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Bridgetown Cruises

The capital of Barbados, Bridgetown offers a warm welcome to this tropical Caribbean island with its idyllic beaches, vibrant nightlife and colonial buildings like the Old Parliament. You can easily spend the better part of a day wandering around its historic avenues, shopping for souvenirs on the pedestrian-only Swan Street and stopping off for a rum-based cocktail by the sea. The entire downtown area is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its distinct architecture, captivating rhythms and unique museums like the George Washington House where the first US president once stayed!

Bridgetown, Barbados

What You Need To Know About Bridgetown

What are the can’t-miss sights in Bridgetown?

The downtown area offers a treasure-trove of can’t-miss buildings to admire, along with elegant plazas and open-air cafes. You’ll see the Chamberlain Bridge in the heart of it all, named after former British Secretary of State of the Colonies Joseph Chamberlain. It dates back to the late 1800s and is a top spot for photos! If it’s beaches you’re after, head to the serene sands of Carlisle Bay for a spot of snorkelling, sunbathing or swimming in crystalline waters. Learn more about local rum production at historic St Nicholas Abbey, or the sugar industry at the Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill.

How can you reach Bridgetown from the cruise terminal?

Bridgetown’s cruise terminal is located a bit down the coast from the central downtown area, but the route to get there passes through a stone seawall and green park. The Bridgetown Public Fish Market is located across the street which is also worth a peek! It’s only a one-mile walk into the main downtown area, with the city quite compact if you wish to explore on foot. Otherwise, you can hire a car to get around greater Barbados, or hail a taxi from the queue outside the terminal. The city’s bus terminal is only two blocks away next to Pelican Village, but exact change is required!

When is the best time to visit?

There’s really not a bad time to visit Barbados, but in general the best time to visit Bridgetown is between July and November. This city sits outside of the Caribbean’s main hurricane zone, so the rainy season isn’t as much of a worry as it would be in other destinations. The temperatures cool down slightly between December and mid-April, but it’s considered high season with dry days and comfortable temperatures. Just be prepared to jostle with fellow visitors during these months, due to it being such a popular time to visit!

BRIDGETOWN EXPERTS

We have over 130 expert cruise consultants to help you book the perfect cruise. Many have first hand experience of Bridgetown and you can find some of their best tips and advice below.
Lesley Millward

Lesley Milward

Bridgetown

I think it is a great choice to do either a pre or post cruise stay here. The actual port of Bridgetown is roughly about 13 miles from the airport and has a great choice of bars, shops etc.

BRIDGETOWN - DID YOU KNOW?

Diving is a prime pastime in Bridgetown, so sign up at a local diving school or hire your own equipment to head out under the waves! One of the most notorious dive sites here is the S.S.
Stavronikita, a shipwreck now taken over by lush sea vegetation. You’ll come face to face with creatures like sea turtles, barracudas and coral on a guided dive. Do you want to sample the colourful array of fresh produce found on Barbados? Visit Bridgetown’s Cheapside Market, one of the best fruit markets on the island if not the whole Caribbean! You’ll find it next to the main post office, laden with juicy coconuts and all sorts of souvenirs. If you have time to venture outside of Bridgetown, the Mount Gay Visitor Centre is a great place to sit and relax. You’ll be welcomed inside with a fruity rum punch, and shown around this world-class rum distillery by guided experts. Samples are included, naturally, and there’s a gift shop to purchase a bottle to take home. Bridgetown’s Jewish Synagogue is one of the oldest in the world, built in the 1600s and still active to this day. It’s located in the city’s old town centre, and doubles as a museum dedicated to the island’s slave trade and history of immigration.


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