The Isle of Spice and Its Easy Charm
Grenada is an independent island nation in the southern Caribbean, known as the Isle of Spice for its nutmeg and mace, and for beaches, waterfalls and a warm, easygoing welcome. It covers 344 square kilometres and had about 114,600 residents in 2024, with St George's as its capital. Independence came on 7 February 1974. Nutmeg arrived in 1843 on a merchant vessel and now appears on the national flag, while cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cocoa grow in the island's fertile hills and fill the air with scent.
St George's is among the Caribbean's prettiest capitals, with a horseshoe harbour, pastel-coloured buildings and a hillside fort. Just south, Grand Anse Beach runs for around three kilometres and is often counted among the best beaches in the world. Inland, the forest around the Grand Etang crater lake and the Annandale Falls give walkers a cool, green contrast. Mount St Catherine, at 840 metres, is the island's highest point, with trails that reward patient hikers.
Chocolate, Oil Down and Spicemas
Food is a major attraction. Oil down, a rich stew of salted meat, breadfruit and vegetables simmered in coconut milk, is the national dish, and local cocoa feeds a thriving bean-to-bar scene, with estate tours and tastings that make a delicious day out. Fresh fish, nutmeg ice cream and spiced sauces are everywhere. Spicemas, the island's carnival in August, fills the streets with music, costume and community energy, a highlight for visitors who want to feel Grenada's character at its most exuberant.
Beneath the surface, Grenada has an unusual cultural attraction: the Underwater Sculpture Park in Moliniere Bay, created by Jason deCaires Taylor in 2006, where sculptures form an artificial reef for snorkellers and divers. For a hotel group, the combination of spice, chocolate, art and beaches makes a rich, varied story. Neighbouring Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia offer comparable green landscapes.
Read the full Grenada guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitGrenada.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.