The island’s capital (pop. 17,000) is one of the Caribbean’s oldest towns and a must-see for any visitor. Founded by the French in 1627 (hence its French name, meaning "low country"), it has a compact historic core with colorful colonial buildings, iron-work balconies, and civic landmarks surrounding the central Independence Square. Once the site of the slave market, the square is now a leafy park, offering a quiet counterpoint to the buzz of the capital.

Key landmarks include St. George’s Anglican Church, rebuilt in the 19th century in a handsome Gothic Revival style, and the Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral, an imposing stone structure with twin towers. The bustling Bay Road waterfront, where cruise visitors disembark, contrasts with quieter residential lanes lined with traditional Caribbean gingerbread architecture. There are also several small museums and cultural stops, including the National Museum, located in the 1894 Treasury Building. Its exhibits present an accessible introduction to the island’s pre-colonial, colonial, and post-emancipation history. Exploring Basseterre on foot provides a vivid sense of St. Kitts’s heritage and its blend of French, British, African, and Caribbean influences.

Read more in my post 6 Musts of St. Kitts.