Barbados Beauties

I've mentioned previously that I have an awesome job, working for a luxury travel company and hosting/producing the podcast - well, in a completely unexpected, but very cool, turn of events, myself and my colleague were sent to record some podcast episodes with partners in-situ - in Barbados!

It was a whirlwind of a week - we travelled across the island, staying in some of the most luxurious resorts, and interviewing key partners in the luxury travel space for various podcast episodes. As we were hosted, we were lucky enough to be taken to some of the most beautiful places on the island - so here are my must-see spots on Barbados for anyone lucky enough to visit this stunning Caribbean island.

Animal Flower Cave

At the northernmost point of Barbados you can find the Animal Flower Cave: a small complex of shops, souvenir stands, a restaurant and a play area - and some of the best views I've ever seen in my life.

The cliff walk is quite scary in places, overlooking the crashing waves and across cave openings in the ground - apart from the initial viewing area it's not particularly accessible, but the scenery is truly gorgeous. Underground we explored the cave itself and discovered the little anemone flowers that give the cave its name - though there were fewer than usual due to recent storms. The ground is very, very rocky and uneven, but the incredible rock formations and underground pools were worth the scramble (helped by our insightful and informative guide)

Entry to the cave itself is by guided tour and costs from BBD$12 for children and BBD$40 for adults. The tour is approximately 30 minutes but for slightly more and for a little longer you can also have the opportunity to swim in the underground ocean pool (weather and tides permitting!) You can only enter while wearing appropriate footwear, and while there's no age restrictions, young children or those with mobility issues are not advised to enter.

Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre

Rum is synonymous with Barbados, so, while we were in the Bridgetown area, we popped along to the Mount Gay Rum visitor centre for a tour and rum tasting.

The small museum chronicles the history of the oldest rum in the world, up to modern day, and the Tasting Room shows how the different masters mix the iconic rums. We sampled four rums at different stages of the making process, and I was surprised to find out from our fun guide that they were all the same strength even though the final one felt like it had kicked me in the face!

The Signature Tasting Session starts from USD$27.50 per person (over 18s only!) and lasts around an hour. There are other activities and experiences available at both Mount Gay Rum sites, and I'd definitely recommend trying them out too!

Holetown Chattel Village

The charming Chattel Village in Holetown is a colourful slice of Barbados filled with unique shops, local crafts, and island vibes.

These small, brightly decorated houses were designed to be portable and adaptable - originally built on rented plots of land and able to be moved as the land leases expired. Chattel Houses are now an iconic feature of Barbados and reflect the creativity and resilience of the island.

Holetown Chattel Village blends this tradition with modern boutiques, craft shops, and eateries, and it's a vibrant, must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike.

Oistins Fish Fry Friday

Oistins is a historic fishing town on the southern coast of Barbados, and was the site of the signing of the 'Charter of Barbados' in 1652 - however it's now most famous for vibrant culture, culinary delights, and, of course, the iconic Fish Fry, particularly on Friday nights.

This huge, weekly event features amazing seafood, live music, and stalls selling local crafts. Oistins is a must-visit for an authentic taste of Bajan life and culture.

With delicious seafood, live music, and a buzzing atmosphere that brings locals and visitors together - where else would you want to be on a Friday night in Barbados?

Tour of Bridgetown

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados, and is buzzing with life and culture. Blending a modern feel with the ubiquitous colours and charm of the island, there was so much to see and do here, from the memorials and sculptures of National Heroes Square, to the beautiful bridges that give the town its name.

If you ask, you'll also find Rhianna's childhood home, not far from the centre of town - though I'd recommend doing this as early in the day as you can, as apparently it can get rather crowded on the small street!

Other Mentions

As I said, we were lucky enough to be hosted during our stay and were fortunate to stay in, and visit, some incredible places - highlights were the O2 Beach Club & Spa on the southern coast of Barbados - a modern luxury hotel; Godings Beach House - a private villa where every need was catered to by a devoted team of staff; touring Crystal Springs - a complex of private villas with the best sunset watching spots I've ever seen; and receiving a complimentary upgrade on our outbound flight to Virgin Upper - true luxury!

Things to Know

Currency is either Bajan Dollar, or USD - make sure you ask which currency payments are in and don't do what I did which was pay USD$50 for a taxi!

There are no private beaches on Barbados - all beaches are public, even at ultra luxury resorts, though at these spots they're clearly marked and beds and services are obviously not available to casual walkers - it was lovely to walk along the beach on our first morning to meet colleagues staying at a completely different place!

English is the main language spoken, so signage is also written in English, and cars in Barbados drive on the same side as in the UK - roads are generally well maintained - so getting around is super easy.

There's no daylight savings time in Barbados - and they have consistent sunrises and sunsets (around 5:30am and 6pm)

Have you been to Barbados? Would you visit any of these spots on your trip?