There are so many things to do in Barbados that make it a great place for solo travelers, couples, and families. If you’re a lover of the sea, just idle around on the beach sipping on a cocktail and taking in the excellent views.
And if you’re a nature lover, you can explore flora and fauna of the place. There are also excellent options for history lovers and art admirers. No matter what ignites your passion for travel, Barbados has it. No wonder it attracts thousands of tourists every year.
There are public places and private tours. And then there are shopping places with so many goodies that will steal your heart.
So when you come to this island paradise, make sure you plan your itinerary carefully because there are so many things to do in Barbados that you’ll feel strapped for time. Plan a leisurely vacation and come visit this heaven on earth.
The Best Things to Do in Barbados
There are many exciting things to do in Barbados and we’ll discuss the most popular ones here.
1. Stay at a luxury resort
Whether you’re a solo traveler or a couple in love, luxury accommodation will make the entire trip worthwhile. Your resort or hotel can make or break your vacation experience.
If you don’t want to be bothered by budget planning with every meal or drink, it’s best to stay at an all-inclusive resort. Two such places are Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados.
Both these places are for adults only and offer a complete package that clubs together your accommodation, food, drinks, entertainment, and some water activities.
Both these resorts have multiple swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. And while they’re both luxury resorts, they have amazing individual features that make it difficult for a traveler to decide on one place.
This is why they have a Stay at One, Play at Two Exchange Program. With this privilege, you can stay at one of these two resorts and use the features of both of them. So you can access 11 pools, 6 whirlpools, 21 restaurants, and 14 bars in total.
2. Savor Caribbean delicacies
There are over 21 specialty Sandals restaurants in Barbados, which serve everything from French to Caribbean and from Italian to Indian. But if you want to go out and have a taste of the outside flavors, Barbados has many fancy restaurants that offer amazing fine dining.
The Tides in Holetown offers freshly prepared delicious meals with live music and impeccable service. They use local and international ingredients for their dishes. While they are famous for their fresh seafood, they also offer vegetarian and vegan options. They also have specialty cocktails for their guests.
Another great eatery in Barbados is Champers Restaurant in Skeetes Hill. It offers romantic views of the ocean and is perfect for a special date. While it offers delicious food and drinks, it also has an art gallery that showcases the works of local artists. You can view the beautiful art and even buy a piece if you want.
3. Go shopping
Whether you want to buy gifts for your friends and family or souvenirs for yourself, you’ll find many exciting stores in Barbados. If you’re a shopaholic, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Barbados.
Visit Limegrove in Holetown and you’ll find several international and local stores here. While Barbados is a small country, there are over a hundred of the best international fashion brands here. You’ll find Burberry, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and many others.
There are many duty-free jewelry shops in Limegrove along with accessories and apparel stores. And once you’re done shopping, sit down and take a bite at any of the restaurants here as this place is rich in eateries, cafes, and bars.
Whether you’re a fan of arts, crafts, fashion, food, movies, music, or culture, make sure you visit Limegrove as it’s one of the premium locations of Barbados.
4. Go beach hopping
When you visit an island place, beach hopping is almost mandatory. Visiting beaches is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Barbados.
While all the beaches here are beautiful, Carlisle Bay is probably the most popular beach here. It has calm waters that are great for swimming and scuba diving. The water is cool and crystal clear and the waves are soft.
Since there are corals on the beach, the sand has a slight pink color to it. There are many activities here and you can enjoy water sports or simply relax on the sand.
Another popular beach in Barbados is Dover beach. You’ll find several lounge chairs and umbrellas here, making it the perfect beach for relaxation. The waves are ideal for surfing or body surfing. There are beach bars and beautiful swaying coconut trees on this beach.
Some other beaches you might want to visit are Bathsheba beach, Miami beach, and Rockley beach.
5. Take a 4wd tour
If you’re an adventurous person, a 4wd tour can be among the best things to do in Barbados. An expedition on a 4×4 vehicle will take you through the most scenic parts of the island.
It is a private guided off-road tour in which you get to witness the local flora and fauna. All vehicles are comfortable and air conditioned so you can have a pleasant ride.
There are many private tour providers in Barbados and the route generally begins at Gun Hill. You can take amazing photos here and then move to the east part of the island. Here you can make a stop at Edgecliff and behold the wonderful views.
After the brief stop at Edgecliff, you can move to Bathsheba where there are beautiful rock formations. Then go visit Little Bay which offers a secluded place for lovers. Many tour organizers also add a lunch afterward before you go back to your hotel.
6. Visit Historic sites
If you’re a history buff, start your journey at St. Nicholas Abbey. It’s a museum, rum distillery, and plantation house. It was built in 1658 by Col. Benjamin Berringer. A tour of the place will take about 3-4 hours so plan the trip accordingly.
There’s a café where you can have refreshments and coffee. You can also get a guided tour of the abbey where an expert will tell you the historic significance of the place.
Check out the George Washington House, which is a 19th-century building where Washington spent two months. This is the only foreign place visited by George Washington. You get complete freedom to visit the property and the upstairs museum.
Also, take a short trip to Gun Hill signal station. It has a panorama deck that offers spectacular views of the landscape. It’s a small space and the entire trip will take you just half an hour.
You can also visit Barbados Garrison, which is a 17th-century military base. It’s now a museum and open to the general public.
7. Take a submarine tour
Grab a submarine tour online before visiting Barbados because the dates might get booked, especially during the tourist season. It’s an amazing activity for adults and kids, and one of the best family things to do in Barbados.
There are day and night submarine tours and you can book one that suits your schedule. Board the Atlantis submarine and go underwater as you witness the natural reef formations along with many types of beautiful fishes.
The submarine is piloted by expert professionals who know where to take you so you get the maximum views of marine life. It’s easy to board and anyone can take this tour.
A submarine has 48 seats but some special seats are directly behind the pilot. It’s a 2-hour journey that you’ll always remember throughout your lifetime. The tour is available at Bridgetown in Barbados and you can book for yourself and your family or friends.
8. Get a chocolate factory tour
You don’t have to be Willy Wonka to enter a chocolate factory. Sweeten your tooth with one of the chocolatiest things to do in Barbados. Visit Agapey Chocolate Factory and learn how luxury chocolates are made.
Popular mainly for its dark chocolates, this company produces and exports its products all over the world. You’ll have a guide who will take you through different phases of the creation of artisan chocolates.
See how chocolates begin as cocoa beans and turn into a confection. You can taste individual ingredients and the finished product. It’s an interesting and educational tour for kids as well as adults who are kids at heart.
If you’re inquisitive, don’t hesitate to ask questions that will be promptly answered by the tour guide. Once you’re done with the tour, you can also purchase some freshly made chocolate and have a delicious chocolate ice cream that’s made right there in the factory.
9. Take a rum tour
If you’re a fan of Caribbean rum (who isn’t), make sure you take a rum tour while you’re in Barbados. The island is very popular for its rum and you’ll find several rum shops here. However, a tour makes the rum experience extra special.
There are Mount Gay and Four Square distilleries and you can visit either or both of them on the tour.
Whether you like your rum with coke or just ice and a slice of lemon, you can learn a lot about the rum making process with this tour.
Visit a rum distillery and find out how it is produced and gets various flavors. Get a guided tour to show you the history of the distillery along with the distillation process. In the end, you can also get the products for sampling.
There’s a bar here so if you want to stay for a couple of drinks, the bartender will be happy to serve you.
10. Visit local gardens
Barbados is a beautiful island paradise that is rich in lush greenery. There are magnificent gardens in this place and if you’re a fan of everything green, a garden tour is in place.
For lovers of flowers, this is one of the most beautiful things to do in Barbados. Begin your garden journey with Hunte’s Gardens in Saint Joseph Parish. It’s a musical garden and you’ll enjoy classical music playing here as you walk through it.
It’s a part of Castle Grant, which was once a sugarcane plantation. You can still see signs of a sugarcane processing plant here. From the old stone buildings to the weigh bridge, it carries a conventional look.
After the trip, make sure you also pay a visit to Andromeda Botanical Gardens which are among the most outstanding gardens in the world. The place is rich with biodiversity and consists of 20 connected gardens.
Some other gardens you might want to visit are Flower Forest, Welchman Hall Gully, and Orchid World Flower Garden.
Looking for More?
No worries, Barbados has a LOT to offer. If you’ve already done beach hopping, shopping, and different tours, there are a lot of other things to do in Barbados.
You can visit the caves of the place. Animal Flower Cave is an amazing place to start. It’s a natural sea cave and you can enjoy the sceneries of the place as you go on a guided tour.
The island is also rich in nightlife so make sure you don’t miss out on the club scene here. When it’s evening time, visit Harbour Lights in Saint Michael Parish. It’s a beautiful club that knows how to play with lights.
Come sunset and the club transforms into a nightclub with premium drinks, pulsating lights, and the best barbeque food. Dance to your heart’s content and make the most of your nights in Barbados.
If your heart is set on adventure, you’ll find several activities on this island. There are catamaran tours, snorkeling trips, yacht cruises, clear kayaking, and so much more.
Do you have a destination wedding on your mind? Here are some of the most romantic Barbados wedding venues you might like.
