5 Amazing Things to Do in Roseau, Dominica’s Colourful Capital

Most people are likely drawn to Dominica for its natural delights rather than its urban attractions, but in my opinion it’s worth spending at least a couple of hours in quaint and colourful Roseau before venturing into the heart of the island.

With a few pretty examples of historical architecture, some beautiful Botanical Gardens and a fantastic view from Morne Bruce Hill, there certainly are some good reasons to stick around for a bit. Here’s a list of five things you shouldn’t miss while in Roseau.

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Guided Tours of Roseau and Trafalgar Falls

If you don’t have a lot of time to spend in Roseau or prefer the company of a knowledgeable guide, you might want to consider a guided tour of the city. This one has great reviews and not only includes a sightseeing tour of the city and the Botanical Gardens, but also a trip to the nearby Trafalgar Falls. Have a look at some other options below:

5 Amazing Things to Do in Roseau

All of the sights mentioned below can easily be seen in a couple of hours, so you could visit Roseu as a day trip from any other part of the island. If you want to stay overnight, however, there are plenty of options in town.

Hike to the Top of Morne Bruce Hill

The one thing in Roseau you shouldn’t miss is the climb up Morne Bruce Hill, which sits directly to the east of the city centre. Named in honour of James Bruce, who planned the island’s fortifications in the 18^th century, the viewing platform at the top affords some great panoramic views of the city and bay.

We also stumbled across some interesting vestiges from the past up here, including a few ruined buildings and some picturesquely overgrown cannons.

Morne Bruce can be reached by road, but the nicer (albeit more strenuous) alternative is climbing up a footpath called Jack’s Walk, which starts at the northern end of the Botanical Gardens.

Roseau Botanical Gardens

We found Roseau’s Botanical Gardens to be a great place to spend a couple of relaxing hours. You can check out Dominica’s National Flower (the colourful Bwa Kwaib) as well as plenty of other local flora. Two aviaries in the northern section hold noisy Imperial Amazon and Red-Necked Amazon Parrots, which are native to the island.

We were also impressed by the remains of a school bus crushed by a Baobab Tree (fortunately while no one was inside) during Hurricane David in 1979. It has been left close to the southwestern gate of the gardens as a dramatic reminder of the danger of tropical storms in the Caribbean.

The Botanical Gardens lie directly to the east of the town centre and there’s no entrance fee.

King George V. Street and the French Quarter

This is central Roseau’s oldest quarter, which features some interesting colonial architecture, and is definitely worth at least a short stroll. Many of the historic wooden buildings sport some intricately carved balconies, and all of them are painted in pretty pastel colours.

Some smaller alleyways in the quarter offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the residents. We particularly enjoyed the small Fields lane, which runs parallel to King George V. Street, Roseau’s main thoroughfare, and has a particularly high concentration of pretty wooden buildings.

Old and New Roseau Market

Roseau’s historic Old Market is located at the southwestern end of King George V. Street. Today it mostly deals in crafts and is a good place to stock up on souvenirs at the end of your trip.

Roseau’s New Market on the other hand is still a very much active produce market. There are plenty of stalls selling fruit and vegetables, as well as a small fish market. Located at the northwestern end of the harbour, we found it to be a nice place to mingle with the locals.

Roseau’s Harbour Area

While not the most picturesque harbour area in the Caribbean, Dame Eugenia Charles Blvd. features some interesting architecture and smaller historical attractions. Fort Young hotel, at the eastern end of the boulevard, was build on top of the older ramparts of Roseau’s Fort, which still can be seen around its foundations.

Nearby Peeble’s Park, though small, is a nice place to take a break, while on the western end of the boulevard you’ll find the Old Barracoon, where slaves used to be imprisoned before being auctioned off. This is just one of many reminders of Dominica’s grim colonial past we came across on the island.

Other Things in Roseau to Check Out

Roseau’s Gothic Cathedral is impressive from the outside, but unfortunately was closed when we were in the city. So was the small Dominica Museum, which is reputedly worth a visit, yet we can’t give you any first-hand information on that.

If you’re in the vicinity of Independence Avenue, you should visit Fran’s Pâtisserie, and try the amazing fruit tarts. Also, if you happen to travel during February or the early March, it’s worth checking the carnival dates. It’s a fun and gaudy affair, and definitely worth dropping by for.

See my guide to Visiting the Carnival in Roseau here

Map of the Top Sights in Roseau

You can find all of the places mentioned above can be found in this map of Roseau.

Practicalities

How to Get to Roseau

As Dominica’s capital and biggest city, Roseau is usually just a minibus-ride away from most places on the island. Routes along the coast (especially between Roseau and Portsmouth) tend to be served more frequently than those in the interior, where you might have to wait a little longer (or simply hitch-hike).

For information on interisland boat travel from Roseau’s ferry terminal, check out my dedicated guide.

The Best Hotels in Roseau

We stayed at Ma Bass Guesthouse, which is clean, centrally located and run by the very sweet lady it’s named after. They don’t have a website, but you can call them at +1 767-448-2999. St. James Guesthouse another well-rated budget choice.

Apart from that, there are plenty of midrange hotels (e.g. Sutton Place Hotel), while the historic Fort Young Hotel would be a more luxurious option. You can check the map below for more places to stay.

Where to Go Next

Soufrière or Scott’s Head, great bases for hiking and snorkeling

Trafalgar, Wotten Waven and Morne Trois Pitons National Park, home to the unique Boiling Lake

Portsmouth, home to the mysterious Indian River and historic Fort Shirley