Part of the rich history of Barbados is a small urban area known as Holetown. This is an excellent place to visit if you’re looking for a relaxing break in this part of the world. Famed for being the first spot where British navigators who landed on the island in the 1620s settled, Holetown was, for nearly a decade, the island’s only town. Today, travellers visit this area for the excellent range of relaxation options, which include some of the island’s best dining, shopping, and sunbathing options. For a worthwhile list of things to do in Holetown, Barbados, please read on.
1. Taste Bajan spice at Cafe Bar Carizma Chattel Village
Traditional Bajan cooking is flavourful, filling, and often spicy. You’re unlikely to find somewhere that offers a better range of delicious local eats than Cafe Bar Carizma, located right on the coast with a view of the palm trees that dot the area. Tempting dishes such as macaroni pie, deep-fried Bajan fish cakes, and the house special Carizma Gourmet Burger will ensure you leave the cafe feeling satisfied and cheerful. Evening meals include a fine range of tapas that’s almost too good to share.
Cafe Bar Carizma Chattel Village
Address: Highway 1, Holetown, Barbados
Website: Cafe Bar Carizma Chattel Village
Opening hours: Mon - Wed, Fri - Sat: 8am - 3:30pm; Thu: 8am - 9pm (closed on Sun)
2. View wonderful art in a stunning setting at Brocklands Gallery
Brocklands Art Gallery is a true joy for so many reasons - with the work of local artist Janice Sylvia Brock being the primary one. The paradisiacal colours and dream-like shapes of her art are well worth seeing in any setting. However, in this spacious, open gallery set high above the Holetown shore, you’ll find the perfect mix of art and setting. Brock works on her paintings within the studio right here at Brocklands, and when you see where she finds her inspiration, you’ll understand why her paintings engender such a positive vibe.
Brocklands Gallery
Address: 30D, Holetown, Barbados
Website: Brocklands Gallery
3. Party 'til the sun comes up at Red Door Lounge
The jewel of the island when it comes to nightlife, Red Door Lounge is a can’t-miss attraction for anyone who likes to let their hair down, enjoy the best cocktails, have a dance, and meet the locals. A chill and peaceful vibe is emphasised by a playlist that runs through EDM, R'n'B, and some familiar pop tunes, while the bar team and wait staff are sunny, upbeat, and sure to put you at ease. Regular theme nights and local DJs make the Red Door Lounge experience ideal for all night owls.
Red Door Lounge
Address: Mango Bay Hotel, 2nd Street, Holetown, Bridgetown, Barbados
Website: Red Door Lounge
Opening hours: Sun, Thu: 6pm - 1am; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 4am (closed from Mon - Wed)
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4. Eat and drink in a dramatic setting at The Tides Barbados
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The location of The Tides Barbados restaurant was once home to a resident of the island in the immediate aftermath of World War II. They were a lucky resident indeed, judging by the spectacular view from the open frontage of this establishment. Fine dining is the order of the day, set among the impressive pillars and stone floors at the heart of Holetown. This place offers signature dishes that include a coconut curry braised lamb shank, seafood linguini, and pan-roasted salmon, among others. For dessert, a layered cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, iced guava parfait, and a selection of homemade ice creams and sorbets are available. Delicious food in a wonderful setting will ensure that you’ll want to come here again and again.
The Tides Barbados
Address: Holetown, St. James, Barbados W.I.
Website: The Tides Barbados
Opening hours: Mon - Fri, Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm, 6pm - 9:30pm; Sat: 6pm - 9:30pm
5. Shop and relax at Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
While the name may make it sound more like a spa, Limegrove Lifestyle Centre is, in fact, Holetown’s premier shopping mall. But if you’re looking for soothing treatments, don’t worry because there is a spa on-site among the plentiful attractions. Excellent boutiques from names such as Bulgari, Michael Kors, and Gucci sit among intriguing restaurants. Middle Eastern delicacies are on offer at Singapura and Lemongrass has the Thai angle covered. Movie theatres, real estate agents, chocolatiers, and bars are also available. They also sometimes host events such as craft fairs and exhibitions. If you’re at a loose end for something to do, Limegrove will definitely have you covered.
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
Address: Holetown, St. James, Barbados
Website: Limegrove Lifestyle Centre
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 7pm (closed on Sun)
6. Take a tour of the coast with Team Baywatch Watersports and Taxi Service
If you’ve come to Barbados, it’s safe to assume you enjoy spending time by the sea, and Team Baywatch will ensure that you get the best out of this seaside setting. Based in Folkestone Marine Park, they offer trips out from the coast to witness the beauty of marine life - huge sea turtles and shipwrecks are visible through the glass-bottomed boats. They also offer a handy water taxi service, so if you need to be somewhere else on the island, they’re here to help.
Team Baywatch Watersports and Taxi Service
Address: Folkestone Marine Park, Holetown, Barbados
Opening hours: 5am - 2am (daily)
7. Enjoy a flick at Limegrove Cinemas
Found on Second Street in the town centre, Limegrove Cinemas offers an experience that goes beyond just watching a movie - although the latest releases are always showing across its three screens. This boutique cinema provides more than just your average cinematic experience, as it allows you to relax in large, comfortable seats while an on-site restaurant provides you with filling, tasty meals. Advance online bookings can be made, so you can roll up at your leisure after a shopping trip at the Lifestyle Centre and enjoy an evening watching a movie on the big screen.
Limegrove Cinemas
Address: Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, Second St, Holetown
Website: Limegrove Cinemas
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 15 USD
8. Walk along the boardwalk at Holetown Beach
If you come to this Carribean country and don’t spend a day at the beach, have you even really been? A trip to Holetown Beach will give you a chance to see everything that is great about this island, specifically about Holetown. Here, a boardwalk runs along the length of the shoreline, offering plenty of excellent local restaurants and shopping opportunities. Together with the pristine sands and the serene blue waters, this is a trip well worth taking.
9. Take a deep dive at Folkestone Marine Park
The coast off of Holetown offers a range of remarkable sights, including the chance to witness at close quarters the remarkable sea turtles in their natural habitat. See a man-made coral reef that was created when the Stavronikita was purposely sunk after a shipwreck. At Folkestone Marine Park, you can also enjoy the opportunity to try out aquatic pursuits such as paddleboarding and kayaking while taking in some of the most remarkable views.
Folkestone Marine Park
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
10. See the greener side of Holetown at Petrea Gardens
Barbados is not all sun and sand - or, at least, not all sand! Petrea Gardens offers five acres of rolling grassland and beautiful flowers, with a lake running right through the centre of it. The name of this horticultural attraction comes from the white-petalled Petrea plant, which can be found in plentiful supply within the park. Numerous bridges cross the lake to allow visitors to take in the stunning views on both sides.
Petrea Gardens
Address: Folkestone, Barbados
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
11. Eat, drink, and watch a game at Surfside
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Who would have ever thought a day that started so awful would end so beautifully
Posted by Surfside Restaurant & Bar Barbados on Sunday, October 18, 2020
Located next to Holetown’s post office, Surfside is a restaurant and bar that offers a little bit of everything, from high-quality local food to a range of drinks and more besides. Indeed, this place is something like a sports bar, so if you’re wondering where to watch a big football match or if you are keen to follow the cricket games that are beloved across the Caribbean, then you’ll find screens here to see the action unfold. The front of the bar is open too, which allows you to look out onto the ocean and enjoy all of the above in the most beautiful setting.
Surfside
Address: Behind Holetown Post Office, Holetown
Opening hours: 9am - 11pm (daily)
12. Dive below the waves at Hightide Watersports
The opportunity to partake in scuba diving is one that you should not miss, especially while on vacation in the Carribean. The beautiful blue waters off the coast of Barbados offer you the chance to get up close and personal with the sea life that inhabits the surf. If you’re a skilled enough diver, you may even get low enough to see the shipwrecks that line the sea bed. Beginners will be watched over carefully by the highly professional team at Hightide, while experienced divers are given more freedom to explore. Whichever group you’re in, this is an excellent activity to join in.
Hightide Watersports
Address: Coral Reef Club Holetown, Porters, Barbados
Website: Hightide Watersports
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: from 68 USD
13. Shop in luxury at Cave Shepherd Sunset Crest Shopping Mall
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Cave Shepherd Sunset Crest Shopping Mall is a duty-free joy for savvy shoppers, but it is also one of the most upmarket locations in Holetown. It’s the perfect place to pick up a bargain on handbags, shoes, jewellery, and more. There are also plenty of opportunities to buy a bottle of spirits for much less than you would expect to pay for at home. The entire mall is easy to navigate and, like everywhere else in Barbados, it’s aesthetically pleasing.
Cave Shepherd Sunset Crest Shopping Mall
Address: St James, Holetown, Barbados
Website: Cave Shepherd Sunset Crest Shopping Mall
Opening hours: Mon - Thu, Sat: 8:30am - 5:30pm; Fri: 8:30am - 6pm; Sun: 9am - 4:30pm
Happy times in Holetown
A visit to Holetown will undoubtedly be great, as this is a place worth spending some time in. From the “Hole” that gives the town its name - a stream that marks the landing point of the first settlers - to the excellent range of restaurants serving local cuisine and the many bars that offer refreshing drinks, this is a destination for leisure and relaxation. Take the above list as a starting point and you’re certain to have a happy time in Holetown.
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