From the boulder-spattered east coast to the sparkling stretches of sand that line the western coast, the lovely colonial bridges and statues of Nelson in Bridgetown to the collapsing plantations and fishing towns of the north, Barbados is a really enthralling and interesting Caribbean location to say the least.
Steeped in tales of piracy and English manifest destiny, doused in rum and set to the succulent fragrances of weekend fish french fries, the island makes its house in the middle of the lovely Lesser Antilles chain.
There, it attracts SCUBA divers with its fringes of reefs, sunbathers with the stunning southern beaches, surfers with the renowned rollers of Bathsheba Bay, history enthusiasts with those soaring forts and UNESCO sites, foodies with spice-topped swordfish– the list goes on.
Which’s not even mentioning the uber-luxurious extensive hotels and earthy eateries that pepper the towns, or the perennially-smiling residents that always make a trip here a delighted affair!
1. See the cliffs and waves of Bathsheba Beach
Whether you concern Bathsheba to wax up the surfboard and wear the board shorts for a ride over the swells of the renowned Soup Bowl (professionals only!), or to gawp up at the striking cliffs and protruding rocks that sprawl and pepper the sands and the shoreline alike, you can feel confident that you’re in for a genuine reward.
Undoubtedly one of the most attractive seaside spots in all of Barbados, this one makes its house 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 watch the crashing waves break, or talking with the local Bajans in Bathsheba Park are two terrific methods to enjoy its natural beauty.
2. Walk around historical Bridgetown
Cut-through the middle with the dynamic shopping strip of Broad Street, it’s loaded with pretty little historic sites like the Chamberlain Bridge and the beautiful neo-Gothic Parliament Structures, integrated in the high style 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 travelers and off-duty regional anglers alike.
Yep, Bridgetown is a terrific place to wander and take in the Bajan environment.
3. Relax in the midst of Hunte’s Gardens
A patchwork of flowering orchid flowers and emerald-green fern explosions, of looming palm boughs and yellow-tipped craboo trees, this stunning enclave of horticultural majesty is a fine place to get familiarized with the large wealth of biodiversity that graces the tropical Caribbean.
Owned by regional Anthony Hunte, the gardens are intended to be a fully-fledged sensory experience.
Visitors are welcomed to stroll the winding paths and nurseries, identifying the uncommon flowers and relaxing as classical compositions wander 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 discover the sophisticated Jacobean exteriors of St. Nicholas Abbey.
Among just three heritage sites of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the website dates method back to the 1600s, which is when sugarcane was first raised and gathered on the fields around the central home.
Uncommonly, the crop is still cultivated here today, while St. Nicholas Abbey itself has actually become a museum website, welcoming tourists to explore its brought back interior rooms.
Entry tickets likewise consist of a rum punch mixed drink and access to the beautiful opportunities of Cherry Tree Hill close by– believe amazing panoramas of the east coast’s cliffs!
5. See horses and history at the Fort Savannah Historic Area
Just a stone’s throw from main Bridgetown on the southern side of the island is where tourists can explore the medley of history and sporting action that is the Garrison Savannah Area.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the spot hosts buildings like the George Washington Home, where the erstwhile first President of the United States when took haven in the 1750s.
There are also a series of messed up barracks and fort buildings utilized by the British.
However, it’s the Garrison racetrack that takes centre stage.
This is where the abundant landowners of Barbados would have once raced their mares, and today the heart-thumping competitors continue, with regular race days on the Turf Club’s calendar from January through April!
6. Hug the baobab of Queen’s Park
Living up to the track record of the bulbous baobab in grand design, the colossal trunk of Barbados’ largest tree can be discovered (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.
Considered by lots of to be the fattest tree in the whole Caribbean area, it takes around 15 grownups to extend around the complete circumference of the central branch! A small sign provides information on the age and heritage of the magnificent tree, while the surrounding gardens of the park host a quite Bandstand and the Queen’s Park art gallery to boot.
7. Stroll the length of the Barbados Boardwalk
The first of its kind in the whole Caribbean, the Barbados Boardwalk links up nearly 2 kilometers https://holidayparrots.com/tourist-attractions-in-barbados/ of beachfront around the southern coastal stretches of the island.
Flat and properly maintained, it draws 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 many little rum shacks and bars to enjoy, while there are also swaying palm trees and blooming cassias, pretty clusters of fig bushes and a lot of places to sit and take in the salty ocean breeze.
