Free things to do · Barbados
5 free things to do in Barbados
Barbados without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Pontificalibus, CC0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Barbados without paying an entry fee: Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, Carlisle Bay, Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl and Crane Beach are all free. The Barbados dollar is fixed at 2 to 1 with the US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted; pay in local currency to avoid poor rounding.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Bridgetown
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Iconic
Beach · Bridgetown
2.Carlisle Bay
Snorkel the wrecks early in the day, before the catamarans arrive.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Waterfront · Bathsheba and the east coast
3.Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl
Visit in the afternoon, when the sun lights the boulders; bring sandals for the rock pools.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Nature
- Couples
Beach · St Philip
4.Crane Beach
Watch the red flags; currents can be strong when the waves are up.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
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Beach · St Philip
5.Bottom Bay
Bring water and snacks, as there are no shops, and keep to the shallows when the surf is up.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Nature
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison and Carlisle Bay | Half a day + Half a day |
| Bathsheba and the east coast | Bathsheba and the Soup Bowl | 2 hours |
| St Philip | Crane Beach and Bottom Bay | Half a day + 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Oistins and Maxwell
Oistins Fish Fry
Arrive by about 7pm to eat before the queues peak, then stay for the music.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
- Couples
Viewpoint · St George
Gun Hill Signal Station
Clear mornings give the best views across to the south coast.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
More ways to save
- The Barbados dollar is fixed at 2 to 1 with the US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted; pay in local currency to avoid poor rounding.
- Use the flat-fare buses and ZRs instead of taxis for trips along the coast.
- Stay on the south coast for more affordable apartments and hotels than the west coast.
- Eat at Oistins, rum shops and lunch counters for local prices.
- Travel in May, June or November for good weather at lower prices than the winter season.
- Self-catering apartments and supermarkets such as those in Hastings and Holetown cut food costs.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Barbados expensive to visit?
Barbados is expensive for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Barbados?
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.