Our Martinique cruise port day itinerary shows you exactly what to do from Fort-de-France cruise port, including market, beaches, historical attractions and optional excursions. This guide will help you make the most of your time in Martinique.
In our Martinique Itinerary we cover:
- Arriving at the port on Virgin Voyages
- French-Caribbean culture
- Our full itinerary
- Best things to buy in Martinique
- Who this itinerary is best for
We visited Martinique on our Virgin Voyages Caribbean cruise and spent the day exploring Fort-de-France on foot. We were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to walk from the port into town and how authentic the atmosphere felt compared to some other Caribbean cruise destinations.
Table of Contents
Martinique Cruise Port Overview
The port at Fort-de-France in Martinique is really close to the town, approximately an 800m walk. We arrived with Virgin Voyages and it couldn’t have been easier to stroll into town. Everything in town is within walking distance which is also convenient. The local currency is the Euro and the language is Martinican Creole or French.
We felt safe walking to and from the port as well as around the town, there were lots of people around, it was quite busy even when we wandered into some of the more local areas. We disembarked at 8am and all aboard was 5:30pm which was plenty of time.
Tip – Our full guides for our Virgin Voyages Caribbean Review and Caribbean Cruise Packing List will help you organise your trip!
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Is Martinique Worth Visiting On A Cruise?
We loved our port day in Martinique, we weren’t sure what to expect but we left feeling like it was a great port stop and well worth visiting on a cruise. We loved the French Caribbean atmosphere and that it felt less touristy than many Caribbean islands. There are a lot of excursions you can do from here as well, the best are:
- Rum distilleries
- Black-sand and white-sand beaches
- Volcano and rainforest scenery
Martinique Port Day Itinerary At A Glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Arrive in Fort-de-France |
| 8:30 AM | Explore downtown |
| 10:00 AM | Local market |
| 11:00 AM | Rum distillery |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:30 PM | Beach |
| 4:30 PM | Return to ship |
Stop 1 โ Explore Fort-de-France
There is a lot to see in Fort-de-France, it is all easily walkable from the ship and enough to fill most of your day if you stop for lunch and take it slowly. Our itinerary below shows you everywhere we went and the stops we loved. You’ll find historic buildings and a cool French-Caribbean atmosphere. You can do a walking foodie tour of the town which makes sure you see all the important spots, fills in the history and local places.
Stop 2 โ Visit The Grand Marchรฉ
The Grand Marchรฉ is the market in Fort-de-France that you will want to visit. There is everything from fruits and spices to handicrafts, jewellery and souvenirs. It is the best place to shop in Martinique for gifts for yourself or family and friends.
What To Buy In Martinique
The Grand Marchรฉ is the place to shop and the best things to buy are: spices (depending on your home country’s rules about bringing them in), the cute rustic retro signs, the checkered pattern in clothing for adults or children.
These cute dolls were handmade and this stunning jewellery is handmade from sand, natural colourings and stones. Each piece is really unique and makes for a great souvenir.
Stop 3 โ Visit A Martinique Rum Distillery
There are a couple of rum distilleries that are quite a way from Fort-de-France so you would want to head here earlier in your day so you get back in time. Distillerie Depaz and Distillerie Clรฉment are the two most popular, both are about an hour and a half away by bus or 50 minutes by taxi in opposite directions. Make sure to book your tour prior so you don’t miss out or you can book a tour which includes transport.
Stop 4 โ Relax At The Best Beach Near Fort-de-France
There is a small beach only a short stroll from the port. Spend the rest of your day here relaxing. Plage de la Franรงaise is right at the base of the fort so you can’t miss it, just look for the line of palm trees beyond the basketball courts.
Pointe du Bout is a really beautiful clear beach but it is across the water from the port. There is a Blue Lines ferry you can take from Ponton de la Pointe Simon, about a 5-10 minute walk from the port. The ferry will drop you at Marina de la Pointe du Bout and you walk another 5-10 minutes to the beach area.
Alternatively you can take this tour to discover the beaches of the South, it includes visiting Plage des Salines which is said to be the best beach in Martinique.
Best Shore Excursions In Martinique
There are so many excursions you can do in Martinique. These are the ones that are best for each type of traveller. We have a huge list we can’t wait to tick off more each time we visit.
Best For First-Time Visitors & Foodies
Use our self guided excursion below and also take this foodie tour. You will explore the town and also get to experience the culture through food and local insights.
Best For Beaches
Take the full beach lovers tour which gets you to the southern area said to have the best beaches on Martinique.
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Best For Nature Lovers
This tour takes you through the island to forests, waterfalls, botanical garden and a rum distillery. It is a great half day exploration of Martinique.
Best For Rum Lovers
There are some great rum distilleries on Martinique, the easiest way to see one is with this tour.
Self-Guided Martinique Cruise Port Itinerary Vs Shore Excursion
You can absolutely do a self-guided Martinique walk from the cruise port, in fact we have listed out what to see below however if you want to add some depth of understanding or experiences then an excursion will be the easiest option.
Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Fort-de-France From The Cruise Port
This is the exact route we walked around Martinique, it was the perfect relaxing way to see the town.
St. Louis Catholic Cathedral
First stop walking from the port is to head towards the St. Louis Catholic Cathedral, dedicated in 1895 it has a tall steeple and is at the centre of the square. Head inside to sit in the peace for a moment.
Garnier Street
Head to the Garnier Street to see the colourful patterns that adorn the area. It is bright and fun and where you will find loads of bars and restaurants open to grab lunch or a drink before heading back to the ship later on.
The Grand Marchรฉ couvert de Fort-de-France
The Marchรฉ couvert de Fort-de-France is pretty famous. This is the main market area, you will find lots of produce and handicrafts side by side in this little market. This is where I would do some souvenir shopping and soak up the French-Caribbean atmosphere. You will find spices, local souvenirs, rum products and handmade crafts.
Street Art
We walked north from the market, along Rue Isambert and Rue Perrinon and came across some great street art. It was really beautiful in this area with lots of older buildings around too which makes for some great photography spots.
Thรฉรขtre Aimรฉ Cรฉsaire
Our next stop was the Thรฉรขtre Aimรฉ Cรฉsaire. The building is really beautiful and when you enter a lovely security guard will meet you to show you the times for the free tours. We only waited about 10 minutes then were led up stairs to a small museum. It was really interesting but I mostly loved the gorgeous windows and views.
Schoelcher Library
This is a little library, built in 1887, it is really pretty inside with spiral staircases to the second floor. There is a printing press on display in the back. It is a small quick stop off while walking around town and a chance to see some of the historic architecture.
Fresque murale
There is some great street art in Martinique, check this one out as you walk by.
La Savane Park
Just behind the beach is this little park, there are monuments and trees to rest under looking up at the fort.
Fort Saint Louis
You can visit Fort Saint Louis but you do need a booking as it is part of an active military base you will need a pre-arranged tour which can be reserved at the tourist information office.
La Franรงaise
This is the little stretch of city beach here at the end of the Malecon. It sits at the foot of the fort and is lined with palms. There are showers here to rinse off after swimming as well.
The Malecon
Stroll along the Malecon and soak up the water views and art displays there as you head back to the boat.
Next time we come on a port day to Martinique we would definitely do an excursion, there are so many beautiful places to see in Martinique that we would love to explore further.
What To Eat In Martinique During A Port Day
Some of the unique foods to try in Martinique are the French pastries, accras (Caribbean fish cakes), creole dishes and of course Martinique rum. The rum in Martinique is unique as it is Rhum Agricole which is distilled directly from fresh sugarcane. Head to Garnier Street, it is the best place to check out the many restaurants and bars.
Martinique Cruise Port FAQs
Can you walk from the Martinique cruise port?
Yes, the Martinique cruise port is really well located next to Fort-de-France, you can walk into town in about 5-10 minutes.
What is the cruise port in Martinique?
Cruise ships will come to the Fort-de-France port in Martinique, we docked at Pointe Simon which is the newer port or there is an older port at Tourelles about a 15 minute walk to town.
How far is the beach from Fort-de-France cruise port?
There is a small beach right near the Fort-de-France port you can walk there in about 5 minutes. To get to a larger beach take the ferry across the bay to the beach at Pointe du Bout or an excursion to Plage des Salines which is said to be the best beach on Martinique.
Is Martinique expensive?
Martinique is generally one of the more expensive Caribbean islands because it is a French overseas department and uses the Euro.
Can I use US dollars in Martinique?
Euros are the preferred currency although some tourist businesses may accept US dollars and card payments are widely accepted.
Do I need euros for a cruise stop in Martinique?
Not necessarily. Most businesses accept credit cards, although having a small amount of cash can be useful at markets.
Is Martinique safe for cruise passengers?
We felt totally safe wandering around Fort-de-France, Martinique. There were lots of people walking around and the town is quite compact.
What currency is used in Martinique?
The Euro is the main currency and card is widely accepted.
Do people speak English in Martinique?
There is a little English in the market and souvenir places, most people will speak French though.
How much time do you need in Martinique?
We spent one day on our port stop and it was great but we could definitely go back and see more of the country. I think about 3-4 days would be great if you are travelling there independently.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Martinique On A Cruise
We loved our port stop in Martinique, Fort-de-France was a very easy city to walk and explore. I would make sure to get out and see something of the island as it really has a lot to offer. I think it is a place you could return to on future cruises and see another aspect of it each time.
Plan Your Trip
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