Bridgetown
As Barbados' only city and the capital of the island, Bridgetown can be a fascinating place to explore, with a rich past thanks to its huge natural harbour making it a hub of trade and the main point of contact with the wider world. Full of sights to see and old colonial buildings, it is a great place to soak up the history of the island, and as a well developed city it is also a great place to shop, eat and drink.
Most of the sights around the centre are easily accessible on foot, and if you find the heat of the day a little much you can chill out in cafe by the riverside or head to the pleasant city beach on Bay Street where you can refresh yourself at one of the bars.
Within the city are many attractions, from the splendid old colonial mansions to sights such as the huge St Michael's Cathedral, built in 1789 to house 1,500 worshippers at a time, with a stunning arched ceiling that at one point was the widest of its type in the world. The cemetary holds deep historical significance as a short walk through the grounds will pass the resting places of many notable figures from the island's past.
If you wish to brush up on your local history the Barbados Museum is not to be missed. Housed in a 19th Century prison the museum contains many fascinating displays depicting the island's background, from the indigenous residents through to the colonial times, and the slave trade to present day, with insightful narratives throughout.
Since Barbados Rum is so famous throughout the world no trip to the island is complete without a tour of one of the many distilleries, and Mount Gay's is one of the best, with their aged rums said to be some of the finest on the island.
Most people choose not to stay in Bridgetown itself since it is just a 15 minute drive to the south coast of the island, a long expanse of white sandy beaches fringed by budget and mid-range accomodation, restaurants and bars.
