A self-guided tour of St George’s

Author Paul Crask takes us on a walking tour of the beautiful Grenadian capital. 

St George’s is best enjoyed on foot, though its hilly topography means you also have to be fairly fit. If you are here for a short time and would like to explore the ‘best bits’ then give this self-guided walk a try. It should take between two and three hours depending on your pace. Take a bottle of water and be prepared for plenty of steps and some very steep hills!

Start in front of the Esplanade Mall on Bruce Street near the Sendall Tunnel. With your back to the mall, walk towards the tunnel. On the right-hand side of the tunnel entrance you will see steps climbing up the side of the hill. Walk all the way to the top where you will meet a tarmac road.

If you wish to take time to explore Fort George, the entrance is round to the right and the entrance fee is US$2. Alternatively you could choose to look down over the town from the viewing platform which you will find up the steps opposite the police headquarters to the left.

View over harbour in St George’s by Paul Crask
A view over the beautiful red-tiled roofs of Grenada’s colourful capital © Paul Crask

From Fort George walk towards the town down the narrow Grand Etang Road, past St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk (see below) and traffic lights to the four-way junction at the top of the ridge. Be careful of traffic on Grand Etang Road as well as at the junction itself. Turn right here and walk down Young Street. Stick to the left. Along this street you will pass several craft shops and art galleries such as Tikal, Art Fabrik and Yellow Poui, all of which are worth investigating.

Continue all the way down Young Street to the end. You should now be at the Carenage. Before heading to the left for a walk around the Carenage, take a short diversion to the right to see the public library building. Stroll around the Carenage at your leisure, past a couple of very nice local bars and eateries. When you reach the cargo and tour boats in the corner of the Carenage, continue around the water’s edge until you reach the Christ of the Deep statue and the traditional red telephone boxes.

St George’s is best enjoyed on foot, though its hilly topography means you also have to be fairly fit.

Now look across the road for a street running off the Carenage, called Hughes Street. It is opposite the telephone boxes. Walk up Hughes Street to the top where you should turn left. You are now on H A Blaize Street. Be careful of oncoming tra& c here. It is a little tricky. Stick to the right if you can. Walk along this street until you reach Green Street on your right. Walk up it a short distance until you come to St George’s Methodist Church. Now look for some steps going up Chapel Alley to the left of the church. Climb up these steps and then turn left on Lucas Street. You should find yourself opposite the Swedish Consulate. A little further down the road is the Consulate of the Netherlands.

St George's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Grenada by Paul Crask
St George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral © Paul Crask

Continue along the right-hand side of Lucas Street past some stone arches on your left and a box from where police officers direct traffic during rush-hour periods. You will come to a junction with Church Street where you should turn right.

You will pass the ruins of York House on your left, before arriving at the restored Roman Catholic cathedral. Take a look inside though please respect any service that may be taking place.

From the cathedral walk back along Church Street past York House and straight over the junction with Lucas Street. On your left you will see a very pretty, privately owned period house, then the Anglican school followed by the ruins of St George’s Anglican Church. Take a look around.

From the ruined church, follow the road as it curves to the left in front of the Grenada Co-operative Bank on Simmons Street, and look out for cobbled steps going downhill on the right-hand side of this short road. Walk down these steps until you emerge at the bottom. You are back on Young Street. A little to the right is Monckton Street and the Grenada National Museum. The museum is really worth visiting and the bistro at the back is a handy place for a bite to eat and well-earned refreshments.

Turn right out of the museum and walk to the end of Monckton Street. On your right you should see the entrance to the Sendall Tunnel. With care and due attention to traffic, which will be travelling in the same direction as you, walk through the tunnel in single file on the left-hand side. You will emerge at Bruce Street and the Esplanade Mall where you began your walk. If it is a Friday or a Saturday, and you still have the time and the energy, consider a walk up Granby St (opposite the Republic Bank) to explore the market.


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Grenada 3 Bradt guide by Paul Crask