The capital, Douglas (or Doolish in Gaelic), is both a business centre and leisure destination with something to offer everyone. From its humble beginnings as a fishing port, it expanded during the smuggling period in the 1700s to attract wealthy merchants. This expansion of the town continued with the arrival of the first tourists in the 1850s, bringing a new prosperity to both the town and the island. The busy shopping centre in Strand Street is just a step away from the promenade, buses, horse-drawn trams and the tourist information centre. There is ample pre-paid parking around the town with free disc parking in certain areas, as in all island towns. The Steam Railway Station is situated at the top end of the harbour for trips to the south of the island, and the vintage electric railway starts at the northern end of the spectacular two-mile (three km) long promenade for trips to Laxey Wheel and the north. Accommodation in Douglas ranges from charming guesthouses to lavish five-star hotels, and caters for long or short breaks.
Must see and do
- Manx Museum, Douglas
- Gaiety Theatre, Douglas
- Horse Trams, Douglas