Hamilton travel guide
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Hamilton

Bermuda’s small, colourful capital on Hamilton Harbour, with ferries across the island

Photo by David Broad (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons
LanguageEnglish
CurrencyBermudian Dollar (BMD = 1:1 USD)
Best Time to VisitMay – Oct

Hamilton has been the capital of Bermuda since 1815. It is a small, walkable city on Hamilton Harbour, with pastel-coloured buildings, shops and the island’s main bus and ferry terminals.

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic, about 1,000km off the coast of North Carolina. From Hamilton you can reach the island’s pink-sand south-shore beaches, the Royal Naval Dockyard and the old town of St George’s.

Top Sights in Hamilton

Front Street in Hamilton

Front Street

The main street runs along the harbour, lined with shops, restaurants and balconies. On summer evenings it hosts street festivals.

Photo: Jerrye and Roy Klotz MD, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton

Anglican Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is built of local limestone and other stone, and its tower dominates the city skyline.

Photo: Jeff Bellinger, CC BY-SA 3.0

The view from Fort Hamilton

Fort Hamilton

This 19th-century fort on the hill above the city has a dry moat planted as a garden, old tunnels and views across the harbour.

Photo: Aboutmovies, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Bermuda National Gallery

Bermuda National Gallery

In City Hall, the gallery shows Bermudian and international art. The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, on the harbour, covers the ocean around the island.

Photo: Aboutmovies, CC BY-SA 4.0

Elbow Beach

Elbow Beach

A short bus or taxi ride south, Elbow Beach is one of the nearest pink-sand beaches on the south shore. Horseshoe Bay is further west.

Photo: Captain-tucker, CC BY-SA 4.0

Eating & Drinking

Try a fish sandwich on raisin bread, Bermuda fish chowder with sherry pepper sauce, and a Dark ’n’ Stormy (rum and ginger beer).

Hamilton has pubs, cafés and many upscale restaurants.

Getting There & Around

L.F. Wade International Airport is about 30 minutes’ drive from Hamilton. Visitors cannot rent ordinary cars, so they use buses, ferries, taxis, scooters or small electric rental cars.

Ferries from Hamilton serve the Royal Naval Dockyard, St George’s and the parishes across the harbour. Transport passes cover buses and ferries.

Best Time to Visit Hamilton

Jan
19°C
Mild
Feb
18°C
Mild
Mar
19°C
Mild
Apr
20°C
Spring
May
23°C
Warm
Jun
26°C
Beach season
Jul
28°C
Hot
Aug
28°C
Hurricane season
Sep
27°C
Hurricane peak
Oct
25°C
Hurricane season
Nov
22°C
Mild
Dec
20°C
Mild

What Does Hamilton Cost?

Bermuda uses the Bermudian dollar (BMD), pegged one-to-one with the US dollar, which is accepted everywhere.

Budget
US$200–300 / day
Accommodation
Guesthouse
US$150–220
Food
Cafés and takeaway
US$40–60
Transport
Transport pass
varies

Bermuda is expensive.

Mid-range
US$400–650 / day
Accommodation
Hotel
US$300–450
Food
Restaurants
US$80–150
Activities
Boat trip
US$60–100

Splurge
US$900+ / day
Accommodation
Luxury hotel
US$600+
Food
Fine dining
US$200+
Activities
Private charter
US$300+

3 Days from Hamilton

Hamilton is a good base for the whole island.

Day 1
Hamilton

Walk Front Street, visit the cathedral and Fort Hamilton.

Day 2
Beaches

Take the bus to Elbow Beach or Horseshoe Bay.

Day 3
By ferry

Ferry to the Royal Naval Dockyard or St George’s.

Travel Tips

Ferries

Ferries are a scenic way to get around.

No car hire

Visitors cannot rent ordinary cars.

Hurricanes

Hurricane season runs from June to November.

Dress

Swimwear is for the beach only, not town.

Common Questions about Hamilton

Quick answers for planning time in Hamilton.

Is Hamilton the capital of Bermuda?

Yes, since 1815.

Can tourists rent cars in Bermuda?

No, but you can use buses, ferries, taxis, scooters or small electric cars.

What currency is used in Bermuda?

The Bermudian dollar, equal to the US dollar.

What is the nearest beach to Hamilton?

Elbow Beach on the south shore is a short ride away.

When is the best time to visit Bermuda?

May to October for beach weather.

Useful Apps

Useful apps for Bermuda.

Google Maps

Offline maps help where mobile signal is weak.

Free

Google Translate

Camera mode translates menus and signs.

Free

WhatsApp

Guesthouses, drivers and guides take bookings by message.

Free

GetYourGuide

Bookable tours and day trips.

Free

More in Bermuda

Planning a wider trip? Our Bermuda travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.

✓Content last reviewed: October 2026 by the traveling-to.com editorial team.
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