10 Best Things to Do in Barbados

George Washington House was named after the man who would become the USA’s first president. One of Bridgetown’s oldest properties, this plantation-style house was restored by the Barbados National Trust. Tours of the house and grounds reveal what the place would’ve been like in the mid-18th century.

The adjacent Garrison tunnels were rediscovered when foundations were dug for George Washington House's onsite cafe. These drainage tunnels were dug in the 19th century to drain the peaty Garrison savannah land. Historians believe the tunnels could also have been used for the covert evacuation of the soldiers stationed at the nearby Garrison. The tunnels are almost 4 meters high and in all, the network extends over 2 miles.

Paradise is an overused word, but step through the gate of Hunte’s Gardens and you can’t help but feel you’ve just found it. This once-neglected gully is a labor of love masterminded by owner Anthony Hunte. Paths wind downwards to create a vertical garden bursting with color. At the bottom, seating occupies hidden nooks behind lush planting, facilitating an overriding feeling of serenity and calm as you stop and absorb every detail of the enchanting setting.

Hunte’s keen to share his passion, and it’s common for him to potter among his visitors. He entertains on his veranda, serving fresh juices and homemade cake to those who can’t bear to tear themselves away, recounting stories of how the garden took shape.

The Arlington House Museum in Speightstown offers a glimpse into Barbados’ past. Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century coral stone mansion, the museum’s curators group exhibits into 3 main themes. Speightstown Memories covers the everyday lives of past inhabitants, Plantation Memories tackles sugar cane and slavery and Wharf Memories discusses Speightstown’s history as a trading port.

Compelling oral histories and multimedia presentations tell tales from the past. Much thought has gone into the way such exhibits are presented, mounted on wooden shutters or accessed through a representation of a sugar cane field. The emphasis is firmly on interactivity, making this a crowd-pleaser no matter what your age.

Visitors to St Nicholas Abbey, a historic plantation and distillery, can explore the grounds on a steam locomotive. This heritage railway is a relatively new addition to the estate’s attractions and chugs past a lake brimming with birdlife and through a mature forest of mahogany trees. The tour finishes up at Cherry Tree Hill – from this lofty vantage point, the views over Barbados’ unspoilt east coast are breathtaking.

Stay on for a tour of the plantation house as well. This imposing Jacobean mansion dates from 1658. Built by Benjamin Berringer, it was added to almost ninety years later by Sir John Gay Alleyne of rum fame. If you happen to be in Barbados between January and May, the 19th-century steam-operated syrup factory grinds sugar cane the old-fashioned way and you’re most welcome to watch.

Restored by the Barbados National Trust, the Morgan Lewis sugar mill is the only surviving working wind-powered mill in the Caribbean. During its 18th and 19th-century heyday, it was used to grind cane and produce the sugar which Barbados once exported around the world. Commercial production stopped in 1947.

From December to April, the staff stage regular cane grinding demonstrations and hand round cups of sweet juice. Out of season, it’s still worth a visit to look through the displays of old photographs which bring to life a bygone era. It’s a scenic hike down the coast road from St Nicholas Abbey, with panoramic views of the east coast all the way.

There’s a reason why celebrity-magnet hotels like Sandy Lane are located on Barbados’ west coast – vacationers frequently rate Mullins Beach and its neighbours as the best on the island. The beach is just the right balance between beauty and fun.

You can swim in the shallow turquoise water off a pristine stretch of pure white sand. Feeling adventurous? Rental a jet ski, snorkel, dive, sail or kayak. Afterwards, enjoy a drink from one of the beach bars and pull your sun lounger under the shade of a casuarina tree or gently swaying coconut palm. After all, there’s no point in wasting all that effort if you can just watch everyone else do their thing, is there?

When it comes to surfing in Barbados, the action centres on Bathsheba’s “Soup Bowl”. From November to May, north swells whip up heavy right-hand barrels that have the pros chomping at the bit to get in the water. It's no surprise that the area hosts regular local and international surfing competitions.

Huge lumps of coral dislodged from ancient reefs litter the beach. The wild waves have carved a natural hot tub known as Bathsheba Pools out of the rock, but away from its protection, the rip tides are lethal. This is no place for swimming, but it really does deliver on drama.

The Garrison Savannah has been the home of horseracing in Barbados since 1845. Initially, officers of the British army who were stationed there would race each other; wealthy merchants and planters soon joined them. What was once the reserve of the elite is now popular with people from all walks of life. While serious racegoers place their bets, families go picnicking under the trees surrounding the track.

The Barbados Turf Club hosts around 25 meetings a year, mostly on Saturdays, on this 6-furlong grass oval. But you can get your equine fix year-round if you head down to the track in the early morning. Jockeys exercise their horses before the tropical sun gets too fierce and will offer a cheery wave to anyone who’s dragged themselves out of bed to watch.

Mount Gay has a long history on Barbados – the first title deed to the distillery dates from 1703, making it the world’s oldest rum brand. In 1747, the estate was sold to the somewhat ironically named John Sober. He was an absentee landlord, preferring to leave his business in the capable hands of his friend John Gay Alleyne. When Alleyne died in 1801, there was already a Mount Alleyne on the island, so the estate became Mount Gay in his honor.

Visitors to the upcountry estate tour the original well, as well as the molasses, fermentation and distillation houses. Most content themselves with a tasting at the company’s more conveniently located visitor center in Bridgetown, savoring the intense flavor of rum aged in oak barrels and learning how to mix a killer cocktail.

While you can dine at Oistins Fish Fry any night of the week, the restaurant really kicks into gear on weekends, especially on Friday evenings. This Barbadian institution is equally popular with locals and travelers who flock to the eateries lining Oistins Bay for freshly caught tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi and the national favorite: flying fish.

In this informal setting, chefs grill or fry to order and the communal tables help create a convivial atmosphere. Some nights there’s live music, but no matter when you come, you’re likely to hear the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff or Jamaican ska. Arts and crafts stalls selling locally made wood carvings, paintings, ceramics and jewelry complete the picture.