Driving routes, distances and day-trip ideas nearby.
A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.
An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.
All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.
Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.
The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.
All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.
Up to 29 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.
A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.
Afternoon
4 Hour ATV Guided Tour
5.0· 68from €107
4 Hour ATV Guided Tour — rated 5 from 68 reviews.
Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.
Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.
All day
Cole Bay
Cole Bay is 6 km from Philipsburg, about 14m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.
Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.
Rent a car in PhilipsburgA free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.
Afternoon
Yoho Pirates Premium Self Drive Speedboat Tour
5.0· 23from €223
Yoho Pirates Premium Self Drive Speedboat Tour — rated 5 from 23 reviews.
Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.
A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.
All day
Simpson Bay
Simpson Bay is 8 km from Philipsburg, about 18m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.
Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.
Rent a car in PhilipsburgA calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.
Afternoon
Skip the Line Caribbean Carnival History Admission Ticket
5.0· 17from €36
Skip the Line Caribbean Carnival History Admission Ticket — rated 5 from 17 reviews.
Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.
Within a ~2.5h drive of Philipsburg.
Where you can drive from Philipsburg.
Tap a place for photos, opening hours and reviews
Top attractions
Restaurants and cafés
4 Hour ATV Guided Tour
€107
Yoho Pirates Premium Self Drive Speedboat Tour
€223
Skip the Line Caribbean Carnival History Admission Ticket
€36
St Maarten Family Deluxe Tour
€143
Le Martin Boutique Hôtel
from €351 / night
Bleu Emeraude Hotel
from €531 / night
La Playa Orient Bay
from €265 / night
Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel
from €217 / night
Source — Tripadvisor
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Anniversary Gift
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Amazing island. Disappointing resort.
Don't expect a speedy, welcoming check in, or even accurate information to start your vacation. It's not just one employee. The rude, inconsistent service and lack of hospitality persists throughout this resort which indicates it's a problem that starts from the top that's not being addressed. Even reading several othe…
Long and Disappointing
Arrived at 1:50 pm. Took an hour to get our food. BBQ Chicken was dry and overcooked. Ribs were just okay. Did not live up to the hype.