The Best of Barbados

Barbados is a beautiful island packed full of history and culture. There are many great cities on the island that have interesting things to see, do, and learn about. The only way to really experience the island is to get a Barbados rental car.

Some of the best places to explore in Barbados are the towns and villages. These little island nooks are what make the island a distinctively charming place to visit. They have beautiful historic buildings and extremely friendly people.

Bridgetown is the main commercial centre of Barbados and the capital city of the island. There are many duty free shops that allow travellers to take island treasures home with them. They sell fine jewellery, china, liquor, and more. There are also many wayside vendors that can sell everything a traveller or resident would want.

The Parliament buildings in Bridgetown are a great site to see. They were established in 1639 and it is the third oldest Parliament building in the entire Commonwealth. The city of Bridgetown and the nearby Garrison were listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Speightstown is in the north end of the island. It was the first commercial centre of Barbados and was neglected for many years. Now, it has been revived to its formal glory as a commercial centre.

The area has a unique look into the architectural heritage of Barbados. There are many shops, an art gallery, and a spectacular beachfront restaurant. Spending half a day in Speightstown will make a Barbados vacation memorable.

Oistens is on the island’s southern coast. Oistens has a rich history. The Article of Agreement were written in Oistens by the parliament of Barbados. The Oistens Fish Fry is one of the most popular visitor activities on the island.

The fish fry celebrates the contribution by those in the local fish industry to the island. At the fish fry, there is music, crafts, food, and amazing entertainment for both locals and visitors. Calypso and reggae music are played from the sidewalk stalls. There is dancing and traditional Baja food such as fish cakes, fried fish, pudding, and souse.

Needham’s Point is one of the most unique areas in the island filled with historical treasures. It is in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is the location of some of the best beaches on the island. Needham’s Point is not to be missed by tourists traveling the island by rental car.

The St. Lawrence Gap is the place to go for visitors who want to let their hair down and have a party. There are tons of night clubs and bars for ever type of party animal. There are also amazing beachfront restaurants that give a great Barbados feel.

Fitts Village is a small village on the west cost of the island. It offers great swimming and snorkelling almost year round. It also has one of the best Italian restaurants on the island. Bathsheba is on the east coast of the island. It is a quiet hideaway popular with both tourists and locals. There is breath taking scenery and naturally carved out pools.

Holetown is in the heart of the tourist district, located on the west side of the island. Holetown has a great historical resonance but this is also combined with modern development. Holetown is where the first settlement of Barbados was created.

The Holetown Monument commemorates this event – the first English landing on the island in 1625. The area has seen many changes since the English first stepped foot on the island sand. Now it is home to several excellent restaurants, shopping districts, hotels, residential areas, and exciting night spots.