Parque Juan Carlos I opened at around the same time Madrid was crowned "The European Capital of Culture" in 1992. The park boasts 19 captivating outdoor sculptures, as well as a lake, a river, a greenhouse, an auditorium, and numerous other attractions.

Gustavia blends St Barts’ Swedish heritage with Caribbean flair, its pastel harbourfront lined with designer boutiques and cafés. For history and panoramas, hike Rue des Dinzey to Fort Karl, where 18th-century Swedish cannons and the ruins of a bottle-shaped lighthouse overlook Shell Beach and the marina. History lingers in every detail: from the ruins of the fort to the Wall House Museum’s island artefacts, Gustavia rewards slow exploration. Across the bay, the Gustavia Lighthouse offers a quieter escape. Locals and visitors often bring sunset picnics here, watching yachts navigate the harbour mouth. Time your visit for the monthly open-air market on Rue du Général de Gaulle, where straw hats and spices spill onto cobblestones.

Grand Fond reveals St Barts’ untamed Atlantic coast — a pebble-strewn beach where surfers challenge the crashing waves, and swimming is wisely avoided amid the rocky shallows. This wild counterpart to nearby Toiny offers raw drama: wind-sculpted vistas stretch to offshore islets, while the relentless surf soundtrack drowns out all traces of the island’s glamour. A 15-minute hike west along slippery coastal trails leads to the Piscines Naturelles Grand Fond, where volcanic rocks cradle seawater pools. Time it right (avoid midday sun and check tides) for safe dips between sea urchin colonies. The full 3-kilometre out-and-back trail offers panoramic ocean views. Just be sure to pack sturdy shoes and water for the scramble over jagged terrain. Shellfish hunters take note: collecting is prohibited, but the beach makes a spectacular picnic spot for those craving salt-sprayed solitude.