St. John's

St John's has been the island's capital since the seventeenth century, and its landmark is the Cathedral of St John the Divine, a stone building of 1845 with twin baroque towers that stands on a rise above the streets, rebuilt after earthquakes brought down two predecessors. Redcliffe Quay, a group of restored eighteenth-century merchant buildings, holds shops and restaurants, and the museum occupies the old courthouse of 1750.

What you actually see

• The cathedral - the 1845 stone building with its twin baroque towers.
• Redcliffe Quay - restored eighteenth-century merchant buildings around a courtyard.
• The museum - the collection in the old courthouse of 1750.
• The public market - the produce and craft market on the southern edge of town.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and the busiest. Cruise ship days fill the quays. Saturday morning is the main market day.

Honest expectations

Cruise days make the quays crowded and the selling persistent. Much of the town outside the restored quarters is run down. The museum is small and keeps limited hours.

Nearby

Fort James is north, and Fort Barrington is southwest.