CastriesCapital
Saint Lucia · Country profile
Castries is the lively, hillside capital of Saint Lucia, a working port city of the north-west coast that tumbles over the green ridges above a deep, sheltered harbour of the Caribbean. It is the commercial and the political centre of the island state, rebuilt after the great fires of the colonial century and now holding the colourful market streets, the cathedral of the city and the busy waterfront of the docks. The centre is compact and casual, with the market of the castries and the fort sites of the surrounding hills, while the beaches, the rainforest and the famous twin peaks of the south of the island lie a short drive away. Practical, friendly and unglamorous, it is the essential gateway of the whole of Saint Lucia.
About Castries
Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia. The city's documented population is around 20,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +1758.
The Winding Capital and the Harbour of the West Coast
Castries is a small working capital where the mornings belong to the markets of the town and the afternoons to the beaches and the forest of the island. The historic walk covers the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the market square with its wrought-iron market, the government buildings and the viewpoints of the fort of the Morne. The dock of the city fills with the cruise ships and the harbour tours of the season, and the boats of the south carry the visitors to the famous bays and the diving grounds of the coast. It is not a beautiful city in the postcard sense, but it is safe, honest and convenient, and the whole of the extraordinary island rises directly from its doorstep.
The Trade Winds, the Carnival Weeks and the Pitons of the South
The island enjoys the warm trade winds all year with the drier, sunnier months of the winter and the early spring and the wetter, hotter months of the summer and the autumn, which remain pleasant in the breaks of the showers. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the currency, the English the language, and the buses of the island, the vans of the local transport, run the routes of the west coast and the north. The beaches of the north and the rainforest walks and the drives of the interior anchor the days around the capital. The modest dress for the church interiors and the reef-safe sun cream complete the simple practical list of the island.
The Street Market, the Cathedral and the Ferry of the Neighbouring Islands
The castries market, the covered iron building of the square, holds the spice stalls, the crafts and the fresh produce of the island, and the nearby Saturday market of the town adds the colourful weekend trade. The cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, painted with the scenes of the island, is the remarkable centrepiece of the capital, while the ruins of the forts of the Morne above the harbour give the historic views of the bay. The ferries from the port cross to the neighbouring islands and the southern roads of the island, through the rainforest and the banana valleys to the Piton mountains, complete the essential excursion of the country. The capital surprises with its authenticity and its genuine warmth.
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- Country
- Saint Lucia
- Population
- 20,000
- Capital
- Castries
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1758
- Country code
- LC
Frequently asked questions
Is Castries the capital of Saint Lucia?
Yes — Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia.
What currency do I need in Castries?
The local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Languages spoken in Saint Lucia include English.
What is the dialling code for Saint Lucia?
The international dialling code for Saint Lucia is +1758.
Flying out of Castries? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.