Must See

Andromeda Botanic Gardens

This garden located on the slopes above the Atlantic Ocean is renowned for its collection of tropical plants from all over the world. Of particular note are breadfruit trees descended from those collected by Captain Bligh (of mutiny fame), palms and succulents. There are many unusual species which may be rarely seen elsewhere.

Barbados Wildlife Reserve

A walk-through zoo featuring an array of green monkeys, red-footed turtles, caimans, brocket deer, iguanas and agoutis. Animals roam freely through the lush mahogany forest. There is also an aviary with turkeys, macaws, peacocks, toucans, parrots and lovebirds.

Bridgetown

This busy commercial hub and capital is home to a mishmash of modern and colonial buildings. The city has an English feel, with a miniature of London's Trafalgar Square (now known as National Heroes Square) - complete with a statue of Lord Nelson. It's small and easily walkable. Sights include the Government House, the Barbados Museum, St Michael's Cathedral and a distinctive Old Synagogue. Temple Yard has a Rastafarian street market.

Holetown

Founded in the 1620s, this is the oldest town in Barbados and several buildings from this early period remain. A narrow beach off Folkestone Park is a pleasant spot for picnics, swimming and surfing.

Nearby, an artificial reef was formed by deliberately sinking Stavronikita (a fire-gutted ship) in 1976. This ship now rests upright, with corals growing on its masts and fish swimming through its hull. Exploration of the ship should only be attempted by experienced divers.

St Lawrence

One of a cluster of low-key towns on the southwest coast of the island, noted for powdery white sand, interesting local crafts and places to eat and drink.

St Philips Plains

The southern coastal plains (east of Grantley Adams International Airport) extend north to an escarpment which approximately parallels between highways 4 and 5. The area is dotted with the ruins of abandoned sugar mills which became uneconomical with centralised processing. The refinery buildings of Heritage Park were restored in 1996, and guided tours are available that explain several aspects of Barbadian life, especially among the workers. Some of the buildings date back to the 17th century and are listed by the Barbados National Trust.

Sunbury Plantation House

This plantation house offers an insight into the sugar trade, which was vital to the island during colonial times. Dating back to about 1660, it is lavishly decorated with Victorian antiques. In addition to the exceptional collection of furniture, artefacts cover all aspects of domestic life on a plantation. The estate also features a collection of restored horse drawn carriages. The house is surrounded by pleasant gardens.

Watersports

The island's splendid coral reefs offer excellent scuba diving and snorkelling. Sea-horses, frogfish and hawksbill turtles can be spotted. Carlisle Bay, near Bridgetown, has 200 wrecks to explore. Windsurfing and surfing are also popular activities.