One week in Martinique by car: the ideal day-by-day itinerary

Published on 8 July 2026 · By the Sherley Location team · 7 min read

Seven days are enough to experience every side of Martinique — as long as you have a car and a good route plan. Here is the itinerary we have recommended to our customers for 5 years, with real driving times (you can cross the island in 1h30, but the roads have to be earned!).

Day 1Arrival & settling in the south

Pick up your car at Aimé Césaire airport — with our meet & greet, you are on the road in 15 minutes. Head south: Sainte-Luce or Sainte-Anne (45 min to 1 hour). First swim at sunset and accras by the sea.

Day 2Les Salines & the wild south

Grande Anse des Salines early in the morning, before the crowds: it is THE island's postcard. In the afternoon, take the track to Anse Trabaud or walk the Savane des Pétrifications, a lunar landscape facing the Atlantic. End the day in Sainte-Anne village.

Day 3Le Diamant & Les Anses-d'Arlet

Coastal road to the Diamond Rock (the Cap 110 memorial at Anse Cafard is a must). Grilled fish for lunch at Petite Anse, snorkelling with turtles at Grande Anse d'Arlet, sundowner on the Anses-d'Arlet pontoon — the church facing the sea is one of the most photographed in the Caribbean.

Day 4Les Trois-Îlets & the bay of Fort-de-France

Morning at the Village de la Poterie and the Maison de la Canne (Les Trois-Îlets). In the afternoon, take the ferry to Fort-de-France : covered market, Schoelcher library, Fort Saint-Louis. Your car is waiting when you get back.

Day 5The Route de la Trace & Balata Garden

The N3 climbs through the rainforest: Balata Garden in the morning (arrive at opening time), a picnic at the Pitons du Carbet, the Alma waterfall. This is where an SUV comes into its own: bends, slopes and cool mountain air.

Day 6Saint-Pierre & Mount Pelée

The northern Caribbean coast: Saint-Pierre, the “little Paris of the Caribbean” destroyed in 1902, its ruins and its volcanology museum. The brave climb Mount Pelée via L'Aileron (2h30 return, start early); food lovers prefer the Depaz distillery and the black-sand beach of Le Carbet.

Day 7Caravelle Peninsula & departure

Head east: the Caravelle nature reserve in La Trinité, a trail between mangroves and cliffs, and a swim at Tartane on the surfers' beach. A relaxed drive back to the airport (50 min) — we collect the car there, with a 10-minute inspection before your flight.

Read also: the complete guide to renting a car in Martinique and our local driving tips.