The beautiful beaches are a major attraction for those enjoying holidays in Barbados. The best beaches are considered to be along the west coast, where many resort hotels and luxurious private villas can be found. The major towns along the west coast are Speightstown and Holetown, which was the first settlement of the British in Barbados.
The capital city is Bridgetown and even if you are not staying here it is definitely worth a day trip. At the Barbados Museum visitors can learn about the fascinating history of the island and a tour of a rum distillery gives you the flavour of the region's favourite drink.
It is considered to be the Mecca of West Indian cricket and if you are lucky you may catch a game at the Kensington Oval. Bridgetown is also home to its very own Lord Nelson statue that is in fact older than the one in London's Trafalgar Square. From Bridgetown there are several boat trips a week that take you out to swim with turtles, usually running two trips a day; an early morning trip and the other from around 2 p.m until the early evening.
To the south of the island is the resort area of St. Lawrence Gap, known for its great nightlife and good range of accommodation. The famous Ship Inn has now closed however there are still plenty of restaurants and bars where you can experience Bajan food and party with the locals. For those wishing to stay somewhere a bit quieter, the resort of Worthing is close. A visit to Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday or Saturday allows you to taste the fresh local catch of the day, usually the signature dish of the island – flying fish.