Place · Government Hill & the 99 Steps
The 99 Steps and Government Hill
A stone stairway that climbs from downtown to the old houses on Government Hill; a hot 15-minute climb, so go early and carry water.
go at hour · before 09:00admission: unknownNot field-verified
Map & directions
Directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Rules in force · 5
- US Virgin Islands ↗Entry follows US rules: international visitors need a US visa or ESTA as for the mainland. US citizens need no passport from the mainland, but must clear customs when leaving for the mainland.
- US Virgin Islands ↗The British Virgin Islands are a separate British territory: a ferry trip there is an international crossing and needs a passport.
- US Virgin Islands ↗Protect the reefs: do not stand on coral, and follow national park rules on St John.
- Charlotte Amalie ↗Cruise-ship days change everything: check the port schedule for the days you plan to be downtown and go before 09:00 or after 16:00.
- Charlotte Amalie ↗After dark, take taxis between clusters and back to your bed rather than walking.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 30–45 min
- p95 70 min
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- unknown
- Best time
- before 09:00
- quietest window
- 28″ bags
- No
- Government Hill & the 99 Steps: forbidden
Weather here, next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site (minutes)
20
min
30
worthwhile
45
typical
70
p95
An open public stairway; nearby paid sights keep their own hours.
Getting in
- Stop
- Base of the steps off Kongens Gade, uphill from Main Street (field-verify)
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- free · official site
- Stairs
- note: About 100 steps in several flights · flights: 3+
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Quiet early; tour groups climb from about 10:00.
- Sensory load
- 4/5
- Exposure
- high
Bailouts
- heat: Hotel 1829 courtyard café (field-verify)
- rain: Hotel 1829 courtyard café (field-verify)
Nearest rescue anchor: B — 99 Steps midway landing (field-verify)
Combine in the same cluster
- Fort Christian (walk, 8 min)
Red lines
- Steps can be slick after rain; wear closed shoes.
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
- ClusterGovernment Hill & the 99 Steps50 m · 1 min walk
- Sleep areaDowntown & Government Hill220 m · 4 min walk
- ClusterMain Street & the waterfront270 m · 4 min walk
- ClusterFrenchtown waterfront930 m · 15 min walk
- Sleep areaFrenchtown1.0 km · 17 min walk
- ClusterHavensight & Yacht Havennearest point: Yacht Haven Grande promenade (food, seated rest)1.3 km · 21 min walk
Sources1 source
Sources
- US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (official)