Things to do in Barbados

Grazing your way through the heart of Bridgetown is a fascinating way to discover something of the culture and history of Barbados. On this three-hour small-group tour, you’ll try some of the island’s favourite dishes and learn the story behind them from your expert guide. As you walk through the capital’s colourful back streets, where the locals do their shopping, you’ll stop everywhere from simple cafés to a popular bakery for a taste of authentic Bajan cuisine. Tuck into just-made fish cakes with hot sauce - a traditional breakfast dish - from a brightly painted food truck and wash it down with a palate-cleansing glass of ruby-red sorrel in a lively indoor market. Round off the experience with a coconut-milk ice cream from the island’s only artisan chocolate maker.

Barbados Your Way (Car & Driver) - Full Day Tailor-make your dream island tour with a private car and driver for the day. This is your chance to dive deep into the island’s culture, see its major sites and get off the beaten track with a local to guide you to those hidden gems. You could take in a visit to a historic grand plantation house or a fabulous botanic garden; have a surfing lesson or a gentle swim at a beach only the Bajans know about; and fit in a spot of shopping at some of the many craft shops and stalls along the way. You’ll have plenty of time for a lazy lunch that’s as chic or casual as you want - your driver can recommend somewhere if you’re not sure where to go. It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking for a truly memorable experience of Barbados.

Enjoy the freedom of having your own wheels, but without the stress, by hiring a car with a driver to take you wherever you choose. There’s a lot to discover, and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll be able to pack into four hours. You could head down narrow country lanes into the hilly interior, pausing at roadside stalls for coconut water fresh from the husk and stopping wherever you want to take photos. Maybe you’d prefer to make for a secluded cove that just happens to have one of the best beach shacks - and the tastiest flying-fish sandwiches - in Barbados. Whatever you opt for, you’ll know that the person behind the wheel knows exactly where they are, and can give you a local perspective on it. It’s a superb option for anyone travelling with children or couples who want to learn more about the island.

There’s nothing quite as relaxing as sailing through calm, azure waters on a luxury catamaran with a crew to cater to your every whim. You’ll travel along Barbados’s pristine western shore - nicknamed the Platinum Coast thanks to its dazzlingly pale sandy beaches - with stops in quiet, sheltered bays along the way. Here you’ll have the chance to snorkel over shipwrecks teeming with multicoloured fish or maybe even swim with sea turtles: Barbados is home to three different species. Between stops, you can soak up the sun on the deck or cool off in the shade with a drink from the all-day bar. As for food, there’s a delicious buffet-style lunch served on board with something to suit all tastes.

Enjoy a hands-on experience of Mount Gay rum and learn about its long and illustrious history at the same time. Your fun-filled afternoon at its modern visitor centre in the heart of Bridgetown begins with a welcoming rum punch, after which you’ll delve into the background story of the world’s oldest rum. That will definitely whet your appetite for trying a few of Mount Gay’s signature rums and learning how to mix, muddle, shake and stir them into a delectable cocktail. After you’ve watched a demonstration from the in-house mixologist, you’ll be ready to make a couple for yourself - and, of course, to drink them. With a stop in the shop to grab a bottle for yourself, you’ll be all set to impress your friends with your bar skills once you’re back at home.

Mount Gay is the oldest rum distillery in Barbados, and its historic buildings surrounded by sugarcane fields in St Lucy, in the north of Barbados, are still in use today. At its beautiful open-air visitor centre in Bridgetown, you can learn all about the rum maker’s impressive 300-year history. You’ll discover the various different steps required to turn molasses - a by-product of making sugar - and water into the finished product, which have barely changed over the centuries, and have a chance to sample some of the brand’s signature rums. At the end of the tour you’ll be served a light Bajan-style lunch overlooking the sea, before a final stop at the shop to pick up a bottle to take home.