From the boulder-spattered east coast to the sparkling stretches of sand that line the western shore, the lovely colonial bridges and statues of Nelson in Bridgetown to the crumbling plantations and fishing towns of the north, Barbados is a truly enthralling and remarkable Caribbean location to say the least.
Steeped in tales of piracy and English colonialism, doused in rum and set to the mouth-watering scents of weekend fish fries, the island makes its house in the midst of the beautiful Lesser Antilles chain.
There, it brings in SCUBA divers with its fringes of reefs, sunbathers with the stunning southern beaches, web surfers with the renowned rollers of Bathsheba Bay, history buffs with those soaring forts and UNESCO websites, foodies with spice-topped swordfish– the list goes on.
Which’s not even pointing out the uber-luxurious extensive hotels and earthy dining establishments that pepper the towns, or the perennially-smiling locals that constantly make a journey here a delighted affair!
1. See the cliffs and waves of Bathsheba Beach
Whether you come to Bathsheba to wax up the surf board and put on the board shorts for a trip over the swells of the renowned Soup Bowl (specialists only!), or to gawp up at the striking cliffs and protruding rocks that sprawl and pepper the sands and the shoreline alike, you can rest assured that you remain in for a real reward.
Undoubtedly among the most stunning seaside spots in all of Barbados, this one makes its home in between the craggy headlands of the east coast.
While swimming isn’t recommended (the rip tides can get quite rough), scaling the sea-vines and dunes to view the crashing waves break, or talking with the local Bajans in Bathsheba Park are 2 terrific ways to enjoy its natural charm.
2. Walk around historical Bridgetown
Cut-through the middle with the dynamic shopping strip of Broad Street, it’s packed with pretty little historic sites like the Chamberlain Bridge and the beautiful neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings, integrated in the haute couture of Victorian England.
There are honorific statues of Nelson and other grand colonial figures sat in the sun-splashed squares too, balanced out by the vibrant quays of Bridgetown harbour, where little rum bars pulse with the chatter of tourists and off-duty regional fishermen alike.
Yep, Bridgetown is a great location to roam and take in the Bajan atmosphere.
3. Relax in the middle of Hunte’s Gardens
A patchwork of blooming orchid flowers and emerald-green fern surges, of looming palm boughs and yellow-tipped craboo trees, this beautiful enclave of horticultural majesty is a great location to get acquainted with the large wealth of biodiversity that graces the tropical Caribbean.
Owned by regional Anthony Hunte, the gardens are meant to be a fully-fledged sensory experience.
Visitors are invited to stroll the winding paths and nurseries, finding the unusual flowers and relaxing as classical compositions drift through the trunks and canopies.
4. See a heritage wonder at St. Nicholas Abbey
Head through the green fields and palm groves east of Moore Hill in northern Barbados to find the stylish Jacobean exteriors of St. Nicholas Abbey.
One of only 3 heritage sites of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the website dates way back to the 1600s, which is when sugarcane was very first raised and gathered on the fields around the main home.
Unusually, the crop is still cultivated here today, while St. Nicholas Abbey itself has actually become a museum site, welcoming travelers to explore its brought back interior spaces.
Entry tickets likewise include a rum punch cocktail and access to the stunning avenues of Cherry Tree Hill nearby– think remarkable panoramas of the east coast’s cliffs!
5. See horses and history at the Garrison Savannah Historic Location
Just a stone’s throw from central Bridgetown on the southern side of the island is where tourists can explore the medley of history and sporting action that is the Fort Savannah Area.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area hosts buildings like the George Washington Home, where the erstwhile very first President of the United States once took haven in the 1750s.
There are likewise a series of ruined barracks and fort buildings utilized by the British.
Nevertheless, it’s the Garrison racetrack that takes centre stage.
This is where the rich landowners of Barbados would have when raced their mares, and today the heart-thumping competitors continue, with routine race days on the Turf Club’s calendar from January through April!
6. Hug the baobab of Queen’s Park
Measuring up to the track record of the bulbous baobab in grand design, the colossal trunk of Barbados’ largest tree can be found (and hugged, a minimum of if there’s a group of you!) on the lawns of pretty little Queen’s Park in the heart of Bridgetown.
Thought about by lots of to be the fattest tree in the whole Caribbean area, it takes around 15 grownups to stretch around the complete circumference places to visit in barbados of the main branch! A small sign offers details on the age and heritage of the mighty tree, while the surrounding gardens of the park host a pretty Bandstand and the Queen’s Park art gallery to boot.
7. Walk the length of the Barbados Boardwalk
The very first of its kind in the entire Caribbean, the Barbados Boardwalk links up practically 2 kilometers of beachfront around the southern coastal stretches of the island.
Flat and well-kept, it brings in walkers and joggers, who can go all the way from the pearly sands of Rockley Beach in Hastings in the east to the coconut groves of Coconut Court Beach in the west.
Along the method there are countless little rum shacks and bars to take pleasure in, while there are likewise swaying palm trees and flowering cassias, pretty clusters of fig bushes and lots of locations to sit and take in the salted ocean breeze.
