- 1 The Careenage is the sheltered creek that was the island's original harbour, and the natural centre of the early town. The first British found a wooden bridge here built by the Arawaks; they replaced it, and its present incarnation is the pedestrianised Chamberlain Bridge. When the eminent Sir Tobias Bridge arrived as commander of local forces in 1667, shrewd islanders came up with a great new name for what they'd hitherto called "Indian Town". 19th- and 20th-century shipping outgrew the creek and a deep water harbour was built further north, so this area was preserved from later industry. It now houses restaurants, bars and shops, in what used to be warehouses and stores for ship supplies. The north bank carries the busy Wharf Road (traffic nowadays crosses on the O'Neal Bridge), the south bank is pedestrianised and the better for relaxing. Enjoy a rum on the waterfront, and recall that "careenage" means hauling a beached vessel over onto one side to scrape the barnacles off the hull: bottoms up! Things get out of hand if you attempt this manoeuvre with a big steel ship, so in the 19th century, they built Blackwoods Screw Dock, a mechanism for jacking-up and dry-docking vessels. It's now rusty and a bit forlorn but worth a look.
- 2 St Michael's Cathedral, St Michael's Row, ☏ +1 246 426 2761. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 7AM-noon. Rebuilt in 1789 after hurricane damage, and promoted to a cathedral in 1825 when the Anglican Diocese of Barbados was created, it's a pleasant coral-stone structure, highlights include the tower, 17th-century font, stain glass windows, and chapel. Sir Grantley Adams, the island's first Premier, is buried in the graveyard. (updated Jan 2026)
- Exchange Museum, Spry Street (next to cathedral), ☏ +1 246 227 8148. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Exhibiting currency and exchange, with sections on the Freemasons and an old classroom. Adult B$20, child B$12. (updated Jan 2026)
- 3 St Mary's Church, Suttle St, ☏ +1 246 426 3746. Tu-Sa 10AM-2PM, Su 8-11AM. Anglican church built in 1827 but there's been a church on this site since 1630. The elaborate font was a gift from a Jewish merchant in 1863. (updated Jan 2026)
- Parliament, Broad Street (near Trafalgar Square). Neo-Gothic government buildings, normally open to the public when parliament is in session, but the public gallery and museum are closed for renovation. (updated Jan 2026)
- Broad Street, Swan Street and Cheapside Market are good areas for strolling.
- 5 Ilaro Court, Two Mile Hill, Saint Michael, ☏ +1 430 7102. The official residence of the Barbados prime minister is occasionally open as an events venue. (updated Jan 2026)
