Exploring the best of Barbados!
Barbados is a small island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and a top Caribbean destination famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, and hospitable locals. There are a variety of sites and activities that you should add to your Barbados itinerary! Today, we’re sharing the absolute best things to do in Barbados, so that you have a few ideas for your next trip!
1. Bathsheba Beach
You certainly won’t be missing the beach on your trip to Barbados! If you are up for a little adventure, there is no better spot than the stunning Bathsheba Beach. Swimming here is not always possible, as tides can be rough for the average visitor. However, many tourists visit Bathsheba Beach to observe the unique rock formations and explore the natural pools. Bathsheba beach is easily the most picturesque beach in Barbados, with palm trees and massive boulders dotting the coastline! The beach is easily accessed by car or by a bus ride, which takes you straight from Bridgetown!
2. Bottom Bay
Prefer a more secluded and off-the-beaten-path spot? You should head to Bottom Bay! It is located on the Southern Coast of Barbados and is popular with the locals! Don’t overlook this spot though; Bottom Bay is among the best places to visit in Barbados. Enjoy this stretch of white sand beach nestled beneath high cliffs and lush vegetation. As with many beaches in Barbados, use caution when swimming; the tides can be dangerous! You can easily spend an entire day sunbathing and relaxing at the must-see Bottom Bay though!
3. Carlisle Bay
You simply cannot miss Carlisle Bay when visiting Barbados. This bay is a small harbor located on the Southeastern Shore of Barbados lined by luxury resorts and restaurants. Unlike many of the beaches in Barbados, Carlisle Bay typically has calm waters and is safe to swim and take the whole family to! If you enjoy water sports, Carlisle Bay offers some of the best non-motorized water sports in Barbados! From here, you can experience scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, and more! Also in the bay are various shipwrecks and other relics overgrown with corals and teeming with sea life waiting for you to explore!
4. Hunte's Gardens
Want to get away from the beach and explore some of the best nature Barbados has to offer? Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of Hunte’s Gardens! Hunte’s Gardens is just $15 BBD per person and filled with colorful flowers in full bloom and lush greenery. Much of Barbados’s natural rainforest has been destroyed for Agricultural purposes, but Hunte’s Garden gives visitors the unique opportunity to explore a patch of Caribbean rainforest filled with the flora and fauna of Barbados. Visitors will have a great time here relaxing in Nature and exploring the large garden!
5. Harrison's Cave
Located in the heart of Barbados, this unusual spot is a must-do for tourists! Visit Harrison’s Cave to explore a system of underground tunnels leading to caves formed by the erosion of the limestone rocks and filled with natural stalagmites and stalactites! It is believed that the caves were first found during the 18th century; however, they became popular in the early 1970s. Exploring Harrison’s Cave is a real adventure from beginning to end! Be sure to hop on one of the tours offered if you want the chance to explore!
6. Animal Flower Cave
For some of the most breathtaking views of Barbados, head to the Northern side of the island and pay a visit to the Animal Flower Cave! This is Barbados’s only accessible sea cave, so it is a must-see on anyone’s travel itinerary. This is a great spot for families too, as the area around the Animal Flower Cave has a little bit of everything! Adventurous types can go for a swim inside the cave’s pool; others who wish to just admire the scenery from afar can grab a cocktail from the nearby restaurant. Children will also love the playground area!
7. St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Nicholas Abbey dates back to the 17th century. It is an authentic Jacobean mansion and visitors can stop by and explore the plantation house, museum, and rum distillery to get a real feel of the island’s heritage. Not only is the exterior truly picturesque, but the restored interior is also something to be enjoyed! While visiting, don’t forget to take a stroll down the courtyard, which is small but filled with lush, gorgeous plants! The medieval herb garden will direct you to the rum distillery and steam mill, which produces Barbados’s famous St. Nicholas Abbey Rum. As one of only three similar estates in the Western Hemisphere, visiting St. Nicholas Abbey is certainly among the top things to do in Barbados!
8. Saint Lawrence Gap
Visitors will absolutely love the nightlife in Barbados. The absolute best place for this is Saint Lawrence Gap, located on the Southern side of the island a short way from Bridgetown. It is a small street, but it is absolutely filled with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. If you want to experience the continuous lively hustle and bustle of Barbados, you should consider one of the hotels in this area! “The Gap” is a well-known entertainment district, so even if you visit during the day, you are bound to find some lovely vendors or street performers playing their steel drums along the beach!
9. Bridgetown
You can’t visit Barbados without a stop at the island’s capital city – Bridgetown. It is the only real city on the entire island. Be sure to check out the historic city center, which in 2012 was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site! It’s easy to see why; the lively city is filled with beautiful architecture! The capital is modern, colorful, and vibrant. Be sure to explore the unique open markets, buy some locally grown produce, and try out some Bajan cuisine! (It’s delicious!) Also located here is one of the island’s main bus and mini (ZR bus) terminals; need a guide to get around the island? Check out ours!
10. Speightstown
Speightstown doesn’t exactly get the attention it deserves. Smaller than Bridgetown and located on the Northern side of Barbados, this town is a hidden gem! A stroll down Speightstown’s narrow streets is an excellent way to escape the crowds of the more touristy areas of the island and have an authentic Barbados experience! Admire the colorful houses, visit the local fish market, and sunbathe at Mullins Beach – you will not be disappointed by a visit to the off-the-beaten-path Speightstown.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Barbados, home to some of the friendliest people in the world! Will you be visiting any of these top sites on your next trip there?