Home to over a third of the island of St. Lucias residents, Castries is a unique blend of the past and the contemporary. Also the capitol city, Castries boasts a unique town center, panoramic views of the scenery, and a number of unique dining experiences. The St. Lucia Jazz festival takes place every May and tourists come from many counties around the world to experience fantastic music in a delightful island setting.

In Castries city center, there is much to see and do. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a Roman Catholic Church, is found downtown. Built in 1897, this holy place has murals on the inside that arent to be missed. Another popular downtown attraction is the Castries Market. Here you will see women dressed in their traditional island garb, numerous varieties of produce, and local vendors pedaling their wares. Also in close proximity are craft markets were you can purchase interesting artifacts to remember your trip to St. Lucia. The market is open everyday except for Sunday, and Fridays and Saturdays see the most action.

Another area of Castries worth checking out is Morne Fortune, meaning hill of good fortune. There are historic sites available for you to take in, commemorating battles fought long ago in Castries. You can also view cemeteries, guard cells, and stables reminiscent of a less peaceful time. The Governor-General of St. Lucia lives here, in one of the only examples of the Victorian Architecture to survive to see modern times. Morne Fortune is also home to a scenic lookout point that offers views of smaller surrounding islands. On a clear day you can see al the way to Martinique from atop Morne Fortune.

Castries has a few restaurants that define the quintessential cuisine of the area. With its rich French, British, West Indian and Creole fusion of cultures in is not surprising that this mlange is echoed in the food of the country. One of the best examples of this is The Coal Pot restaurant. This tiny restaurant in Virgie Marina is one of the best on the island. The owners of the restaurant are a husband and wife pair who have created one of the most romantic, intimate dining experiences on the island. Their mix of French cooking techniques and local Caribbean flavor results in a dynamic taste that will be forever burned in your memory. Another establishment in Castries that has critics singing its praises is The Green Parrot. Operated by the famous Chef Harry this culinary delight is atop the Morne Fortune, overlooking all of Castries. Perhaps second only to the view at The Green Parrot is the cuisine found here. Chef Harry has trained at some of the finsest Restaurants in Europe and his talent is seen manifested in the restaurant. On certain nights, free local entertainment is also provided.

For the ultimate in Castries experiences, come to St. Lucia in May for the Jazz Festival that takes place here. This event started in the early nineties in four local clubs, and has quickly grown to a ten-day event that encompasses several venues throughout the island. In recent years, the event has expanded into more than just great music in few select locations. Now, concerts take place all over the island at all times of the day and night. If the idea of listing to the acid-smooth melodies of a jazz band surrounded by a lush tropical environment sound appealing, then consider heading to Castries in May when this celebration takes place.

It is no wonder that arguably the most beautiful island in all of the Caribbean should have such a varied selection of activities for tourists to choose from. Weather you peruse the open air markets of Castries town center, explore the history of St. Lucia at Morne fortune, enjoy a romantic dinner for two at the Coal Pot or tap your feet to the beat of Jazz bands in May, St. Lucia offers visitors a chance to escape the drudgery of day to day life and experience another culture. Castries provides the perfect mix of culture and relaxation to make your vacation to St. Lucia one that will live forever in your memories.