Barbados In A Nutshell
The beaches in Barbados are diverse and unparalleled in beauty. The soft, pinkish-white sands of Crane Beach sit beneath striking cliffs, while Bathsheba Beach is a surfer’s haven with rugged splendour and first-rate waves. Families are drawn to Rockley Beach on the south coast for its pristine white sands and calm conditions for swimming, and the well-loved Miami Beach has renowned turquoise waters fringing powder-white sands.
Hire a car and journey around the island to discover its rich history and cultural landmarks. St. John’s Parish Church is a beautiful 17th-century gothic-inspired church—one of the oldest in Barbados—that has been rebuilt over the years due to fires and hurricanes. Set high up in St. John, you can also witness stunning panoramic views over the east coast.
St. Nicholas Abbey is a triumph of Caribbean architecture and one of Barbados’ most impressive old sites. Set in the parish of St. Peter towards the northeast of the island, it encompasses a plantation house, museum, and rum distillery and is set within 400 acres of sugar cane fields, manicured gardens, trickling gullies, and forests of mahogany trees.
Wherever you go in Barbados you’ll find excellent food, from walk-up beachfront shacks and high-end restaurants to cosy cafés and legendary rum shops. Try locally caught and farmed fish and meat, sweet plantains, spicy West Indian curries, rice and peas, and delicious rotis.
On Friday nights, drop by the sleepy fishing town of Oistins for its weekly ‘Fish Fry’ event. What began as a modest gathering to celebrate the day’s catch has become one of the island’s most well-known traditions. Full of smiling locals and curious visitors, check out local music, crafts stalls, and barbecue food stands offering beautifully seasoned fish and more.
Ascend to The Cliff restaurant—one of Barbados’ premier fine dining experiences. This striking eatery is perched elegantly in the clifftops overlooking the Platinum Coast in St. James, offering spectacular views while you dine and drink from its world-class à la carte and sushi menu.
For laid-back eating, visit one of the island’s many beachfront shacks where the dress code extends little beyond swimsuits and bare feet. Try the iconic Bombas, Johnny Cool Bar, and JuJu’s Beach Bar for tasty local cuisine and impeccable cocktails.
The south coast is home to Hawksbill turtles. Take a serene boat tour from Bridgetown and get up close to these majestic creatures. Climb aboard and sail to Carlisle Bay before slipping into the water with your snorkelling gear to swim with your new friends, feeding them as you go.
On dry land, visit the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in St. Peter for a unique opportunity to see the island’s natural wildlife at close range. This popular attraction lets you meander freely throughout the reserve and witness turtles, parrots, deer, reptiles and more. Keep a lookout for the cheeky Barbados Green Monkeys – and hold on to your hats!
The beaches in Barbados are diverse and unparalleled in beauty. The soft, pinkish-white sands of Crane Beach sit beneath striking cliffs, while Bathsheba Beach is a surfer’s haven with rugged splendour and first-rate waves. Families are drawn to Rockley Beach on the south coast for its pristine white sands and calm conditions for swimming, and the well-loved Miami Beach has renowned turquoise waters fringing powder-white sands.
Hire a car and journey around the island to discover its rich history and cultural landmarks. St. John’s Parish Church is a beautiful 17th-century gothic-inspired church—one of the oldest in Barbados—that has been rebuilt over the years due to fires and hurricanes. Set high up in St. John, you can also witness stunning panoramic views over the east coast.
St. Nicholas Abbey is a triumph of Caribbean architecture and one of Barbados’ most impressive old sites. Set in the parish of St. Peter towards the northeast of the island, it encompasses a plantation house, museum, and rum distillery and is set within 400 acres of sugar cane fields, manicured gardens, trickling gullies, and forests of mahogany trees.
Wherever you go in Barbados you’ll find excellent food, from walk-up beachfront shacks and high-end restaurants to cosy cafés and legendary rum shops. Try locally caught and farmed fish and meat, sweet plantains, spicy West Indian curries, rice and peas, and delicious rotis.
On Friday nights, drop by the sleepy fishing town of Oistins for its weekly ‘Fish Fry’ event. What began as a modest gathering to celebrate the day’s catch has become one of the island’s most well-known traditions. Full of smiling locals and curious visitors, check out local music, crafts stalls, and barbecue food stands offering beautifully seasoned fish and more.
Ascend to The Cliff restaurant—one of Barbados’ premier fine dining experiences. This striking eatery is perched elegantly in the clifftops overlooking the Platinum Coast in St. James, offering spectacular views while you dine and drink from its world-class à la carte and sushi menu.
For laid-back eating, visit one of the island’s many beachfront shacks where the dress code extends little beyond swimsuits and bare feet. Try the iconic Bombas, Johnny Cool Bar, and JuJu’s Beach Bar for tasty local cuisine and impeccable cocktails.
The south coast is home to Hawksbill turtles. Take a serene boat tour from Bridgetown and get up close to these majestic creatures. Climb aboard and sail to Carlisle Bay before slipping into the water with your snorkelling gear to swim with your new friends, feeding them as you go.
On dry land, visit the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in St. Peter for a unique opportunity to see the island’s natural wildlife at close range. This popular attraction lets you meander freely throughout the reserve and witness turtles, parrots, deer, reptiles and more. Keep a lookout for the cheeky Barbados Green Monkeys – and hold on to your hats!
The beaches in Barbados are diverse and unparalleled in beauty. The soft, pinkish-white sands of Crane Beach sit beneath striking cliffs, while Bathsheba Beach is a surfer’s haven with rugged splendour and first-rate waves. Families are drawn to Rockley Beach on the south coast for its pristine white sands and calm conditions for swimming, and the well-loved Miami Beach has renowned turquoise waters fringing powder-white sands.
Hire a car and journey around the island to discover its rich history and cultural landmarks. St. John’s Parish Church is a beautiful 17th-century gothic-inspired church—one of the oldest in Barbados—that has been rebuilt over the years due to fires and hurricanes. Set high up in St. John, you can also witness stunning panoramic views over the east coast.
St. Nicholas Abbey is a triumph of Caribbean architecture and one of Barbados’ most impressive old sites. Set in the parish of St. Peter towards the northeast of the island, it encompasses a plantation house, museum, and rum distillery and is set within 400 acres of sugar cane fields, manicured gardens, trickling gullies, and forests of mahogany trees.
Wherever you go in Barbados you’ll find excellent food, from walk-up beachfront shacks and high-end restaurants to cosy cafés and legendary rum shops. Try locally caught and farmed fish and meat, sweet plantains, spicy West Indian curries, rice and peas, and delicious rotis.
On Friday nights, drop by the sleepy fishing town of Oistins for its weekly ‘Fish Fry’ event. What began as a modest gathering to celebrate the day’s catch has become one of the island’s most well-known traditions. Full of smiling locals and curious visitors, check out local music, crafts stalls, and barbecue food stands offering beautifully seasoned fish and more.
Ascend to The Cliff restaurant—one of Barbados’ premier fine dining experiences. This striking eatery is perched elegantly in the clifftops overlooking the Platinum Coast in St. James, offering spectacular views while you dine and drink from its world-class à la carte and sushi menu.
For laid-back eating, visit one of the island’s many beachfront shacks where the dress code extends little beyond swimsuits and bare feet. Try the iconic Bombas, Johnny Cool Bar, and JuJu’s Beach Bar for tasty local cuisine and impeccable cocktails.
The south coast is home to Hawksbill turtles. Take a serene boat tour from Bridgetown and get up close to these majestic creatures. Climb aboard and sail to Carlisle Bay before slipping into the water with your snorkelling gear to swim with your new friends, feeding them as you go.
On dry land, visit the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in St. Peter for a unique opportunity to see the island’s natural wildlife at close range. This popular attraction lets you meander freely throughout the reserve and witness turtles, parrots, deer, reptiles and more. Keep a lookout for the cheeky Barbados Green Monkeys – and hold on to your hats!
frequently asked questions
For sunny and dry weather, you’re best-off visiting Barbados between December and April. The shoulder months of May and June are the cheapest months to go, while September to early November is the least busy but comes with some rainfall. Between July and November, you are more likely to experience high humidity, and the risk of hurricanes is higher.
Anyone visiting between May and August will get to revel in the island’s Crop Over Festival, and to celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest, locals put on the ‘Grand Kadooment Festival’, where bright feathers, sequined costumes and infectious music will have you dancing through the streets all day and well into the night.
Yes, many of Barbados’ beaches are swimmable and boast some of the clearest, calmest waters in the Caribbean. However, swimming conditions can vary significantly depending on which coast you’re on. The West Coast has calm, clear waters that are great for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports. The South Coast features mixed conditions, ranging from serene waters to areas with stronger waves that are perfect for surfing and more. Along the East Coast—facing the Atlantic Ocean—you’ll find a more rugged coastline with larger waves. Finally, the North Coast comprises dramatic cliffs and rougher seas, not suitable for swimming.
Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic offer direct flights to Bridgetown (BGI) from London Gatwick in under 9 hours. Virgin Atlantic also has non-stop flights from Manchester, which take about 8 hours 40 minutes.