5 days in Barbados

Day by day

1. Day 1: Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison and Kensington Oval

   Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, Kensington Oval and Carlisle Bay, then Oistins Fish Fry in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison

      Start at the Parliament Buildings and the Careenage in the morning, then take a bus or taxi to the Garrison. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Kensington Oval

      International fixtures are announced well ahead; local matches give a more relaxed taste of island cricket. (Half a day for a match, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Flying fish and cou-cou

      Local restaurants and lunch spots; Friday cou-cou is a tradition in many places.

   4. Afternoon

      Carlisle Bay

      Snorkel the wrecks early in the day, before the catamarans arrive. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Oistins Fish Fry

      Arrive by about 7pm to eat before the queues peak, then stay for the music.

2. Day 2: Harrison's Cave and Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl

   Harrison's Cave, Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl and St Nicholas Abbey, then St Lawrence Gap in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Harrison's Cave

      Combine it with Hunte's Gardens or Welchman Hall Gully, both nearby in the central parishes. (1.5 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl

      Visit in the afternoon, when the sun lights the boulders; bring sandals for the rock pools. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Macaroni pie

      Lunch counters, rum shops and the Oistins Fish Fry.

   4. Afternoon

      St Nicholas Abbey

      Stop at Cherry Tree Hill nearby for a view over the Scotland District. (2 hours, expensive).

   5. Evening

      St Lawrence Gap

      A strip of bars, clubs and live-music venues, busiest on Thursday to Saturday nights.

3. Day 3: Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre and George Washington House

   Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre, George Washington House and Barbados Museum and Historical Society, then Oistins in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre

      Book a tasting tour in the afternoon after Carlisle Bay, which is a short taxi ride away. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      George Washington House

      Combine it with the Barbados Museum, a short walk across the Garrison. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish cakes and bakes

      Snackettes, beach bars and roadside vendors across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Barbados Museum and Historical Society

      Allow time for the galleries on plantation history, which explain much of the island's story. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Oistins

      The Friday-night fish fry turns into an open-air party with music and dancing.

4. Day 4: Day trip to East coast loop: Bathsheba and the gardens

   About 45 minutes by car from Bridgetown each way. Getting there: Rental car, taxi tour or bus to Bathsheba.

   1. Morning

      Travel to East coast loop: Bathsheba and the gardens

      About 45 minutes by car from Bridgetown (Rental car, taxi tour or bus to Bathsheba); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      East coast loop: Bathsheba and the gardens

      Cross the central hills to Harrison's Cave and Hunte's Gardens, continue to Bathsheba for lunch and the boulders on the beach, and finish at Andromeda Botanic Gardens. Best for first-timers, couples and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Barbados

      Dinner: try Cutters.

5. Day 5: Animal Flower Cave and Barbados Wildlife Reserve

   Animal Flower Cave, Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Andromeda Botanic Gardens, then Holetown in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Animal Flower Cave

      Cave access depends on the sea; visit when the swell is low and wear shoes with grip. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Barbados Wildlife Reserve

      Arrive around the afternoon feeding time, when the green monkeys are most active. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cutters

      Rum shops and beach shacks, especially on the west and south coasts.

   4. Afternoon

      Andromeda Botanic Gardens

      Combine it with lunch in Bathsheba and the boulders on the beach below. (1–2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Holetown

      Bars and lounges along First and Second Street for a more relaxed night out.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Harrison's Cave before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Hastings and Rockley keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Holetown and the Platinum Coast ($$$$) suits luxury, couples, beach and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 24–29 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.4 hours in January to 12.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Barbados
• 2 days in Barbados
• 3 days in Barbados

Questions travellers ask