La Soufrière is Guadeloupe's active volcano and the tallest peak in the Lesser Antilles at 1,467m. The hike to the summit takes you through cloud forest and past steaming fumaroles. The trails start near the village of Saint-Claude on Basse-Terre.
Parc National de la Guadeloupe covers much of southern Basse-Terre and protects dense rainforest, waterfalls, and rivers. The Chutes du Carbet — a series of three waterfalls — are the most visited natural attraction on the island. Trails range from easy forest walks to strenuous volcano climbs.
Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut) is a small island with a French fishing village feel — the kind of place with bougainvillea-draped streets, excellent snorkeling, and practically no cars. Tourment d'amour, a coconut tart, was invented here and you'll find it at every bakery. The fort overlooks one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean.
Marie-Galante is the largest of the outer islands, flat and agricultural, still producing sugarcane and some of the best rum in the archipelago. It has wide, unspoiled beaches and a slower pace than the main island. The Bielle and Père Labat distilleries both welcome visitors.
Pointe-à-Pitre is gritty, lively, and underrated as a city destination. The covered market (Marché Saint-Antoine) is worth an early-morning visit for produce, spices, and street food. The memorial to the victims of the 1962 Air France crash at Pointe-à-Pitre airport (Mémorial ACTe, a modern museum on the history of slavery) is among the most serious museums in the Caribbean.
Grande-Terre beaches — particularly Sainte-Anne and Saint-François on the south coast — offer calm turquoise water, good restaurants, and easy access to water sports. These are the classic postcard beaches.