Where to Stay in Barbados: Best Barbados Resorts

St James

For a little history, visit the St James Parish Church, which dates back to the 1600s and is found in a spot known as ‘God’s acre’. Made entirely of stone, there are daily tours of the church for an insight into its extensive and captivating past. The Portvale Sugar Factory is also an appealing place to visit. One of the few remaining sugar factories in Barbados that is still in operation, visitors get an insight into sugar production and some of the early processes used to extract sugar in the Sir Frank Hutson Museum. Small villages and communities worth exploring include Appleby, Porters, Prospect and the inland Sugar Hill.

St Michael

This locality in the south west of Barbados – further up the western coast from Christ Church – is home to the capital city of Bridgetown. A hub of seafaring commercial activity – with tall sugar towers by the harbour ready for locally produced sugar to be transported far away – Bridgetown is a place to feel the vibrancy of seafaring life in the Caribbean. There’s plenty to see in the city too, particularly around historic Bridgetown and the Garrison, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The time-honoured Chamberlain Bridge and the Lord Nelson Statue are particularly worth a look. The General Post Office is the location of one of the world’s oldest postal services too.

Elsewhere in Christ Church, a popular attraction includes the Harry Bayley Observatory – open to the public on Friday evenings – for those fascinated by looking at the night sky through the observatory’s powerful telescope. It’s also possible to go on the Banks Beer Brewery Tour in the area, as well as embark on the Barbados Concorde Experience, where visitors can explore the aircraft that was operated until 2003. Beaches in Christ Church: Walk along the Barbados Boardwalk – which travels along the coastline for a mile – for superb views of the turquoise waters. The most beloved beaches in the area are Dover Beach, Rockley Beach and the nearby hub of Hastings, Maxwell Beach and Welches Beach in Oistins Bay. As well as sunbathing and swimming, these beaches offer water sports from jet skiing to Hobie Cat (small catamaran) rides. Where to stay: Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels is a premium all inclusive resort set in six acres of lush tropical gardens and takes its name from the sea turtles which nest on its beach.

St Lucy

Found on the northern tip of Barbados, St Lucy is characterised by its abundant ocean views in many directions, given the curve of the coastline. As the furthest locality from the capital city of Bridgetown, St Lucy has a remote feeling – ideal for those who love experiencing abundant space and a sense of discovery. This is a locality for enjoying the hypnotic blue of the ocean and other natural wonders. A highlight of this is Animal Flower Cave, the island’s only accessible sea cave, located under the cliffs at North Point and discovered by a Welsh naturalist in 1750. It’s possible to go on guided tours in the cave, spot the 500,000-year-old coral floor and swim in a natural rock pool. The restaurant up above is a pristine spot to enjoy the views of the coastline.

St Peter

Found in northern Barbados in a locality sitting below St Lucy, St Peter enjoys a western and eastern coastline and plentiful verdant land in between. With white sandy beaches, rolling hills covered in sugar cane and high-end resorts, this is an especially idyllic part of the island. On the coast, marinas including Port St Charles and Port Ferdinand are worth a stroll, while one of the most popular beaches in the area is Gibbs Beach, with soft sand, turquoise waters and water sports on offer.

St Joseph This quaint locality on the east of Barbados is known for being home to three notable botanic gardens on the island. Flower Forest is located on a former sugar plantation – it’s a peaceful spot with an abundance of tropical trees. The smaller Andromeda Gardens is in the St Joseph village of Bathsheba and is home to more than 600 plant species. It was previously the private plant collection of a former horticultural expert on the island, Iris Bannochie. Bathsheba itself is a sweet fishing village great for restaurants and rum shops. The other botanical garden in the area is Hunte’s Gardens, surrounded by a rainforest in a gully, providing an exciting jungle experience thanks to the renowned horticulturalist founder, Anthony Hunte.