See the island differently
99 Steps
One of the city’s historic Danish step-streets, woven into the hillside above downtown.
The WelcomeToVI take
Why it belongs
on your list.
99 Steps adds context, scenery, or hands-on discovery to a St. Thomas day. One of the city’s historic Danish step-streets, woven into the hillside above downtown.
A Charlotte Amalie original
A staircase that explains the city.
The 99 Steps are more than a photo stop. They are part of the network of step-streets built to make Charlotte Amalie’s steep hills walkable—and one of the clearest places to feel how the old town was shaped by terrain, trade, and Danish colonial construction.
Built in the 1700s, the stairway uses bricks brought across the Atlantic as ballast in sailing ships. Those bricks became a practical route up Government Hill, turning an otherwise difficult slope into a direct connection between the harbor town and the neighborhoods above it.
The famous name is not a precise count. Visitors who keep track will find 103 steps. Bougainvillea, palms, weathered masonry, and glimpses of historic Charlotte Amalie make the climb feel less like a shortcut and more like a small journey through the city’s layers.
At the upper end, the route approaches the Blackbeard’s Castle area and elevated views over town. Access to the castle grounds can change, so treat the stairway, surrounding streets, and the unfolding city views as the experience—not a guarantee that a private attraction will be open.
Explore the official visitor sourceWhat to expect
Walk it like
you live here.
Start from downtown
Approach on foot from the Main Street and Government Hill area so the transition from old warehouses and shopfronts to the hillside step-streets becomes part of the story.
Climb at island pace
The staircase is short but steep. Wear secure shoes, use the rail where available, pause in the shade, and carry water—especially near midday.
Frame the details
Look beyond the wide shot. Ballast brick, flowering walls, ironwork, doors, and the changing harbor perspective create the most distinctive photographs.
Respect the neighborhood
This is a working pedestrian route within a lived-in historic district. Keep passages clear, stay off private property, and leave the step-street exactly as you found it.
Plan it well
Know before
you go.
Build a small route
Pair 99 Steps with another Charlotte Amalie landmark so the history unfolds as one walk rather than separate stops.
Give it enough time
Check how long the experience normally takes so you are not rushing through the part you came to see.
Check current access
Hours, admission, tour availability, and accessibility can change. Confirm directly with the operator or venue before visiting.
The practical field guide
Plan the visit,
not just the photo.
Use this page as your working plan, then verify anything time-sensitive with the source closest to the operation.
Include the surrounding historic lanes rather than climbing only for a photo.
Nearby museums and guided walks may charge admission.
Lower heat and quieter lanes make the climb more comfortable.
Book only if joining a guided town walk.
ARRIVAL + PARKING
Know the last mile.
Approach on foot from central Charlotte Amalie. Street names, steep grades, and limited parking make a downtown walking route more practical than driving stop to stop.
FACILITIES
Know what is—and isn’t—there.
There are no dedicated visitor facilities on the steps. Use restrooms, water, and food options in the surrounding town before the climb.
MOBILITY + ACCESS
Plan for the actual terrain.
Historic stone steps are steep, narrow, and uneven, with limited resting space. This stop is not step-free; enjoy the district from lower historic streets if stairs are unsuitable.
SAFETY + CONDITIONS
Let today’s conditions lead.
Use the conditions you find—not an old photo or schedule—to decide how to proceed. Watch heat, traffic, footing, and posted restrictions.
BRING WITH YOU
A small kit makes the day easier.
- Drinking water
- Comfortable footwear
- Sun or rain protection
- A charged phone for directions
LIVE-DETAIL CHECKReviewed September 2026. Use Visit USVI for current hours, fees, access, booking, and closure information.
Open Visit USVI Make it a downtown walk
One climb.
A fuller story.
Heat changes this walk. An early start, water, and shoes with grip will make a bigger difference than trying to rush the climb. If steps are difficult for anyone in your group, choose a scenic overlook by vehicle and explore the flatter waterfront instead.
Begin on Main Street
Take in Charlotte Amalie’s historic commercial blocks before turning uphill toward Government Hill.
Climb the 99 Steps
Move slowly enough to notice the old brickwork, tropical planting, and steep urban landscape.
Look toward the harbor
Pause near the upper streets for a higher perspective across downtown; never enter closed or private areas.
Continue the history
Pair the climb with the St. Thomas Synagogue, Government House, Emancipation Garden, or Fort Christian.
STAY ON WELCOMETOVIBuild the rest