The 8 best places to visit in Bermuda

Visitors flock to the subtropical island of Bermuda for its famous, fabulous beaches, lapped by waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Yet there’s much more to do than just relax on the beach in this British Overseas Territory. Any local taxi driver will proudly take you from one tip of the fishhook-shaped island to the other, stopping along the way at the historic naval yard, sprawling botanical gardens and pastel-colored townships that dot the island. And probably at those world-class beaches, too.

Whether your tastes run toward history, culture, water sports or golf, here are the best places to visit on your next trip to Bermuda.

1. South Shore

Best for beaches

Since Bermuda is only 21 miles long and 1 mile across at its widest point, the ocean is never far away. So if you’ve flown here for the sand, the South Shore serves up a rosy-hued, powdery beaches – perhaps the island’s finest. Head to Horseshoe Bay for white sand and calm blue waters, Warwick Long Bay for intimate coves and the pinkest sand you might ever see, Church Bay for snorkeling, and Elbow Beach for an unforgettable sunset.

Planning tip: The northern end of Horseshoe Bay can get very crowded with cruise-ship passengers and their sun loungers. If you're looking for a bit more solitude, head to the bay’s south end to find a quiet spot.

2. Hamilton

Best for shopping and dining

It might be hard to believe, but the pastel yellow and pink houses that line Front St in Hamilton are actually busy workplaces. The majority of Bermudans commute to work in the island’s capital, and its downtown is a bustling cluster of offices, retailers, restaurants and bars.

If you love shopping, visit Atelerie for clothing and The Island Shop for hand-painted home goods including plates, glasses, pillowcases and table runners. The English Sports Shop showcases more traditional island attire; you may even be able to pick out a pair of Bermuda shorts. (Yes, you will see male office workers on the island sporting this wardrobe staple.)

Planning tip: Foodies should stop at Huckleberry in the Rosedon Hotel for brunch, and reserve a table at Barracuda Grill for a fine-dining seafood meal come evening. If you’re a fan of English pubs, Astwood Arms offers a nice vibe, while Yours Truly is more like a speakeasy with craft cocktails.

3. Bermuda Botanical Gardens

Best for nature enthusiasts

On this ocean-circled island, it’s rather magical to visit a different kind of sea: a sea of green. Bermuda Botanical Gardens’ 35 acres of lush vegetation includes Bermuda cedars, subtropical fruit and banyan trees, cacti, and an aromatic garden. Stroll through the gardens at your leisure or join a free 90-minute walking tour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30am (call ahead to confirm).

Within the garden campus lies the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art (MMBA), showcasing photographs, paintings and sketches from local artists in a former arrowroot-processing factory. Be sure to stop by Homer’s Cafe, open for breakfast and lunch. The botanical garden is also the setting for Camden House, a Georgian mansion from the 1700s. It’s the official residence of the Premier of Bermuda, and a fine example of traditional Bermudian architecture.

4. St George’s Parish

Best for history buffs

The parish of St George’s occupies Bermuda’s East End, its centerpiece the town of the same name. In the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll find a plethora of local boutiques and St Peter’s Church, the oldest continuously active Protestant church in the western hemisphere.

No trip to the East End would be complete without a stop at Fort St Catherine, a 17th-century artillery fortress that overlooks the reef where the first settlers of Bermuda were shipwrecked in 1609. This side of the island also houses Tobacco Bay, the hub for a truly local beach bar scene, and the Crystal Caves, a striking underground formation created during the last Ice Age. Also in the area is Tom Moore’s Jungle, a nature reserve where you can swim through protected limestone caverns.

Planning tip: For refreshments in St Goerge’s, stop in for a fish sandwich and a Dark ’n’ Stormy at White Horse Pub on the waterfront. Or venture a little further out to the Swizzle Inn, Bermuda’s oldest watering hole – and a great place to try the rum-based cocktail that gave the pub its name.

5. Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve

Best for bird-watchers

Venture to a strip of land near the airport to discover where locals flock on weekends for barbecues and picnics. The 12-acre Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve is filled with forested walking trails and shallow bays.

Visitors can enjoy the peaceful beaches at Clearwater and Turtle Bay; be sure to bring food and drinks for a picnic. Set aside time for a casual walk in the reserve, and end the day spotting turtles and seabirds at Cooper’s Island Beach. One bird you’re sure to see soaring above the azure waters is the longtail (aka the white-tailed tropicbird), with distinctive black markings on its white feathers, and long, sinuous tail feathers. Bermudians consider this bird a harbinger of spring.

Planning tip: For further encounters with Bermudian wildlife, contact the Bermuda Zoological Society to arrange a trip to Nonsuch Island, a reserve for Bermuda's national bird, the cahow.

6. Royal Navy Dockyard

Best for fans of maritime history

On the island’s west side, the Royal Naval Dockyard was a military installation from the 1700s until the end of the Cold War. Today, the Dockyard is a tourist draw, its interior repurposed as a marketplace of local boutiques and retailers. (The Bermuda Rum Cake Company, specializing in rum-soaked treats, is a favorite.)

The National Museum of Bermuda is home to more than 75,000 artifacts that illustrate the island’s maritime history. A highlight is a collection of objects excavated from shipwrecks spanning five centuries. For something more active, visit Snorkel Park Beach for an afternoon of water sports, food and cocktails. Take the ferry for added maritime value: seeing Bermuda from the water is a memorable experience indeed.

Planning tip: For hearty English pub fare, head to the Frog & Onion Pub, located in the 18th-century cooperage in the Dockyard. Next door is the island's only microbrewery, the Dockyard Brewing Company.

7. Tucker’s Town

Best for golfers

On an island renowned for its world-class golf courses, Tucker’s Town stands above the rest. This area has gone rapidly upmarket since the opening of the Rosewood Hotel in 2009; the Mid Ocean Club and Tucker’s Point Golf Course cater to the premium golfer. These top-flight courses have hosted various PGA Tour events, including the PGA Grand Slam.

Planning tip: You don’t need to be a professional to play at either 18-hole course – but you will need to pay a pretty penny to tee off here. When you finish your round, both clubs have private beaches where you can beat the heat in style.

8. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse

Best for island views

In Southampton Parish along the South Shore beach strip, Gibbs Hill is a rare point of high(ish) elevation in Bermuda. Climb 185 winding steps to the top of the old lighthouse – built in 1846 – for one of the best views of the verdant island. Note the stepped limestone roofs of local houses, designed to help catch rainwater, which the island relies on as a primary water source.

Planning tip: To recharge after climbing the lighthouse, head back down to the base for a stylish Indian lunch or dinner at Tamarind.