37 Best Sights in Barbados

This is the oldest of four lighthouses on Barbados. Assembled on the island in 1852 after being displayed at London's Great Exhibition the previous year, this landmark lighthouse is just east of Miami (Enterprise) Beach, near the southernmost point of land on Barbados. The 89-foot tower, with its distinguishing red and white horizontal stripes, is closed to the public—but visitors may freely walk about the site, take photos, and enjoy the magnificent ocean view.

Although no one has proven it, George Washington is said to have worshipped here in 1751 during his only trip outside the United States. By then, the original structure was already nearly a century old. Destroyed or damaged twice by hurricanes, the cathedral was rebuilt in 1789 and again in 1831. Officially called "Cathedral Church of Saint Michael and All Angels," it currently seats 1,600 people and boasts the largest pipe organ in the Caribbean.

In the early days, Bridgetown's natural harbor was where schooners were turned on their sides (careened) to be scraped of barnacles and repainted. Today, The Careenage serves as a marina for pleasure yachts and excursion boats. A boardwalk skirts the north side of The Careenage; on the south side, a lovely esplanade has pathways and benches for pedestrians and a statue of Errol Barrow, the first prime minister of Barbados. The Chamberlain Bridge and the Charles Duncan O'Neal Bridge span The Careenage.

Stretching from Turtle Beach resort and Sandals Barbados at the eastern end of St. Lawrence Gap to Bougainvillea resort on Maxwell Coast Road, this broad strand of powdery white sand is great for sunbathing, strolling, and—with low to medium surf—swimming and bodyboarding. This beach is a favorite nesting place for turtles, hence its name; if you're lucky, you may see hundreds of tiny hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their way to the sea. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; walking.

This coral-stone cottage just south of Bridgetown, constructed in 1854, is preserved as an example of period architecture. In 1929, it became the home of Sir Grantley Adams, the first premier of Barbados and the namesake of the island's international airport. Part of the Barbados National Trust, the cottage is filled with antiques and memorabilia that belonged to the late Sir Grantley and Lady Adams. Refreshments are available at the "rum shop."

This 1½-mile-long (2-km-long) natural gully is really a collapsed limestone cavern, once part of the same underground network as Harrison's Cave. The Barbados National Trust protects the peace and quiet here, making it a beautiful place to hike past acres of labeled flowers and stands of enormous trees. You can see some interesting birds and troops of native green monkeys. There are some free scheduled guided tours, and a guide can be arranged with 24 hours' notice. Otherwise, the 30- to 45-minute walk is self-guided.