Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city Port of Spain has vastly transformed over the centuries from a small muddy seaport to the Caribbean’s busiest commercial centre. In its heyday, the city housed Amerindian settlement in a mangrove swampland. The city has since undergone sea changes and has now emerged as a leading regional shipping hub and home to some of the largest banks in the Caribbean.
Let’s embark on a virtual tour of this magnificent Caribbean destination and see all that this place has to offer to its quintessential visitors. The city can be best explored by going on a walking tour.
The Downtown area is at the heart of the city. As you set off on a tour of this area early in the morning, sights of vendors are ready to welcome you. Stroll down on the streets to see shops selling fabrics of all kinds, handmade leather goods, souvenirs and other essentials. A visit to the Downtown area will bring you to some of the popular places here including Independence Square, Brian Lara Promenade, International Waterfront Centre, Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, South Quay and the City Gate.
After completing your stroll in the Downtown area, it is now time for you to head to the city’s North side towards the Savannah. The first thing to do here is to visit the Frederick Street, Queen Street and Charlotte Street. This is the main shopping strip in the city where you will find many stores and mini-malls.
After making your purchases or just visiting the shops here, make the Woodford Square your next stop. This famous square in the city is surrounded by several impressive buildings. During the British colonial rule the square was a major venue for cultural events, religious crusades, political meetings, and above all orators’ haven. In fact, Dr. Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, used to call it “the University of Woodford Square”. Some of the prominent buildings such as the Red House or National Parliament, National Library, Hall of Justice and Cathedral of the Holy Trinity can be found surrounding the Woodford Square.
A walking tour of Port of Spain will also take you to some of the famous museums in the city such as the Central Bank Money Museum, the National Museum, the National Library and Museum of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
The Twin Towers in Port of Spain is presently home to the Central Bank Money Museum. It is located in the Central Bank building’s ground floor. The visitors to the museum are offered guided tours free of cost between 9.30 am and 2 pm on Tuesdays to Fridays. The National Museum is situated on the Frederick Street at the southern end of the Savannah. A visit to the National Museum will help you discover the colonial as well as recent past of the city. The visitors are offered free access to the museum, which is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesdays to Fridays.
