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Barbados

While it's justifiably famed for its fantastic beaches, Barbados is an island that has it all. In addition to fine powdery sand and brilliant turquoise bays, you'll find smashing nightlife, a Unesco World Heritage–listed capital, a beautiful interior dotted with gardens, and wild surf on the lonely east coast, all inhabited by a proud and welcoming populace.

Explore Barbados

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Barbados.

  • Beach

    Shark Hole

    Well off the beaten track, the pint-sized Shark Hole is one of those special places for which your selfie will not do justice. Down a short flight of…

  • Beach

    Miami Beach

    A somewhat hidden gem that is the antithesis of its American namesake. Small, shady and intimate, it's well removed from the often frenetic south-coast…

  • Historic Site

    St Nicholas Abbey

    St Nicholas Abbey is a Jacobean-style mansion that is one of the oldest plantation houses in the Caribbean and a must-see stop on any island itinerary…

  • Notable Building

    Parliament Buildings

    On the north side of National Heroes Sq are two stone-block, neo-Gothic-style buildings constructed in 1871. The western building with the clock tower…

  • Beach

    Bottom Bay

    On an island blessed with beautiful stretches of sand, Bottom Bay is up there with the best. With translucent turquoise waters framed by rocks and…

  • Beach

    Rockley Beach

    The largest beach in the area, Rockley is a picture-perfect crescent of sand. Backed by shade trees, there’s moderate surf. The new boardwalk allows you…

  • Beach

    Paynes Bay Beach

    Fringed by a fine stretch of sand, gently curving Paynes Bay is endlessly popular and its calm waters make it one of the west coast’s best spots for…

  • Gardens

    Hunte's Gardens

    These gardens at the home of famed local horticulturalist Anthony Hunte already have a magical aura. Set mostly within the confines of a collapsed cave,…

  • Cave

    Animal Flower Cave

    At the northern tip of the island, near where the Caribbean and Atlantic meet, you'll find this large waterside cave carved into a cliff face. It is…

  • Beach

    Pebbles Beach

    Running between two high-end hotels, this lovely stretch of sand is really just an extension of Brownes Beach. It has soft sands and calm waters and is…

  • Beach

    Sandy Beach

    This wonderful strip of white powdery sand was hit hard by the sewage failures of 2017/18 when it was closed to visitors after waste from nearby roads…

  • Beach

    Mt Standfast Beach

    A narrow but pretty stretch of sand just north of Holetown with good swimming. The real reason to come here is the marine life. The waters are inhabited…

  • Beach

    Crane Beach

    Crane Beach, 7km northeast of the airport, is a hidden beach cove backed by cliffs and fronted by aqua-blue waters. An adventurous trail over rocks along…

  • Beach

    Brownes Beach

    A fine beach close to downtown Bridgetown (a 10-minute walk) that makes a good break before and after lunch and shopping. A long white crescent of sand…

  • Historic Site

    Garrison Savannah Area

    About 2km south of central Bridgetown and inland from Carlisle Bay, the Garrison is part of the World Heritage area and was the home of the British…

  • Museum

    George Washington House

    Just west of the Barbados Museum is a place that can truly claim that the great man slept here. After decades of research and debate, it was finally shown…

  • Beach

    Bath

    This wonderful long and remote stretch of golden sand is usually totally empty. It is one of the few places on this coast where it's safe to swim, thanks…

  • Bay

    River Bay

    You can drive right up to this beautiful little bay, where two rivers have come together to carve a way through low windswept cliffs to the Atlantic…

  • Gardens

    Flower Forest

    A 20-hectare botanic garden on the site of a former sugar estate that has many stately, mature citrus and breadfruit trees as well as a fine range of…

  • Beach

    Mullins Beach

    A popular and family-friendly beach along Hwy 1 between Holetown and Speightstown with waters that are usually calm and good for swimming and snorkeling…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Barbados.

  • Activities