Lizzie Williams - Barbados (Bradt Travel Guides)

Tourism and Barbados go together like rum and coke or flying fish and chips. You can pay thousands of dollars to be truly cosseted along with music moguls and supermodels, or you can cater for yourself and go shopping with Bajans. The west coast, commonly referred to as the Platinum Coast, is the place to be seen.

The south is for beach life, nightlife, fun and games, the package-holiday end of the market with a cheerful, relaxed atmosphere and the best sand. The east is wild and untamed, a world apart, where the Atlantic crashes into cliffs, eroding the coastline and creating beaches of a rare beauty. Head to the hills inland to explore relics of colonial days such as plantation houses, signal towers, tropical gardens, museums and rum distilleries.

Of all the islands in the eastern Caribbean, Barbados is unique in that it remained British throughout its colonial history, without being passed from one European master to another. The island is divided into 11 parishes named after 10 saints, Christ Church being the 11th. Many of the parish churches are impressive buildings.

Towns have the charming English seaside resort names of Hastings, Brighton or Dover and the island was often referred to as Little England, not always as a compliment. Since independence in 1966 the country has moved closer in cultural terms to North America while also pursuing its African roots and in 2021 it became the worlds newest republic. Drum music, banned by colonial masters to prevent slave rebellions, and tuk bands are an essential part of carnival processions. Calypso, soca and steelpan music are a centrepiece of Crop Over, the boisterous festival celebrating the end of the sugar harvest. However, some habits die hard. You can still go to a polo match and be offered tea, or watch Sunday cricket on the village green. A Test Match at the Kensington Oval, though, is a sight to behold an example of how an English sport has been turned into pure Afro-Caribbean pageantry.

top things to do and see

The Garrison Historic Area

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, Bridgetowns Garrison Historic Area is well worth a visit. Dating back to 1650, its believed to be the most authentic and complete British garrison in the world and was recognized by UNESCO in 2011 for its architectural significance. Watch the changing of the guard, walk through the tunnels or take a tour to find out what George Washington thought about Barbados..

Welchman Hall Gully

This is an opportunity to see Barbados fauna and flora in their natural state; tucked into a ravine, its a quiet and peaceful haven shaded by tall trees where green monkeys hang out in the canopy while centipedes, frogs and other creatures can be spotted on the forest floor. From the top of the steps there is a wonderful view over much of the island..

Flower Forest Botanical Gardens

The best of the islands diverse flora is preserved in this lush tropical forest. Wander among spectacular trees and exotic flowers of all shapes and colours up to the top of the mountain for panoramic views over the wild east coast. Its a wonderfully tranquil place and an oasis of cool on a hot day..

St Nicholas Abbey

This beautiful plantation house is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere and provides a fascinating insight into the history of the sugar trade. In the small working rum distillery you can see sugar cane develop into rum in a traditional pot-still and buy a bottle of the end product, while the quaint Heritage Railway goes through lush gardens to the top of Cherry Tree Hill..

Bathsheba

A jagged arc of golden sand fringed with palm trees, Bathsheba is one of the most stunning beaches in Barbados. Located on the islands undeveloped east coast, its a wild and windswept place with huge boulders jutting out of the sea. Its not safe for swimming but the huge Atlantic rollers are renowned as a surfers heaven where young Bajans hone their skills on their boards..