The capital city Roseau and immediate environs.
Roseau North, Central and South. Communities of Canefield to the north and Loubiere to the south.
Roseau has a population of about 25,000 and is the capital and administrative centre. Several good examples of Creole architecture can be found. Be sure to visit the Botanical Gardens, established in 1891.
North of Roseau. Includes Fond Cole, Morne Daniel and Canefield, where there are some industrial areas, but also pockets of bustling residential communities with amazing views of the coast.
South of Roseau. Includes Newtown, Loubiere and Castle Comfort, where many of Dominica’s dive operators are located.
Eat
Find a variety of local foods in beautiful settings.
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Stay
In and around the Capital there are a variety of lodging options in close proximity to many of the island’s attractions and businesses.
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See & Do
Popular Attractions include:
- Festivals
- Carnival
- Roseau Market
- Botanical Gardens
- Fort Young Hotel
- Dominica Museum
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Roseau
Roseau is Dominica’s capital, largest city and administrative centre, with a population of approximately 25,000. The city was named after the reeds found by the river by the original French settlers who built there around 1700.
The main part of the city is to the south of the Roseau River but a number of suburbs lie to the north of the river including areas such as Goodwill and Pottersville.
At a Glance
Size: about 4.5km2
Population: roughly 40% of the island’s population
Related Links
Walking Tour of Historic Roseau
History of the Island
Getting here
Around the Island
A – Z Dominica Businesses
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The grid layout that characterises the centre of the city was drawn up by the British in 1768. Roseau has suffered several setbacks in its development over the years such as fires, floods and hurricanes.
Today, there are still good examples to be found of distinctive stone and wood townhouses dating from the Victorian era, and efforts are being made to preserve them. These building are characterised by their wooden overhanging verandahs decorated with sometimes ornate fretwork.
There are several places of interest in Roseau.
- The Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Fair Haven;
- The Old Market which was once used to buy and sell slaves and nearby
- The New Market, at the other end of the Bayfront, comes alive early Saturday morning (but is also open other week days) with a stunning variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers and sundry items. Be sure also to take a refreshing drink of coconut water while there.
- The Roseau Museum is compact but well organised. Opposite the cruise ship jetty, it is housed in the old Post Office. Behind it is the Old Market, where once slaves were bought and sold, and today can be found a craft market.
- A little to the south of the city centre is Fort Young Hotel, built as a fort in 1770 and destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979.
- Next to the Fort Young Hotel is the wooden Carnegie Public Library built in 1906, and opposite of the Library is the State House in extensive grounds; next to it is the recently renovated House of Assembly which is our Parliament building.
- The ‘crushed bus’ in the Botanical Gardens is a silent testimony to the force of the winds of Hurricane David (1979), and also the the regenerative power of nature (the tree is still growing, on top of the bus). A small Aviary in the Gardens has some of Dominica’s rare parrots.
- High above the Gardens is a fine vantage point, Morne Bruce, which can be reached from a track near the east gate and provides a splendid view of Roseau.
See other listings for more details about some of the places of interest below.
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Roseau & Environs Listings & Map
Central, North & South
For more information on Activities, Attractions, Dining and Businesses available in this area, click on the listings or map icons below,
Or
use our Advanced Search
Dominica Watersports Association
![Dominica Watersports Association Dominica Watersports Association](jpg/dominica_watersports_logo.jpg)
KHATTS Tours
Palisades Restaurant at Fort Young Hotel
PH Whale Watch
![PH Whale Watch PH Whale Watch](jpg/creoledivers-champagne-1.jpg)
Starline Ital Kitchen
Universal Martial Arts Academy
![Universal Martial Arts Academy Universal Martial Arts Academy](jpg/universal_martial_arts_academy.jpg)
50 Shades of Cream
Ara Bistro
Balisier Restaurant at Garraway Hotel
1
Cartwheel Cafe
Coal Pot Café
- Yes
Cupcake Bar
Dominica Museum
Dominica Water Tours / Charter Boats
Dr. Waffle Snackette
Escape Bar & Grill
Frans Pastries
Fusion Village Restaurant & Bar
Garage Bar & Grill
- Yes
Green House Sports Bar & Bay View Event Hall – Roseau
Heritage Restaurant
- Yes
Independence Celebrations
Iroc Subs & Pizza
Iron Monkey Bar
Island Style Fishing & Whale Watching
Italia Restaurant
Jack’s Walk
20 minutes
0.2 miles
Kozy’s Niche
Krispy’s
Le Petit Paris Bakery
- Yes
MAKIN’ MEMORIES Yacht Charters
Market Day
2
Morne Bruce
1
Natural Livity
Old Stone Grill & Bar
Orchard Restaurant
Patty Shack
Pearl’s Cuisine
Perky’s Pizza
Pirates Ltd
Roseau
2
Roseau Cathedral
Smoothilicious
Tao Restaurant and Lounge Bar
The Banana Tree Bar + Grill
The Glam Experience Day Spa
The Great Old House
5 mins
Transcendental Meditation Center
6 - 7 hours
14.9 km / 9.3 miles
Warner’s Bar
World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) Event Information
Your Choice Restaurant
Zemi Spa at The Fort Young Hotel
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![Roseau Valley](jpg/roseau-valley3.jpg)
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