Gustavia
Gustavia is the capital of Saint Barthélemy, a harbor town with shops, waterfront dinners and boat trips.
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Gustavia is the capital and main harbor town of Saint Barthélemy, a French overseas collectivity in the Lesser Antilles. Yachts, ferries and fishing boats share the water of a sheltered harbor, and the town is named after King Gustav III. Sweden held the island from 1784 to 1878. Its streets are short and easy to walk, with boutiques, cafes and restaurants close to the waterfront. Flights usually connect through Princess Juliana (SXM) on Sint Maarten, then continue by small plane or by ferry from Philipsburg.
Gustavia suits travelers who want a base for shopping, dining by the water and boat trips. Give the harbor half a day, and add two or three days if you want to balance town time with beaches elsewhere on the island. Beach-first trips may suit a stay away from the harbor better. The dry season, roughly December through April, is the most comfortable time to visit. Hurricane season runs June through November.
Gustavia in five
- Connect through Sint MaartenGustaf III Airport takes only small planes, so flights usually connect through Princess Juliana (SXM), then continue by small plane or by ferry from Philipsburg, about 45 minutes.Getting around
- Rent a small car before you landThe island has no train, taxis are costly, and the roads around Gustavia are narrow and steep. Book a small car before you arrive, since high season is the busiest time to find one.
- Carry some euro cashThe currency is the euro, but not every stall takes cards. Keep some notes and coins for small purchases.Money and costs
- Check roaming before you landSt-Barthélemy is French but outside the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply. Ask your carrier about a Caribbean data plan or buy an eSIM before you fly.Phones and eSIM
- Reserve harbor dinners aheadHarbor restaurants in Gustavia can fill up from December to April, so book a table before you go.
Things to do in Gustavia
See all attractions in Gustavia
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Passport needed; French overseas rules, check France-Visas first Read more
- Emergency
- 17 police, 18 fire, 15 ambulance; 112 also works
- Tipping
- Service usually included; rounding up is common
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, peak season
- FebruaryDry, busy
- MarchDry, sunny
- AprilDry, quieter
- MayHot, showers
- JuneHot, wet
- JulyHurricane season
- AugustHurricane peak
- SeptemberHurricane peak
- OctoberHurricane risk
- NovemberQuieter, drier
- DecemberHoliday peak
Right now in Gustavia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 29 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 65%
St-Jean
04:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°28°65%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Tue29°27°31%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Wed29°27°24%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Thu28°26°37%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Fri28°27°62%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Sat28°26°73%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun28°27°56%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 56%.
Updated 02:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Saint-Jeanby carA long sandy beach beside the airport, with beach bars and watersports.
- Corossolby carA small fishing village known for its shell and straw crafts.
- Philipsburgabout 45 minutes by ferrySint Maarten's capital, with shops along Front Street.Read the guide
Before you go to Gustavia
Rules for Gustavia, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on France-Visas before you book. St-Barthélemy follows French rules but is outside the EU.Source
- Check French customs rules on douane.gouv.fr before you carry goods, cash or medicines in or out of France.Source
- Smoking is banned in enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants, as in the rest of France.
- Put a cover-up over your swimwear before you walk through town, since swimwear is out of place in the shops and streets.
Plan around Gustavia
Entry rules for your passport, and what French overseas status means
Read the guideWhere to stay in GustaviaHarbor hotels, villas and where to base your trip
Read the guideGetting aroundRental cars, taxis and getting from the airport to town
Read the guideMoney and costsEuro cash, card use and typical prices on the island
Read the guidePhones and eSIMRoaming outside the EU and eSIM options before you land
Read the guideSt-Barthélemy guideThe wider island, its beaches and the day trips from Gustavia
Read the guideGustavia FAQ
Is Gustavia worth visiting?
Yes, for the harbor, the shops and the restaurants. The town is small enough to walk in a few hours, and most of the island's beaches lie outside it.
How many days do you need in Gustavia?
Half a day covers the harbor, the Wall House museum and a walk up to Fort Gustave. Stays of two or three days leave time for the beaches.
Can you visit Gustavia as a day trip from Sint Maarten?
Yes, by ferry from Philipsburg, which takes about 45 minutes each way. Check the ferry times before you go, since a day trip leaves only a few hours in town.
Do you need euros in Gustavia?
Yes, the currency is the euro. Many shops and restaurants take cards, but not every stall does, so carry some cash for small purchases.
Is Gustavia expensive?
Yes. Hotels, restaurants and car rental are costly, so set your budget before you book. The costs table below lists what to budget for in each category.
Is St-Barthélemy part of the EU?
No. It is a French overseas collectivity outside the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply. Check France-Visas for your passport before you book.