Itineraries for Your Trip to St John's

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2 Days in St. John's for First Timers

Curated by Lydia SchrandtLydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.

St. John’s serves as the gateway to the historic, beach-lined island of Antigua. With two days to spend in the capital, you’ll get to tour the city, explore the island, spend some time in the warm Caribbean sea, and even dig a little deeper into Antiguan culture. Read on for tips on how to spend your 48 hours in St. John’s.


Day 1: Morning

Start your morning with a guided tour of St. John’s, Antigua’s historic capital city, where over half the island’s population lives. Browse the colorful produce, tropical fruits, spices, and fresh seafood at the local market, then do some duty-free shopping at Heritage Quay.

Day 1: Afternoon

This afternoon, learn more about Antigua through the lens of food during a hands-on cooking lesson at a cooking school just outside town. Depending on the class, you might learn about the history and uses of jerk seasoning, how to cook with rum, or tips for making seafood.

Day 1: Night

There’s nothing quite like a Caribbean sunset, and this evening you can grab a front-row seat at a toes-in-the-sand beach bar at Fort James Bay. An Antiguan sunset is best-viewed cocktail in hand, so order your favorite rummy drink, sit back, and enjoy the views.

Day 2: Morning

Now that you’ve seen the capital, head out to explore the island’s stellar scenery and lesser-known landmarks on a 4WD island safari. As you bounce along the island’s backroads, you’ll see spots such as Devil’s Bridge, Long Bay Beach, and Betty’s Hope sugar plantation. Alternatively, spend the morning exploring Nelson’s Dockyard National Park.

Day 2: Afternoon

No trip to Antigua would be complete without some time in the water. Choose your favorite water sport this afternoon—snorkeling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or Jet Skiing—or simply head to your favorite beach for some swimming, sunning, and general relaxation.

Day 2: Night

After a day of activity, unwind on a romantic sunset sail along the coast of Antigua. These evening golden hours offer some of the best island views, perfect for capturing photos or just soaking it all in, cocktail in hand.

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