From Rihanna Drive to walks through ancient mahogany forests, we take a look at the landmark attractions of Barbados.
Coco Hill Forest
A 53-acre agrotourism project, the Coco Hill Forest is a verdant green oasis located in the parish of St. Andrew. An ideal location for hiking, the reserve features well-maintained trails through rare tropical forest land, offering stunning views over the island’s east coast. Endemic plant species include tree ferns, bamboo, and mahogany, whilst wildlife ranges from the Barbados bullfinch to green monkey.
St. Nicholas Abbey
Providing a glimpse into the island’s past, St. Nicholas Abbey is the perfect way to connect with Barbados’ colonial history. The grounds of the beautifully restored 17th century Jacobean plantation house are complete with a museum, heritage railway, and fully functional rum distillery on-site. Visitors are invited to step back in time to envisage what life was like on the plantation in the 1930s.
Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Located in the parish of St. Peter, Barbados Wildlife Reserve offers serene, self-guided walks through an ancient mahogany forest, where you can encounter deer, peacocks, the green monkey, and even red-footed tortoises roaming free beneath the verdant canopies. Enjoy the opportunity to feed the animals fruit on selected days for a hands-on wildlife experience like no other.
Kensington Oval
Barbados is one of the international centres for cricket, and the island’s oldest and most iconic stadium, the Kensington Oval, hosts regular test matches between the months of January and April. As one of the many home grounds used by the West Indies, the historic home of Barbadian cricket regularly witnesses classic encounters against England, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, and South Africa.
The Garrison
The Garrison is one of eight cultural heritage conservation areas on the island and represents a distinguished era of military colonial history, made up of 115 listed buildings. Within the precincts of this sprawling site, visitors can explore a fascinating collection of history through both colonial and vernacular architecture.
Rihanna Drive
Found on the outskirts of Bridgetown, Rihanna Drive is the childhood home and community where world-famous Caribbean icon, billionaire businesswoman, and multi-award-winning popstar Rihanna grew up. Originally known as Westbury New Road, the name was changed in 2017 to celebrate one of Barbados’ most famed stars and share a part of her childhood with the world, now existing as a must-visit destination for any avid Rihanna superfan.
Morgan Lewis Mill
Interested in the history behind the island? Morgan Lewis Mill is one of the last sugar mills to have operated in Barbados, now converted into a museum for any visitor open to exploring the rich history of the nation.
Bathsheba Beach
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Bathsheba Beach is a haven for surfers and those interested in aquatic life. Here, the sea rocks the coast with dramatic waves ideal for those keen for water sports. The power of the waves along this coast is shown in its erosion, that have formed a multitude of rockpools ideal for aquatic life in the shallows.
Carlisle Bay, Barbados
The central beach of Bridgetown, Carlisle Bay is a made up of white beaches stretched beside tranquil waters. It is a picturesque area of the coast, popular with swimmers, scuba divers, and thrives next to a hub of urban activity.
