Cap-Haïtien was founded in 1670 as Cap-François (Kap-Franswa) and it was leter renemd to Cap-Français (Kap-Fransè). After the slave revolutions that started in 1791, the French were kicked out and Henri I became the country's ruler in 1807. During his reign, which lasted until 1820, the city was called Cap‑Henri (Kap-Enri). Later it was renamed Cap-Haïtien (Kap Ayisyen).

The city is colloquially known as 'Cap'. It is on Haiti's northern coast and it is Haiti's second-largest city. The streets are laid out in a straightforward grid and the center is easily explored on foot. Many buildings in town have been built in a Spanish-influenced style. There is usually a citrus aroma in the air, as orange peels that are used to flavor the luxury liquors Grand Marnier and Cointreau, are always drying on countless sunny surfaces throughout the city.

Cap-Haïtien has always been an important city and many important events in Haitian history have taken place in or around Cap-Haïtien. The coastal area around Cap-Haïtien was once of strategic importance and there are several dilapidated forts along the coast.

• Bois Caïman (Bwa Kayiman) is 3 km (2 mi) south of Cap-Haïtien. It was the place, where slaves used to practice Vodou rites and met to organize the terrorizing of slaveholders. A resistance movement slowly grew and in 1791, an insurrection started to get rid of the French. The site is marked by a ficus tree. An adjacent colonial well is said to posess mystic powers.
• The Cathedral du Cap-Haïtien.
• About 8 km (5 mi) from Cap-Haïtien is the Citadelle Laferrière, an impenetrable stone fortress that was built by 20,000 slaves over a period of 15 years, by 20,000 slaves. It used to hold enough supplies for the 5,000 men strong army and the royal family they protected, to stay behind the 40 m (130 ft) tall walls for a year.
  The Citadelle is one of Haiti's main landmarks and it is protected as a national park, as are is surroundings. It sits atop a mountain and the views are absolutely amazing.
• In the nearby town of Milot, you can see the ruins of the Sans-Souci Palais. Milot was Haiti's capital during the reign of Henri I and the palace was originally built in 1810 to serve as a capital building. The palace rivaled Versailles in France. An earthquake in 1842 destroyed it. Milot is 19 km (12 mi) southwest of Cap-Haïtien. The palace was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982.
• Morne Rouge is 8 km (5 mi) south of Cap. It is the location, where the rebellion against the French started.
• Vertières is the location, where the Battle of Vertières was fought between the French and former slaves. The former slaves won and declared Haiti's independence in 1804.

In 2020, the slum of Shada was destroyed in order to disrupt gang activity in the city.

Cap-Haïtien boasts some of Haiti's best beaches. They are along Rue 21, which winds into the hills northwest of the cape. There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Cap-Haïtien. The city is 135 km north of Port-au-Prince.

Cap-Haïtien ©Corey Heitz

Cathedral du Cap-Haïtien ©Patrice S. Dorsainville

Cap-Haïtien ©David Pirmann

Citadelle Laferrière ©David Pirmann

Citadelle Laferrière ©Stefan Krasowski

Sans-Souci Palais ©Stefan Krasowski

Cap-Haïtien ©Diego Tirira

Sans-Souci Palais ©Werner Bayer

Citadelle Laferrière ©Stefan Krasowski