Bridgetown Travel & Vacation Guide

Animal Flower Cave is the only accessible sea cave on Barbados, located at North Point, St. Lucy. There are guided tours along the cave’s colourful walls and a gorgeous view of the ocean. From February to April, you may even sneak a peek of humpback whales. If you get hungry after the cave tour, there is a lunch restaurant on the clifftop awaiting you.

Barbados Boardwalk stretches nearly 12 kilometres along the southern coast of Bridgetown, from Rockley Beach to Coconut Court Beach. Visitors and locals alike enjoy jogging or walking the wooden floorboards by the ocean. If you feel the need for a bite or a drink, you will find plenty of little shacks and bars along the boardwalk.

This museum is housed in a former military prison close to the Garrison. Several exhibitions display the natural history of the island, the furnishing of plantations houses and the life of early inhabitants, the Amerindians. There also is an interactive children’s section and a library.

At the edge of historic Farley Hill National Park, green monkeys, iguanas, tortoises, and snakes wander around freely in the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Plan to be there around 2 pm, when parrots, caimans, and maras are getting fed. The reserve’s admission also grants access to Grenade Hall Signal Station and Forest. Getting to the park takes a rough 35 minutes by car from the capital city.

Downtown Bridgetown has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2012 (along with the Garrison). You can start your walk at Independence Square with its fountains and columns and cross Chamberlain Bridge. You will then arrive at National Heroes Square (formerly known as Trafalgar Square) at the northern shore of the Careenage. From here you can explore the streets, getting a glimpse of colonial buildings here and there.

After some hot and sunny beach days, a trip to Farley Hill National Park can be a refreshing alternative. Grab a picnic and enjoy hiking through mahogany woods and looking down at the eastern coast from time to time. The ruins of Farley Hill house, once a splendid mansion, add a mystical aspect. Sometimes, this place is even transformed into a stage for theatrical events.

“The Garrison” is another part of Bridgetown’s UNESCO World Heritage and a small district south of downtown. During the 18th and 19th century, it was the headquarters of the British West India Regiment in Barbados – evidenced in the remaining fortifications, cannons, and the iconic clock tower. The Garrison Savannah racetrack is a big part of the site, and you can watch horse races of the Barbados Turf Club here to this day.

Harrison’s Cave has been naturally formed by water erosions and amazes visitors with stalactites, stalagmites and huge caverns. You can either book a tram tour, that takes you along the main sights in one hour, or – if you want to feel like an explorer – book the eco-adventure tour: 3,5 hours of trekking, sometimes on your hands and feet. Harrison’s Cave is located in the central uplands of Barbados, half an hour outside of Bridgetown.

Crystal Waters is popular among locals and visitors alike and can be found by Worthing Beach (St. Lawrence Gap). Every Sunday, there is a barbecue at lunchtime and live music throughout the whole day and night. Expect typical pub grubs and affordable drinks – especially during their daily happy hours in the afternoon.

Enjoy a beautiful Barbadian sunset on Drift Ocean’s terrace on the island’s west coast. They serve wines, cocktails, pizza, and other tasty bites as a side to the view. The lounge is known for a laid-back atmosphere and a medium price level.

Harbour Lights at Carlisle Bay functions as a beach club (including turtle and shipwreck tours) by day and as a nightclub when the sun sets. Expect Caribbean dinner shows, different DJs and a buzzy atmosphere in one of Barbados’ most famous clubs. Wednesday and Friday nights are the peak times for open-air parties at Harbour Lights.

On Friday nights, the Oistins Bay Gardens (south coast) transform into a social hub of dining, shopping and dancing. At the open-air Fish Fry, you can get all kinds of fish and seafood for affordable prices. Plus, there is an arts and crafts sale, as well as different kinds of music. Oistins Fish Fry is a must-go for locals and visitors alike.

“The Gap” offers lively nightlife and various restaurants for all tastes. Start your night out at one of the local eateries, make your way through several rum shacks, and shake it in one of their nightclubs. Locals and tourists enjoy the buzzing atmosphere in this small district, southeast of Bridgetown’s city centre.

Wendy’s Sports Bar at the island’s west coast serves authentic and affordable Bajan food and beer (check the special offers). And – as the name suggests – they screen sporting events, like Premier League football (check their schedule online). You will meet Bajans and visitors alike at this local bar.

At Cave Shepherd, you will find all kinds of duty-free products, like jewellery, perfumes, watches, and liquor. Don’t forget to bring your passport and departure card to save a lot of money with tax-free shopping. Cave Shepherd is located at Broad Street, the main shopping avenue in downtown Bridgetown.

Chattel Village in Holetown can be the perfect location to find souvenirs for your loved ones and yourself, for example at Best of Barbados Gift Shop. Small shops in colourful houses make for a special shopping experience, so visit this lively gem in Holetown.

Earthworks claims to be “no ordinary pottery” and offers visitors to experience the art of their craft live. Choose dinnerware, serving pieces and souvenirs from a large selection and watch the potters paint them in their workshop.

This small market offers goods following the slogan “Home-made, home-grown or home-created”. Fruit, vegetables, prepared Trinidadian and Bajan meals, as well as arts and crafts are sold here every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Hastings Farmers Market is located only 20 minutes by foot from the Garrison and Carlisle Bay.

Limegrove provides upscale, luxurious shopping in a modern, lively atmosphere. Browse through high-end fashion boutiques, jewellery shops or even art galleries and take a break in one of the cinemas. Limegrove Lifestyle Centre is located north of Bridgetown’s city centre in Holetown.

Mount Gay was established in 1703 and is the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery. In their Visitor Centre in Bridgetown, you can experience three different tour types and taste Barbados’ finest spirits. You can also choose lunch and dining options or buy your favourite rum.

Historic Swan Street is the second of the two main shopping avenues in Bridgetown (besides Broad Street). You will find delis, jewellery, clothes and a lot of Bajan vibe on this pedestrians-only street. The usual opening hours of the shops are 8 am to 5 pm.

Barbados has a tropical climate with temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 °C. The dry season lasts from January to June, before the hurricane (and wet) season begins from August onwards. However, hurricanes rarely affect Barbados. Tourist numbers usually peak from late December to mid-April, and so do hotel costs, which can double at that time. Thus, consider a trip during the other months, especially if you want to save a good amount of money.

Citizens of most countries do not require a visa to visit Barbados as a tourist, since travellers are usually allowed 28 days of stay (in some cases even more). However, some countries do require an entry visa, so contact an embassy near you if you are not sure. Generally, the visitor’s passport must be valid at the time of entry and throughout the duration of stay. Tourists also must be prepared to show a return ticket, their intended address and evidence of personal support (e. g. a personal bank statement).

Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) is located in Seawell, Christ Church. The distance to Bridgetown is 15 kilometres and takes about 40 minutes by bus. GAIA serves as major gateway to the Eastern Caribbean and offers direct service to destinations in North and Central America as well as Europe. Car rental service is available at the airport.

Barbados Transport Board operates buses, that will get you around the whole island. They have a standard fare and even offer inexpensive scenic tours. Plus, there are the privately owned minibuses (yellow with a blue stripe) and the smaller vans, called ZRs (white with a maroon stripe, "ZR" on license plate). Alternatively, you can easily rent a car or explore Bridgetown on foot, as most things are within walking distance.

Taxis in Barbados usually do not have taximeters, so ask for the price before getting onboard. Fares are regulated by the government, so you are not likely to get scammed. Some taxi companies even offer special island tours. Private taxi vans have a license plate starting with “ZM” (not to be confused with the public “ZRs”). There are standard taxis and taxi vans.

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The National Postal System operates the post service and postal boxes all over Barbados. The one listed below is located in central Bridgetown. Brittons Hill Post Office

Country code: +1 Area code: 246