As capital cities go, George Town is tiny. Barely 10 square miles in area and with a population of just 40,000, the city is the administrative, commercial and tourist hub of the Cayman Islands. It’s compact size and 500 years of colourful history make it ideal for a relaxed and entertaining walking tour.
A walk round George Town’s historical and cultural landmarks can be completed in just a couple of hours. The following sites are among the most popular places to visit. All are within easy walking distance of each other and make up one of the easiest Grand Cayman tours for cruise passengers:
Close by the cruise terminal is the 18th century Fort George, named after George III of England, who was king at the time of its construction. It was built to defend Grand Cayman against Spanish marauders and pirates. Not much remains of the original fort today, thanks to heavy-handed property development in the 1970s, although a 2014 restoration effort has revived parts of the site and murals painted by a local artist depict scenes from throughout Fort George’s history.
Just a short walk east is Heroes Square, which gives easy access to other landmarks such as the Legislative Assembly, Public Library, the Town Clock and Law Courts. Heroes Square, also known as Quincentennial Square, is a celebration of the 500th anniversary in 2003 of Christopher Columbus’s first arrival in the territory. There are a number of memorials here, including a Wall of Honour that recognizes 500 individual Caymanians for their contribution to the betterment of the islands.
Just down the street is Elmslie Memorial Church, constructed in 1920 by naval architect Capt. Rayal Bodden, who is said to have used the design of a ship’s hull to construct the roof of the building. A war memorial in the form of a large white Celtic cross stands just in front of the church.
The Cayman Islands National Museum in the former courthouse is the oldest surviving public building in the Cayman Islands and dates back to the 1830s. Before becoming a museum in 1990 the building had also seen service as a jail and as Grand Cayman’s first post office. For lovers of history, a visit here is a popular starting place for many Cayman Islands tours.
Another town centre monument is the Town Clock, erected as a monument in 1937 to King George V, grandfather of the current Queen. At the nearby Legislative Assembly, members of the public have the opportunity to watch government in action from the public gallery when Parliament is in session.
Walk along the waterfront with the sea to your right for a few minutes and you will come across Cayman Craft Market. This is a good place to pause, browse, and find locally produced crafts and collectors’ items which make great gifts. More stalls are open when cruise ships are visiting.
In nearby Bayshore Mall, opposite the Stingrays Fountain, there’s an opportunity to find what is believed to be the oldest surviving structure in the Cayman Islands, the Step Well, dug in the early 1700s and one of the only sources of fresh water on the island for ships for many decades. The well was rediscovered in 2003 and can now be seen under a glass viewing floor inside a shop that was built over the site. The well and the steps leading down to the waters below are a fascinating insight into the history and development of the islands.
These are just a few of the historical and cultural sites a walking tour of George Town, Grand Cayman, has to offer. Guided walking tours are conducted all year round by a number of tour operators and can usually be completed in two to three hours without much exertion, though some areas and sites are not easily accessible by wheelchair.
