Visit Rihanna Drive, the neighborhood street in Bridgetown where internationally renowned singer and entrepreneur Rihanna spent part of her childhood. Guests can see the exterior of the modest home where she lived before rising to global fame and learn about her journey from a young girl in Barbados to one of the worldโs most successful music and business icons. This stop offers a unique connection to Barbadosโ modern culture and celebrates the islandโs contribution to the global entertainment world. It is a memorable photo opportunity for fans and visitors interested in experiencing a personal piece of Rihannaโs Barbadian roots.
Rising approximately 850 feet above sea level, Cherry Tree Hill offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Barbados. From this scenic vantage point, visitors can admire the rolling landscape of the Scotland District, a unique region that covers much of the parish of St. Andrew. The district is named after Scotland's patron saint because its rugged hills and valleys reminded early Scottish settlers of their homeland. It is believed that the name Cherry Tree Hill originated from the abundance of cherry trees that once grew in this area. Today, the road is lined with majestic West Indian mahogany trees, introduced to Barbados following the Treaty of Paris in 1763. As the journey descends upon the hill, the towering mahogany gradually gives way to expansive fields of swaying sugar cane, creating one of the island's most picturesque and memorable landscapes.
The historic Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill, built in 1727, is a remarkable symbol of Barbadosโ rich sugar-making heritage. Once one of many windmills that powered the islandโs thriving sugar industry, it is now recognized as one of the last two functioning sugar windmills in the world. The mill continued grinding sugarcane for commercial production until 1947, when it was entrusted to the care of the Barbados National Trust. Today, this beautifully preserved landmark offers a fascinating glimpse into Barbadosโ past, showcasing the impressive engineering behind sugar production and its important role in shaping the islandโs history and culture. During this excursion, we make a scenic stop at Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill for photographs and to admire the historic structure, entry to the mill is not included.
Bathsheba, located on Barbadosโ rugged east coast, is one of the islandโs most scenic coastal villages, famous for its dramatic landscapes, powerful Atlantic waves, and distinctive coral rock formations. According to local tradition, the village was named after the biblical Bathsheba, whose legendary milk baths were said to resemble the white, foaming surf at the famous Soup Bowl. Today, Bathsheba is recognized internationally as one of Barbadosโ top surfing destinations, attracting surfers from around the world with its strong Atlantic swells. The area is also popular with photographers, sightseers, and nature lovers who come to admire its breathtaking coastline and refreshing ocean breezes. Despite its popularity, Bathsheba has preserved the charm of a traditional Barbadian fishing village, with colorful seaside cottages and a peaceful atmosphere that showcases the islandโs natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Worship at St. Johnโs Parish Church has taken place on this site since 1645, making it one of Barbadosโ oldest Anglican places of worship. The original wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1676 and replaced with a stone structure. After suffering damage from the hurricanes of 1780 and 1831, the present church was built in 1836 and remains an important center of faith and heritage. The churchyard is also the final resting place of Fernando Paleologus, a former church warden and planter who died in 1670. A descendant of the Byzantine imperial family, Paleologus was related to the brother of Emperor Constantine XI, the last emperor of Constantinople. After his family lost the throne to the Turks, he settled in Barbados. Originally buried beneath the choir, his tomb was moved to the churchyard after the 1831 hurricane. Today, St. Johnโs offers a fascinating connection to Barbadosโ religious, architectural, and international history.
The Garrison Historic Area is one of Barbadosโ most important heritage sites, with origins in the seventeenth century when British forces used the island as a strategic military base. To reduce the burden of housing soldiers, Barbados requested a permanent garrison, which was approved in 1780. Construction began near Charles Fort and St. Anneโs Castle, and the site expanded from 16 to 64 acres, becoming the largest British garrison in the Caribbean. Many buildings were made with London bricks carried as ship ballast, and about 60 original structures remain. The Garrison Savannah evolved into a military parade ground, the birthplace of cricket in Barbados, and a famous horse racing venue. On November 30, 1966, Barbados gained independence under Premier Errol Walton Barrow at the Garrison. Today, it remains a symbol of the islandโs military history, culture, and national heritage.
On 5 July 1628, sixty-four settlers led by Charles Wolverstone arrived in Barbados and chose Bridgetown as the best location for a port, despite its unhealthy swampy land. The town was named after the Indian Bridge, built by the Amerindians. John Swan planned Bridgetown's main streets, with Swan Street named after him, and Broad Street named for its width. Early streets were poorly maintained, so a 1656 law fined property owners 100 pounds of sugar if they failed to keep the area clean. The swamp was later filled and replaced by a canal called the Careenage, where ships were repaired by careening.
We did a tour of the southern part of Barbados. Stopped at Rihannas house, visited Bathsheba and an old church. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the island. and provided commentary along with some humor. The island is gorgeous. You won't regret your visit.
Bajan highlights and rum tour was disappointing. We spent a lot of time driving in remote areas with few interesting points of interest and our guide Steven seemed more interested in talking on the phone then giving us interesting information about the island. When we did make an occasional stop somewhere, he left the group to our own devices while he went to chat with other tour operators. I don't feel like I learned much of anything about Barbados that I couldn't have Googled myself. The rum tasting was fine, but for the price we paid for the tour and tasting ($95 US) , we would have been better off skipping the tour and arranging our own visit to the rum tasting.
Our Bajan Shore Highlights tour around Bridgetown felt like flipping through a vibrant postcard that you desperately want to step inside. In a short few hours, we soaked up the islandโs charmโfrom lush scenery to the colourful rhythm of everyday life. A real highlight was passing by the childhood home of Rihanna, which added a little pop-star sparkle to an already dazzling tour. Our guide was an absolute gemโwarm, witty, and brimming with knowledge. They didnโt just show us Barbados; they introduced us to it, like a proud friend eager to share their favourite places. The only downside? Time. Just as we were settling into the island vibe, it was time to head back. It felt far too short, like leaving a great party early. That said, it was the perfect teaser. Barbados has officially charmed us, and weโre already dreaming of coming back for a longer, sun-soaked stay.
Breathtaking views! Everything was so beautiful and enchanting. Thereโs so much to see and experience. Loved every minute of the tour! Would definitely recommend and do again.
Our driver Jalvin was extremely knowledgeable and shared his passion for his country with us. It is a lot of driving, but the stops made it worth the drive.
It was professional and efficient. Our guide, Ryan, was on time and took care of us. We will use Viatour in the future.
The van was comfortable. We saw the sights expected and heard the expected information. Water was provided. Our tour guide was okay. Nothing spectacular to say about this tour.
Good tour with some interesting stops. A bottle of water offered. Guide made sure we all got back on the bus.
A very enjoyable tour of the island. Our tour guide Glyne was a mine of information exceptionally knowledgeable. We would recommend this tour.
Had a wonderful Island tour with Michael. He was very informative and most important was very personable. The Island is beautiful and he made us want to come back.
Was easy to use and price point was better than the cruise ship. Reputable drivers and tour guided hired Narin was great !
A knowledgeable guide showed us some of the top places to see in Barbados. Bathsheba was stunning! We also saw lots of green monkeys ๐
Great tour! weather wasn't on our side so we didn't see the views we wanted to see - blue water etc.
Narin was an excellent guide. If you want a good overview of Barbados for a half day this tour is for you.
Bus driver Glynn was great. He was very informative on the history of Barbados and made the trip very worthwhile
While it was nice to see different areas of Barbados, the tour had disappointments. Unlike the description, they do not provide water, so bring your own. The picture of the windmill in the description is not even a stop,, he drove past it, and before we realized it we were too late to even get a picture from the van. Lastly there were three different tour groups combined on our van, and we spent at least the last 45 minutes dropping off the guests who had beach and snorkeling excursions added on. Would not recommend this particular tour.
This was a group tour ( about 20) but very well done. We got to see many of the highlights of Barbados.
Good tour guide, but we spent way too much time on the bus. We only had three stops where we got out over the 3 1/2 hours.
They are the greatest. My cruise ship was unable to dock and created a two hour delay. I was able to contact them from the ship and let them know about this and they made arrangements to be there when we were finally able to dock. A+
This excursion was well coordinated and our guide, Calvin, had extensive knowledge of the island. We saw much of the island and our guide always made sure we each were able to photograph various stops. Highly recommended.
Really enjoyed this tour with Orville, he was very knowledgable about the Island and the tourist areas visited. The only problem we had was we did not enough time at Nelson's Dockyard. There was so much to see in this historic area with many picture opportunities 25 minutes just wasn't enough. Also make sure you take water with you๐
Excellent guide and driver. She was knowledgeable and was easy to understand. Activity was mild and appropriate for older travelers.
The tour of the Highights was okay. Just wish we could have spent more time at the sites, only 15 minutes at each one. The Tour ended noon. The tour should have added at least a beach stop. For the money I am not sure if it was worth it.
Right from the off, Beautiful Barbados Tours & Excursions presented a professional image of itself, with staff in branded clothing manning an easy to find stand just outside the cruise terminal. We were assigned Glynne (pronounced 'Gline') who served as the small group's driver/guide (an efficient and cost-effective arrangement that worked well) and provided a near continuous commentary of fascinating facts about this great little island. He was clearly interested in his topic and so, although occasionally going off piste a little as he shared the results of his extensive researches, you never felt short-changed or bored. Glynne was helpful to a fault, happy to drop us off after the tour at the Mount Gay Rum distillery and even wait for us to take us back into town. This was clearly going above and beyond and certainly appreciated.
We found the tour to be disappointing. Of a 3.5 hr tour of the Island, we spent 2.5 hours touring the east and north where we saw the wind and the Atlantic. We spent only a fraction of the time exploring the most beautiful side of the island.
Highly recommend this tour that really highlights much of the islands history and culture. Lisa was an excellent guide who took time to answer questions and explain information using her local experience. We really enjoyed touring the beautiful island of Barbados - highly recommend this tour, especially with Lisa!!
Our cruise line did not offer Barbados excursions until the last minute & then still didnโt offer much choice. This was a nice trip around the island & was good to get a quick taste of Barbados for first-timers.
Calvin is a tourist's dream. Smart, air conditioned vehicle which is spotless. He is energised and enthusiastic about his work. Our 2 co- travellers and us had conversations all the way, inspired by Calvin's comments and commentary. Polite and cheerful he showed us Bajan sights which will remember. Thank you very much Calvin - a delight to be with you today.
Rudolph was our tour guide and he was fantastic! He gave us a wonderful tour with his knowledge of the island. The stops were beautiful! I highly recommend this tour if this is your first time to Barbados!
We were traveliing in a small group and were greeted by warmth and professionalism by our tour guide Charles, a knowledgable and passionate person with a strong interpersonal skill who covered all the important itineries and explained it well. Barbados boasts a rich tapestry of landscapes waiting to be explored. The island's interior is a lush paradise of rolling hills, verdant forests, and cascading waterfalls. It was good to see that on our stops, street vendors were quite friendly and not pushy at all. Only negative point was the awful condition of roads. About 70% of Barbados's roads are in a state of disrepair.
This tour is amazing! We were a group of four and our guide Lisa (I hope I am writing it correctly) was the best. She told us so many information about the island. I highly recommend this tour if you want to see Barbados in a short amount of time.
We saw many places, the guide provide us with a lot of and interesting information. However, the tour provider didn't do much to find you. We were looking for our guide 20 minutes and although he was there he didn't even try to looking for us. When some guy at the terminal finally told us where to find our guide the latter just said that we were late. But we were there before time. So if you choose this trip, look for a guide at the counters at the terminal. Second, I recommend to add a quick stop at the Parliament buildings.
Good tour of the highlights of Barbados. The driver was exceptionally knowledgeable and pleasant. There are several stops to get out and explore, though you're not at any for more than 10-15 minutes. You don't need more than that. It's a great overview.
Was our first time to Barbados. Very pretty island. Didn't feel rushed at our stops. We felt it was a good excursion for the price
Wonderful tour, Narin was engaging as driver & tour guide. Shared with the group his love for Barbados. Nice size, accommodating and able to maneuver without waiting unlike when touring with large groups. Definitely recommend
Dunstan gave us a wonderful island tour. He loved showing us around the island. He explained the history and knows the perfect photo spots. This was an amazing day and I highly recommend this tour!
We had such an exceptional tour the day before on Martinique that we werenโt sure what to expect in a more tourism oriented island such as Barbados. Indeed, the tour began with โon your left/rightโ and limited views from the windows, but it wasnโt long before Sunshine stopped for us to take photos, appreciate the environment and to talk to people. She was great at answering our questions and was flexible about how long we stayed at places. This sort of small group tour is so much better than a coach excursion. Of course, it comes at a price, and holiday events tend to be expensive, but if you have a limited amount of time to explore an area, itโs a great option. Whilst Sunshine gave us an overview of the island and its key tourist attractions, she also provided fascinating insights into its history, development and people. We really appreciated this.
The guide was very knowledgeable. Very easy to understand and answered all our questions. Stopped when we requested to take pictures! Would definitely recommend!
We had a wonderful day seeing lots of Bajan beaches and 2 churches! Our guide Charles was very knowledgeable, friendly and professional! I would recommend this trip to anyone who would like to get a lay of the island and lots of history and fun facts.
The mushrooms rocks clean island friendly people nice beaches. Tour included a very good tasty lunch. Our tour guide was so nice and knowledgeable.
We had a wonderful tour and experience with Calvin in his large van. He gave us information about the geology, history, government, economy and much more. We did the Bajan Highlights tour and found that it kept us busy for almost 4 hours which was just what we planned. I would recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see Barbados as a whole and not just a couple of tourist spots or beach day. Note - we had planned to be dropped off at a beach on the way back to the ship but changed our mind. We could have gotten an hour or so of beach time in.
Kalvin was a great host/tour guide. Very friendly and proud of his country, he took the trouble to give us lots of historical context and information about Barbados. It was real advantage to be in a small group so we could ask lots of questions too. He never rushed us and we had plenty of time to take photos. The snack stop in Bathsheba was fab - so tasty and a lovely place. Kalvin then made sure we had time at the beach too - Savvy Beach was just gorgeous. 2 of our group then went on a snorkelling outing (Boat excursion - extra cost) and two of us just chilled in the sunshine. There was a small charge for a sunbed each plus umbrella. Kalvin also got us back to the port terminal well in time as promised. Top marks.
My name is Diane Hickman, my friend Sally and I are from London, and we sailed into Barbados onboard the Rhapsody of the Seas. After being very disappointed with our booking agent who did not communicate our transportation requests to this touring company, we were greeted by a very WELL DRESSED and polite driver & tour guide who reassured us that he would take care of our travel needs to the airport after we finished our "Bajan Highlights" scenic tour. Glyne was simply fantastic. Not only was he very attentive and helpful to this frail 82 year old who was using a walking cane and was rather slow-moving, he did an excellent job in conveying his love for his country and highlighted a very deep knowledge and understanding of local history as well as international matters. He insisted we try the "Bajan" fishcakes, sorrel, and coconut bread at Dina's, our snack stop, even though I told him I wasn't feeling particularly hungry. I'm so glad we took his suggestion!! It was DELICIOUS!! The Amanda's hot sauce is also a must-try. He laughingly brushed aside my very serious serious comment that HE WAS BY FAR THE BEST TOUR GUIDE WE HAD FOR OUR ENTIRE CRUISE on our ship that had visited quite a few other islands where we did other tours and had other less informed and professional tour guides. My friend Sally and I think Glyne is a real asset to your company, and we would HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM and your company to anyone visiting Barbados who might be looking for a comprehensive tour coupled with a helpful and professional tour guide. Many thanks to Glyne for his caring about our situation and (afterward) taking us to the airport, removing our anxiety when we felt stranded and somewhat betrayed by our booking agent.
We very much enjoyed this Barbados tour. There was a great variety of stops including a delicious snack stop. Our friendly tour guide, Stephen, did an EXCELLENT job at giving us information about places we were passing by as well as at our stops. We also enjoyed having a small group of only eight people. Highly recommend!
We booked this tour and had a wonderful experience. Our driver and tour guide arrived on time and was polite and courteous. He was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. Winston presented the information about the island so succinctly that you couldnโt miss a morsel of the information. He didnโt rush us and was always willing to stop for a photo moment. I Iโll definitely request his service when next Iโm in Barbados.
Had a wonderful tour with Glynne as our driver and guide. So knowledgeable and had a great personality. We enjoyed his company. He showed us so many things, took photographs if we wished. We stopped for a drink and a snack which was delicious. Would recommend this tour. Fabulous experience.
This is a very good tour to explore Barbados and also get an education in the culture and history of the island. Our guide Charles was very knowledgeable and professional and kept us informed and entertained. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a taste of what Barbados has to offer.
Tour was great, did an island tour with all the highlights, bus was comfortable and clean well air conditioned. Lisa did a great job, told and explained a lot. You can say a panoramic ride with some short stops for photos and 3x 15 min stops.
Pick up from cruise terminal no problem. Guide explained and showed a lot during the tour. We recommend this trip. We dropped off on the beach on the way back and enjoyed some beach feeling there. The walk back to the terminal was no problem in about 30 min. Danke an den Tourguide.
The round trip was not bad in itself. Unfortunately, we were the only Germans in a tour group of sometimes significantly overweight Americans. And they wanted to see everything from the minibus rather than get out and move. The tour guide, who by the way provided good and detailed information about the island, naturally followed this majority and therefore, in our view, made too few stops at the POIโs. For example, we just drove past the windmill. It's too bad.
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