Bridgetown Travel Guide

Bridgetown is the capital and only city of Barbados. In 2014 it had a population of 110,000, about half the island's population, and many more commute in. The well-preserved centre is attractive and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main sights in the city are the Careenage (the original harbour around the river) and Garrison Savannah the 18th- and 19th-century military area a mile south. Bridgetown is a regular port of call for cruise ships and has good duty-free shopping.

Barbados Airport (BGIIATA) is usually shown on departure boards as Bridgetown but it's 8 miles west inSouthern Barbados. Most tourists are bussed straight to their beach hotels and don't arrive via the city.

The city centre sights are easy walks. The harbour and Mount Gay rum distillery to the north, and the Garrison Savannah area to the south, are only a mile or so out: but the sun is hot and the roads are busy with poor sidewalks, so take a bus for B$3.50.

There is little accommodation in Bridgetown. Most visitors stay in the beach-strip hotels to thesouthor along thewest coast.