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Along with powder-white beaches and azure seas, Barbados offers plenty of opportunity to explore its storied past, go surfing or diving, visit botanical gardens, or join a local fish fry. Relaxing on the beach or by the pool is, of course, the number one thing to do on the island and you’ll find a wide choice of hotels and resorts, palm-shaded bars, and slick restaurants to choose from, but you can also explore the world’s oldest rum distillery, take a walking tour of the historic garrison in Bridgetown, or visit former plantations to learn about the island’s darker history. The Andromeda Botanic Gardens are the finest in the Caribbean, while the east coast of the island is wild and untamed and offers dramatic sea stacks, giant rollers, and quieter villages.

A long-established Caribbean destination, Barbados offers a wide range of hotels and resorts to stay in. Whether you’re after a lively base with a range of water sports and restaurants or a more intimate escape with sea views and local character, we can find the best options for you.

If you’re planning a holiday with younger guests, you may want to choose from our family-friendly resorts with a choice of on-site activities, but you’ll also find lots of alternatives such as an 18th-century inn on the tranquil east coast, or a small boutique hotel with a rooftop bar and restaurant. To get an idea of where you could stay and start planning, take a look at our collection of places to stay in Barbados.

Barbados is a small island, and you’ll find it easy to get between its vibrant towns and palm-fringed beaches, historic forts, rainforest trails and botanical gardens. The island’s historic capital, Bridgetown, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to explore its history, visit shops or galleries or try a tasting at the Mount Gay Distillery.

To the south, the fishing village of Oistins bursts into life on Friday nights for a communal fish fry accompanied by live music and dancing. North of Bridgetown, the upmarket Platinum Coast stretches out in a blaze of soft white sand and turquoise seas.

Upmarket Holetown makes a good base, and you’ll find a choice of excellent resorts and restaurants in the surrounding area. On the wild Atlantic coast, Bathsheba offers dramatic scenery, windswept beaches, good surfing, and lush tropical gardens to explore.

Barbados is well connected with other islands across the Caribbean and planning an island-hopping trip is easy. A trip to Barbados works well with a visit to Antigua where you can explore British heritage at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard. Visit tranquil Bequia for secluded beaches, traditional villages and complete relaxation, or opt for a private-island stay in the heart of the Grenadines.

From Barbados, it’s also easy to visit Grenada to explore quiet beaches and the mountainous interior, and Saint Lucia where you can discover volcanoes and canyons, sugar and cocoa plantations, rum distilleries, and nature trails.

It takes around nine hours to fly from the UK to Barbados.

The time zone in Barbados is UTC-4 hours. Barbados does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Renting a car is the best way to get around Barbados. Driving is on the left, and it only takes around an hour to drive from end to end, but there are lots of interesting places to explore. You’ll need to get a temporary local driving permit from your car rental company. You’ll also find plenty of taxis, and there are standard fares to most destinations, but confirm this with your driver before setting off. The public bus system is also easy to use and goes to most of the island’s main sights.

Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for Barbados, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the .

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Barbados. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool