What To See and Do in Barbados

Consider Barbados — the easternmost island in the Caribbean — as the jumping-off point for your next vacation when you set sail on a cruise vacation. While you may know the island nation as the birthplace of rum, it also has one of the oldest legislatures in the Western Hemisphere and hosts the popular three-month Crop Over Festival. There's no wrong time to visit, but the dry season from December to April may just be the best.

Whether you're spending a few hours in the island's capital, Bridgetown, before or after a seven- or 14-night cruise or extending your stay for a few days, there is so much to discover on this small but mighty island, just 21 miles from end to end. From seeing Bathsheba's rocky shores to listening to vibrant live music and trying tasty street food in St. Lawrence Gap, you can make incredible memories in every one of Barbados' 11 easy-to-navigate parishes.

The following are a few fun ways to spend your stay on the island. And remember, if you want to speak more like a local, those born in Barbados call themselves Bajans (pronounced Bay-juns), and the island is known as "Bim."

Key Takeaways: Things To Do and Places To Visit in Barbados

● Barbados is a beautiful island nation in the Southern Caribbean that's worth exploring before, during or after a cruise vacation.

● Barbados is the ancestral home of rum, and top attractions include restaurants, historical sites and adventure parks.

● Organized expeditions to these spots tend to take between two and five hours, but you can easily explore at your own pace.

● Cruises go to Barbados all year. You can book a cruise vacation now and get started seeing these sights.

1. Try a New Dish

Whether as part of a planned shore excursion or on a self-guided wander through Bridgetown, finding the best local cuisine is a worthwhile and delicious way to spend a few hours in the island nation.

Flavors of Barbados & Island Drive

Time it takes: 4 hours.
Recommendation: Bring an appetite.

You'll learn the storied history of Barbados, discover the sweeping views of the island's East Coast and try local dishes and drinks, from cod and jerk chicken to a traditional rum punch.

A Solo (or Couple's) Lunch By the Beach

Time it takes: It's up to you.
Recommendation: Arrive hungry.

If you want to discover an upscale yet old-school spot, make a reservation at The Cliff, or its seaside next-door outpost, The Beach Club. The restaurant on the West Coast serves up a decadent lunch and cocktails, along with ocean views and chances for prime celebrity-watching.

2. Experience Bajan History and Culture

The historic core of Bridgeport is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the island is dotted with fascinating destinations that will let you commune with history, as well as bustling spots to hear music and shop for artisanal crafts.

Coast to Coast Island Tour

Time it takes: 3.5 hours.
Recommendation: Bring a camera (or photo app) with a panoramic lens.

Head out on a scenic drive to gain a different perspective on the island nation. From the rugged eastern coastline and St. John's Church to quiet villages and sugarcane fields on the northern coast, you'll enjoy stunning vistas and unspoiled beauty.

George Washington House and The Garrison Tunnels

Time it takes: 2 hours.
Recommendation: Bring a camera (or photo app) with a panoramic lens.

Get a good look around some of the historic places on the island. This tour of destinations in UNESCO-designated Historic Bridgetown includes a trip through a house where George Washington resided briefly in 1751, along with the Garrison Historic Area. This is home to the Garrison Tunnels, which were constructed by the Royal Engineers and date back to approximately 1820.

Historic Hayman's Market & Beach Break

Time it takes: 5 hours.
Recommendation: Explore, shop and then relax.

This experience begins with a drive through the sugar fields. Once you arrive at your first destination, you can explore a historic space — Hayman's Market, which was an operating sugar factory until the 1980s and is now a market where you can browse local goods. From there, it's on to Accra beach, where you can relax and take in the sun. Market, which was an operating sugar factory until the 1980s and is now a market where you can browse local goods. From there, it's on to Accra beach, where you can relax and take in the sun.

3. Have an Adventure

What if you're done relaxing at the beach or in a bar and want to get some mud on your tires or strap on a snorkel? Barbados is great for this kind of adventure, too.

4x4 Adventure and Green Monkey Sanctuary

Time it takes: 3.5 hours.
Recommendation: Keep an eye out for elusive animals.

Explore the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, first established in 1982 as the Barbados Primate Research Center for the conservation and study of green monkeys. At the four-acre nature refuge, nestled in natural mahogany wood across from the Farley Hill National Park, you can observe and interact with "locals" such as peacocks, tortoises and one of the island's most famous residents, the green monkeys.

Swim with Turtles, Shipwrecks, Snorkel and Beach

Time it takes: 3.5 hours.
Recommendation: Cross your fingers; you may see a hatchling.

Head by boat to Turtle Bay, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. You'll be able to snorkel the natural habitat of the gentle and graceful hawksbill, leatherback and green turtles and see the kaleidoscope of colorful tropical fish bring sunken vessels to life.

4. Stay Awhile and Go at Your Own Pace

If you have time before or after your voyage, consider taking the opportunity to add a few more days to your cruise vacation to immerse yourself and see all that "Bim" has to offer.

Take a Road Trip

Time it takes: It's up to you.
Recommendation: Scroll the radio and find your jams.

Rent a Mini Moke, the topless and doorless motoring classic, and visit Barbados' 11 parishes. The driving experience in this perfect beach buggy is like a four-wheeled motorbike in car form. Listen to radio station SLAM 101.1 for the best island jams while driving to the north side and exploring the rugged beauty of Animal Flower Cave in St. Lucy. Or head east to the "Scotland District" and climb Mount Hillaby or shop for pottery in St. Andrew.

Tip: Barbados is divided into 11 parishes, each with its own distinctive charm and local sights. From the beaches on the Platinum Coast in St. James to the lush nature in St. George, each parish is an easy trip from Bridgetown.

Hit the Beach

Time it takes: It's up to you.
Recommendation: Remember to pack sunscreen and hand wipes.

Order a fish patty, roti and rum punch to go at a local food truck, then hit Miami Beach, near Oistins on the southern coast, for the perfect 'gram-worthy picnic at the beach.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Time it takes: It's up to you.
Recommendation: Stay out late.

Come hungry and stay for the street party. Oistins Fish Fry is the place to be every Friday night to enjoy fresh fried fish (complete with rum drinks and Banks beer) and listen to live calypso and reggae music. The all-ages festival atmosphere can last well into the night.

Discover Barbados at Your Pace

There's no need to rush through a Barbados vacation. Indeed, it's hard to feel stressed or rushed in a welcoming and beautiful place like the Southern Caribbean. Whether you focus on planned activities or treat yourself to all the island has to offer, you'll find it easy to enjoy every minute in Bridgeport and beyond.

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