France

A Week in Guadeloupe: Ultimate Itinerary for 6-7-8 Days

1 week Itinerary in Guadeloupe

You want to go on a trip to Guadeloupe and are looking for the best route?

You are in the right place!

In order to help you organize your stay, I have concocted a one-week itinerary in Guadeloupe to see some of the island’s must-see places. On the program: hiking, beach, cultural and gastronomic discoveries.

Find now all my advice and tips for visiting Guadeloupe 6, 7 or 8 days as well as my selection of the best accommodations to sleep at each stage.

So, what to do and see in Guadeloupe in 1 week?

Day 1: Pointe-à-Pitre

To visit Guadeloupe in 1 week, you will have no choice, you will have to land at the only international airport on the island which is located in Pointe-à-Pitre.

First, a tip: rent a car. It will be much more convenient than traveling by bus. The bus network in Guadeloupe is not very reliable, schedules change all the time, and to top it off, there are no buses on Sundays and public holidays and very few on Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons.

For the first 3 nights of your week-long trip to Guadeloupe, I advise you to stay near Pointe-à-Pitre or Le Gosier. You will be able to explore Grande-Terre.

To reach Pointe-à-Pitre from the airport, it will take you 20 minutes. If possible, choose a flight that arrives in the morning to have time to see the city well.

Start by going to the markets.

You can buy fresh fish at La Darse market, and stock up on spices and souvenirs at the spice market. Take the opportunity to take a walk on the Place de la Victoire, very popular with locals, and to visit the Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, classified as a historical monument for its remarkable architecture.

In the afternoon, visit the Saint-John Perse Museum, housed in a magnificent two-storey colonial house from the 19th century. You will learn a lot about this Guadeloupean poet who is not necessarily well known in mainland France. Admission costs €2.50.

After the museum, walk along the harbor of Pointe-à-Pitre and reach the Memorial ACTe, a museum dedicated to the history of slavery (10 minutes on foot). Count about 2 hours to go around. You will therefore certainly end your day on this visit.

Spend your first night in Pointe-à-Pitre.

Tips:
At the markets, take the opportunity to stock up on local products. If you have a kitchen in your accommodation, you will be able to cook yourself a good dish using fresh produce. Otherwise, you will find something to snack on in the markets anyway.

Accommodation around Pointe-à-Pitre (3 nights)

  • Maison Montout: Located in Le Gosier, 10 minutes by car from Pointe-à-Pitre. Fully equipped apartment with kitchen and balcony with sea view from 70€. Most: the calm, the proximity of the beach and the restaurants, the availability of the hosts. It is our favorite for its performance / price ratio!
  • Racoon Lodge: Located in Pointe-à-Pitre. Spacious and tastefully decorated double room from 100€ per night. The pluses: the exotic and unusual setting, the swimming pool, the view of the forest, the garden. An excellent choice where to sleep in Guadeloupe!
  • Karibea Beach Hotel: Located by the sea, 7 km from Pointe-à-Pitre. Spacious double room with garden or sea view from €100. Most: the swimming pool, the location on the beach, the good breakfast.
  • Canella Beach Hotel: Located between Le Gosier and Pointe-à-Pitre. Bright and very spacious studio and apartment with balcony from 160€. Most: the geographical location, the varied breakfast, the swimming pool, the beach nearby.
  • La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa: Located 10 minutes from Pointe-à-Pitre. Modern, bright and well-decorated double room from €250 per night. The pluses: the large swimming pool, the decor, the private beach, the great location for visiting Guadeloupe. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Guadeloupe!
  • La Toubana Hotel & Spa: Located in Sainte-Anne, this 5* hotel offers spacious and luxurious suites and bungalows with balconies and sea views, from €450. Most: the breathtaking view, the Spa, the swimming pool, the magnificent setting, the excellent breakfast. This is our recommendation for a luxury hotel in Guadeloupe!
point to pitre - 1 week itinerary Guadeloupe
point to pitre

Day 2: Port-Louis / North of Grande Terre

On the second day of your 7-day circuit in Guadeloupe, head to the North of Grande Terre.

Start the day in Port-Louis, a very picturesque little fishing village.

Port-Louis being a former sugar city, you can visit the Godet dwelling there, a former sugar dwelling which in 1986 became an INRA (National Institute for Agronomic Research) station. You can also see a windmill there.

Then do not hesitate to take a walk in the surroundings of Port-Louis, because this side of the island is truly magnificent. In particular, you can stop for a picnic at Anse du Souffleur, renowned for its clear water and its marine cemetery with tombs decorated with tin shells.

In the afternoon, follow the coast and continue your exploration of the north of Grande-Terre, through the sugar cane fields, passing by Anse-Bertrand. Join the northern tip of the island, and the Grande Vigie, a steep cliff that will give chills to those who are dizzy.

This part of the coast is ragged by the winds and there are more cliffs than beaches. To see also: the Porte d’Enfer, a fault dug by the sea in the cliffs. It is a tourist site known in Guadeloupe to observe the violence of the waves and currents.

I advise you to end the day at the Trou de Madame Coco, an excavation dug by the sea and which overlooks a mysterious sea cave.

According to legend, Madame Coco would have made a pact with the devil to surpass her rival Madame Grands-Fonds. Not respecting the pact, she was swept away by the sea and her body landed in the cave.

To reach the hole, park your car in the car park and then take the footpath that joins the coast. It’s a nice walk to do during your week-long stay in Guadeloupe.

Spend a second night in the vicinity of Pointe-à-Pitre.

Tips:
You can also take advantage of your day in Port-Louis to try out some water activities.

Port Louis and Souffleur beach - 1 week Guadeloupe itinerary
Port Louis and Souffleur beach

Day 3: The Pointe des Châteaux / Saint-François / Sainte-Anne

For the third day of your one-week road trip in Guadeloupe, I advise you to visit the south-east of Grande Terre.

Start by going to Sainte-Anne. It will take you about 30 minutes by road along the southern coast of Grande-Terre.

Visit the Sainte-Anne market before treating yourself to a moment of relaxation on one of the town’s magnificent beaches. I particularly recommend the beach of Bois Jolan, wilder than that of Caravelle and where you will be quieter to enjoy the landscape.

And if you fancy a little more action, why not book a kitesurfing lesson (click here!) or surf lesson (available there!).

At the end of the morning, take the road to Saint-François (about a 20-minute drive).

You can take a lunch break at the excellent restaurant Chez Nous. On the menu: traditional Guadeloupe cuisine for a very reasonable price compared to other restaurants on the island (€35 for the full menu starter + main course + dessert). The dishes are classic and will allow you to discover the authentic cuisine of the island.

In the early afternoon, visit Saint-François  and its bustling fishing port, before heading to Pointe des Châteaux, a listed national site located on the peninsula at the far east of Grande-Terre. It will take you about a quarter of an hour by car to reach the tip, and you can spend the afternoon there.

I strongly advise you to take the 2 km walk around the Pointe. You will stroll on the jagged rocks and can admire the view of the islands of La Désirade, Marie-Galante or Petite Terre.

At the end of the afternoon, take a well-deserved break at Anse à l’eau, northwest of Pointe des Châteaux, before heading back to Pointe-à-Pitre for your last night in the area . .

Tips:
Departing from Saint-François, you can also discover the Pointe des Châteaux thanks to a ULM flight. You will see that from up there, the landscapes are even more beautiful.

Guadeloupe itinerary
La Pointe des Châteaux, hiking in Guadeloupe

Day 4: Basse-Terre

For the second part of your 1-week itinerary in Guadeloupe, discover Basse-Terre.

I therefore advise you to change accommodation and take accommodation directly on the island of Basse-Terre. It is best to stay close to the town of Basse-Terre: it is easily accessible and you will have more choice of accommodation than elsewhere.

I advise you to leave Pointe-à-Pitre quite early, because it will take you a little over an hour to make the trip.

Drive along the coast and don’t hesitate to stop along the way, at Petit Bourg for example, sometimes nicknamed “the green lung of Guadeloupe”.

Arrived in Basse-Terre, start by taking a tour of the large market, which is only open in the morning, and if you feel like it, buy something to make a good meal of local products.

Take advantage of the morning to visit the main places of interest in the city, such as the Champ d’Arbaud and the Square Pichon.

Notre-Dame-de-Guadeloupe Cathedral, a magnificent 18th century Baroque-style cathedral with a volcanic stone facade is also a must-see.

If you have time left, you can then visit the Bologna Distillery, which closes at 1:30 p.m. Formerly one of the most important sugar refineries in Basse-Terre, the Bologna estate became a distillery in 1930.

You can visit the estate, with some vestiges of the sugar era such as an old cane mill and two copper stills. You can also enjoy a rum tasting at the shop.

After your visit to the Bologna distillery, head to Fort Delgrès. This fort dating from the 17th century was the scene of many clashes between the English and the French when they fought for the island.

Classified as a “Historic Monument”, it is also worth the detour for its magnificent panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and the town of Basse-Terre. Visiting the Fort is free.

Spend the night in the vicinity of Basse-Terre.

Accommodation around Basse-Terre (3 nights)

  • Les Bananes Vertes: Located 7 km from the town of Basse-Terre and 10 minutes from the Soufrière car park. Double room with spa bath or studio with kitchenette and balcony from €85. The pluses: the swimming pool, the independent accommodation, the magnificent park where the chalets are located, the calm. It is our favorite for its performance / price ratio. The best choice where to stay in Guadeloupe!
  • Tropical Paradise: Located 4 km from Basse-Terre. Modern and colorful 1 to 2 bedroom apartment with sea view balcony from 95€. Most: the swimming pool, the view, the setting and the equipment.
  • Habitation La Reine du Camp Bed and Breakfast: Located in Sainte-Claude, just 8 km from Basse-Terre. Warm and comfortable double room from €110 per night. Most: the warm welcome, the comfort of the place, the location.
  • Jardin Malanga: Located about 20 minutes from Basse-Terre, this hotel is one of the largest hotels in Guadeloupe. The hotel offers bungalows with a large terrace offering a splendid view of the forest. From 250€. Most: the view, the calm, the delicious breakfasts and meals, the magnificent garden, the swimming pool. This is our recommendation for a luxury romantic stay in Guadeloupe.
Jardin-Malanga-Hotel-de-charme-en-Guadeloupe-840x560-1
Jardin Malanga – Charming hotel in Guadeloupe

Day 5: Diving at the Cousteau Reserve / Deshaies Beach

On the fifth day of your 7-day trip to Guadeloupe, I recommend that you travel to the North West of the island.

Start by following the coast to reach the Cousteau Reserve, near the town of Bouillante.

This is the perfect time for those who have always dreamed of doing their first dive. This place is ideal for learning about scuba diving, with its 1,000 hectares of protected seabed. You will see turtles, multicolored corals and tropical fish.

You will find many diving centers in Bouillante, for a price of around 50 euros for 20 minutes.

For those who are not too keen on diving but still want to admire the seabed, I recommend another option: rent a Zayak. Yes you read correctly, a “Zayak” and not a kayak!

The Zayak is an unsinkable board that you can lie on. The upper part is transparent and allows you to contemplate the fish without mask or snorkel. It’s really the best for those who are not comfortable in the water!

The rental costs only 10€ the first hour then 5€ thereafter. You can also rent them at the PPK club on Malendure beach. I think it’s really a great idea for a family activity during your week-long trip to Guadeloupe.

For the rest of the day, I offer you a relaxing and cool program to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in Guadeloupe. For this, I advise you to reach the beach of Deshaies, a little further north (about 30 min drive).

Here you can spend the afternoon lounging on the golden sands and swimming.

Go back to sleep in Basse-Terre.

Diving at the Cousteau Reserve - Guadeloupe itinerary - things to do
Diving at the Cousteau Reserve

Day 6: Ascent of Soufrière

After having rested well in Deshaies, the next day is a little more sporty.

You cannot visit Guadeloupe in a week without having climbed La Soufrière, the still active volcano of Basse-Terre. It is the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles.

I advise you to leave very early because the later you get to the top, the less clear the view will be. But don’t worry, the start of the hike is very close to Basse-Terre and you will only need a quarter of an hour’s drive to get there.

So go to the Bains Jaunes, a natural swimming pool with water at 30°C, where you can park your car.

Save the swim for the return and start the ascent directly by taking the Chemin des Dames. The hike of about 2 hours goes through hot springs and allows you to enjoy many viewpoints.

Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a magnificent 360° view.

On the way back, relax in the Yellow Baths before returning to Basse-Terre. You can rest and prepare your suitcases in anticipation of your last day of your vacation in Guadeloupe the next day.

Tips:
If you want to do this hike in complete safety and also benefit from explanations of the fauna, flora and the volcano, I recommend that you climb Soufrière with a guide.

Soufriere-Guadeloupe-840x491-1
The Soufriere volcano in Guadeloupe

Day 7: Trois-Rivières

For the last day of your 1-week stay in Guadeloupe, you still have to visit the extreme south of Basse-Terre and in particular the city of Trois-Rivières. The ideal is to take a flight late in the day to have time to enjoy.

It will only take you 20 minutes to reach the city of Trois-Rivières. I advise you to visit the Banana Museum, where you can discover a banana plantation and its packing station.

At lunchtime, you can even taste local dishes made with bananas at the table d’hôte of the Maison de la Banane (best to book in advance).

If you have time left before heading back to the airport, why not take advantage of Guadeloupe’s beaches one last time?

Head to one of the island’s pretty beaches: Grande Anse beach in Trois-Rivières. This black sand beach extends over more than 800 meters and even allows you to see the Saintes in the distance.

It will then take you about 1 hour to reach Pointe-à-Pitre airport and conclude this 7-day road trip in Guadeloupe.

Tips:
If you only have 6 days to visit Guadeloupe by car, I advise you to skip the day 5, the first dive at the Cousteau Reserve and Deshaies beach.

Day 8:

If your itinerary in Guadeloupe lasts 8 days, then this is an opportunity to add to your road trip the visit of one of the islands off Guadeloupe.

I advise you to favor Marie-Galante, the third largest island of the Lesser Antilles after Martinique and Guadeloupe.

In this case, add to your circuit the visit of Marie-Galante on the fourth day, before leaving for Basse-Terre.

Take the ferry from Pointe-à-Pitre, early in the morning. You have the choice between two companies: Express des Iles and Val Ferry. It takes around 1 hour for the journey.

To visit Marie-Galante, even if you only stay one day, I advise you to rent a car. You will find many car rental companies in Grand Bourg, the capital of the island. It is more practical and often even less expensive than attempting the ferry crossing with your car rented in Guadeloupe.

Once on the island, start by visiting L’Habitation Murat in Grand Bourg, which was once the largest sugar cane plantation in Guadeloupe.

It has since been transformed into an eco-museum, and the visit will teach you a lot about the history of the sugar industry in Guadeloupe. The visit is free.

After your visit to Habitation Murat, head to the far north of the island (a half-hour drive) to see the Gueule Grand Gouffre, an open pit 50 meters high.

Last stage of your tour of the island: the Sentier des Galeries in Capesterre-de-Marie-Galante, on the South-East coast.

This 45-minute hike will allow you to discover magnificent underwater caves off Marie-Galante, which the sea carved several thousand years ago.

It will then be time to return to Pointe-à-Pitre, for your last night in Grande-Terre before hitting the road the next day for Basse-Terre.

From there, you can resume our recommended one-week Guadeloupe itinerary at Day 4.

A week in Guadeloupe: the map of your itinerary

To help you view your itinerary, I made you a map of all the places you will visit in a week in Guadeloupe. The island’s airport is located in Pointe-à-Pitre. You can display the legend by clicking on the button with a small arrow located at the top left of the map.

Do not hesitate to give us your opinions and suggestions on our one-week itinerary in Guadeloupe!

Are you going to Guadeloupe? Read also:

Itinerary: 2 Weeks in Guadeloupe – Ultimate Guide

Camille L.

Passionate about foreign languages, cooking and writing. I wish to share with you the places, the meetings and the gastronomic discoveries which gave relief to my travels.

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