Posted: July 23, 2018
Updated: Oct 10, 2024
Every single time that I have traveled to Barbados was either for a visa application, or a short layover “en route” to another destination. Because these types of trips almost give you little to no time to explore the island of the sun, I made it my mission to ‘craftily” include some time where I would see the things that Barbados had to offer.
There are many interesting things to do in Bridgetown Barbados, even if you are on a short visit. For people who live in the islands, Barbados is most often a destination for business. With at least 9 embassies and 28 consulates represented on the island, most people who travel to Barbados visit the island for visa applications and related proceedings, which means they generally do not stay longer than 24 hours.
Moreover, the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados is the most common departure point for international flights (to Canada, the USA and Europe). This means that generally people transit through the island for less than 24 hours, or at most, overnight. With that in mind, it is so easy to pass through the island of the sun without ever really taking the time to discover all the fun things to do in Barbados.
But what a pity it is though! What if, in the short span of time that you had, you could actually explore some of the best things to do in Bridgetown, Barbados? Every time I traveled to the island, I always tried to figure out something new and something fun I could do, with the little time I had. I have been in and out of the island more than ten times. Based on my experience, I came up with these best recommendations of Barbados activities you can try in the city, whether you are in transit or going there for a short trip. By visiting Bridgetown, you are guaranteed to maximize your short stay, have great experiences, and still get back in time to the airport (or your hotel) to catch your return flight.
With no further ado, here are the top things to do in Bridgetown, Barbados, if you only have 24 hours (or less)!
Table of Contents
Things to do in Barbados: Walk through Queens Park
In the 1700s, the King’s house was located in the Queen’s Park (appreciate the irony). Today, the park is one of the key sights to see and top things to explore when visiting Bridgetown, Barbados. It houses the Barbados Solar House and a magnificent Baobab Tree (a thousand years old). As per local tradition, every Christmas, Bajans host a fashion show at the Queen’s Park, in the spirit of the upcoming celebrations. The park is also the location of the Barbados Agrofest Exhibition, which features local agriculture and craft.
How to get there? The Queens Park is on the way to downtown Bridgetown (if you’re coming from Belmont road).
Cost: free
Things to do in Barbados: Explore Church Village Green
Just as you exit Queen’s Park, on your way to downtown, you will come across a little historical village called Church Village Green. It is probably one of the most underrated things to do (and see) in Bridgetown, but has its own charm. The park has a lot of old-time features such as replica of old bajan coins engraved in the floor, stone walkways and mounted doors, which were the traditional design of plantation workers’ houses doors centuries ago, during colonization.
Cost: free
Fun Things to do in Barbados: Stroll through the Bridgetown Streets!
Downtown Bridgetown, the odds of getting lost are close to none because it is very easy to navigate the city by walking. The streets cross each other and are lined with interesting stores, cafes and local shops. You can also find high end articles at the most popular city mall (Cave Shepherd Mall), and indulge in some duty-free shopping.
When walking through the streets of Bridgetown during your Barbados visit, one can appreciate a nuance of modern and also local, as evidenced by the stalls of local fruits and vegetables that you should not be surprised to see on the road. This is the African and Caribbean touch. This is what we love.
While on your self-guided tour of Bridgetown, if you end up being hungry, one of my top recommendations for a quick bite is Barbados’s number fast-food chain, Chefette. Not only do you end up supporting a popular and locally nested fast-food brand, but you also get to try something different. And with 15 branches across the entire island (including the airport), you have no excuse not to try it out. Make sure you sample out the Hawaiian Pizza.
How to get there? From Belmont road, downtown is about 15 -20 mins walking. I love walking when I am away, but if you’re a fan of bus and public transportation, you can take a bus as well (for less than 3 BBD – bajan dollars.
Cost? Free.
Take a Stroll on the Boardwalk
A mile long, nestled by bustling restaurants and bars during the summer, the Barbados boardwalk (in Bridgetown) offers an invigorating view of boats, peacefully resting over the sea (when no one is sailing). It is a scenic spot for amazing shots (hello budding photographers!), but also a very cool and relaxing area for an afternoon stroll. I enjoyed feeling the afternoon breeze around there, but rumor has it that the view is epic at sunrise and sunset. The Boardwalk is one of the simplest things to do in Bridgetown, Barbados, especially when you don’t have an itinerary planned out. Additional perk? It’s free!
How to get there? The boardwalk is downtown, so you can easily navigate your way around.
Cost: free.
Fun Things to do in Barbados: Take a Rum Tour at the Mount Gay Distillery
This was one of my favorite Barbados travel experiences, and certainly one of the best things to do in Bridgetown, Barbados. I heavily recommend a rum tour at the Mount Gay Distillery, for anyone who is looking for fun things to do in Barbados. From the time we arrived to the rum distillery, we were warmly welcomed and invited to sign up for a tour. The fact that the tour included complimentary rum tasting was a big plus, but I actually did not imagine that we would be tasting all the 6 main varieties of rum that they produce there!
Learning the entire process of rum-making (from the selection of molasses, the choice of storage barrels, the careful selection of spices to enhance the flavor of each type of rum, and all other elements that contribute to the specific taste of each rum type) made the entire experience worth every second. It was also fascinating to better understand how rum production and consumption is part of Caribbean culture, why rum shops are so important, and how specific types of rums are selected for specific occasions.
What people generally refer to as “bars”, “pubs” or “watering holes”, in the Caribbean, they call it “rum shops”. Initially, one would think that is the shop where you’d go and buy rum, but our super savvy tour guide explained to us that it was much more than that. Murals depicting traditional aspects of the “rum shop vibes” can even make you understand this better. But I would not want to spoil it for you, I would rather urge you to visit.
Cost? The Mount Gay Rum Distillery organizes its own tours, and you can find price information on their official website.
Speaking of visiting: you can book your tours by calling, and you can select the option you prefer (based on your time and availability). I loved the fact that I was able to call in and get my tour done one the same day, but if you’re traveling with a group, I strongly advise to book at least 24 hours in advance.
At the beginning of your tour, you get a complimentary rum punch, which I believe is perfect to set the mood for this kind of activity! And if your group is small (and you can handle your liquor), you can go for seconds.
Tip: if you do not drink alcohol, feel free to ask your tour guide if there is an alternative to the rum punch.
The Mount Gay Distillery Rum Tour starts with a brief history of how Barbados started making rum, and as much as I would like to share it all with you, I don’t want to spoil the details. But I love little random facts, so I wanted to share this:
Just as during my visit to Belgium I discovered that they have a beer for every occasion, Barbados also has a rum for every occasion. Towards the end of the tour, we actually got to taste 5 out of the 6 different varieties produced at the Mount Gay Distillery. My tastebuds were beyond pleased, but after variety #3, I could not tell cinnamon from nutmeg (both are spices used in rum making, by the way).
Please, don’t do this if you haven’t had breakfast or lunch yet.
For any Barbados vacation, short or long term travel, a visit to the Mount Gay Distillery is a definite yes.
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Fun Things to do in Barbados: Take a Peek at Rihanna’s Childhood Home
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is locally, regionally and internationally known as one of the most influential RnB singers, female entertainers and celebrity entrepreneurs from our times. She has inspired countless souls of our generation through her personal story and breakthrough success, and by doing so, has tremendously increased tourism to her native island, Barbados.
On November 27th, the government honored her by coining the home street where she grew up “Rihanna Drive”, and nobody is shutting up about it! If you’re driving in the area, especially in the morning and early afternoon, the buses loaded with tourists and going down the Rihanna drive towards the pop singer’ childhood house will be hard to miss.
Cost: free.
The singer and her family no longer live there, but the exterior of the house has been repainted since it became one of the top things to do in Bridgetown, Barbados. Also, the house is about 10-mins away (walking) from the Mount Gay Distillery.
Things to do in Barbados: Relax at Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is ranked as one of the top Barbados beaches, and the only beach located at the heart of Bridgetown itself. The beach is located about a 5-minutes drive from the Mount Gay Distillery. After a great tour of the island’s #1 rum brewery and a swing by Rihanna’s house, end your afternoon at the beach, relaxing at the sound of the unapologetically beautiful waves. If you are visiting Barbados during the week, you are in even better luck. On weekends, beaches as beautiful as Brighton tend to be crowded with tourists.
More Barbados Travel Content to Plan your Trip Like a Pro
Where to stay in Barbados during your stay: I have stayed at the South Beach Hotel Barbados, and I absolutely loved it. Located on Rockley Beach, this hotel gives you direct views to the beach (literally, a street crossing away). I also love the fact that it allows you to cook your own meals in your room, and is is so close to the airport that it’s nearly impossible to miss your flight (unless you try really hard!) If you want to see what the inside of the hotel looks like before you boo, check out the vlog of my experience at South Beach Hotel, Barbados here.
Amazing Barbados Photos that will make you want to visit ASAP: during one of my famous Barbados layover trips, I took the liberty of taking some photos of the places I went. I think this Barbados photo gallery will make you fall in love with the island of the sun… all over again!
My several roundtrips to Barbados showed me one thing: there are plenty of fun things to do in Barbados, and you can make the best out of your 24 hours in Bridgetown. I hope this inspires you to get out and explore Bridgetown at your next layover!
Until next time.
Adventurously,
Clem
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