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A jewel in the Caribbean and the world’s newest republic, Barbados is a small and beautiful island that flaunts impeccable beaches, a vibrant festival culture and mouth-watering food. Due to its former commonwealth status, the island holds a distinctly British feel through its towns and street names, its language and its left-hand driving rules.
But the similarity ends there. And with near-perfect year-round weather, multi-centre holidays in Barbados are guaranteed to be laid-back, blissful and sun-soaked. Simply lounge by the pool all day, get active with water sports in the ocean or go exploring on foot or by car around the island for a truly uplifting holiday experience.
Barbados Highlights
Sun, sea, and driving on the left! What more could you need? Barbados may be small but she’s mighty and with flawless sands, shimmering sea and welcoming vibes, this is the ultimate tropical paradise. Its beaches are all public and open to everyone, so whether you’re splashing out on a five-star resort or staying in a modest apartment, you can enjoy the best of everything this Caribbean Island has to offer.
Heavenly Beaches
Boasting more than 50 gorgeous beaches, Barbados’ coastline will leave you speechless, with picture-perfect white sands, gently lapping waters and an abundance of water sports opportunities, it’s truly heaven on earth. The island’s west and south coasts are wonderful for families as the beaches are wide and the waters gentle, while the more dramatic north and Atlantic coasts provide spots to simply sit and marvel at the powerful waves from the comfort of dry land.
Stunning Food
With a rich cultural heritage stemming from African, British, Irish, Creole and Indian influences, Bajan cuisine exudes flavour and flair and is best enjoyed by the beach. Naturally, seafood is king here, especially flying fish, which is one half of the country’s national dish and the other being ‘cou-cou’, a tasty mix of okra and cornmeal.
World-Class Hotels
Barbados boasts some of the most beautiful hotels in the Caribbean, offering five-star services, first-rate spa and leisure amenities and luxurious accommodations fit for royalty. Many hotels overlook the sea with rooms and suites directly on the beautiful white sands, particularly on the island’s calmer west coast – the perfect spot for those show-stopping sunsets.
Rum, Rum, and More Rum
One of Barbados’ finest exports is its sweet rum. The island is known as the birthplace of rum and there are various attractions to learn about and sample this authentic taste of the Caribbean. Take an interesting distillery tour or simply sit back in a welcoming beach bar and indulge in a drink, or three!
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Our Barbados Favourites
Bridgetown
Bridgetown is the island’s largest city and its colourful capital, presenting an energetic hub with beautiful old colonial buildings to admire and charming shopping areas to explore. You could easily spend a whole day here wandering its vibrant streets and absorbing its rich culture. For a dash of national history, check out the neo-gothic-style Parliament Buildings and adjacent National Heroes Square, which honours 10 famous Bajans including cricketing legends and slave leaders.
Barbados lives and breathes cricket, with the island coming to life every time a match is played. Fans of this centuries-old British sport must pay a visit to the country’s largest cricket ground, the Kensington Oval, as well as the inspiring Cricket Legends of Barbados museum, which displays artefacts and memorabilia of many of the sport’s greatest stars and moments.
Harrison’s Cave
The striking Harrison’s Cave is a must-do for twin-centre holidays in the Caribbean as it is one of the region’s most beautiful natural wonders, which is tucked away in the heart of Barbados’ central uplands. These glazed limestone caverns feature deep pools, flowing currents and looming columns, together with dramatic stalactites and stalagmites to marvel at on your journey through its interior.
Choose between a leisurely tram tour or if you’re seeking a more bracing experience, embark on a more exciting – albeit pricier – adventure tour that involves getting stuck in and crawling, swimming and ducking through the cave system and its smaller openings. It’s well worth upgrading to this package but perhaps not appealing for the claustrophobes among us!
St. Lawrence Gap
Barbados isn’t a party island in the conventional sense, but St. Lawrence Gap – simply ‘The Gap’ to locals – is its answer to a vibrant nightlife. Set about 20 minutes southwest of Bridgetown along the coast, this small street is the island’s beating heart for eating and drinking and entertainment, especially when the sun goes down.
The venues in St. Lawrence Gap range from lively nightclubs to laid-back bars, all sharing an equally hypnotic draw of pulsating rhythms, welcoming chatter and good vibes. BBQ food vendors offering an aromatic mix of seafood and Mexican and Indian fare line the street, continuing to feed revellers until the early hours – it’s well worth coming here for a night out during your Barbados twin-centre holidays.
Rihanna Drive
Perhaps Barbados’ most famous export is Robyn Fenty, the megastar singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman otherwise known as Rihanna. Her modest yet colourful childhood home on Westbury Road in St. Michael – now fittingly called Rihanna Drive – has become a popular tourist stop for her fans to see a glimpse of where their idol grew up.
There may not be much else to see aside from the bright green and orange house and blue plaque on the floor, but many of the street’s residents have been there for years and if you’re visiting on a good day, there might be neighbours around willing to share their stories of the young songstress-turned-national hero.
Crane Beach
Sitting beneath the prestigious Crane Hotel are the pink-hued sands of Crane Beach, neatly tucked away in a cove flanked by eighty-foot cliffs and met by the sometimes-choppy aquamarine waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Crane Beach is widely regarded as one of the world’s best and is positioned on the island’s south coast, offering a splendid spot for boogie boarding due to its perfect ocean breakers, plus it is seldom crowded.
Spend the day here enjoying the peaceful vibes and after your swim, head up to the Crane Hotel and take pleasure in a delicious lunch at one of its seven on-site cafés and restaurants, which are accessible to non-guests.
Paynes Bay
Barbados is home to many iconic beaches, and Paynes Bay is up there with the best, offering probably the best swimming on the island. Set on the island’s flawless west coast, its lightly toasted sands curve around the bay, hugging the turquoise waters like an old friend, while the swaying trees behind offer cool shade on those balmy Caribbean days.
The waters at this family-friendly beach are calm enough for snorkelling and swimming, providing a great opportunity to try some water sports activities like kayaking and jet-skiing. This lively – but not overcrowded – beach offers plenty of parking, showers and restrooms, as well as on-duty lifeguards and a few spots to grab a bite to eat – you can easily spend a whole day here on your Barbados multi-centre holidays.
Pebbles Beach
If you’re travelling with small children, Pebbles Beach will appeal to you for its ample shade, tranquil waters and powder-soft sands. The beach is set between the Hilton and the Radisson on the south coast and features plenty of picnic tables, which make it a great base for spending an entire day.
Pebbles Beach overlooks Carlisle Bay – a popular snorkelling and scuba diving spot – and has a lively atmosphere with lots of water sports set-ups, plus several beachfront shacks for drinks and snacks. If you’re there at sunrise you may see beautiful Barbados racehorses bathing in the waters and enjoying their morning therapeutic swim!
Bottom Bay
Bottom Bay rests on the southeastern coast and with fewer visitors, it is one of Barbados’ least developed beaches. Here you can enjoy a more faraway feeling than some of its livelier neighbours along this stretch of coastline, perhaps due to its trickier swimming conditions and lack of lifeguards.
However, the panoramic views from the coral cliffs above together with Instagram-worthy snow-white sands, shimmery turquoise waters and towering palm trees add to its appeal, making Bottom Bay well worth a visit if you’re after a slice of undisturbed tropical paradise.
Accra Beach
Also known as Rockley Beach, this stretch of golden sand is a popular south coast offering particularly for its gentle crested waves and calm swimming conditions. Adults and older kids can enjoy boogie boarding, while smaller kids can paddle and swim safely towards the southern end of the beach, where rocks shoulder the brunt of the waves and create a peaceful pool-like area to play in.
Many water sports activities are on offer here too, including windsurfing, Hobie Cat rides and bodysurfing. And there are several charming oceanside kiosks selling local handicrafts, jewellery and clothing, as well as tiki bars serving drinks and snacks – it’s a wonderful place for a family day out on multi-centre holidays in Barbados!
Sheraton Mall
The largest shopping centre on the island, Sheraton Mall is a popular place to spend an afternoon and with tax-free shopping in Barbados, it means you can save between 30-50% on designer clothing, jewellery and accessories everywhere – you just need to present your passport and travel documents when you make a purchase.
Sheraton Mall is located just 10 minutes from Oistins and features more than 120 stores as well as dozens of takeaway eateries, a six-screen cinema multiplex, plus spa and salon services for a cheeky bit of pampering. The mall operates a daily shuttle service along the south coast to many hotels so getting there is easy and convenient.
Broad Street & Swan Street
Bridgetown’s bustling centre is a wonderful place to shop on multi-centre holidays in Barbados to simply wander round and people-watch on leisurely days out away from your hotel. With duty-free shopping by the port, upscale boutiques and malls a plenty, there’s something for everyone.
Broad Street is the capital’s main thoroughfare and is filled with department stores, jewellery stores and pharmacies, while the parallel Swan Street is a vibrant, pedestrianised lane of brightly coloured buildings and shops selling everything from souvenirs and clothing to local handicrafts and confectionery.
Cheapside Market
For a taste of local culture and a glimpse into everyday life in Barbados, visit the marvellous Cheapside Market in Bridgetown. Enter this popular farmers’ market through an alley of umbrella-covered carts outside in all the colours of the rainbow, with deliciously ripe fruits and vegetables piled high and ready to go.
Further into the two-storey brick building are row upon row of stalls and vendors selling aromatic herbs and spices, succulent meats and typical Bajan delicacies. Upstairs is an inviting food court-style area where you can stop and recover from the frenzy of the market buzz below. Authentic Caribbean flavours and smells fill the air, with fried chicken and marinated plantain on the menu. The second floor also houses vintage clothing and jewellery stalls to peruse for gifts and traditional handicrafts.
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre is set in Holetown on the island’s elegant west coast and boasts an equally luxurious array of retail stores, including many designer brands like Hugo Boss, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors. And for a little post-shopping pick-me-up on your twin-centre holiday, sit down at one of the several stylish bars and cafés to relax and take it all in.
This beautiful shopping centre is spread across multiple attractive buildings that have a colonial flair, and with fountains and soothing water features at its core next to outdoor eateries, this really is a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon, even if just to window shop!
Carlisle Bay Marine Reserve
Just offshore from Bridgetown sits the beautiful Carlisle Bay Marine Reserve, which is a fantastic spot for scuba diving and snorkelling and is home to several shipwrecks that are waiting to be explored. The wrecks – ranging between 12ft and 55ft in depth – are draped with brightly coloured coral and attract a wide variety of tropical marine life such as fish, sea horses, turtles and rays to see.
Carlisle Bay itself is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its soft sands on Brownes Beach make up one of the largest stretches of beach on the island. Calm waters and plenty of water sports, beach clubs and opportunities for catamaran cruises make this one of the top places in Barbados to spend a day, or more.
Hunte’s Gardens
The self-proclaimed ‘most enchanting place on earth’ isn’t far wrong. Hunte’s Gardens comprise a beautifully transformed natural gully within the lush hills of St. Joseph’s, around 30 minutes’ drive from Holetown. This former sugar plantation was created by local artist and gardener Anthony Hunte and now features a stunning array of flowers and foliage with delicate pathways and a world of native wildlife to observe, including dozens of vibrant tropical birds.
Hunte’s Gardens offers a serene place for families and couples wanting to immerse themselves into the depths of Barbados and see its rural beauty. With quiet seating areas dotted along the trail and a spot to buy refreshments for your walk around, Hunte’s Gardens is a lovely place for a magical morning out.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Set amid a natural mahogany forest to the northeastern part of the island in St. Peter, the Barbados Wildlife Reserve allows visitors to wander freely through the woods and observe loads of local animals at close range in their natural habitats, playing, eating and chilling with other animals.
A self-guided tour lets you take the day at your own pace and if you stay quiet you may see deer, peacocks, Barbados Green Monkeys, and parrots, macaws and love birds flying in and out of the trees. Reptile enthusiasts will love seeing iguanas, tortoises and turtles amid the leaves, as well as a beautiful (caged) collection of snakes. This simple yet stunning reserve will delight both adults and children on a leisurely time away from the beach on Barbados twin-centre holidays.
Mount Hillaby
If you’re feeling energetic, consider making your way to Mount Hillaby for a relaxing hike up to the highest point in Barbados. Although the island actually sits below sea level, this majestic peak reaches high enough – 1,115ft to be precise – to afford magnificent views overlooking the island’s striking landscape and out towards the sparkling sea.
Get there before sunrise and witness the beautiful mist that drapes over the peak before the sun disperses it to reveal the surrounding panorama. The trail to the top is not challenging and offers a serene, scenic activity for even the less active among us, making it very kid-friendly too!
Oistins Fish Fry
Every Friday, the little fishing village of Oistins comes alive with locals and tourists alike to dance, drink and sup on the country’s legendary food staple, fish. Colourful and differently shaped food stalls cook an accustomed menu of grilled and fried fish and shellfish such as swordfish, lobster and mahi-mahi, as well as succulent ribs, chicken and pork chops.
Top off your feast with sides of okra, plantain and many other Bajan favourites and enjoy the background atmosphere, vibrating with Calypso music, DJs throwing down tunes, and hundreds of people chatting and dancing with ice-cold beers in hand under a balmy Caribbean evening sky.
Mount Gay Rum Distillery
Whether rum is your tipple of choice or not, a tour of the Mount Gay Rum Distillery is a must-do activity when on Barbados twin-centre holidays. As the birthplace of rum, this tiny Caribbean Island began sugarcane production in the 17th century, which quickly grew into a lucrative – and tasty – business.
The famous Mount Gay Distillery has been in operation since 1703, providing excellent tours detailing its history and intricate distilling process at the fully operational headquarters in Bridgetown, as well as offering those all-important tasting experiences. Book various packages to include a hearty lunch alongside a signature rum tasting session, or cocktail-making workshops to create your own rum-based treats back home!
Cuz’s Fish Stand
Set on the glorious Pebbles Beach, Cuz’s Fish Stand is THE place for seaside grub and the well-known ‘fish cutter’ sandwich, considered by many as the best on the island and a must-try on twin-centre holidays in the Caribbean. This charming blue shack with yellow-trimmed windows and doors often lures a queue of beachgoers waiting to purchase their mid-afternoon snacks.
A few benches at the side under the shade of the trees make Cuz’s an inviting spot to rest and recharge after a morning swim. Simplicity is key here, with a no-frills menu of fish cutters either single or double and with or without cheese; add your own dash of mayo, hot sauce or ketchup and get ready to tuck in!
Speightstown
The unassuming oceanside village of Speightstown is set to the very north of the island’s Platinum Coast and delivers a dynamic and exciting food scene that could rival even the most prominent big-city foodie destinations on the culinary map. This rustic corner of the island also boasts beautiful historical architecture and an enticing seafront promenade, lined with pavement vendors selling fresh fruit and veg daily.
There are ample places to sit down and eat, including gourmet bistros such as the eclectic Orange Street Grocer and down-to-earth taverns like the Fisherman’s Pub for satisfying local favourites like ‘cou-cou’ – Barbados’ national dish of cornmeal and okra. Finish off with an out-of-this-world pastry or delicious salt bread from the well-reviewed PRC Bakery!
Barbados FAQs
Barbados FAQs
Barbados FAQs
Like most Caribbean Islands, Barbados is blessed with year-round sunshine and a tropical climate, so there’s no bad time to visit. However, the driest time of year is between December and April when the days are warm and average daily temperatures are 30°C, so this is regarded as the ideal time to visit. Prices are lower between June and November as this is the rainy season, which is also prone to hurricanes, but showers are brief, and the uplifting Caribbean warmth remains.
Direct flights to Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados (BGI) take approximately 9 hours and there are frequent services from both London and Manchester. From Miami you can get a direct flight to Barbados in just under 4 hours
Being a Caribbean Island, Barbados is close to Florida and works well as a twin- or multi-centre destination that combines hotpots like Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale with the island’s chilled tropical vibes. Alternatively, fly into New York or Washington, D.C. first and enjoy an energetic city break followed by a spell of welcome relaxation by the beach.
The island is small and easy to get around via taxi or shuttle bus, which is offered by many top-notch hotels. However, UK residents can rejoice at the fact driving in Barbados is on the left, making it easier to drive in than most other countries we visit!
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