Do you know, that amist Covid-19, Barbados launched a 12 month Babrados Welcome Stamp so remote workers can live and work in the country up to a year? Well whether you are considering taking advantage of this or thinking about vacationing there, here is an A-Z Guide of Things to Do In Barbados if youre travelling to Barbados and wondering what to do.
Everywhere I go in the UK, anytime anyone asks me where I am from, I am always proud to say Barbados! So today in honor of my patriotism and everyone’s intrigue with my little island, I will be sharing an A-Z guide of things to do in Barbados. I’ve also gone a little further to help you, by sharing some links, so you can check them out yourself and hopefully make your bookings!
Animal Flower Cave
Kicking off my A-Z Guide of things to do in Barbados is the Animal Flower Cave. One of the oldest attractions in Barbados, the animal flower cave is located in the most northern part of the island. The views are absolutely breathtaking and this alone makes it worth the visit. Dependent on the weather the cave chamber makes for great silhouette pictures and an interesting swimming experience.
Bathsheba
Definitely a place to visit for the rugged at heart! It is home to the soup bowl and truly a surfer’s delight. Located on the east coast of the country, Bathsheba is a great picnic spot for locals and tourist alike with stunning views and rock formations. Beware however, although you can soak in the inshore pool, swimming is very dangerous.
Cutters
Located just north of the idyllic Crane Beach, one of the top 10 beaches in the world, Cutters is a great little restaurant for enjoying a good ole Bajan cutter!
Delicious-Mr. Delicious
The #1 Snack bar for great Bajan food. Rotis, fish cakes and much more, stop by Mr. Delicious for some delicious local cuisine…even Ainsley Harriott said so!
Enterprise Beach
Enterprise Beach, also known as Miami Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on the island and makes for a good swimming spot.
Folkstone Marine Park
Located on the “platinum” coast of Barbados, Folkstone is fantastic for swimming in clear waters and snorkeling
Flowers
F is also for flowers! For all you nature lovers, flowers are abundant on the island. For picturesque and easy to walk paths, check out the below. Some of these spots make for great wedding venues!
- Flower Forest
- Hunte’s Gardens
- Orchid World
- Andromeda Gardens
Gun Hill Signal Station
Dating back to the 1800s, Gun Hill is the largest military outpost on the island. At the top of the signal tower is a breathtaking panoramic view of the island, at moonlight, it’s even better.
Harrison’s Cave
“The heart uh Barbados”. Enjoy an underground experience as you journey through the cave by trams. The cave is still an active cave, so you get to see the stalactites and stalagmites in the cave. Conversely, you can get more intimate with the cave, with your helmets and knee pads and explore the cave as the early explorers did.
Independence Square
A lovely landmark in the heart of Bridgetown. It is also the home of a 9-foot statue of former Prime Minister and the Father of Independence, Errol Walton Barrow. Not too far by is a lovely water front cafe for grabbing lunch and a cold beer and the Chamberlain Bridge.
Jet ski
Forget a little bit about touring on land and let your hair down by riding on the sea! An absolutely exhilarating experience you do not want to miss. You can catch a beach vendor or rent one from Barbados Blue.
Kensington Oval
Photo cred: kensingtonoval.org
If you are a fan of cricket, this is a place you should not miss! Kensington Oval is the oldest cricket ground on the island. This venue hosted the cricket World Cup Final in 2007. It represents the heart of cricket on the island and is home to a statue of Sir Gary Sobers, one of the greatest cricketers of all time and the only living national hero on the island. If you walk a little further, you can catch the home place of international superstar Rihanna.
Limegrove
Fashion, Film, Food and Events, Limegrove is located on the west coast of the island. It is one of a few malls on the island with stores such as Bvlgari and Chopard.
Morgan Lewis Mill
Morgan Lewis Mill is the only complete sugar mill in the Caribbean. At one time, in fact sugar was one of the main sources of income for the country. If you visit between December and April, be sure to try some cane juice!
Nick-St. Nicholas Abbey That Is
http://www.stnicholasabbey.com/Visit/Heritage-Railway/
Very rich in history, St Nicholas Abbey has a lot to see including the Rum Distillery, Steam Mill and the Great House. You can also catch the recently opened railway, ride on the locomotive and catch the breathtaking views of Cherry Tree Hill.
Oistin’s Friday Night Fish Fry
Loved by tourists! Oistin’s Friday Night Fish Fry is all about fun, food and frolic. Try some “Mahi Mahi” what locals call “dolphin” or a whole red snapper freshly caught and grilled to perfection. Enjoy the entertainment and shake a leg!
Platinum Coast
Fancy the finer things in life? Then the west coast also known as the platinum coast is for you! Home to many upscale hotels such as Sandy Lane Hotel, the west coast is the hot spot for the wealthy.
Queens Park
Queen’s Park is the national park of Barbados and the former home of the Commander of the British Troops stationed in Barbados. The park is also home to one of two baobab trees on the island and is the oldest one on the island at over 1000 years.
Rum
photo cred Mount Gay Rum Distilleries
Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum! Experience the stories and mysteries at Mount Gay Rum Distilleries. It’s more than rum, it’s a craft.
Synagogue
Dating back since 1654, The Nidhe Israel Synagogue and Museum is one of Barbados’ world heritage sites. Here’s a little snippet of its history:
““The links between Barbados and the British North American colonies are many and varied. The two principal variables here are economic and demographic. Sugar in the latter half of the seventeenth century made Barbados very wealthy and attracted many settlers, including Sephardic refugees from Recife in Brazil and from Holland as well. Oliver Cromwell opened Barbados to permanent Jewish settlement before the ban on Jewish settlement in England was lifted. The Nidhe Israel Synagogue therefore is of considerable antiquity, dating from circa 1654. In some respects, it can be seen as the parent synagogue of several synagogues in the USA. The records of the Mahamad of Nidhe Israel show requests for financial assistance coming from a number of Jewish communities in America wishing to establish synagogues of their own. Among these were Touro, Newport, South Carolina, New York, and Philadelphia.””
— KARL WATSON, LOCAL HISTORIAN, 2016 (taken from the Nidhe Israel Synagogue website)
Turtles
Photo cred: Cool Runnings Barbados
Photo cred: Cool Runnings Barbados
Fancy swimming with sea turtles? Catch a ride on a catamaran cruise. There are many to choose from, but our favorite is Cool Runnings! There is a spectacular world of underwater life to be discovered. Don’t miss out!
UNESCO Sites
It woudn’t be an A-Z guide of things to do in Barbados without mentioning our many UNESCO sites. It may come as a surprise but Barbados, rich in history, has number of UNESCO world heritage sites. Many of these sites have already been noted on this post and are in and around Bridgetown. Here is a list:
- Parliament Buildings and Museum
- Blackwoods Screw Dock
- Nidhe Israel Synagogue and Museum
- Barbados Museum and Historical Society
- George Washington House and Museum
- St. Mary’s Anglican Church
- The Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels
- Military Cemetery
- The Warehouses
- Mutual Building
- The Old Town Hall
- Dolphin Fountain
- Montefiore Fountain
- Lord Nelson Statue
- The Cenotaph
- Errol Barrow Statue
- Independence Arch
- Codd’s House Memorial Monument
- Grantley Adams Statue
- 50th Anniversary Monument
- The National Armory
- Garrison Clock Tower
- Garrison Tunnels
- Golden Square
- Old Fort and Light House – Hilton Resort
- Exchange Museum
- Church Village Green and Amphitheatre
- St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
- Cheapside Market
- National Library and Old Law Courts
Virgin Departure Beach
Photo cred:
https://www.virginholidays.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/barbados-holidays/departure-beach
Virgin has truly done a fantastic job with this departure beach. Great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the sun, sea and sand! The beach is quite calm around here and makes for excellent swimming. If you are lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle!
Welchman Hall Gully and Windsurfing
Easy paved walk through forest in a collapsed cave. Peaceful place with a lovely view of the east coast. Make sure and interact with the green monkeys, they can be a real treat!
For the wild at heart, you can also check out Windsurfing on the South Coast. I hear UpWind Kite Surf School is pretty good.
Yacht Club
If you are into sailing, check out The Barbados Yacht Club. It is typically a members only club, but they do have sailing events at specific times during the year.
ZR
For real, its not for everyone, but if you really want to experience casual, typical Bajan life, catch a ZR. These vans run according to specific routes island-wide. Fare is $3.50 BDS each way.
There you go! An A-Z Guide of things to do in Barbados. Ever been to Barbados? Comment below and share with us your top places to visit! If you would like to see more posts like this one on Barbados and island living, drop us a suggestion in the comments below and you never know, you might inspire our next post!
Thanks for reading! We Are The Sandis.
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