📖 About St. John's

St. John's is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, located on the northwest coast of Antigua. With approximately 22,000 residents, this colorful Caribbean capital serves as the commercial and governmental heart of the twin-island nation. The city centers on Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay, welcoming cruise passengers.

The city is known for the twin white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral, duty-free shopping, and access to the island's 365 beaches ("one for every day of the year"). St. John's represents Antigua's welcoming spirit—cruise hub, colonial heritage, and gateway to Caribbean beach perfection.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Tourism dominates—cruise ships bring hundreds of thousands annually. Duty-free retail targets cruise passengers. Government services employ many. The port handles commercial traffic. Antigua's economy depends heavily on tourism, with St. John's as the primary gateway.

Antiguan culture blends African and British heritage—English is spoken with Caribbean accent. Christianity predominates. Carnival is a major celebration. Cricket is the national passion. Food features pepperpot, fungi, and fresh seafood. The culture is friendly, relaxed, and proudly independent since 1981.

📜 History

British colonization began in 1632. St. John's was established as the colonial capital. Sugar plantations using enslaved Africans dominated the economy. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The cathedral dates from 1848.

Independence from Britain came in 1981. Tourism replaced sugar as the economic base. Today St. John's serves as Antigua's heart—cruise destination, commercial center, and capital of the beach-blessed twin-island nation in the Leeward Islands.