Saint Martin Carnival is one of the island's cultural highlights, where locals and tourists get together in the streets to sing, dance, make music, throw confetti and have a good time watching the lively parade. Both Marigot and Philipsburg are decorated in colourful feathers and glitter for the whole carnival month. On the French side, the carnival takes place in February and until early March. On the Dutch side, the carnival is celebrated from mid-April until early May.

Scattered throughout the Old Town, these twelve churches are among the oldest buildings in Cologne—most of them date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. They’ve all got that heavy Romanesque look, but each one’s a bit different. Great St. Martin stands out with its massive tower right by the river, St. Gereon has got an unusual oval dome, and St. Maria im Kapitol is one of the largest. You don’t need to see all twelve, but stopping in at a couple while you’re exploring the Old Town gives you a good feel for the city’s medieval side.

The exhibits at the Sint Maarten Museum provide insight into the cultural heritage and the natural history of the island. Learn about the people who helped shape Sint Maarten into the place it is today and about its industry, geography, plants and wildlife.