Even though Barbados is a small island, there are many different areas that offer their own interesting characteristics. Below you’ll find travel guides, restaurant recommendations, and hotel reviews for different neighborhoods around Barbados to help you choose the best neighborhoods for your trip.
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Bathsheba (2) Bridgetown (9) Featured (5) Holetown (4) Oistins (6) Speightstown (3) St. Lawrence Gap (5) St. Philip (6)
Here’s a little look at what you can expect in each place
Bathsheba: Bathsheba is on the east coast of the island and it’s generally very quiet and laid-back. There are a few little restaurants, but mainly people come to this coast for nature, relaxation, and surfing. Bathsheba is home to the famous Soup Bowl surf break, which is a must if you’re a confident surfer. The Atlantic side of the island is more choppy so it’s not the best for swimming, but there are some tide-pool areas where you can go for a dip. I recommend renting a car if you stay in Bathsheba.
Bridgetown: Bridgetown is the capital city of Barbados. If you’re coming to Barbados on a cruise, this is where you’ll embark and disembark. There’s also a harbor where you’ll meet for boat tours, fishing trips, and catamarans. The downtown area can be rather industrial and there aren’t many restaurants or hotels in the central town area, but if you’re interested in history, there’s a great walking tour of Bridgetown that covers the history of the island. If you head just south of the downtown area, you’ll hit Carlisle Bay which is one of the nicest beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and fun beach bars/clubs. I don’t recommend staying in downtown Bridgetown, because you’ll get better beaches and more hotel options by going just a few minutes up the coast toward Holetown, or a few minutes down the coast toward Carlisle Bay, Worthing, and the Garrison.
Holetown: Holetown is known for shopping, nightlife, and luxury. It’s located on the platinum west coast and within a short walk, you can find exclusive five-star hotels, fine dining, and post-card worthy beaches. This is also where you’ll find the famous Limegrove Lifestyle Center, a shopping center with stores, restaurants, art galleries, spa services, and events.
Speightstown: Speightstown is further north than Holetown and this port town is packed with history. You’ll have all the amenities you need, like groceries, restaurants, beaches, and plenty of places to grab a rum punch. There’s a marina here, so a lot of yacht-goers in this area, and you can find luxurious accommodations in a generally quieter part of the island. Both Holetown and Speightstown are typically more upmarket than neighborhoods, but you’ll have fewer crowds and less traffic compared to the south coast.
Worthing/Hastings: Hastings and Worthing are smaller areas along the coast between Carlisle Bay and St. Lawrence Gap, and while these aren’t towns per se, I’ve really enjoyed staying here on past trips. There are a lot of beachfront condos and apartments in this area and you’ve got close proximity to groceries, amenities, and restaurants, making this a good option for longer stays. You can also walk along the beach from Rockley Beach, to the South Coast boardwalk, all the way to Carlisle Bay with lots of restaurants and beach bars along your path.
St. Lawrence Gap: The party place! St. Lawrence Gap is the spot for nightlife on the island, and there are amazing restaurants, bars, and live music every night. Stay here if you want to be in the heart of the action, but be aware that there might be crowds and music late into the night. This area has Dover Beach and several luxurious all-inclusive resorts, as well as more modest hotel options. Also well connected by ZR to Worthing, Bridgetown, and Oistins.
Oistins: One of my favorite spots on the island, Oistins is a fishing village on the south coast with a local feel and great waves at Freights Bay. You’ll be close to the Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry and fish market, as well as the amazing Miami Beach for swimming and sunbathing. It’s got a laid-back surfer atmosphere, and this area is also more residential giving it a friendly neighborhood vibe. We rented an apartment in Oistins on our last trip to Barbados and it was perfectly located, just a short walk from the grocery store, cafes, restaurants, and the beach.
St. Phillip: St. Phillip is all the way around the south side of the island, and here you’ll have panoramic sea views from the island’s southern cliffs. This area is a lot quieter and more residential, but a good option if you want tranquility. The beaches in St. Philip generally are a bit too rough for swimming, but we were able to occasionally swim at Crane Beach (pink sand!) and Shark Hole. There are two big resorts down here as well, The Crane and Wyndham at Sam Lord’s, and I recommend having a car if you stay in this area since it’s a bit more remote.