or Antigua, and that is much of its charm: Friday-night fish fries, rum shops, minibuses booming with soca and an island still built around farming. Accommodation is expensive, food more reasonable, and the island rarely feels crowded, though cruise-ship days fill St George's. It suits divers, walkers and couples more than party seekers. Grenada lies at the southern edge of the hurricane belt, yet Hurricane Beryl caused severe damage on Carriacou and Petite Martinique in 2024, so check what has reopened before booking there.
Map of Grenada
Top 5 highlights
- 1Beach
Grand Anse Beach
About two miles of fine white sand curving towards views of St George's, with calm water, beach bars and low-rise hotels set back behind the palms. Vendors are friendly but persistent; a polite 'no thanks' works.
- 2Culture
Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park
Jason deCaires Taylor's ring of cast figures, Vicissitudes, and dozens of other sculptures lie in shallow water at Molinere Bay, slowly being colonised by coral. Snorkellers can see many from the surface; divers get closer on trips from Grand Anse.
- 3Nature
Grand Etang National Park
A crater lake at about 530 metres, surrounded by rainforest trails, with mona monkeys often seen near the visitor centre. Hike to the Seven Sisters waterfalls with a local guide, as paths can be muddy and unmarked.
- 4Food
Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station
Tour the cooperative's cavernous old station, where workers grade and sort nutmeg and mace by hand for export. Time your visit for a Friday afternoon and stay on in Gouyave for the evening fish fry.
- 5Beach
Carriacou
Grenada's sleepy sister island has Paradise Beach, the palm-dotted sandbar of Sandy Island offshore and a long tradition of wooden boatbuilding at Windward. Ferries from St George's take about two hours.
Biggest cities
St. George's
The Carenage harbour, Fort George and Market Square make a fine half-day walk; the population figure includes the suburbs that stretch south towards Grand Anse.
Gouyave
A west-coast fishing town known for its nutmeg processing station and Fish Friday, a weekly street party of grilled seafood, music and rum.
Grenville
The east coast's market town and transport hub; most visitors only pass through on the way to Belmont Estate, River Antoine and the beaches of the north-east.
St George's is Grenada's only city; town figures for Gouyave and Grenville are approximate, and sources disagree on which is the larger.
When to go to Grenada
Best time: Jan–May.
Average climate in St. George's
Festivals & events
- AprCarriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival
Held in late April, it blends the island's Big Drum dances, string bands and food cooked in traditional maroon style with concerts by modern performers.
- JunFisherman's Birthday
On 29 June, the feast of St Peter, Gouyave blesses its boats and nets, then celebrates with boat races, music and plenty of fish.
- AugSpicemas
Grenada's carnival peaks on the second Monday and Tuesday of August with J'ouvert, when jab jab revellers smeared in black oil and wearing horns take over the streets of St George's.
How much does Grenada cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Oil down
The national dish: breadfruit, salted meat, callaloo leaves and dumplings simmered in coconut milk and turmeric until the liquid is absorbed, often cooked in one big pot outdoors.
Lambie
Conch, tenderised and then stewed or curried; a staple of beach shacks, rum shops and the Friday fish fries.
Nutmeg ice cream
Made with the island's own nutmeg, alongside nutmeg jelly and syrup — look for it at spice shops and on estate visits.
Getting around
Minibuses, numbered by route on the windscreen, run from the St George's bus terminal to every corner of the island; they are cheap, fast and loud, and thin out after dark and on Sundays. Water taxis link the Carenage with Grand Anse. Taxis charge set fares, so agree the price first. Car hire needs a local driving permit; drive on the left. Osprey Lines fast ferries link St George's with Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Ambulance: 434 for St George’s general hospital, 724 for Princess Alice hospital in Grenville, or 774 for Princess Royal hospital in Carriacou.
- Fire: 911
- Police: 911
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +1-473
- Time zone
- UTC-4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge; if not, leave about 10%. Tip tour guides and drivers for good service.
- Etiquette
- Greet people before asking a question — a 'good morning' matters. Cover up away from the beach, and ask before photographing people, especially market vendors.
- Main airports
- Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND), St. George's
Visas & entry for Grenada
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Grenada without a visa.
On entry, you’ll be allowed to stay for a maximum period of 3 months.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueRabies
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Grenada
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 25 Oct 2026 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Mon 26 Oct 2026 | Thanksgiving Day (observed) |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Independence Day |
| Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Independence Day (observed) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Pentecost Monday |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Sun 1 Aug 2027 | Emancipation Day |
| Mon 2 Aug 2027 | Emancipation Day (observed) |
| Mon 9 Aug 2027 | Carnival Monday |
| Tue 10 Aug 2027 | Carnival Tuesday |
| Tue 19 Oct 2027 | National Heroes' Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Hurricane season runs June to November; Grenada sits at the southern edge of the belt but has still been hit hard, by Ivan in 2004 and Beryl in 2024.
- Buy spices, cocoa balls for making cocoa tea and nutmeg syrup at the St George's market or on estates rather than in cruise-terminal shops — they are fresher.
- Belmont Estate shows how cocoa is grown and turned into chocolate; pair it with nearby River Antoine, which has made rum using a water wheel since the 1780s.
Grenada travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Grenada?
The best time to visit Grenada is generally Jan–May. Peak months are January, February, March, April and May. Average highs in St. George's range from 29°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Grenada cost per day?
Roughly £65 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £330+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Grenada?
East Caribbean dollar (XCD).
What plug type does Grenada use?
Type G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Grenada?
Traffic drives on the left in Grenada — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Grenada?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Grenada?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Grenada without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Grenada before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/grenada/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Grenada?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
