All Articles 3 perfect days in Barbados

3 perfect days in Barbados

By Lexi Fisher27 Feb 2024 9 minutes read
Soup Bowl at Bathsheba Beach, Barbados
Bathsheba Beach
Image: TommL/Getty Images

Barbados is known for its beachfront resorts, crystal-clear waters, and non-stop nightlife—and don't get us wrong, we love all that. But this Caribbean island is so much more than rum punches and beach parties. Throw in its rich history, rich culture, and dreamy coastal hikes, and you’ve got yourself the Caribbean vacay that dreams are made of.

With only three days to explore, it’s going to be hard to fit everything in. This itinerary manages to balance late-night outings with sunrise wake-up calls. (But not one after the other—we know this is supposed to be a vacation.) We also pack in some great detours and guided tour options, along with Tripadvisor reviews for even more travel planning inspo.

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DAY ONE

Architecture of Bridgetown, Barbados
Bridgetown
Image: vale_t/Getty Images

MORNING: Start at the heart of Barbados

Begin by exploring the historic capital of Bridgetown. Established in 1628, this port city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get your bearings at the waterfront Independence Square, then cross the pedestrian-only Chamberlain Bridge to reach the triangular National Heroes Square. Nowhere is the island’s past more apparent than at this leafy park surrounded by the 19th-century Parliament Buildings.

Walk east on St. Michael Row to St. Michael’s Cathedral, made of coral stone and featuring a handsome tower. Head north, then east, to reach another house of worship, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue and Museum. Dating back to 1654, it’s the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere.

If you want to indulge in some duty-free shopping, head west on Broad Street. Otherwise, take pedestrian-only Swan Street, lined with countless small storefronts that spill out onto the sidewalk. They sell souvenirs and just about anything else you could imagine.

AFTERNOON: Try the island’s favorite dish

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to nearby Mustor’s Restaurant, owned and operated by the same family for three generations. Even the Prime Minister comes to this bright red storefront eatery for affordable meals. If you want to try the national dish of flying fish and cou cou (cornmeal flavored with okra), you can’t do better than Mustor’s. The macaroni pie and beef stew aren't too shabby, either.

Rum lovers will want to hop aboard a bus headed north to the Mount Gay Visitor Center, where they can sample spirits from the world’s oldest commercial distillery. If that’s not your thing, catch a bus in the other direction headed to Carlisle Bay. This two-mile crescent of white sand has it all, including restrooms, lifeguards, free parking, and umbrella and lounge chair rentals. Skip the crowded beach clubs at the north end of Carlisle Bay and head to pretty Brownes Beach, perhaps stopping for a cocktail at Savvy On The Bay along the way.

EVENING: Dinner and drinks on the beach

For dinner, take a sunset stroll down Brownes Beach to Cafe A La Mer, which has some great vegetarian options, or continue on to Barrio for some of the freshest fish tacos you’ve ever had.

The livelier alternative is to hop in a taxi and head about 15 minutes south to St. Lawrence Gap (known to locals simply as “The Gap”). It’s the center of nightlife on the island, so there’s no shortage of live music and buckets of ice-cold Banks Beer. Start the evening by strolling along the streets lined with bars and restaurants, checking out what the area has to offer. The party doesn’t get going until close to midnight, so you’ll have plenty of time for dinner. The popular Harlequin Restaurant is always a good bet, though it’s a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time.

BRIDGETOWN AREA TOUR OPTIONS

Travelers say: “Carlisle Bay has the softest white sand and crystal clear blue water. You can sunbathe, swim, and even dive in safety. The sea is hardly ever rough, although that does depend on the weather. There are a few bars where you can grab a cold beer, rum punch or soft drink. Worth a visit if you stay a while or are visiting.” —@Sandra R

Worthy detours along the way

DAY TWO

Woman walking on path at Andromeda Botanic Gardens, Barbados
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Image: Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images

MORNING: Explore the rugged east coast

Bridgetown may be the heart of Barbados, but the wild, rugged east coast is definitely the soul. A far cry from the bustling streets of Bridgetown, this is where life slows down and you get a chance to experience how most islanders live. Exploring the coast requires sturdy shoes, sunblock, and lots of drinking water.

Catch a bus across the island (about an hour) to Saint John Parish, where you can hop off in the small settlement of Bath. Head north on the coastal road, which turns into a footpath following an abandoned railway line that transported sugarcane in the early 20th century. Though the beaches here aren’t the pristine stretches of white sand you found in Carlisle Bay, the raw beauty of the windswept coastline and the crashing waves is simply stunning.

After about an hour, you’ll pass the town of Martin’s Bay. Here you’ll find Bay Tavern, a good spot for a cold drink. Continue north along the coast to Bathsheba Beach, with some picnic tables where you can hang out and watch the surf. The water is too rough for swimming, but if you come at low tide you can cool off in the natural sea pools near the Round House hotel.

AFTERNOON: Cool off in the botanical gardens

Have lunch nearby at De Garage Bar and Grill, which serves hearty platters of local fare, before spending the hottest part of the afternoon cooling off at Andromeda Botanic Gardens. It’s barely more than half a mile inland, but you’ll feel worlds away as you stroll along the pathways winding through the bright tropical foliage. Head back to the coast to watch surfers at the Soup Bowl, a world-famous spot that often draws Kelly Slater and other pros. If the tide has rolled out, you can take a dip in the shallow pools.

EVENING: Dinner a stone’s throw from the ocean

You won’t have to venture too far to enjoy dinner at beachfront Zemi Cafe, but since there are only a handful of dining options in the area it’s best to make a reservation. Get there early enough to watch the crashing waves. The burger gets rave reviews, as do the ceviche and tuna poke.

EAST COAST AREA TOUR OPTIONS

  • Adrenaline junkies will appreciate the Half-Day Barbados Tour, which combines exploring underground limestone caves with excursions to some of the best beaches on the east coast.
  • Soak up more Barbados history on the St. Nicholas Abbey Rum Distillery Tour, which includes a visit to a plantation house built in 1658, plus a visit to the distillery, surrounded by tropical gardens and a short steam railroad.
  • The mid-morning Welchman Hall Gully Guided Tour takes you to a tropical forest growing in a collapsed cave. You’re likely to spot a troop of wild green monkeys along the way.

Travelers say: “The views at Bathsheba Beach are absolutely stunning. The natural formations leave you wondering how this magical scenery was created. The sound of the crashing waves was like thunder. I didn't see anybody in the water, but I would not be going in myself. Great place to relax, take photos and have a picnic.” —@Allen B

Worthy detours along the way

DAY THREE

Outdoor dining at Cafe Luna, Barbados
Lamb stew at Cafe Luna, Barbados
Cafe Luna
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

MORNING: Watch horses take a dip

Skip the usual hotel breakfast (but grab a cup of coffee if you’re not a morning person) and head to Pebbles Beach to see racehorses from the nearby Barbados Turf Club take an early morning dip in the ocean. The serenity of the beach at 6:30 a.m. is an experience in itself, when locals trickle down to the waterfront for a “sea bath.”

Grab breakfast at the George Washington Coffee House, located in a 1700s plantation home. Afterward, take a short stroll past the main guard house and clock tower at Garrison Savannah before heading to the Richard Haynes Boardwalk. This coastal walk has great views of the sweeping coastline shaded by swaying palms. Mixed in are beach bars and casual bistros.

AFTERNOON: Time to fry some fish

For lunch, take a 15-minute bus ride south to the community of Oistins. If you’ve already had your fill of flying fish, check out Surfer’s Cafe and ask for one of the tables by the ocean. Don’t miss Oistins Fish Market, where you can watch fishermen haul their catch onto the dock. Inside, ladies with lightning-fast knives scale fish with toe-curling accuracy. You can get fried fish any day of the week at Oistins Fish Fry, but Friday night draws a huge crowd.

When you’re ready for a swim, walk five minutes down the main road to Miami Beach. Also called Enterprise Beach, it’s smaller and less of a scene than Carlisle Bay.

EVENING: Dinner high above the beach

Just before the sun starts to sink into the horizon, take a short walk up the road to watch the sky turn various shades of pink and orange from one of the many scenic overlooks on the cliffs above the beach. Better yet, head to Cafe Luna, a romantic rooftop bistro, for a pre-dinner cocktail. But don’t rush off; the food here is as good as the view, and the casual-yet-sophisticated vibe extends to the well-traveled menu.

GARRISON SAVANNAH AREA TOUR OPTIONS

Travelers say: “[Richard Haynes Boardwalk] is a nice place for a stroll by the sea, and not a bad place to look at birds (we saw a bunch of hummingbirds) and the odd green monkey. The boardwalk is very well maintained. There's a big construction project along the western end, but the fence had some nice art on it, which made up for it.” —@Thompso2

Worthy detours along the way

Know Before You Go


The sun shines in Barbados all year, but you’ll encounter more frequent (though usually short) rain showers in the wet season from May to October. This is also the low season as far as tourism goes (the high season corresponds to winter in the Northern Hemisphere). Crowds and prices fluctuate accordingly. The island’s biggest annual event, the Crop Over music and food festival, takes place in August.



The number of cruise ships docked in Bridgetown (up to five per day) will impact how hectic downtown and the surrounding attractions are likely to be. You can check the schedule online. Partiers will want to visit over a weekend so they can experience St. Lawrence Gap nightlife at its liveliest. Most businesses and smaller restaurants close on Sunday.



Regular business hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most locals eat lunch around 1 or 2 p.m., and dinner around 8 p.m.



While accommodations in the heart of Bridgetown are hard to come by, all-inclusive resorts are clustered on the beaches south of town. The beachfront Sugar Bay Barbados puts you at the northern end of this resort district, closer to Bridgetown, but it’s only a 15- or 20-minute drive from St. Lawrence Gap.

Beachfront Bougainvillea Barbados—a stone’s throw from St. Lawrence Gap—is the best value if you want to be in the middle of the party. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, Little Arches Boutique Hotel is ranked among the “Best of the Best” by Tripadvisor readers.

On the east coast, Atlantis Historic Inn is your best choice. This rural inn with only 10 guest rooms is the place to get away from the hustle of the city and enjoy the serenity of the windswept coast.



By bus: Buses are a cheap and easy way to get around, and even the most infrequent routes run every hour until midnight. Routes are spread out across the island, with most starting in Bridgetown. You can get anywhere for a couple of dollars each way.

By car: Renting a car is a popular way to explore the island. Most of the car rental companies are in Bridgetown, but your hotel can probably also arrange a vehicle for you.

By taxi: Taxis are widely available, and can also be hired for longer trips around the island. Agree on a price before you set out.

Airport transfers: Taxis are the quickest and easiest way to get to your hotel from Grantley Adams International Airport. You can also arrange for an airport pickup through Terrvette Tours and Taxi Service, a favorite of Tripadvisor readers.


Lexi Fisher
Lexi was born in Grenada, West Indies, and educated in Ontario, Canada. She began traveling at a young age when her parents instilled in her a great sense of adventure. She still splits her time between Canada and the Caribbean and shares her adventures through the sailing guides she writes for Doyle Guides, along with various other magazines and websites that publish her work.