what to do in port of spain trinidad
We visited Port of Spain on the terminal day of our two-week stay in Trinidad. Going on our Airbnb'due south host'south advice that in that location really wasn't very much to see, nosotros only allowed ourselves a couple of hours to explore the city. Parking the auto side by side to Queen's Park Savannah and walking into the onetime part of Port of Spain, we soon realised that this was a mistake. There was clearly loads to run into and we didn't have plenty time to run into it! Before long, nosotros were planning a render visit. So, this post reflects what we found when we spent a further few days in the urban center.
A Bit About Port of Spain
Port of Spain is the capital letter of the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It occupies an important place in the hearts of the people, more so perchance for Trinis than Tobagans. (Click here to read my commodity about how different the two islands are!)
The city is the centre of the republic's booming economic system, the habitation of regime and the media, and the epicentre of Trinidad's rich cultural life. Port of Spain is where Carnival was commencement established in Trinidad, and where steel pan was invented.
Despite its obvious attractions, Port of Kingdom of spain is often overlooked as a tourist destination. Visitors are often put off past the city's reputation as a crime hotspot. In improver, first impressions are of an ugly conurbation with traffic-choked streets and dusty commercial buildings. At that place are, obviously, few reasons to linger. I, withal, want to describe the best things to do in Port of Spain and persuade you that it's worth a couple of days out of whatever Caribbean itinerary.
Best Things to do in Port of Spain, Trinidad
Walk Effectually Queen'due south Park Savannah
Queen'south Park Savannah is a large open space which separates downtown Port of Spain from the more upmarket parts of the metropolis. It was created by forward-thinking town planners in the early on 1800s and at present gives Port of Spain some much-needed breathing space.
Despite the traffic that constantly moves around the perimeter of the park, inside the space is surprisingly calm and restful. Lovely erstwhile trees give welcome respite from the tearing rut of the lord's day. Families bring picnics. Children run around. Joggers take to the paths. Groups of friends play impromptu games of cricket. It is a lovely spot to while away an hr or two.
No permanent structures are allowed in Queen's Park Savannah, but that doesn't include the vast assortment of stalls and carts which ready store on the boundaries equally the dominicus goes down. Hither you can buy all manner of street food including corn soup, barbecued craven, and oysters dipped in fiery pepper sauce. In the windy season (March and April), yous can also buy hand-made kites known equally Mad Bulls. Hundreds of these colourful creations flying over the savannah make for a corking photograph opportunity!
At Carnival time, Queen's Park Savannah is transformed with grandstands and stages which form the centrepiece of the celebrations.
The Magnificent Seven
Forth i side of the savannah is a row of mansions built by rival plantation owners in the early years of the twentieth century. Each human tried to outdo his neighbours in the grandeur of his pattern. The resulting buildings, 'The Magnificent Seven', have had a chequered history. Three are still in employ today (one equally a college, i as church offices, and i as a private residence). The others have fallen into a state of disrepair although some are in the process of being restored. None are open to the public.
The buildings are best viewed from within the savannah itself. From here, yous can stand back and appreciate the quirky architecture and the ornate decoration.
The almost outlandish of the vii is Killarney, a fairy-tale castle complete with turrets and spires, congenital for a German plantation owner named Stollmeyer by the Scottish architect Robert Giles, who modelled it on Queen Victoria's residence at Balmoral. Architectural historian John Newel Lewis captured the absurdity of the identify when he wrote:
'A German built a bit of an untypical Scottish castle in Trinidad and chosen it past an Irish proper name. He must have been past that time a Trinidadian considering only Trinidadians exercise these things.'
Visit the Botanical Gardens
It was teeming with rain when we visited the Botanical Gardens in Port of Spain, but it really didn't detract from our enjoyment besides much. This lush haven is well worth an 60 minutes or two of your time.
The gardens were established in 1818 by Governor Woodford and the botanist David Lockhart. The collection of more than 700 trees found here is ane of the oldest in the western hemisphere and provides welcome shade from the heat of the sun (as well as shelter from the rain!). At that place are well laid out paths to assist y'all explore the gardens. Don't miss the interesting cemetery where y'all can see the crumbling gravestones of many of Trinidad's governors.
Lime in Independence Square
Liming (socialising and relaxing with friends whilst sharing nutrient and drink) is Trinidad's national pastime. Independence Square (formerly known every bit Marine Foursquare considering the land was reclaimed from the body of water in 1816) and its cardinal section known as Brian Lara Promenade, afterward the island's most famous cricketer, is Port of Spain's most popular afterwards-work liming spot. Friends gather around the benches and concrete chess tables and buy food from the many street vendors who congregate there.
The foursquare is besides abode to what is, purportedly, the most profitable KFC in the globe – Trinis do like their fried chicken!
Take a Nighttime Food Tour
Tasting the wide variety of Trinidadian street food is a highlight of whatever trip to the island. Whilst you could only randomly select food vendors past yourself, it is much amend to book a tour and become a local feel. We booked an evening nutrient tour through Viator and felt that it was money well spent. In fact, it was a highlight of our entire trip. Even though we had already been in Trinidad and Tobago for four months when nosotros did the food tour, we still learned so much.
Anthony, our personable and knowledgeable guide, picked usa upward from our hotel on time. We then went to another hotel in the metropolis to selection upwardly the merely other two guests on the trip, a mother and girl from the US whose roots were firmly in Trinidad. Together we collection to our offset stop for corn soup. On the way, Anthony regaled united states of america with stories about the isle, its history, civilisation and food. His passion for his subject was contagious!
The bout is structured in such a way that the drives in between food stops allow yous to digest what you've already eaten and anticipate what is to come. After the soup, we enjoyed geera pork sandwiches, doubles, beef roti and a palate-cleansing, refreshing soursop water ice-cream to terminate. It was three hours of great company, interesting conversation, practiced food, and a lot of laughs – highly recommended!
Visit the National Museum and Fine art Gallery
Housed in a gabled building constructed in the 1890s equally part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, the National Museum and Art Gallery has an extensive collection, covering everything from early Amerindian history to the technology of the modern-twenty-four hour period oil industry. Although much of the labelling is outdated and in that location are no interactive exhibits you would expect to run into in a modern museum, it is withal worth a visit. You will get an essential overview of Trinidad and Tobago's history and civilization.
Admire the NAPA Building
The futuristic National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) building with its arcs of steel and drinking glass looks somewhat out of place amongst the colonial buildings that surround it nigh Queen's Park Savannah. I say 'admire' it considering yous tin can't become in! It was closed down by health and safety inspectors in 2014 as parts of the building were deemed to be dangerous.
It was a controversial project from its inception. It was commissioned by Patrick Manning'southward PNM authorities and built at a cost of TT$500 one thousand thousand. When it opened in 2009, it was criticised as a white elephant due to its shoddy construction and its unsuitability as a performance space. It had numerous key design flaws, not least a backstage loading area so pocket-size that not even a steel drum could fit through! This, coupled with an counterpart (rather than digital) sound and calorie-free system meant that the building wasn't fit for purpose. To top it all, no maintenance programme was put in place and, inside a few short years, faults were found with crumbling stage supports, tiles falling off the outside and sinking foundations. Hence, the NAPA edifice was closed! Who knows if it will e'er reopen? For now, it's just an interesting addition to Port of Spain's skyline!
Book a Tour of the Angostura Distillery
Whether or non you lot're a fan of Trinidad'due south famous bitters, a bout of the Angostura distillery is well worth doing. You demand to book in advance by calling or e-mailing the distillery straight. They just run tours if they take 10 people or more, then it's best to contact them as early every bit possible so that they can put you together with others who want to visit. You lot will learn all near the fascinating history of Angostura Bitters and you'll go to gustation some delicious rums.
Read my complete article nigh the bout by clicking hither.
Get Shopping
Port of Spain has a broad range of retail outlets to satisfy the about ardent shoppers. In that location are several new American-manner luxury malls also as the more than traditional shops. Charlotte Street, off Independence Square, is worth a visit. It is lined with cloth shops, general stores and colourful street stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to clothes, shoes and imported tacky souvenirs. Information technology's a vibrant place to wander through.
Permit yourself to be tempted by the delicious aromas coming from the roti shops. For a few dollars, you'll swallow similar a king! All of your senses will exist assaulted. Reggae and soca music tin be heard all effectually, competing with the car horns every bit drivers become frustrated trying to negotiate the narrow gap between the stalls. It's the best identify to pick upwards a bargain in Port of Spain and a not bad spot to shop for spices to take home.
Visit Some of the City's Churches
Port of Spain has a plethora of interesting churches, both Roman Cosmic and Anglican.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
The imposing twin-towered Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located at the eastern end of Independence Square. It took sixteen years to build and was completed in 1836. Its ironwork frame was shipped from England and the limestone wall blocks were quarried locally in the suburb of Laventille. Xvi stained-glass windows depicting Trinidad and Tobago's many indigenous groups were added during a restoration project in the 1980s. They add colour and calorie-free to an otherwise drab interior.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Located on the southward side of Woodford Foursquare, the Anglican Holy Trinity Cathedral was completed in 1818. It is an elegant rock structure congenital forth Gothic lines, with an impressive clock tower. The cool interior boasts a mahogany hammer-beam roof which was made in England and modelled on London'due south Westminster Hall. Governor Woodford, the first British governor of Trinidad, is buried here. There are lovely gardens to the side of the cathedral which incorporate an unusual stonework maze.
Rosary Roman Cosmic Church building
The dignified Gothic Revival Rosary Roman Catholic Church building is the virtually impressive of Port of Kingdom of spain's three master churches. It was built between 1892 and 1910. Unfortunately, it is now surrounded by buildings on all sides and is somewhat hard to find. If yous do, though, yous will be surprised by its spacious calm interior and its stained glass windows with highly detailed biblical scenes which are surely the most beautiful in the city.
Greyfriars Church
Built in 1837, the angular white-painted Greyfriars Church is the oldest Presbyterian place of worship in Trinidad. The building has long since ceased being a identify of worship and has fallen into busted. There is a campaign past conservationists, though, who would similar to see the church building restored.
Do Carnival
If you're lucky enough to be in Port of Spain during carnival fourth dimension, you're in for a treat!! The main carnival parades take place on the Mon and Tuesday before the outset of Lent, merely the build-up happens for several weeks before with competitions to find the best calypso, soca, and steel pan bands. The culmination of all of the celebrations is the Funfair Tuesday Parade of the Bands with the full display of elaborate costumes that people accept been working on for months. It surely is a sight to behold!!
Join a Tour of Port of Spain
Whilst information technology's perfectly possible to explore Port of Spain independently, why not join a bout and permit someone else sort out the logistics? It's a great idea, especially if time is limited. Whenever we visit a new destination, nosotros volume a tour with a local guide. In that location'southward no better mode to go under the pare of a identify! We apply Viator when we want to uncover interesting things to do in a new metropolis. They're like shooting fish in a barrel to use and book with, and we've had some amazing experiences with them.
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