Barbados is one of the easternmost island states in the Caribbean, located off the northern Atlantic coast of South America. The island, once a British colony, became independent in 1966 but is still part of the Commonwealth today. Thus, the head of state continues to be Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented on the island by the current governor.
The official language of the island, of about 430 square kilometers, is English. Of the total population of about 278,000 inhabitants, almost a third live in the capital, Bridgetown. The rest of the population lives in 11 parishes (comparable to German communities or districts). The climate of Barbados is warm throughout the year, with an average annual temperature of about 26 degrees.
The main economic sector of the island is tourism. Other important sectors are the sugar and rum industries. The best-known neighboring islands of Barbados are Grenada, Martinique, and Trinidad. In addition to its many tourist attractions, the island is characterized by its unique Caribbean flair and joie de vivre. It can be reached by boat or through the international airport, which is located about 15 kilometers from the center of the capital.
We have been in touch with a publisher on the island that has provided an overview of the island and its activities. It is titled rogues guide Barbados. Also, here are some of the most exciting tours, the most beautiful attractions, and the best sights in Barbados:
Located in the southwest corner of the island, Bridgetown is the cultural and commercial center of the island. The historic old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Numerous interesting and architecturally attractive colonial buildings such as St. Michael’s Cathedral or Harrison College adorn the city center. The Constitution River, which flows into a marina in the center of the city, is another important sight in the city. The marina is called Careenage by locals.
The Chamberlain Bridge, which spans the Careenage, is a popular destination for tourists. Here is also the central square of the National Heroes with a monumental statue of the famous British Admiral Lord Nelson. It is the ideal starting point to explore the old town with its busy streets. Visitors will find typical Caribbean delicacies, shopping, and lively nightlife.
The Barbados Museum is located in Bridgetown, south of the city center. The interesting museum offers its visitors an insight into the history of the island and the Caribbean. The building was once a 19th-century British military prison and was converted into a museum in 1930.
The museum houses numerous relics from past centuries, such as native objects, ancient weapons, historical furniture, or maps from the colonial era. The museum is a must-see for visitors interested in culture and history.
Not far from the Barbados Museum is the George Washington House, another landmark in history. The building is named after the first American president George Washington. It can be proven that he spent about two months on the island in 1751 and that he lived in this building.
Today, the two-story building is a museum. The ground floor was left as far as possible in its original state. The first floor contains exhibits of objects from this era and shows the history of slavery during the colonial era. George Washington House is visited by tourists and locals alike.
This wonderful 18th-century house, located in the northern town of Speights town, has also been converted into a museum. This museum also guides the visitor through the history of the island. A special feature of this house is the modern interactive audiovisual journey through time.
A particularly popular highlight of the children’s exhibits is a talking pirate who tells the story of Speights town. Different exhibitions on the 3 floors talk about different times and themes.
To this day, the Concorde is an aircraft that fascinates and captivates many people, even though production has long since ceased. In Barbados, interested visitors can once again enjoy this fascination. At Grantley Adams International Airport there is a real Concorde G-BOAE (Alpha Echo) in a hangar.
Visitors can enter former British Airways aircraft and learn more about the unique technology and history within. This attraction is almost surreal compared to other views on the island.
Carlisle Bay is located on the western edge of the island, off the coast of Bridgetown. The bay offers not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Barbados (Pebbles Beach) but also impressive underwater worlds. Both here and at Brown’s Beach there are several shipwrecks within easy reach of the shore and they are home to countless colorful fish and many other sea creatures.
Whether it’s guided tours with one of the many providers or a snorkeling tour on your own, here you can admire crystal clear waters and a wide variety of species. A highlight is swimming with wild sea turtles, which appear again and again in the bay and around the wreck and are meanwhile largely used to humans (but please don’t pet them!)
Rum remains one of Barbados’ most important exports today, and the 300-year-old family-owned company Mount Gay is considered a pioneer among Caribbean producers. During a guided rum tour, you will learn more about the rum production process and technique. However, we would like to point out that there is an emphasis on food at the Mount Gay Visitor Center.
The really active distillery is further north, so visitors have only a very limited idea of the production process. If one knows what to expect (ie a tasting room geared towards the US market) then one can enjoy the visit. We found the price on order and the trip through the hinterland to be a nice change from beach life in Barbados.
The small town of Oistins has long since become a tourist hub and one of the most important attractions in Barbados, especially the Friday night fish market is a real magnet for visitors. And you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Friday Night Fish Fry, because it’s so much more than just a grilled seafood place!
In Oistins, on the Friday after sundown, tourists mingle with locals, loud music plays, alcohol flows in the streams, and one gets a good insight into the festive life of the Bajans. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a quiet and tasty visit to a restaurant, you should visit the stands on another day of the week, when there are fewer people (and even cheaper!).
Harrison’s Cave, an impressive cave landscape with a visitor park, is located practically in the center of the interior. The cave system of this popular sight stretches for about 2.3 kilometers. Visitors can discover the remarkable area with its caves and waterfalls on a guided tour by underground train.
More adventurous visitors can take the adventure tour on foot, equipped with a helmet and protective gear, on a journey through the humid caves. Partly on his knees, too. Special children’s tours are offered for young visitors.
Hey! My name's Paula and welcome to my lifestyle blog and welcome to my outlook on life and discoveries.
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