Holiday rentals in Barbados

Silky white sand, turquoise waters, lush rainforest, world-class architecture, and mouthwatering cuisine — what about Barbados doesn’t sound like heaven? At only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, this Caribbean island packs paradise into one easy package, from the legendary beaches of its Platinum Coast to the wild beauty of its west. Barbados’ warm waters are home to all manner of marine life, making it a delight for snorkelling, diving, and watersports, while its parks and gardens bloom with exotic plants.

Traditional villages and former colonial towns house more historic buildings than any other Caribbean island, and a small collection of top-notch museums explore the island’s complex heritage. Experience Bajan culture in the island’s arts and crafts and culinary scene, as well as its legendary rum — or embrace Barbados’ spirit of adventure in any number of heart-pumping activities, from skydiving to bungee jumping.

January to May is the dry season in Barbados, when temperatures are at their most pleasant and long days of sunshine are all but guaranteed, making it a popular time to book one of the area’s villas. It’s also when the island’s gardens are at their best. In January, the Barbados Horticultural Society hosts its annual flower show, and many private gardens are opened up to the public. February is a great time to be in Holetown, which celebrates its history with musical performances and parades. The wet season runs June to November, with muggy weather and sudden afternoon downpours. But it’s also the time of year with the best festivals, focused on crafts (National Independence Festival of Creative Arts, November), food and rum (October), or the two-month epic of Crop Over, which climaxes in August with the street carnival of Kadooment Day.

Speightstown

This 400-year-old port on the northwest coast offers a multilayered slice of island life and history. From modest traditional dwellings to boulevards of balconied Georgian splendour, the town’s charming wooden buildings are complemented by a bustling vibe, with a local food scene that includes fruit vendors, street markets, and destination restaurants.

The Cattlewash

This sweep of the eastern shoreline extends between the 50-acre Barclays Park and the fishing village of Bathsheba, with its much-loved surf spot, the Soup Bowl. It’s the longest uninterrupted swathe of beach on the island, named for the days when farmers used to clean their livestock in the waves. The dramatic limestone cliffs that overlook it make it a distinctly scenic sunbathing spot.

Kensington Oval

For more than 120 years the game of cricket has been part of the lifeblood of Barbados, and the international ground in Bridgetown, the oldest in the Caribbean, has borne witness to some of its greatest matches. The game is played year round. Even if there’s no match when you visit, the Oval is usually open for tours.