Named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse, the tiny Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia is the only country in the world named after a woman. And speaking of namesakes, the capital city Castries comes from the French word Carénage—meaning safe anchorage. But what’s in a name anyway? For Castries—lots. It’s one of the most popular cruise ships ports in the whole of the Caribbean, meaning many a ship has found a safe harbour here.
Natural scenery is one of Castries’ main draws. The city is set against the dramatic backdrop of More Fortune, jutting 2,795 feet into the blue Caribbean sky. Back at sea level, the capital of St. Lucia is home to plenty of powdery, white-sand beaches like Vigie Beach, Malabar Beach, and La Toc Beach to name a few.
In terms of historical sites, there aren’t as many to see as in some neighbouring port cities—most of the historic buildings were destroyed by several major fires that swept through town between 1785 and 1948. Shoppers, however, will find plenty in one of several duty-free shopping facilities dotting this quaint harbour town.
