Barbados Things to Do

  "Um... I dunno. Do YOU see a plaque?"
by garridogal
 
  •   "Um... I dunno. Do YOU see a plaque?"
    by garridogal
  • Yachts are always lovely to look at
      Yachts are always lovely to look at
    by garridogal
  • Pretty waterway
      Pretty waterway
    by garridogal
  • Where's Nero?
      Where's Nero?
    by garridogal
  • Don't mess with them
      Don't mess with them
    by garridogal
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Rome in the Caribbean

by NedHopkins

It's always impressed me that a remnant of the empire founded by Julius Caesar and Augustus survived until just 39 years before Columbus "discovered" America. The Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire ceased to exist only in 1453, when the Turks conquered its capital, Constantinople (today's Istanbul).The last Roman emperor died on the city walls fighting the barbarians. But many of his close relatives made it out of the city. One brother got to England; and his grandson, the emperor's grand-nephew, ended up on Barbados.He, Ferdinand Paleologue, was active in the community and in the Church of England. He's buried on the grounds of St John's, his parish church.The church itself is an interesting example of faux Gothic architecture and well worth a visit.

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Farley Hill National Park

by joanj

Farley Hill National Park and its "great house" ruins are a few miles away fromSt. Nicholas Abbey. The National Park consists of several beautiful acres of tropical trees and plants on a cliff 900 feet (275meters) above the sea and overlooks the entire Scotland District.The Mansion was built 200 years after St. Nicholas Abbey, on the grand scale of the 19th Century plantation houses. The great house was built in sections beginning in 1818. During the late 1800's it was owned by Thomas Graham Briggs. Farley Hill gained a reputation as the most lavish of the old Barbadian merchant palaces, and included a billiard room, library, oversized dining room and several reception rooms.They filmed sequences of "Island in the Sun" hereIn 1965 the Barbados Government bought the Farley Hill property and declared it a National Park. It was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 on Feb 15th...

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Island Tour

by Rachael71

As we were only able to spend a week on the island, two days of which were taken up with the wedding and its organisation, we felt that the best way to see as much as we could in a short space of time was on an island tour. We took our trip with Sean of Bajan Tours, who picked us up from our villa and returned us at the end of the day. Although we could have visited many of the places he took us by ourselves, we would have missed out on his wonderful commentary and insight into Bajan life. We travelled in a comfortable mini-bus as there were nine of us taking the tour (he'll take tour parties in his own car if they are smaller), and the day tour, which included lunch, was an incredible bargain at around BDS$120.Sean tailors his tours to meet the needs of the group. We saw the Earthworks Pottery, Barbados Wildlife Reserve, Foul Bay and Bathsheba Bay and the many towns and villages around...

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Harbour Lights Beach Extravaganza Dinner Show

by scbelle

I am sooooooooo tempted to put this under tourist traps, BUT.... while super cheesy and touristy, it was (gasp) quite fun, and the perfect "first night" experience...Okay, so we arrived on Barbados on a Wednesday, exhausted, but not wanting to waste the night. We didn't feel like getting gussied up for a fancy restaurant, and we didn't want to hassle with transportation or anything... as it turned out, Harbour Lights highly recommended dinner show has been extended to Monday AND Wednesday night, and since we were quite fond of a drinks free thing at the time, we said, what the hell.As it turns out, it was quite the convenient choice. You call and make a reservation and show up at your hotel's lobby to be picked up. That's the hardest part. When you get there, you pay your $35 US entry fee, indicate steak chicken or fish, and then work your way to the bar, enjoy the show, enjoy the bajan...

Subterranean Splendour

by joanj

Harrisons Cave, said to be the only one of it's kind in the Caribbean. A special tram takes you through the amazing limestone caverns, carved by the slow underground streams over the centuries.The site was known for many years, but it was not until 1970 that a Danish speleologist (cave specialist ) named Ole Sorenson discovered a new and interesting section of the caves, the Crystal Caverns, Heavy rains that year had caused severe flooding in several areas of the island, and a large quantity of ground water found it's way into the underground system where it's force eroded a small entrance into this new, and unknown cave.The caves were open to the public in 1981Before you visit Harrison's Cave, give them a call on 438-6640/41/42/43/or 44 and reserve a place on the tram. It can get very busy, especially if a cruise ship is in Photo by M. Johnson

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Bajan Roots & Rhythms

by dracko

You absolutely owe it to yourself to see this musical show. It takes place at one of the former plantations converted into a dinner-theater of sorts - The Plantation Theater. The show is simply amazing. You start off with a steel drum orchestra playing tunes while you get in the local mood, get your food (all you can eat buffet), and enjoy the drinks served by the waiters. Then the real show starts. The dancers are very good, dolled out in colorful costumes, doing numbers ranging from traditional to modern, but all Bajan. It's all very colorful and energetic, and really gets your heart pumping in a hurry! And just wait until the stilt-walkers come out. These guys are amazing! Staning 10-12 feet up in the air, the things they do on the stilts are beyond description. You have to see it! You'll be wowed. Once the dancers are done there's a limbo contest, with the audience participating, and...

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Take a tour of the island

by pilgrim55

Take a tour of the island to get your bearings. It's a great way to learn about the island as well as to get your bearings so you can find your way around later. We went with L.E. Williams Tour Co. and our driver's name was Peter. He gave a great tour and was very interesting, telling us all about the history, the places, customs of the people, etc. We took the 80 Mile Coastal Island Tour.

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St John Anglican Church

by nsbm

The classic Gothic structure has a crenalated roof-line and resembles a medieval castle. Built in 1836 the location is the resting place of one of te island's PMs. The view from the grounds includes the stunning East Coast of Barbados

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St James Anglican Church

by nsbm

St.James Parish Church is among the four oldest surviving churches in Barbados and is located near the site of the island's first settlement in Holetown. In the southern porch of the church is a bell with the inscription - "God bless King William, 1696". This bell pre-dates the famous American Liberty bell by 54 years.

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Codrington College

by nsbm

Codrington College was completed in 1745. It was the first Theological College in the world for Anglican Communion. The college is named after Christopher Codrington III, the son of a plantation owner who was also the Governor General of the Leewards. The College is currently part of the Theological department of the University of the West Indies and holds a treasure trove of Christian theological history in the West Indies.

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Fun things to do in Barbados

Top 3 Hotels in Barbados

Little Arches Hotel  Bridgetown

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Reviews and photos of Barbados attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Barbados sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Barbados
  1. Bridgetown Things to Do
  2. Bathsheba Things to Do
  3. Worthing Things to Do
  4. Saint Lawrence Things to Do
  5. Holetown Things to Do
  6. Hastings Things to Do
  7. Garrison Things to Do
  8. Speightstown Things to Do
  9. Animal Flower Cave Things to Do
  10. Folkestone Park Things to Do
  11. Welchman Hall Things to Do

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Popular Regions in Barbados

Saint Michael Things to Do  Christ Church Things to Do  Saint Joseph Things to Do  Saint James Things to Do 

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Questions and Answers

windymilleroonie profile photo

Q:  Has anyone used Drive Barbados for car hire? They have quite reasonable rates but can't find any reviews anywhere and aren't... 

grandmaR profile photo

A: We had a car in Barbados but it was from Top Hat. Keep in mind that you have to get a Bajan license and that will be extra. Depending on the season you go, I wouldn't... 

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