Bridgetown

Luxurious boats and yachts are docked at the Careenage (Bridgetown's marina), which makes it a picturesque place for a boardwalk during sunset. From here, you can conquer the city centre or enjoy food and drinks in one of the many restaurants and bars.

The Parliamentary Buildings of Barbados are situated along the Constitution River and next to National Heroes Square. They are also part of the city’s World Heritage Site and contain (amongst other things) the Public Library and a museum. The West Wing hosts the National Heroes Gallery and depicts the history of democracy in Barbados. Besides all this, parliament sessions are open to the public.

“The Garrison” is another part of Bridgetown’s UNESCO World Heritage and a small district south of downtown. During the 18th and 19th century, it was the headquarters of the British West India Regiment in Barbados – evidenced in the remaining fortifications, cannons, and the iconic clock tower. The Garrison Savannah racetrack is a big part of the site, and you can watch horse races of the Barbados Turf Club here to this day.

St. Nicholas Abbey is one of the island’s oldest surviving plantation buildings. You can visit the rum distillery, learn about its history at the museum (situated in a Jacobean mansion) and grab a bite at the Terrace Café. As of late 2018, you can even enjoy a ride on the heritage railway, which goes through lush woods and around a lake nearby. St. Nicholas is located in St. Peter in the northern part of Barbados, only a 40-minute drive from Bridgetown.

Animal Flower Cave is the only accessible sea cave on Barbados, located at North Point, St. Lucy. There are guided tours along the cave’s colourful walls and a gorgeous view of the ocean. From February to April, you may even sneak a peek of humpback whales. If you get hungry after the cave tour, there is a lunch restaurant on the clifftop awaiting you.

At the edge of historic Farley Hill National Park, green monkeys, iguanas, tortoises, and snakes wander around freely in the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Plan to be there around 2 pm, when parrots, caimans, and maras are getting fed. The reserve’s admission also grants access to Grenade Hall Signal Station and Forest. Getting to the park takes a rough 35 minutes by car from the capital city.

Harrison’s Cave has been naturally formed by water erosions and amazes visitors with stalactites, stalagmites and huge caverns. You can either book a tram tour, that takes you along the main sights in one hour, or – if you want to feel like an explorer – book the eco-adventure tour: 3,5 hours of trekking, sometimes on your hands and feet. Harrison’s Cave is located in the central uplands of Barbados, half an hour outside of Bridgetown.

After some hot and sunny beach days, a trip to Farley Hill National Park can be a refreshing alternative. Grab a picnic and enjoy hiking through mahogany woods and looking down at the eastern coast from time to time. The ruins of Farley Hill house, once a splendid mansion, add a mystical aspect. Sometimes, this place is even transformed into a stage for theatrical events.