One week is enough to see the essentials of Martinique, with two places to stay: the south for the first four nights, then the Atlantic coast. Collect the car at the airport, where the handover is free. Drive times are outside rush hours; the Le Lamentin – Fort-de-France road jams in the morning and late afternoon.
Day 1 — Arrival and Les Trois-Îlets
Car at the airport, then Les Trois-Îlets in 25 to 45 minutes. First swim at Anse Mitan or Anse à l'Âne. If you land early: the Domaine de la Pagerie, where Joséphine was born in 1763, now a museum, and the Village de la Poterie and its craftspeople.
Day 2 — Les Anses-d'Arlet
20 to 30 minutes' drive. Swimming and snorkelling at Grande Anse d'Arlet, in front of Saint-Henri church, in line with the jetty. Green turtles at Anse Dufour (keep your distance), black sand at Anse Noire, down 130 steps.
Day 3 — Le Diamant and Sainte-Anne
15 to 20 minutes to Le Diamant: Diamond Rock, and Laurent Valère's Cap 110 Memorial at Anse Caffard. Grande Anse du Diamant is for admiring, not swimming: strong swell and current. Then 40 to 60 minutes to Sainte-Anne, and 10 to 15 more to Grande Anse des Salines. It's the longest driving day of the week: set off early.
Day 4 — Fort-de-France, without the car
From Les Trois-Îlets, the Anse Mitan ferry crosses the bay: no traffic and no parking to find. Don't miss Saint-Louis cathedral and its iron frame, inaugurated in 1895, the Schœlcher library, built in Paris then rebuilt in Fort-de-France (opened in 1893), and the Savane gardens.
Day 5 — The Atlantic coast and the Caravelle
Move to your second place to stay, on the Atlantic coast, in Le François or Tartane. In Le François, Habitation Clément: its cellars, Creole house, park and the Fondation Clément, devoted to contemporary art (rum is no longer distilled there). Then the Caravelle peninsula, 45 to 60 minutes away: nature reserve, trails, the ruins of Château Dubuc (open daily, admission charged) and Tartane beach.
Day 6 — The north: the Trace and Saint-Pierre
A long day: set off early. The Jardin de Balata, on the Route de la Trace, about ten kilometres north of Fort-de-France: over 3,000 species and treetop walkways. The Domaine d'Émeraude, in Le Morne-Rouge, 30 to 45 minutes from Balata, open daily. Then Saint-Pierre, 15 to 20 minutes away: the theatre ruins, Cyparis's cell, the Memorial of the 1902 disaster. Details on our Saint-Pierre and the north page.
Day 7 — Last beach and home
A last swim at Tartane, then the airport: 50 to 75 minutes from the Caravelle. Return the car with a full tank, and allow a margin for traffic (see driving in Martinique).
Adapting the itinerary
Opening hours change with the seasons: check them before you go. More time? See our 2-week itinerary. To pick your beaches: beaches you can reach by car. And for the big picture, our three itineraries by region.
Frequently asked questions
Is one week enough to visit Martinique?
For the essentials, yes: the south and its beaches, Fort-de-France, the Atlantic coast and one day in the north. To climb Mount Pelée and reach Grand'Rivière, allow two weeks.
Where should I stay for a week in Martinique?
In two places: the south (Les Trois-Îlets or Les Anses-d'Arlet) for the first four nights, then the Atlantic coast (Le François or Tartane). You avoid long round trips.
Do I need a car to visit Martinique?
Yes, to see the island at your own pace: the sights are spread out, and a car lets you switch beaches depending on the sea and the sargassum.