BB
Bridgetown
The Barbadian capital, a UNESCO-listed colonial port with Parliament, the Garrison and a beach on its doorstep
The Barbadian capital, a UNESCO-listed colonial port with Parliament, the Garrison and a beach on its doorstep
Neo-Gothic coral-stone buildings from the 1870s house one of the oldest parliaments in the Commonwealth, first held in 1639. The Museum of Parliament and National Heroes Gallery is inside.
Photo: Barry Haynes, CC BY-SA 4.0
Once the headquarters of British forces in the eastern Caribbean, the Garrison is grouped around a large parade ground that is now a horse-racing track. Nearby are the Barbados Museum and old barracks.
Photo: Barry Haynes, CC BY-SA 4.0
The house where a 19-year-old George Washington stayed in 1751, his only journey outside mainland North America. It is now a museum, with tunnels beneath the Garrison.
Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
A curved bay with calm water and beaches such as Pebbles and Brownes. Several shipwrecks lie in shallow water in the Carlisle Bay Marine Park, visited on snorkelling and turtle trips.
Photo: Pontificalibus, CC0
The Anglican cathedral was rebuilt in coral stone in the 1780s after hurricanes destroyed earlier churches on the site.
Photo: Edgar El, CC BY 3.0
The national dish is cou-cou (cornmeal and okra) with flying fish. Also try fish cakes, macaroni pie, pudding and souse on Saturdays, and a cutter (a sandwich in a salt bread roll).
On Friday nights the Oistins Fish Fry, about 20 minutes south-east, is the island’s best-known food event. Mount Gay’s visitor centre, just north of town, runs rum tastings.
Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) is about 25–30 minutes from Bridgetown by taxi, with direct flights from the UK, North America and other Caribbean islands. Cruise ships dock at the deep-water port.
Buses and privately run ZR minibuses leave from terminals in the centre for most of the island. Visitors must complete the online immigration and customs form at travelform.gov.bb before arrival. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, the EU and many other countries do not need a visa for a tourist stay. Departure tax is usually included in your ticket. Check current rules before you travel.
The Barbados dollar (BBD) is pegged at 2 to 1 US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted. VAT and a service charge are often added to restaurant bills.
Prices are highest from mid-December to April.
History, beaches and food.
See Parliament and National Heroes Square, walk along the Careenage and visit St Michael’s Cathedral. Swim at Carlisle Bay in the afternoon.
Visit the Garrison Savannah, the Barbados Museum and George Washington House, then go to the Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday evening.
The Crop Over festival builds through July and ends with the Grand Kadooment parade on the first Monday of August.
Buses and ZR vans are cheap; have small change ready.
The sun is strong; seek shade at midday.
June to November is the wet and hurricane season.
Quick answers for planning time in Bridgetown.
Yes. Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison were inscribed together in 2011.
Yes. Complete the online immigration and customs form at travelform.gov.bb before you arrive.
Yes. US dollars are widely accepted at a fixed rate of 2 Barbados dollars to 1 US dollar, though change is usually given in Barbados dollars.
Yes. Carlisle Bay, with Pebbles and Brownes beaches, is a short walk from the centre.
December to May is the dry season. Visit in late July or early August for Crop Over.
English is the official language; Bajan dialect is widely spoken.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Barbados travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.