- Martinique is part of France, so it uses the euro and European plugs
- Stay in the south for beaches, around Les Anses-d'Arlet for snorkelling or the north for hiking and rainforest
- Fly via Paris Orly or Charles de Gaulle; there are no direct UK flights
- Visit a rhum agricole distillery; Martinique's rum has its own AOC
- Airports
- Martinique Aimé Césaire International, Fort-de-France (FDF)
- Flight time
- about 11-13h from London, usually changing in Paris
- Best time to go
- December-May (dry season)
- Currency
- Euro (€)
Martinique is a slice of France in the Caribbean, with Creole flair. The north is mountainous and green, crowned by the volcano Mount Pelée, which destroyed the old capital Saint-Pierre in 1902. The south is drier, with white-sand beaches, calm bays and fishing villages. Everywhere, you'll find French bakeries and supermarkets alongside Creole cooking, zouk music and roadside stalls selling fruit and rum punch.
As an overseas region of France, Martinique is part of the EU and uses the euro. Plugs are the European two-pin type (230V), so bring a UK-to-EU adaptor, and cars drive on the right. French is the main language, with Creole widely spoken; English is less common than on most Caribbean islands. The island is four hours behind the UK in winter and five in summer. Our France guide covers the mainland, and Guadeloupe is a short flight or ferry away.
Entry requirements
Martinique is part of France and the EU but not the Schengen area. British passport holders can usually visit visa-free for up to 90 days, and you may be asked to show a return ticket, accommodation details and enough funds for your stay. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave. Check whether the EU's Entry/Exit System or ETIAS applies to French overseas regions at the time you travel, and remember that transiting through Paris counts as entering Schengen. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Martinique
The south and Les Salines
Sainte-Anne and the Grande Anse des Salines, a long palm-fringed white-sand beach near the island's southern tip, are among Martinique's most popular spots. Le Diamant has views of the famous Diamond Rock offshore, and Sainte-Luce and Le Marin are good bases with plenty of restaurants.
Les Anses-d'Arlet and Grande Anse
The south-west coast has pretty fishing villages with church-fronted beaches, calm water and excellent snorkelling, often with turtles feeding on the seagrass at Grande Anse.
Fort-de-France and Les Trois-Îlets
The capital has a lively market, the Bibliothèque Schœlcher and Fort Saint-Louis. Across the bay, Les Trois-Îlets is a resort area with the birthplace of Empress Joséphine and frequent ferries to the city.
Saint-Pierre and Mount Pelée
Once called the Paris of the Caribbean, Saint-Pierre was destroyed by Mount Pelée's 1902 eruption, and its ruins are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experienced walkers can climb Pelée itself, usually from the Aileron car park, on a clear day.
The north and the Caravelle Peninsula
The rainforest road through the Pitons du Carbet, botanical gardens at Balata and black-sand beaches characterise the north. On the Atlantic coast, the Presqu'île de la Caravelle has walking trails and the ruined Château Dubuc.
Best time to visit Martinique
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dry season (December-May) | Sunny, around 26-29 °C, steady breezes; peak season in winter and around Easter |
| Wet season (June-November) | Hotter and more humid with heavy showers; hurricane risk highest August-October |
| Carnival (February or March) | Lively parades in the days before Lent, especially in Fort-de-France |
French school holidays fill flights and hotels fast, especially around Christmas, February and Easter, so book early if you're travelling then.
Getting to Martinique from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK. Air France, Corsair and Air Caraïbes fly from Paris (mostly Orly, some from Charles de Gaulle) to Fort-de-France in about 8.5–9 hours. Connect from London or regional UK airports, or take the Eurostar to Paris and transfer to Orly. Allow 11–13 hours or more in total, and leave plenty of time if you need to change between Paris airports.
Getting around
A hire car is the best way to explore, as buses are limited and not very tourist-friendly. Roads are good but traffic around Fort-de-France can be heavy at rush hour. Ferries link Fort-de-France with Les Trois-Îlets and Anse Mitan, and ferries also run to Guadeloupe, Dominica and St Lucia.
Money and costs
Prices are similar to mainland France, and higher for imported goods. Budget around €130–200 per person per day for a mid-range trip including accommodation. Self-catering apartments and gîtes are popular and good value, and beach snack bars (lolos) serve cheap Creole food. Cards are widely accepted, and tipping isn't expected, as service is included.
Frequently asked questions
Is Martinique part of France?
Yes. It is an overseas region and department of France, so it uses the euro and is part of the EU.
Do they speak English in Martinique?
Not widely. French is the official language and Creole is spoken by most locals; some English is spoken in hotels and tourist businesses, but a few words of French help a lot.
Is Martinique good for a beach holiday?
Yes, especially in the south, where Les Salines, Anse Michel and the bays around Les Anses-d'Arlet have calm, clear water.
Can you visit other islands from Martinique?
Yes. Ferries run to Guadeloupe, Dominica and St Lucia, and there are short flights across the region.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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