Things to Do in Christiansted, US Virgin Islands: Walking Guide

Things to do in Christiansted include exploring its remarkably preserved Danish colonial architecture, historic harbor, and the compact sites that tell the story of the former Danish West Indies on St. Croix Island. Neywo provides a free audio guide for Christiansted featuring 6 narrated places, helping you discover the town’s history in 11 languages.

What to See in Christiansted

Christiansted’s historic core brings together 18th- and 19th-century architecture, military strongholds, and places of worship within a compact area.

Fort Christiansværn

Perched on a hill overlooking the harbor, Fort Christiansværn is one of the best-preserved colonial forts in the entire Caribbean and the finest of the five remaining forts built by the Danish in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Constructed between 1738 and 1749, the structure served as a military stronghold and symbol of Danish authority, displaying French-style design elements that showcase a blend of European influences in Caribbean military architecture.

Christiansted National Historic Site

This seven-acre National Park Service site preserves the urban colonial development of the former Danish West Indies. Within the site stand six historic structures dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse built in 1749—which holds a sobering history as the site of slave auctions until the slave trade was outlawed in 1803—and the historic Government House, built in 1747 as a residence for Danish governors.

Danish Custom House

Located within the national historic site, the Danish Custom House played a vital role in the maritime and trading life of the town during its active commercial era.

Christiansted Lutheran Church

Also known locally as the Church of Our Lord of the Hosts, this quiet place of worship reflects the town’s long-standing Lutheran heritage. Its prominent steeple building, completed in 1753 as the Church of Our Lord Sabaoth Steeple Building, remains an iconic part of the Christiansted skyline.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

With a history dating back to the 1700s, St. John’s Episcopal Church is one of the older places of worship in the area. The current building dates to 1868 and features an adjacent historic graveyard.

Friedensthal Mission

Situated just southwest of Christiansted, this quiet Moravian mission complex spans about five acres and includes four contributing buildings and two contributing structures. The oldest building is the manse, standing by 1830, while the current church was built in 1852. The complex also preserves a former slave quarter and kitchen, marking the Moravians’ early work ministering to and preparing enslaved people for emancipation.

Beyond Christiansted, you can continue exploring the US Virgin Islands by visiting nearby destinations like Frederiksted and the territory’s capital, Charlotte Amalie.

Explore Christiansted with Neywo

To experience the town on a Christiansted self-guided walking tour, download Neywo and let the app accompany you. The free walking tour Christiansted offers is the “Danish St. Croix: Fort, Harbour and Steeple” walk, which covers 1.14 km over 44 minutes across 5 narrated stops, including Fort Christiansværn, the Danish Custom House, the Christiansted National Historic Site, the Christiansted Lutheran Church, and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Using a Christiansted audio guide from Neywo means you can explore independently at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. The app automatically plays the story of each place as you reach it.