Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port is more than just pristine beaches! So in this guide, I’d like to share with you how to explore the UNESCO listed Bridgetown historic centre on your own with a DIY walking tour and the other top things to do in Bridgetown Barbados, from swimming with the local sea turtles in Carlisle Bay, to tasting the local rum.
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Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy
If you’re stopping or starting your cruise from Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port, then it’s 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy to do a DIY shore excursion. Here’s why:
- Walk from Cruise Terminal to Bridgetown Centre: You can walk to the centre of Bridgetown from the port gates in about 20 minutes on flat ground and start exploring the UNESCO heritage listed Bridgetown historic centre straight away!
- Carlisle Bay swim with local sea turtles: Enjoy the crystal clear waters in Carlisle Bay and its resident sea turtle population, just a few minutes’ walk from Bridgetown. If you’re a confident swimmer, then you can just rent some snorkelling equipment and off you go!
- Relax on world class beaches: Or just relax on the beach! The sand is powdery soft and the waters are calm like a tranquil lagoon, with all the usual facilities available. Then stroll back to cruise terminal with ease!
Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
- Currency: Barbadian Dollars (BDS), sometimes known as the Banjan dollar. Exchange rate is fixed: US$1 = BDS$2
- US$ in cash is widely accepted and you’ll find prices in US$ in places frequented by tourists. So don’t stress about exchanging money!
- Language: English
- Official Websites:
- Official Tourism website is Visit Barbados
- Local Bus Network: Transport Board runs the local buses in Barbados. The closest bus stop the Princess Alice Bus Terminal, a few minutes’ walk from the port gates
- Recommended Transport App: Use Google Maps for general walking directions and navigation
- eSim for roaming in Barbados: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout – if you’re on a Caribbean cruise, then buy the Island Hopper, valid in 27 Caribbean Islands!
Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port to Bridgetown City Centre
Can I walk from Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port to City Centre? Yes! From the Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port Terminal, it’s a 2km (~1.2 miles) walk to the National Heroes Square, considered to the centre of Bridgetown. The walk takes about 20-25 minutes. The walk is on flat ground, along the waterfront, so you’ll get some lovely views on the walk too!
There is a local bus network but it’s not particularly tourist friendly, as it’s BDS$ exact change, in cash only. No USD accepted. The closest bus stop from Bridgetown Barbados Cruise port is the Princess Alice Bus Terminal – see it marked on my Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port map above. The bus terminal is useful if you plan on visiting other parts of Barbados on your own.
Bridgetown Barbados Airport to Cruise Port Transfers
Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port is also a popular embarkation port, especially for cruisers arriving from the UK on cruises during the winter months. You may have purchased a flights + cruise package and have return transfers included. But if not, then the trip from Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) to Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port is a breeze!
Barbados Airport (BGI) is about 13km (~8 miles) south-east of Bridgetown. Taxis, running off the meter, cost about BDS$75 (or about US$37.50) one-way before tips. You’ll need to pay in US$ cash, as taxis don’t accept cards. There is a local bus from the airport but unfortunately it doesn’t stop anywhere close to the cruise terminal!
Top Things to Do in Bridgetown Barbados
1. Explore Historic Bridgetown
Bridgetown isn’t just about beaches. It’s a city steeped in history! Before English settlers arrived in 1628, Bridgetown was inhabited by the Arawak and Carib peoples and they were built the original bridge that gave the city its name.
Throughout 17th & 18th centuries, Bridgetown grew rapidly and earned the nickname “Little England” due to its strong English influence in architecture, culture and governance. And that’s why if you wonder around the historic Bridgetown today, you can still see these colonial era buildings. See my section below “Historic Bridgetown DIY Walking Tour” 👇.
2. Relax in Bridgetown Barbados Beaches
No trip to Barbados is complete without visiting the absolutely gorgeous beaches! The most well known near Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port are along Carlisle Bay, just south of Bridgetown city centre – you’ll see it once you cross Independence River:
- Brownes Beach: Definitely one of the most popular beaches in Barbados, known for its wide expanse of sand, calm waters and lively atmosphere. All the usual amenities are here.
- Pebbles Beach: Located at the southern end of Carlisle Bay, Pebbles Beach is a smaller, more secluded beach. It’s a great spot for snorkelling and swimming!
3. Swim with Local Turtles in Carlisle Bay
Carlisle Bay is famous for its resident sea turtle population! Carlisle Bay is a marine protected area, with extensive seagrass beds, a primary food source for green sea turtles. So you’ll see them grazing on the seagrass or just resting on the sandy bottom.
More experienced snorkelers can visit the Berwyn Shipwreck! The Berwyn was a 70-foot French tugboat that was scuttled by its crew in 1919 to avoid being returned to France after WWI. The wreck has since become an artificial reef, so the wreck is absolutely teeming with marine life, with colourful coral formations, schools of fish and even turtles. The Berwyn is sitting in about 10m (~33 feet) of water, so you don’t have to dive very deep to see it. (The water visibility is very good in Carlisle Bay.)
Never snorkelled? Then Carlisle Bay is the perfect place to try it. The water is clear and calm. The excellent visibility under water allows you to easily spot the turtles. The sea turtles are gentle, too. So long as you don’t disturb them or do anything that will provoke them or scare them, it’s safe. Tours will provide snorkelling equipment.
Not a confident swimmer? You can join a catamaran tour with lunch just to enjoy the beautiful views. But tours will provide a life jacket, so you can comfortably stay in the water. There’s some very shallow stretches of water in Carlisle Bay, shallow enough to stand (for adults at least). Shallow waters, combined with a life jacket and a qualified guide, can make the experience of seeing these turtles a pleasant one. You’ll see the sea turtles surfacing to breathe every few minutes, so you’ll see them even if you don’t want to get your hair wet! The alternative is to join a submarine tour, so you definitely don’t need to get wet!
4. Indulge in Local Flavours
If you’re interested in Caribbean food, there’s two things that I would recommend doing on your port day at Bridgetown: visit Cheapside Market and join a rum factory tour.
Cheapside Market
Cheapside Market is where the locals shop. Not just fresh produce and ready to eat food but there’s also general goods and clothing upstairs. To try out the local food, here’s what to look for in Cheapside – have cash with you, either in BDS or in US$:
- Cutters: These are sandwiches made with salt bread, a slightly sweet and dense bread that’s unique to Barbados. They’re typically filled with ham, cheese, egg or fish cakes. Barbados’ fish cakes are usually made with salted codfish, potatoes and onions. Very crispy and tasty on its own!
- Coconut Bread: It’s sweet made with grated coconut, sugar and spices. It’s usually served toasted and you can add butter or jam on top.
- Conkies: Traditional Barbadian snack made with cornmeal, pumpkin, sweet potato, coconut and spices, all steamed in a banana leaf. It’s usually eaten during Independence Day celebrations in November, so unfortunately you won’t see them all year round.
Mount Gay Rum Distillery
Mount Gay is one of the oldest rum distilleries in the world, dating back to 1703. It’s a true icon of Barbadian rum production! While the main distillery is located in the northern part of Barbados island, Mount Gay has a visitor centre in Bridgetown, about 20 minutes walk north from Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port, so it’s easy to do a DIY excursion there. At the visitor centre, there’s signature rum tasting, as well as cocktail workshops. Or just enjoy a meal paired with Mount Gay rums!
Really love rum? Then join a tour to see the Foursquare Rum Distillery, followed by a visit to the Mount Gay Visitor Centre.
Historic Bridgetown DIY Walking Tour
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bridgetown is seen as an example of British colonial architecture, with its “serpentine” street layout, adapted from medieval English towns, quite different to the grid-like plans of Spanish and Dutch colonial cities. The notable attractions in historic Bridgetown are quite close together, so it’s easy to navigate through and an ideal DIY walking tour for a few hours!
1. Parliament Buildings
The Parliament of Barbados is the third oldest in the entire Commonwealth, dating back to 1639! (Only Britain and Bermuda have older parliamentary systems within the Commonwealth.) The current Parliament Building was built in the 1870s in a Neo-Gothic style, popular back in Victorian England. Constructed from local coral stone, you’ll notice the buildings have a distinctive pinkish hue.
The West Wing houses the Museum of the Parliament and the National Heroes Gallery. The East Wing contains the chambers for the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Assembly (Lower House). The iconic clock tower, rising above the West Wing, is high enough to be seen everywhere in Bridgetown. Unfortunately, the Museum of the Parliament is currently closed.
2. National Heroes Square (formerly Trafalgar Square)
Opposite the Parliament Building is the National Heroes Square. Originally named Trafalgar Square in the early 1800s to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, there used to be a bronze statue of Lord Nelson which interestingly predates the Nelson’s Column in London’s Tafalgar Square! (Lord Nelson’s statue was moved to the Barbados Museum, when the Square was renamed).
Today, the Square honours the ten official National Heroes of Barbados who played significant roles in the island’s history and development. The Cenotaph honours Barbadians who lost their lives in both World Wars.
3. St Michael’s Cathedral
A few minutes walk to the east of National Heroes Square is St Michael’s Cathedral, an Anglican Church (the largest religious affiliation in Barbados). The current St Michael’s Cathedral was completed in 1789, on the same site of the original church built in 1665 but later destroyed by hurricane. Like many buildings in Bridgetown, St Michael’s was constructed from local coral stone, giving it a warm, pinkish hue.
4. Independence Arch & Chamberlain Bridge
Time to cross the Constitution River! Originally called Indian River, the river was renamed the Constitution River in 1651 to commemorate the signing of the Charter of Barbados. (The Charter only gave rights & freedoms to some of the island’s inhabitants (mostly the white landowning class). Slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834, when the Slavery Abolition Act was passed by the British Parliament. Full emancipation came only in Barbados in 1838.)
The Independence Arch was built in 1986 to mark the 21st anniversary of Barbados’ independence from British rule. The pillars display the national flower (the Pride of Barbados), the pelican and the flying fish. At the top is Barbados’ coat of arms, with the motto “Pride and Industry”. The Chamberlain Bridge we see today is a new lifting bridge built only about 20 years ago. But it’s on the exact same spot as the first bridge built in 1700s.
5. Carlisle Bay
Once across the bridge, keep walking south on Bay Street with the harbour on your right and you’ll see Carlisle Bay. Even if you’re not interested to take a boat tour out to see the turtles, you’ll definitely enjoying the views and the beaches. More about Carlisle Bay above 👆
6. George Washington House
The house was built in 1751 by Colonel William Codrington, a wealthy planter in Barbados at the time. The house was named after George Washington because he visited Barbados for six weeks, at the age of 19, with his ailing half-brother, Lawrence Washington. Lawrence suffered from tuberculosis and thought that Barbados, with its tropical climate, will give him relief.
The Barbados’ climate did not help Lawrence and George Washington contracted smallpox during his stay in Barbados! While recovering from smallpox, George Washington stayed in this house with the Cordingtons.
Today, the house is furnished with period furniture, including pieces that belonged to George Washington himself. Washington’s bedroom is also open for viewing.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 4pm
- Tickets: US$20 adults, US$10 kids. Tickets include admission to the Garrison Tunnels.
7. Main Guard House & Clock Tower
The British established fortifications in the Garrison Historic Area in the 17th century, with St Ann’s Fort (1705) strategically positioned on a hill overlooking Carlisle Bay and Charles Fort, closer to the coast. Remnants of St Ann’s Fort and the surrounding fortifications can still be seen today but Charles Fort is now the Hilton Barbados Resort!
What is still in great condition is the Main Guard House & Clock Tower. The Main Guard House was built in 1804. If you happen to visit on a Thursday, you can still see the “Changing of the Sentry” ceremony starting at 11:45am, a reenactment of the 19th century military ritual, complete with costumed sentries performing a drill.
8. Garrison Savannah
Originally, the Savannah was a parade ground used by the British military for drills and exercises. Horse racing began at the Garrison Savannah around 1845, initially as informal races between officers and local planters. But the establishment of the Barbados Turf Club in 1905 formalised horse racing at the Savannah.
Today, the Garrison Savannah retains its historic character, with the racecourse encircling the open green space. Races happen throughout the year and if there’s a race meeting when you’re in Bridgetown, you can purchase a ticket for entry to the grounds for US$15.
Tip: If you’re embarking on your cruise from Bridgetown, you’ll probably be flying in the day before. If you’re up for a morning walk, head down to Carlisle Bay early, between 5:30am and 7am. The race horses will be taking their own dip on the beach.
9. Barbados Museum & Historical Society
Barbados Museum & Historical Society is the main museum on the island. The museum is not huge but it covers a lot of areas. From the island’s diverse flora and fauna, to artefacts from the island’s indigenous people. There’s also an exhibit about the history of slavery in Barbados and the island’s journey to freedom. The original Lord Nelson statue in National Heroes Square has been moved to the Great Hall here.
- Opening Hours: Closed Sundays & local Bank Holidays. Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday
- Tickets: $20 BDS (US$10) adults, $12 BDS (US$6) for kids aged 5-16.
Head back to Bridgetown Barbados Cruise Port via the same route at the end of the DIY walking tour. Stop by Cheapside Markets on the way to fuel up!
Featured Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash
Whether you’re visiting Bridgetown Barbados as your embarkation port or just as a port of call, I hope that this guide has given you some ideas on how you can do a DIY shore excursion on your own! While there’s definitely plenty more to see in other parts of Barbados than what I’ve included above, there’s definitely enough to see and do in Bridgetown for you to enjoy on a port day. Drop me a line below if you have any questions! Have a wonderful Caribbean cruise!
