5 Towns You Need to Visit in Barbados (Other Than Bridgetown)
Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados and tourist hub of the nation, often takes center stage when people think of visiting Barbados, but there is so much more to this tropical destination to explore. From charming coastal villages to historic towns, Barbados is full of gems that offer a deeper look and experience into Bajan culture, food, and natural beauty. Here are 5 towns, other than Bridgetown, you should add to your Barbados itinerary.
(Every location below includes a link to a full guide for the parish that the town is located in to further assist you in planning your visit!)
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Left: Mullins Beach (Saint Peter); Right: Flight into Barbados
When to Visit Barbados & How Many Days
Barbados has 2 seasons: wet and dry.
The dry season is December to May, the most popular time of year for tourism, due to its ideal tropical conditions. I visited for a month (from April to May 2025), and the weather was fantastic. While still hot, this time of year has consistent wind that helps cool you down.
The wet season is from June to November, and is hurricane season. While brief afternoon showers are common, they’re often followed by sunshine. For a more affordable, quiet Barbados visit, consider visiting during the rainy season! Just keep tabs on weather radars ahead of your trip, and embrace the beauty these months bring to the island.
I recommend visiting Barbados for 5-7 days! These many days will give travelers the best opportunity for a more in-depth mix of excursions and relaxing beach days. For a quick getaway, I would recommend 3-4 days.
How to Get Around Barbados
The best and most efficient ways to get around Barbados are by rental car, taxi, or private driver. You can also utilize the bus system!
Rental Car
A rental car will give you the most freedom to explore on your terms, as long as you are comfortable with driving here! These can be picked up at the airport or car hire offices around the island.
While we did not rent a car during our trip to Barbados, I can say from observation that roads, particularly the more rural ones, are less kept up, so being aware of potholes, unpaved roads, and tight roads that barely fit 2 vehicles is important to keep in mind if you do wish to drive yourself.
Taxi
Taxis are available at taxi stands, on the streets (especially in busier cities like Bridgetown), and through the ride-hailing app, pickUP Barbados. You can ask them to drop you off at your destination, or work out a price for them to wait on you so they bring you back as well. Many taxi drivers will offer their card or service as a private taxi driver for you around Barbados. This is how we found our amazing private driver!
Private Driver
We chose to hire a private driver for any day-long excursions we wanted to do around the island. This guaranteed our safety on rough roads with a local who knew where they were going and was incredibly knowledgeable of Barbados, which eased the stress of getting around. We got to sit back, relax, learn about the island, and enjoy the views on our drives.
You can also book custom, private day excursions through sites like Viator, where you can refer to reviews and photos from others’ experiences.
NOTE: Hiring a private driver for a day-long tour of the island is not cheap in Barbados. On average, we paid about USD 400 for 7-8 hour days.
Bus
Bus routes connect you to all parts of Barbados. This is the most cost-effective transportation option, but it will take significantly more time, cash to pay for the fare, and a lot of planning. In rural parishes of Barbados, the bus only comes once an hour (if that), so if you miss your chance, you’ll be waiting for at least another hour! You can refer to the following bus resources to plan your route:
5 Towns You Need to Visit in Barbados
1. Speightstown (Saint Peter)
I stayed South of Speightstown for 2 weeks and frequently traveled into Speightstown for good reason! Visitors can stroll along quiet streets lined with colonial architecture, tour the Arlington House Museum, dine at posh ocean-facing restaurants, and enjoy shopping at local markets and art galleries. Speightstown is also home to beautiful, uncrowded west coast beaches, ideal for swimming and relaxing. And you MUST try a flying fish cutter from The Caboose, trust me.
🚗 Vehicle required (taxi or rental car)
2. Oistins (Christ Church)
Oistins, Barbados, is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience authentic Bajan culture, delicious local seafood, and vibrant nightlife. Known for its famous Oistins Fish Fry, this bustling coastal escape offers a perfect mix of local food, live music, and island vibes suitable for all ages and budgets. It’s a short drive from the airport and the cruise port, making its location ideal for travelers.
I recommend staying in Saint Lawrence Gap, a popular tourist strip in Oistins lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and beaches.
🚗 Taxi, rental car, or bus required to get here. Areas like Saint Lawrence Gap are walkable!
3. Bathsheba (Saint Joseph)
Bathsheba in Saint Joseph, Barbados, is a quiet, naturally beautiful town on the East Coast. The rugged coastline, laid-back surf vibe, and the plethora of botanical gardens in the parish attract visitors to the area year-round. I recommend that your visit to Bathsheba include grabbing lunch at Zemi East Coast Cafe, exploring the unique and jaw-dropping Bathsheba Beach, and touring Andromeda Botanic Gardens.
There is MUCH more to do and see in Saint Joseph parish, which is listed in my Saint Joseph Travel Guide.
🚗 Vehicle required (rental car or taxi)
4. Holetown (Saint James)
Holetown in Saint James is on the West coast of Barbados, also known as the “Platinum Coast,” for its mansion-lined beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and luxury shopping mixed in with local gems and attractions. Holetown is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island for these reasons, and is also historic as it was the first English settlement in Barbados. If you are looking for calmer beaches, ritzy nightlife, and fine dining, this is the place for you.
🚗 Taxi, rental car, or bus required to get here. Holetown is walkable!
5. Belleplaine (Saint Andrews)
Belleplaine, a tiny village located on the rugged east coast of Saint Andrew, Barbados, is a hidden gem, offering visitors a more tranquil and unspoiled experience. With only one hotel in Belleplaine (Santosha Barbados), this is a great spot to base yourself if you are a nature lover looking for close access to some of Barbados’ best hiking trails and natural scenery.
If visiting for just a day, I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Sand Dunes in town for some delicious Bajan fare, taking a tour at Walkers Reserve, and strolling along the beautiful Walkers Beach.
🚗 Vehicle required (rental car or taxi)
Tips & Things to Know Before Visiting Barbados
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Lump more than one place in this list together on a single trip! Barbados is small. Some of the towns on this list are close together and can be visited in a short amount of time, so hitting more than one in a day is entirely doable. Check out the map I put together to plan out your Barbados adventure!
Check websites and social media for the days and hours of operation of restaurants, businesses, and destinations you are headed to. Many places around the island are closed 1 or more days of the week and for holidays, so do a bit of research on the areas you wish to visit before heading that way.
Carry cash with you, just in case. Credit card is widely accepted in Barbados, but as you venture out into the less populated and traveled-to parishes, or dine and shop at more locally owned establishments, you may find cash is more frequently necessary. The Barbadian Dollar (BBD) and USD are universally accepted across Barbados, and the math is easy; 2 BBD to 1 USD.
Prioritize sun protection and hydration. Barbados is hot, humid, and mostly sunny! Before heading out, always put on sunscreen. Wear sunglasses, hats, and UV shirts. Handheld fans are helpful for areas or days with little wind. And drink, drink, drink water and electrolytes!
Respect wildlife and nature. Pick up after yourself, don’t litter, do significant research on any tours that involve animals (snorkeling, wildlife reserves, etc), don’t feed or touch wildlife, wear reef-safe sunscreen, save water, limit plastic consumption.
Expect tight and bumpy roads. The main roads and highways around Barbados are in good condition. The more rural you go, the more you can expect to encounter streets that are only wide enough for one car to drive down, or unpaved and covered in potholes. Take it slow and decide what your vehicle is capable of!
Google Maps is not always accurate. This goes for the entire island. Do research on the location of the places you are visiting ahead of time to get a general understanding of the area.
Hire a local taxi driver for the day! If you aren’t confident driving around on your own, hire a local driver who knows the area and can navigate difficult roads that they are used to driving. They will also likely be able to give more local recommendations on where to go and give you some history of the areas you are visiting, and it is a great way to support the local economy!
Use the pickUP Barbados rideshare app to get around, but be patient! While this app is available across the island, the availability of drivers can be scarce depending on your location. For example, when we stayed in Saint Peter, on average, drivers who accepted our ride request were typically about 10 minutes away from us. We would sometimes get several cancellations before a driver accepted and followed through with picking us up. The later in the evening, the longer it will likely take to find a nearby driver, if at all. When we stayed in St Lawrence Gap, a driver was always 1-3 minutes away.
Wear mosquito repellent. Especially at dawn and dusk, if you are prone to being a mosquito target.
Respect and embrace “island time.” Things are not always as efficient and fast-paced as in places like the US, Canada, etc. Be patient and flexible!
Map
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