Barbados

The terrain changes dramatically from each of the island's 11 parishes to the next, and so does the pace. Bridgetown, the capital, is a busy and fairly sophisticated city. West-coast resorts and private estates ooze luxury, whereas the small villages and vast sugar plantations found throughout central Barbados reflect the island's history. The relentless Atlantic surf shaped the cliffs of the dramatic east coast, and the northeast is called Scotland because of its hilly landscape and broad vistas. Along the lively south coast, the daytime hustle and bustle produce a palpable energy that continues well into the night at restaurants and nightspots.

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  • 1. Barbados Museum & Historical Society

    The galleries of this museum, established in 1930 and located in Barbados's UNESCO World Heritage Site, are housed in a 19th-century military prison building. More than 5,000 artifacts—dating from prehistoric times through the 21st century—tell the story of the people of Barbados, revealing the island's rich history, culture, and heritage. The on-site Shilstone Memorial Library is home to rare West Indian materials, archival documents, photographs, hard-to-find books, and maps dating from the 17th century.

    Hwy. 7, Garrison, St. Michael, BB14038, Barbados
    246-538–0201

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Bds$15
  • 2. Bottom Bay Beach

    Popular for fashion and travel-industry photo shoots, Bottom Bay is the quintessential Caribbean beach. Secluded, surrounded by a coral cliff, studded with a stand of palms, and blessed with an endless ocean view, this dreamy enclave is near the southeasternmost point of the island. The Atlantic Ocean waves can be too strong for swimming, but it's the picture-perfect place for a picnic lunch on the shore. Park at the top of the cliff and follow the steps down to the beach. Note: because of the seclusion, it's not advisable for women to go to this beach alone; going with a group is much safer. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

    Hwy. 5, Apple Hall, St. Philip, Barbados
  • 3. Coco Hill Forest

    This lush, 52-acre tropical forest is ideal for nature walks, hiking, and forest bathing, or if you need a break from the beach. The view over the island's east coast is simply breathtaking. Hiking trails are approximately 1½ miles long and should take 1½ hours to complete. Hire a guide to share details on the hundreds of tree, plant, and herb species, as well as the history of agriculture in Barbados and the project's mission to regenerate the soils. Check their Facebook page for the latest tour details.

    Richmond Rd., Bathsheba, St. Joseph, Barbados
    246-235–4926

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $12.50, Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 4. Crane Beach

    This exquisite crescent of pink sand on the southeast coast was named not for the elegant, long-legged wading bird but for the crane used to haul and load cargo when this area served as a busy port. Crane Beach usually has a steady breeze and lightly rolling surf that varies in color from aqua to turquoise to lapis and is great for bodysurfing. Access to the beach is either down 98 steps or via a cliffside, glass-walled elevator on The Crane resort property. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

    Crane, St. Philip, Barbados
  • 5. Harrison's Cave

    This limestone cavern, complete with stalactites, stalagmites, subterranean streams, and a 40-foot underground waterfall, is a rare find in the Caribbean—and one of Barbados's most popular attractions. Tours include a nine-minute video and an hour-long underground journey via electric tram. The visitor center has interactive displays, life-size models and sculptures, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and elevator access to the tram for people with disabilities. Tram tours fill up fast, so book ahead. More intrepid visitors may like the 1½-hour walk-in tour or 4-hour eco-adventure tour, exploring nature trails and some of the cave's natural passages.

    Allen View, Welchman Hall, St. Thomas, BB22051, Barbados
    246-417–3700

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tours from $57
    View Tours and Activities
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  • 6. Heywoods Beach

    Unlike other west coast beaches, Heywoods is quiet and unspoiled. The long stretch of crisp white sand is wide and never busy, and the water is calm and ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The entrance to the sea is a gentle slope making it ideal for kids. There are no amenities here for snacks so take a picnic. Amenities: none. Best for: sunset; swimming; snorkeling; walking.

    Heywoods, St. Peter, Barbados
  • 7. Hunte's Gardens

    Horticulturist Anthony Hunte spent two years converting an overgrown sinkhole (caused by the collapse of a limestone cave) into an extraordinary garden environment. Trails lead up, down, and around 10 acres of dense foliage—everything from pots of flowering plants and great swaths of thick ground cover to robust vines, exotic tropical flowers, and majestic 100-year-old cabbage palms reaching for the sun. Benches and chairs, strategically placed among the greenery, afford perfect (and fairly private) vantage points, while classical music plays overhead. Hunte lives on the property and welcomes visitors to his verandah for a glass of juice or rum punch. Just ask, and he'll be happy to tell you the fascinating story of how the gardens evolved.

    Hwy. 3A, Castle Grant, St. Joseph, Barbados
    246-433–3333

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $15, Daily 9–4
  • 8. Hunte's Gardens

    Horticulturist Anthony Hunte spent two years converting an overgrown sinkhole (caused by the collapse of a limestone cave) into an extraordinary garden environment. Trails lead up, down, and around 10 acres of dense foliage—everything from pots of flowering plants and great swaths of thick ground cover to robust vines, exotic tropical flowers, and majestic 100-year-old cabbage palms that reach for the sun. Benches and chairs, strategically placed among the greenery, afford perfect (and fairly private) vantage points, while classical music plays overhead. Hunte lives on the property and welcomes visitors to his verandah for a glass of juice or rum punch. Just ask, and he'll be happy to tell you the fascinating story of how the gardens evolved.

    Hwy. 3A, Castle Grant, St. Joseph, Barbados
    246-433–3333

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $15
  • 9. Miami Beach

    This lovely spot on the coast road, just east of Oistins, is a slice of pure white sand with shallow and calm water on one side, deeper water with small waves on the other, and cliffs on either side. Located in a mainly upscale residential area, the beach is mostly deserted except for weekends when folks who live nearby come for a swim. You'll find a palm-shaded parking area, snack carts, and chair rentals. It's also a hop, skip, and jump from Little Arches Hotel. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming.

    Enterprise Beach Rd., Enterprise, Christ Church, Barbados
  • 10. Pebbles Beach

    On the southern side of Carlisle Bay, just south of Bridgetown, this broad half circle of white sand is one of the island's best family-friendly beaches—and it can become crowded on weekends and holidays. The southern end of the beach wraps around the Hilton Barbados; the northern end is adjacent to the Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados. Umbrellas and beach chairs are available to rent. Bring snorkel gear and swim out to see one of the shipwrecks. Arrive early in the morning (before 7 am) to watch race horses from Garrison Savannah taking a swim. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

    Aquatic Gap, Garrison, St. Michael, Barbados
  • 11. Synagogue Historic District

    Providing for the spiritual needs of one of the oldest Jewish congregations in the western hemisphere, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue was formed by Sephardic Jews who arrived in 1628 from Brazil and introduced sugarcane to Barbados. The adjoining cemetery has tombstones dating from the 1630s. The original house of worship, built in 1654, was destroyed in an 1831 hurricane, rebuilt in 1833, and restored in 1986 with the assistance of the Barbados National Trust. The adjacent museum, opened in 2009 in a restored coral-stone building from 1750, documents the story of the Barbados Jewish community. A significant project in 2017 updated the grounds and restored artisans' workshops and other buildings on the newly designated Synagogue Historic Site. You can arrange an insightful, private tour of both the grounds and the museum. Friday-night services are held in winter months, but the building is open to the public year-round. Shorts are not acceptable during services but may be worn at other times.

    Synagogue La., Bridgetown, St. Michael, BB11042, Barbados
    246-436–6869

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Museum, Mikva and Synagogue $25, Closed weekends
  • 12. Accra Beach

    This popular beach, adjacent to the Accra Beach Hotel, has a broad swath of white sand with gentle surf and a lifeguard, plenty of nearby restaurants for refreshments, a playground, and beach stalls for renting chairs and equipment for snorkeling and other water sports. The South Coast Boardwalk, great for walking or running, begins here and follows the waterfront west—past private homes, restaurants, and bars—for about a mile (1½ km) to Needham's Point. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

    Hwy. 7, Rockley, Christ Church, Barbados
  • 13. Barbados Military Cemetery

    The cemetery, also referred to as Gravesend or Garrison Military Cemetery, is near the shore behind historic St. Ann's Fort. First used in 1780, when the area was pretty much marshland, the dead were placed in shallow graves or simply left on top of the ground where, within a few short days, many were absorbed into the swamp. In the early 20th century, a number of the remaining graves were dug up to provide room for oil storage tanks; salvaged headstones were placed on a cenotaph, erected in 1920–24. A "Cross of Sacrifice" was erected in 1982 to honor all the military dead; a second cenotaph, erected in 2003, honors the Barbadian merchant seamen who died in World War II.

    Needham's Point, Garrison, St. Michael, Barbados
    246-536–2021

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free
  • 14. Barbados Turf Club

    Horse racing is a big part of Bajan culture, and "going to the races" is an event for everyone. The races are administered by the Barbados Turf Club. Races take place on alternate Saturdays throughout the year at the Garrison Savannah, a 6-furlong grass oval in Christ Church, about 3 miles (5 km) south of Bridgetown. There is also occasional night racing. Important events include the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, held in late February or early March, and the Boxing Day Races on December 26. You can watch for free on the grounds, or pay for tickets, which vary in price according to where you sit—the dress-to-the-nines boxes, the members lounge, or the grandstands (grabbing a seat up close on the grounds with a picnic is also an option). Regardless of where you sit, you can't help but get caught up in the energy and excitement of the events.

    The Garrison Savannah, Garrison, St. Michael, Barbados
    246-626–3980

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Entrance ranges from $10Bds to $100Bds for the day. Event prices vary
  • 15. Brandon's Beach–Brighton Beach

    Just north of downtown Bridgetown and within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal, the sea at this southernmost pair of west coast beaches is as calm as a lake. This is also one of the island's longest sandy stretches: you can easily walk from here all the way up to Batts Rock Beach. On hot days, particularly on weekends and holidays, you'll find locals taking a quick dip. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguard; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

    Spring Garden Hwy., Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados
  • 16. Bushy Park Barbados

    Bushy Park in Saint Philip parish is a 1.4-mile (2.2-km) FIA Grade Three motorsports course that hosts professional auto racing events, including the annual Global Rally Cross Championship. Visitors can test their skills in a variety of race cars, from go-karts to Suzuki Swift Sport race cars. The track is open to the public on days when races are not scheduled.

    Gaskin, St. Philip, Barbados
    246-537–1360

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: From $35 for go-karts, from $180 for driving experiences
  • 17. Dover Beach

    All along the St. Lawrence Gap waterfront, Dover Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the south coast. The sea is fairly calm, with small to medium waves, and the white-sand beach is broad and brilliant. Divi Southwinds and Ocean Two resorts, as well as several restaurants, are nearby. There's a small boardwalk, a promenade with a food court, water sports and beach chair rentals, and a playground. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

    St. Lawrence Gap, Dover, Christ Church, Barbados
  • 18. Dover Beach

    All along the St. Lawrence Gap waterfront, Dover is one of the most popular beaches on the south coast. The sea is fairly calm, with small to medium waves, and the white-sand beach is broad and brilliant. The resorts of Divi Southwinds and Ocean Two, as well as several restaurants, are nearby. There's a small boardwalk, a promenade with a food court, water sports and beach chair rentals, and a playground. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

    Hwy. 7, Dover, Christ Church, Barbados
  • 19. DreadHop Brewing

    This family-owned and -managed microbrewery burst onto the scene in 2013, much to the delight of beer enthusiasts bored with the regular local options. DreadHop brewery offers nine varieties of beer on tap, from a double IPA to stout and summer ale. The breezy, lively tap room is a favorite among locals, families, and visiting brew enthusiasts, who enjoy a few pints over the weekend or at one of the popular weekly quiz nights. Bar food such as samosas, burgers, loaded fries, and roti are available. Pets are welcome but must remain outside.

    Gibbons Industrial Park, Gibbons, Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados
    246-622--1225

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues.
  • 20. Emancipation Statue

    This powerful statue of a slave—whose raised hands, with broken chains hanging from each wrist, evoke both contempt and victory—is commonly referred to as the Bussa Statue. Bussa was the man who, in 1816, led the first slave rebellion on Barbados. The work of Barbadian sculptor Karl Brodhagen, the statue was erected in 1985 to commemorate the emancipation of the slaves in 1834.

    St. Barnabas Roundabout, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael, Barbados

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