Accra Beach Hotel & Spa
For the family-friendly amenities
Bridgetown
BGI
From the white–sand beaches that dot the coastlines to the lush interior farmlands, Rihanna’s home country is a slice of paradise in the West Indies. What Barbados lacks in size it makes up for in personality – it’s the birthplace of rum and a hub of culture and cuisine – and no visit is complete without a trip to Bridgetown, the island’s bustling capital city.
Where to Stay
Treasure Beach by Elegant Hotels
For the adults-only vibes
Sandy Lane
For the worth-it splurge
Southern Palms Beach Club
For the wallet-friendly rates
Hilton Barbados Resort
For the business perks
Eat & Drink
The Tides Restaurant
Set in a former estate, this seaside restaurant is known for its contemporary upscale Bajan cuisine. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the pan-fried flying fish served with a polenta cou-cou cake – their version of Barbados’ national dish – served with the island’s famous pepper sauce and okra chips comes highly recommended.
Atlantis Historic Inn
This off-the-beaten-path property in St. Joseph dates back to the 1800s and is now home to Atlantis Historic Inn – one of the first hotels on the island’s rugged east coast – whose restaurant boasts a Sunday lunch buffet. Try traditional West Indian dishes like salt fish bul jol, fried plantain and Bajan bakes while taking in views of the Bathsheba coastline.
La Cabane
Slow island vibes meet slow food at this chic beach club on Batts Rock Beach with a menu that focuses on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. By day, relax by the waves with ceviche and fresh iced tea. Come sunset, order a pitcher of Bajan garden punch and take in the live music that transforms the restaurant into a nighttime hot spot.
Cocktail Kitchen
It’s double the fun at this hopping joint in the St. Lawrence Gap, which offers two daily happy hours featuring two-for-one daiquiris, margaritas and piña coladas. Try a rum-based house speciality, like the Scotch-bonnet-infused Mango Chow or the Island Fresh, made with guava and ginger syrup.
Braddie’s Bar
Patrons sip Banks Beer or punch spiked with Mount Gay rum while playing dominoes or a game of pool at this low-key hangout on the outskirts of the St. Lawrence Gap. Unwind with fish cakes and soca music after a day of sightseeing or head to karaoke on Fridays for a night on the town.
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What to Do
Barbados Museum & Historical Society
This museum is housed in a former British military prison at historic Garrison Savannah. The permanent exhibitions include paintings and prints depicting Barbados and the Caribbean, the fauna and flora of the island and the historical development of the armed forces until the end of World War II. Don’t miss the museum’s reference library, which has extensive research on the island’s history and genealogy.
Pelican Craft Centre
Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind goods are the draw at this shopping village on the outskirts of Bridgetown. Watch craftspeople at work as they paint seaside vistas or whittle mahogany from local trees into keepsakes. Ask your hotel’s concierge about up-to-date cruise-ship scheduling or aim for an afternoon visit to avoid the crowds of passengers.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Spot parrots, iguanas, tortoises and green monkeys as they roam freely throughout a protected mahogany forest at this family-friendly reserve devoted to the preservation and conservation of Barbados’ indigenous animals. If you can swing it, come for 2 p.m. – a.k.a. feeding time for the animals. Access to nearby Grenade Hall Signal Station, which offers panoramic views of the island, is included in the cost of admission.
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
Head to this upscale, open-air shopping centre in Holetown – on the island’s west coast – for an array of high-end designers from Michael Kors to Gucci, along with a number of duty-free shops. Once you have stocked up on souvenirs, refuel at one of the nearby restaurants or bars.
St. Nicholas Abbey
Built in 1658 – and one of three remaining Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere – this historic former plantation house is now home to the island’s award-wining rum distiller. Take a guided tour of the great house and the distillery (which includes a complimentary tasting for those over 18) and keep an eye out for resident Moluccan cockatoos, Lance and Baby.
Chattel Village
When it comes to locally made gifts, you can’t top this scenic shopping haven in Holetown on the island’s west coast. Made up of traditional wooden chattel houses, it’s teeming with lush gardens and places to grab a bite to eat, including the shaded patio at Café Bar Carizma.
Tropical Garden Barbados
Spanning six acres of countryside in the island’s interior, this well-manicured garden features over 1,000 orchids and other Caribbean plants and flowers. Stroll along the winding paths on a self-guided tour and finish your visit with a snack at the on-site, open-air restaurant and a trip to the gift shop for – you guessed it – orchid-themed souvenirs.
Gallery of Caribbean Art
Shop pieces from Haitian, Cuban, Jamaican and Guyanese artists at this gallery-slash-boutique in Speightstown – the only space of its kind on the island. After browsing the collection of contemporary paintings, sculpture and photography, pick up a print (or two) to bring home.
Harrison’s Cave
Discover the subterranean wonders of the island where crystallized limestone has created towering columns, waterfalls and streams. Don a helmet and headlamp for the three-and-a-half-hour eco-adventure tour that lets visitors trek – and in some spots crawl on hands and knees – through the cave’s natural passes. Tram tours are also available for those who prefer a more laid-back experience.
Best of Barbados
Founded by local artist Jill Walker in 1975, this shop lives up to its name with a curated selection of gifts made on the island. The store has multiple locations (including one at the airport), but you will find the best selection of art prints, pepper sauce and cookbooks in the St. Lawrence Gap outpost.
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