https://ph.trip.com/moments/philipsburg-31808
2024 Philipsburg Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)
Today's Weather
Mostly cloudy 28-34℃
Philipsburg Old Street: The Charm of a Time Travel
Philipsburg Old Street in Sint Maarten is a place where you can simultaneously feel history and charm. The colonial-era buildings are well-preserved, giving you the feeling of traveling back in time just by walking down the street. The street is lined with quaint shops and cafes, where you can easily find works by local artists, adding to the cultural richness. Especially during sunset, you can enjoy a romantic atmosphere along with beautiful scenery. Philipsburg Old Street is a special place that offers visitors unforgettable memories.
A tiny island with two capitals, Saint Martin's 'one island, two countries'
'Saint Martin' (Saim Martin) is too far, too small, and not a country for Chinese people. But for travelers, it's too interesting: a tiny island, divided into two countries.
In Europe, French and Dutch territories do not border each other, with Belgium in between. But on the island of Saint Martin, France and the Netherlands border each other, jointly managing a small island of only 87 square kilometers. This is the smallest island divided into two countries in the world, and such a small island coexisting with two countries in the Caribbean is unique.
Saint Martin Island, the French part is slightly larger, 53 square kilometers, located in the north of the island; the Dutch part is 34 square kilometers, located in the south of the island. The population of the French part is 30,000, and the Dutch part is more, 35,000. Because the water is deep in the south of the island, large cruise ships all stop at the deep-water port of the Dutch part, so the Dutch side is lively.
Initially, the island was discovered by Columbus, so the name of the island was also given by him. As the Netherlands and France gradually rose, both sides set their sights on Saint Martin Island, wanting to use it as a transit station for their own colonization of America, and for this reason, they fought a lot of battles here.
There is a legend that later to divide the boundary, a Frenchman and a Dutchman walked around the island to determine. These two people gathered in a small pond in the east of the island, and at the same time, they walked in opposite directions along the coastline. During the walk, the Frenchman walked while drinking brandy, with great momentum; while the Dutchman walked while drinking gin, he was also fascinated by a girl on the way, which delayed a lot of time. After the two met, a line was drawn from the starting point to the end point, which was considered the boundary. As a result, France occupied a bit more.
In fact, there is no obvious boundary between the two countries on the island, and there are no facilities to control the border. Anyone crossing the north and south does not need to go through any procedures, and there is no one to guard, which is unique in the world.
The blue sea here, the endless beach, and the hills in the east and west. The unique resources attract about 1 million people to the island for tourism every year, and tourism revenue makes Saint Martin Island one of the richer small islands in the Caribbean.
The first time I set foot on the territory of the Caribbean country, because I wanted to experience the world-famous 'haircut' airport, I only went to the Dutch plot.
The Netherlands has built Saint Martin (South) like a garden, especially the capital 'Philipsburg' (Philipsburg), which is the cruise ship port. Here the Dutch red, white and blue national flag (too similar to the French national flag, different horizontally and vertically) and the island flag of Saint Martin are flying (Figure 1), and the colorful and staggered houses are on the beach, and the shops are all Dutch goods. You can see the curves of the mountains in the distance, and you can enjoy the blue sea up close.
It is said that although Saint Martin Island is divided into two countries, it can enjoy the welfare policies of both countries at the same time, and it can make the King of the Netherlands and the President of France worry about it, and it is also considered to have double happiness.
After returning to the cruise ship, I watched a famous magician's unpredictable performance, and suddenly blurted out that sentence 'I don't know if I don't watch, the world is really wonderful'!
The Best St Maarten Beach
#celebratewithtrip
Great Bay is located in the south of Saint-Martin, in the heart of Philipsburg. It is decorated with a beautiful sand strip stretching for almost 3 km, this place is known for it slender palms and soft white sand.
Great Bay Beach is the center of fun and outdoor activities on the island. The bay can be reached without problems along the Little Bay Road. Taxis and buses run throughout the area.
The long strip of the Great Bay coastline is in excellent condition. It is impossible to walk along the beach there is a long boardwalk.Recently, it has been covert into a tourist center for shopping and entertainment. It is here where you can find Hard Rock Cafe and many other Pub and restaurants.
friendly island paradise
#celebratewithtrip
Philipsburg is a port town and the capital of Sint Maarten - an island country in the Dutch Antilles, one of The Netherlands' overseas territories.
The tourist area consist of 3 main roads: Cannegieter street, Back street and Front street, and has been expanded on the beach side with the Boardwalk.
Cannegieter street is similar to Backstreet in its products, and these 2 roads is where locals mostly shop: clothes shoes are found here
Front street is a favorite for the visitors as it boasts a large selection of jewelry stores.
Pro-tip in buying jewelry: DOUBT as long as you can! The more you “doubt”, the lower your price will get.
Boardwalk, which is lined with many incredible beach bars and restaurants. From Caribbean cuisine to all American Burgers, everything is to be found here.
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Popular Restaurants in Philipsburg