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Barbados Holidays

Barbados Holidays

Read more about Barbados

Looking for an ocean paradise, white sand beaches and plenty of rum to sample? Barbados has a lot for you to explore.

Destination highlights

  • White sandy beaches
  • The birthplace of rum
  • Year-round high temperatures
  • A surfing, snorkelling and diving paradise

    • Jump to...

    Beaches | Hotels | Food & drink | Nightlife | Events | Things to do | Weather | Important information | Reviews |

    What are the best beaches in Barbados?

    White sands. Blue waters. Palm trees swaying. Barbados is world-famous for its fifty-seven beaches. From surfing to sunbathing, Barbados holidays have a beach for everyone.

  • Carlisle Bay – famed for having some of the most spectacular diving spots in the Caribbean.
  • Mullins Beach – home to golden sands and unbeatable sunsets.
  • Bathsheba Beach – a wild stretch of coast which makes for a surfer’s paradise.
  • Bottom Bay Beach – feel a world away from home on one of the most secluded beaches in Barbados.
  • Brownes Beach – one of the largest white-sand beaches on the island.
  • Silver Sands Beach – packed with exhilirating watersports to get your blood pumping.
  • Gibbes Beach – blessed with soft, white sands and vividly blue waters.
  • Alleynes Bay – beer on tap, cocktails and a good time - need we say more?


    • Barbados beach

    What are the top hotels in Barbados?

    From boutique and quirky to lavish and luxurious, Barbados has a hotel for every occasion. Check out these homes away from home for 2022 holidays to Barbados:

  • Sandals Royal Barbados - indulge in the spa, swim in the infinity pool or sip a cocktail on the rooftop at this All Inclusive adults-only resort.
  • Little Good Harbour - a charming, family-run hotel with two pools, cottage-like suites and a beachfront restaurant.
  • The Fairmont Royal Pavilion - a five-star hotel perched on a white-sand beach, with guestrooms facing the ocean.
  • Bougainvillea Barbados - draped in bougainvillea and packed with facilities, a great pick for family holidays. Plus, children under 16 stay free!
  • Waves Hotel and Spa - unwind in the luxury spa with eight treatment rooms, a sauna and steam room, or look out onto Saint James’ beach from the comfort of your room!
  • Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels - a family-friendly, beachfront hotel with multiple pools, a children’s splash pool, a kids club and plenty of activities on offer.


    • Barbados hotels

    Click here to book your Barbados beach break


    What’s the food like in Barbados?

    Bajan cuisine is influenced by the island’s rich history. You’ll find African, Portuguese, Indian, Irish, Creole and British flavours. Make sure to try these local delights:

  • Flying fish and cou-cou - Barbados’ national dish, where locally-caught flying fish is fried in spices or steamed in gravy, and served with cou-cou – cornmeal and chopped okra
  • Jug Jug - a seasonal casserole made from a variety of meats, including pork, beef, chicken and lamb
  • Pig Tails - salted and barbecued pigs’ tails, often sold by street vendors - don't knock it 'til you try it!
  • Conkies - coconut and grated pumpkin wrapped in a banana leaf with fragrant spices
  • Chicken curry - a wonderfully-rich chicken curry made with a unique blend of Bajan spices


    • Looking for places to eat in Barbados? Check out these top dining spots:

  • The Fish Pot, Shermans - a tranquil restaurant at the water’s edge
  • Cuz’s Fishshack, Bridgetown - a local favourite known for its fish 'cutters' - a type of Barbadian sandwich
  • The Lone Star, St James - a glamourous and trendy restaurant in an ex-petrol garage
  • Oistins Fish Fry, Oistins - for no-frills, all-fun dining - come on a Friday night for fresh fish from the grill
  • Tides, Holetown - fine dining in an elegant setting, considered one of the island’s top restaurants


    • Barbados food

    Where is the best nightlife in Barbados?

    As the official 'birthplace of rum', holidays to Barbados offer an exciting nightlife scene. From beach bars to nightclubs, rum shacks to cocktail bars, there are plenty of after-dark options. Why not dance into one of these nightspots?

  • Harbour Lights - fire-eaters, steel bands and rum-filled coconuts on Brownes Beach.
  • La Cabane - a cool and kooky bar on Batts Rock Beach with cocktails, music and dinner under the stars.
  • The Cove Nightclub - a vibrant nightclub in St. Lawrence Gap where you can sip on happy hour cocktails and then dance until the early hours.
  • John Moore Bar - a well-loved rum shack on a golden beach, busy with both locals and tourists - you won't want to miss it!
  • The Boat Yard - a popular beachside bar offering beautiful sunsets, happy hours, cocktails and lively music late into the night.


    • What events can I go to in Barbados?

    Barbados has plenty of events to pack your calendar with, so whether you're planning a last-minute getaway or prepping for next year's break, keep an eye out for these crowd-pleasers:

  • Barbados Horticultural Society Annual Flower and Garden Show (January) - an annual event for garden-lovers, with floral exhibits and competitions, local crafts and plants on sale.
  • Holetown Festival (February) - a festival to commemorate the anniversary of the first settlement in Barbados, with street parades, fashion shows, concerts, exhibitions and sporting events.
  • Oistins Fish Festival (March) - a week-long festival celebrating the fishing industry, with fish-deboning competitions, arts and crafts, and, of course, plenty of delicious locally-caught fish to eat.
  • Barbados Reggae Festival (April) - a renowned music festival where local and international musicians perform across the island - be sure to come with a party spirit!
  • GospelFest (May) - a festival of religious music that has been running for 27 years - expect local, regional and international gospel talent
  • Barbados Chocolate, Pastry & Wine Festival (June) - if you’ve got a sweet tooth, this annual celebration is one for you, with teachers, bakers and plenty of tasters.
  • Dive Fest (July) - celebrating all things under the sea, you can enjoy free scuba courses, snorkelling and more
  • Crop Over Festival (July/August) - a big, colourful festival full of music, dancing and celebration of a rich cultural history
  • Barbados Food & Rum Festival (October/November) - a huge celebration of Bajan cuisine - arrive hungry, because there'll be rum tours, beach barbeques and top chefs
  • NIFCA (November) - The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts where music and performing arts take centre stage
  • Run Barbados (December) - the island dons running shoes to participate in everything from fun runs to marathons


    • Things to do in Barbados

    Swim with turtles

    Taking a dip with these incredible creatures will be an unforgettable experience. Turtle walks, snorkelling or diving are great ways to get up close.

    Take a walk

    Barbados isn’t all sand and sea. Pack your picnic and head out on an island hike, either guided as part of a group or solo. You’ll see beautiful local flora and, if you’re lucky, hummingbirds. You can even explore the island’s lush rainforests.

    Surf the waves

    Grab your board and take to the waves. If you can’t already surf, don’t worry – book yourself some lessons or just relax on Bathsheba Beach to watch the pros.

    Drink it all in

    Take a tour of one of the island’s famous rum distilleries to learn the history of the drink, how it’s made and, of course, try some samples. Mount Gay operates one of the most famous tours on the island, but it's important to book ahead. Alternatively, you could visit one of the island’s 1,500 rum shops.

    Take to the high seas

    Fly through the waves on a catamaran tour. On either a half or full-day tour you’ll see a totally new side of the island with the wind in your hair. Depending on which tour you choose, you may get to combine this with snorkelling. Some tours even offer rum and on-tap beer while you sail! Now that's the kind of tour we can get down with...



    Barbados turtle


    What's the weather like in Barbados?

    Barbados is described by some to have perfect weather. Although there's more chance of rain between July and November, it’s rarely cold. The seas of this tropical island are deliciously warm year-round, perfect for taking a dip whenever you fancy.

    Month

    Average temp.

    Sea temp.

    Hours of sunshine per day

    Jan 27 °c 27 °c 13 h
    Feb 27 °c 27 °c 11 h
    Mar 27 °c 27 °c 12 h
    Apr 28 °c 28 °c 12 h
    May 29 °c 27 °c 12 h
    Jun 29 °c 28 °c 11 h
    Jul 29 °c 28 °c 12 h
    Aug 29 °c 29 °c 12 h
    Sep 30 °c 29 °c 12 h
    Oct 29 °c 29 °c 12 h
    Nov 29 °c 28 °c 12 h
    Dec 28 °c 28 °c 13 h

    Click here to book your Barbados beach break »

    Important Information about travelling to Barbados

    How long does it take to fly to Barbados?

    Flights from the UK to Barbados take around nine hours.

    What’s the time difference between the UK and Barbados?

    The local time in Barbados is four hours behind the UK.

    What currency do they use in Barbados?

    The official currency used in Barbados is known as the Barbados Dollar, Bajan Dollar or Barbadian Dollar.

    What language do they speak in Barbados?

    The official language spoken in Barbados is English, however you may hear the Bajan dialect spoken as well.

    Will Covid-19 affect my holiday to Barbados?

    We are currently closely following the Covid-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Barbados on the FCDO website.

    Do I need any vaccinations to visit Barbados?

    Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.

    Do I need a visa to travel to Barbados?

    British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Barbados. Holders of other passports are advised to check with their national embassy for any visa requirements.

    Here are some other destinations you might be interested in...

    Customer reviews

    At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers to Barbados for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.

    Stephanie Elliot:


    Another successful holiday booking made. We’ve come to find On the Beach to be really trustworthy. This is our 4th booking with them. So easy to book and we’ve never had an issue.

    James Harkness:


    Again another easy, enjoyable experience using On the Beach, wouldn’t go anywhere else for a great holiday.

    Stephanie Hawkes:


    Great service everytime.

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    Top Barbados Hotels

    Sugar Bay Barbados

    Hastings, St Michael, Barbados

    South Beach

    Rockley, St James, Barbados

    Sugar Cane Club - Adults Only (14+)

    Speightstown, St Peter, Barbados

    Time Out At The Gap

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Bougainvillea Barbados

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    All Seasons Resort Europa

    Holetown, St James, Barbados

    Divi Southwinds Beach Resort

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Savannah Beach Club

    Hastings, St Michael, Barbados

    Mango Bay Beach Resort

    Holetown, St James, Barbados

    South Gap Hotel

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Treasure Beach by Elegant Hotels - Adult Only

    Holetown, St James, Barbados

    Sea Breeze Beach House

    Oistins, Christ Church, Barbados

    Island Inn

    Bridgetown, St Michael, Barbados

    Coconut Court Beach

    Hastings, St Michael, Barbados

    Barbados Beach Club

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Accra Beach Resort

    Rockley, St James, Barbados

    Hilton Barbados

    Bridgetown, St Michael, Barbados

    Colony Club by Elegant Hotels

    Folkestone, St James, Barbados

    Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels

    Appleby, St James, Barbados

    Tamarind by Elegant Hotels

    Holetown, St James, Barbados

    Beach View

    Holetown, St James, Barbados

    Southern Palms Beach Club

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Coral Sands Beach Resort

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Infinity On The Beach

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    O2 Beach Club & Spa

    St Lawrence Gap, St Lawrence, Barbados

    Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels

    Fitts Village, St James, Barbados

    The Club Barbados - Adult Only

    Holetown, St James, Barbados

    Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados

    Bridgetown, St Michael, Barbados

    Cobblers Cove

    Speightstown, St Peter, Barbados

    Saint Peters Bay Luxury Resort and Residences

    Speightstown, St Peter, Barbados

    Barbados Weather

    Barbados has a beautiful Caribbean climate, guaranteeing high temperatures and sunshine all year round. Barbados's climate is typically very dry from November until May and has chances of short showers between June and October. Don't let this put you off, however, as as soon as a shower has ended the skies are clear and the sun is right back out again.

    Jan 29ºC
    Feb 29ºC
    Mar 29ºC
    Apr 29ºC
    May 29ºC
    Jun 30ºC
    Jul 30ºC
    Aug 30ºC
    Sep 30ºC
    Oct 29ºC
    Nov 29ºC
    Dec 28ºC

    Things To Do on Barbados Holidays

    Mount Gay
    Barbados proudly claims to be the birthplace of Caribbean rum. If you’re particularly partial to the tipple or just fancy learning more about an integral part of Bajan heritage, make your way over to the Mount Gay Visitor Centre to discover the passion behind the world’s oldest rum distillery.

    Oistins Fish Fry
    Nothing is more Caribbean than the weekly street party, and nothing is more Bajan than the Friday night Oistins fish fry. No invitations needed, just turn up ready to have a good time. Locals and tourists come together to rub shoulders over the sounds of reggae, rum punch, and the catch of the day.

    Turtle Swim
    Those crystal-clear waters are more than just a pretty sight. Strap on your snorkels and get exploring the waters around this beautiful island. Swim freely with the turtles in the waters or watch their eggs hatching on the beach for a truly unforgettable experience.

    Water Sports
    Choppier waters define the south and east sides of the island, making them the ideal locations to try out plenty of water sports. Bouncier waves and higher winds provide perfect conditions for windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, and more.

    Festival Pros
    If Bajans have a reason to celebrate, they’ll do it in style, and they’ll invite the entire world to bear witness. Get yourselves over to Barbados to experience Crop Over, an island-wide carnival celebrating the successful sugar harvest with enough flash to put Rio to shame.