Sightseeing in Charlotte Amalie
Charlotte Amalie keeps a compact Danish colonial core on the south coast of St Thomas. Its sights cluster on and around the hills above the harbour, so a morning on foot covers most of them. Several close on public holidays or keep short weekday hours, so plan sightseeing for a weekday and confirm times the day before.
Fort Christian
Danish builders began Fort Christian in the 1670s, and it is the oldest landmark in the US Virgin Islands. Entry is US$10 per person. Hours are usually Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, though another official listing gives 9 am to 3 pm, and it is closed on public holidays. Parking nearby costs US$2 an hour, capped at US$10 a day. The territory’s government runs the museum, and its future has been discussed at public town halls, so call (340) 776-4566 for current hours.
Emancipation Garden
This free park beside the fort commemorates the proclamation of emancipation that Governor Peter von Scholten announced on 3 July 1848. A replica of the Liberty Bell and a bandstand stand in the garden. Visit it in a quiet mood, since the date it marks is a solemn one for the territory.
The synagogue on Crystal Gade
The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas worships at 2116 Crystal Gade. The congregation describes its building as the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the American flag and the second oldest in the Western Hemisphere. The congregation is 230 years old in 2026, having been founded in 1796. The sanctuary has a sand floor, and the synagogue says it is one of five synagogues in the world with one.
Visiting hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, and Friday, 9:30 am to 2 pm. Tours are free and donations are welcome. First-time visitors show photo ID at the gate. The synagogue closes on Jewish holidays. Dress respectfully and keep your voice low.
Government Hill
Government Hill, also called Kongens Quarter, holds Frederick Lutheran Church and Government House. Both are best seen from the street, so plan to admire the exteriors rather than expect an interior visit. The streets are steep and hot, and a taxi to the top saves your legs for the walk down.
Blackbeard’s Castle and the 99 Steps
Blackbeard’s Castle is the Skytsborg tower, from the late 1600s, at the top of the 99 Steps. It closed after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and has reopened to limited hours according to local listings. A tourism listing gives Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 am to 3 pm, seasonally. The 99 Steps went under renovation in December 2024 and the public was asked to stay off them, so check locally and use the road if the steps are closed.
Mountain Top and Drake’s Seat
Mountain Top and Drake’s Seat are viewpoints on the north-side road. Mountain Top has been reported open this year, so check before you commit to the trip. Both are quick stops by taxi on the way to Magens Bay.
Read more: Walking tours of Charlotte Amalie . Compare guided city tours on GetYourGuide , and read the official pages for Fort Christian and the synagogue .