Charlotte Amalie Landmarks and Viewpoints

October 31, 2026

Charlotte Amalie’s landmarks fall into three groups: the waterfront core, the hills above it, and the viewpoints along the island road. Weekday visits work best, since several places keep limited hours and shut on public holidays.

Waterfront core

Fort Christian. Begun in the 1670s, it is the territory’s oldest landmark. Tickets cost US$10 and the usual hours are weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm, though a second official listing says 9 am to 3 pm. Government staff run the museum, and its future came up at public town halls in June 2026, so ring (340) 776-4566 before going. A nearby car park charges US$2 an hour to a daily cap of US$10.
Emancipation Garden. Free to enter, it lies beside the fort and recalls Governor Peter von Scholten’s proclamation of 3 July 1848. A bandstand and a Liberty Bell replica stand there. Treat the garden as a place for reflection.

The hills

Synagogue on Crystal Gade. The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas was founded in 1796, so it turns 230 in 2026. Its own description of the building is “the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the American flag”, and it adds that it is the second oldest in the Western Hemisphere. The sand floor is one of five of its kind in the world, according to the congregation. Visiting times are Monday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and Friday from 9:30 am to 2 pm, with free tours and donations requested. Bring photo ID on a first visit, and expect closures on Jewish holidays.
Government Hill. Frederick Lutheran Church and Government House stand on the slope known historically as Kongens Quarter. Look from the street, and take a taxi up if the heat is high.
Blackbeard’s Castle. The Skytsborg tower, built in the late 1600s, sits at the top of the 99 Steps. Hurricane Irma closed it in 2017, and listings now show limited days, such as Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm between 20 October and 31 August. Renovation of the steps began in December 2024 and the public was asked to keep away, so check which route is open.

Along the island road

Mountain Top and Drake’s Seat are lookout stops on the road that crosses toward the north shore. Mountain Top has been reported open in 2026, so confirm that before you commit.

Visiting well

Dress modestly for the synagogue and keep voices low at the garden. Cruise-ship days crowd Main Street, so see the old fort and the hill early. Take cash for open-air taxis, and give yourself time for steep streets.

Check Fort Christian and the synagogue visitor page for current hours. Compare guided tours on GetYourGuide .