Kingston

Towering across eastern Jamaica, the 28-mile (45km) long mountain range seems constantly shrouded in a mist that gives the mountains their bluish colour. The John Crow National Park, at the base of the mountains, was established to preserve the diverse range of species that call the Blue Mountains home. Among them are more than 800 endemic plant species, 200 bird species and 500 flowering plant varieties as well as the world's second-largest variety of butterflies.The coffee that is grown on the slopes is world-renowned and visitors can organise tours of some of the larger coffee estates. Visitors to the Blue Mountains can climb the highest peak by way of the Peak Trail, which starts at Abbey Green. Most hikers spend a night in one of the cabins on the mountain. Local advice or guides are highly recommended. Bicycle tours of the Blue Mountains can also be arranged, and are a great way to explore the foothills.

Jamaica's most famous son, singer and songwriter Bob Marley, was responsible for making reggae music a global phenomenon. The popular Rastafarian became a cult figure even before his death in 1981, caused by cancer when he was only 36 years old.This museum devoted to his memory is one of the most popular attractions in Kingston. It is the simple clapboard house where Marley lived and recorded his music until he died, and is now packed with Marley memorabilia. There are also screenings of a movie about the singer's life. Memorabilia on show includes Marley's guitar, his old blue jeep, and a number of his awards.Even for those who aren't big Marley fans, his music was deeply influenced by the social issues of Jamaica during his lifetime and it gives insight into the culture of the country. It is hard to visit Kingston without wanting to pay tribute to the iconic musician.

Address : 56 Hope Road

Website : www.bobmarleymuseum.com

Devon House in Kingston is a prime example of Jamaican Georgian architecture. The house was built by Jamaica's first black millionaire, George Stiebel, at the end of the 19th Century. It's furnished with a number of antiques and evokes the feel of a 'Jamaican Great House'.Devon House is a national monument, but also a heritage centre aiming to promote local arts and crafts and keep Jamaican traditions alive. The ice-cream sold here is famous and the dozens of flavours on offer frequently pop up in tourist reviews. There are also baked goods, liqueurs and wines, coffee, cigars, spices, arts and crafts, clothes and much more on sale. The Norma's on the Terrace restaurant comes very highly recommended for sampling Jamaican cuisine.Devon House also prides itself on maintaining a peaceful and lovely green area in the centre of the city and the gardens are open to the public free of charge.

Address : Corner of Trafalgar Rd and Hope Rd

Website : www.devonhousejamaica.com

This 20-hectare (50-acre) oasis of beauty in the middle of downtown Kingston is the largest botanical garden in the West Indies. Inside, paths meander past manicured lawns and tranquil gardens, including a cactus garden, orchid house, a forest garden and an ornamental pond. The gardens also contain a zoo, where children will enjoy interacting with the animals.It is ideal to combine a quick exploration of the zoo with a picnic in the lovely gardens. The gardens are often included in birding tours of Jamaica because they offer an interesting overlap of urban and natural habitats. Although parts of the gardens can get crowded at times - and there are frequently weddings and other events at the venue - it is always possible to find a peaceful nook.

Address : Old Hope Road

In the Blue Mountain hamlet of Mavis Bank, on the trail to Blue Mountain Peak, lies the Jablum Coffee Company.The coffee factory was built in 1923 and has remained a family-run business for generations. The production of Blue Mountain coffee dates back to the early 18th century when, in 1728, coffee seedlings were first brought to Jamaica by the British Governor. The plant thrived in the Blue Mountain region and the trade was enthusiastically cultivated by freed slaves who started new lives in the mountains. Today, Blue Mountain coffee is highly acclaimed and sought-after by coffee aficionados the world over.Visitors can tour the working factory to watch the production process along with sampling the brew. Tours must be arranged in advance. The Jablum Coffee Company sells a variety of coffee merchandise (including antique coffee grinders and mills) and a visit is a treat for coffee lovers.

Address : Mavis Bank

Website : www.jablumcoffee.com/

Kingston's National Gallery displays the works of Jamaica's talented artists, particularly that of Edna Manley (19th-century sculptor and the wife of a former prime minister of Jamaica) and other artists who have been inspired by her work.Manley's acclaimed Ghetto Motherstands in the main lobby, along with a bronze statue by Christopher Gonzalez of reggae singer Bob Marley. Other highlights include the religious works of Mallica Reynolds, who has been hailed by art critics as a modern genius. The collection gives the viewer some interesting insights into Jamaican history and culture.The downstairs area is used for temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection is upstairs. There is a small gift shop which sells some prints and other good gifts, and a coffee shop for refreshments. Photography is not allowed in the gallery. Entrance is free for all but donations are encouraged.

Address : 12 Ocean Blvd, Block C

Website : www.natgalja.org.jm

Port Royal was once a 17th-century haven for hedonistic pirates and malcontents dedicated to looting Spanish vessels throughout the Caribbean, until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1692. Today, the former haunt of notorious pirates like Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and Calico Jack is just a fishing village, situated at the tip of a narrow peninsula stretching across the entrance to Kingston's harbour.Relics of the town's wicked past can be seen at the Museum of Historical Archaeology, the Maritime Museum and Giddy House (a building that tilts at an angle). Fort Charles is the last remaining of six forts originally built to protect the port. A highlight of the fort is entering the old prison cells where the pirate prisoners must once have languished.There is a restaurant, known for its great seafood, that overlooks the harbour. The village can be reached by ferry from West Beach Dock, Kingston, in about 20 minutes.

The neighbourhood known as Spanish Town is on the western outskirts of Kingston, and was capital of the island under Spanish rule between 1662 and 1872. Today the architecture is an interesting mix of Spanish and British Georgian, and there are some historic attractions to explore.St James Cathedral is the oldest Anglican church outside England, having been built in 1523. Another landmark is the Old Iron Bridge, a cast-iron bridge spanning the Rio Colbre erected in 1801. The Jamaican People's Museum of Crafts and Technology showcases some vintage farm implements, musical instruments and pottery, giving an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Jamaican people. Town Square is overlooked by the Old King's House, the former residence of Jamaica's British governors.Spanish Town also has a colourful local market in the Town Square. It's an interesting and historic area to wander through and is best tackled on foot.