During a 7-day NCL Epic Caribbean Cruise, we were brought to the beautiful island of Barbados! Which is now one of my new favorite Caribbean islands! My family booked a private island tour with Worrell Island Tours, and we couldn’t have asked for a better day! Barbados has so much to offer, and booking a private tour guide is the way to cover a lot of ground. Whether you’re visiting on a cruise, going on a tour, or just want to explore on your own, here is how to spend one day on Barbados!
George Washington House
Who knew there would be a slice of US history on Barbados?! The George Washington House is located just outside of Bridgetown and was once rented by – you guessed it – George Washington! He stayed on the island in this home prior to him becoming president in 1751. The house and grounds are open every day of the year and you can access it all for $20 USD. If you’re short on time, you can also pull into the parking lot and get a quick glimpse of the house through the bushes, as shown above.
Wild Green Monkeys!
One of the highlights during my one day on Barbados was seeing the wild green monkeys! You’ll see these around the entire island, but the best place to stop and feed them was the Military Cemetery. Our tour guide cut up bananas and we held them in our hands and waited for several to come up for a snack. We held the pieces at eye level and watched them jump up and grab them out of our hands. We even had a mamma and her babies come over! Easily one of the best parts of the day!
Downtown Bridgetown
I absolutely loved our time exploring downtown Bridgetown! The main squares and center of the city felt very clean, safe, and welcoming. My favorite was the Parliament Building, which is one of the oldest buildings in Barbados! It’s made of local coral limestone and I loved the contrast of the green fence and shutters along the windows. Just across the street you’ll find Independence Square and National Heroes Square. National Heroes Square was a great way to learn all about the famous people who came from Barbados! A lot of cricket players of course, but most notably- Rihanna!
Rihanna Drive
No trip to Barbados is complete without paying homage to Rihanna! Right in downtown Bridgetown is the famous Rihanna Drive. This street is home to her childhood home and many plaques to honor this local legend. Her childhood home has been restored, but it’s fun to see the street and neighborhood that RiRi grew up in! Just across the street is Empty Bottles Bar, which was blasting Rihanna’s top hits the entire time we were there. Rihanna herself even visited the bar in early 2026!
West Coast (Best Coast!)
West coast, best coast! Take a cruise up H1, the two-lane road that hugs the coast of the island. This drive was beautiful, filled with white sand beaches, mansions to gawk at, and small local towns. One Sandy Lane is a particularly famous landmark, as it is where Rihanna currently calls home on the island! The home is gated, but lots of tourists were walking up to the gates for photos. Another easy stop is at the St. James Parish Church, which is the oldest church on the island and located where the first European settlers arrived on the island.
Speightstown
No one day on Barbados is complete without visiting Speightstown! Speightstown is the second largest city on the island and has a beautiful downtown, beaches, a pier, and a large boardwalk. Spend some time strolling the streets and waterfront, stopping by the local street vendors, and watching for colorful fish in the water. I absolutely loved spending a bit of time in this quaint, bustling town!
Animal Flower Cave
Top of the list for one day on Barbados is visiting Animal Flower Cave! This cave and the grounds that surround it are stunning, and are quite the contrast from the soft sandy coast on the west side of the island! This is the most northern point of Barbados, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. Going down into the cave for the iconic “window” shot will cost $20 USD per person, and will involve going down 27 steep steps. Once inside the cave, you’ll see three rooms, all with different “window” views to admire. You’ll be walking over many slippery, uneven rocks, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. The last of the rooms is the natural pool, where you can swim while simultaneously looking through the rocks and out to the ocean. We forgot our swimsuits and couldn’t participate, so be sure to learn from our mistakes!
Outside of the cave, there are walking paths along the coast to take in the stunning views. There is also a cafe and small open-air market. It’s a perfect place to stop and relax during your one day on Barbados!
Cherry Tree Hill
If you’re looking for sweeping views of the island that stretch for miles, don’t miss Cherry Tree Hill! The cherry trees may be long gone, but you will find roads lined with mature mahogany trees. Also nearby is the St. Nicholas Abbey and Steam Railway, which is an old sugar plantation and rum distillery. You can take a short ride on the steam train, for a real step back in time! Stopping at Cherry Tree Hill is a perfect way to look over Barbados and reflect on a great day exploring all of its beauty!
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