Bridgetown, BB

West Coast fine-dining institution built on a coral cliff at Derricks — terraced tables descending to the sea, modern-Caribbean tasting menu, the island's most photographed dining room.

Long-established South Coast restaurant on Skeete's Beach — seafood-leaning menu, wraparound deck over the water, lobster bisque that locals book specifically for. Equally good for lunch as dinner.

Traditional Bajan buffet in the old Aquatic Gap house — flying fish, pepperpot, breadfruit, coucou, full canon at a working lunch buffet. The destination introduction to Barbadian cooking.

Casual seafood restaurant at Little Good Harbour, north of Holetown — fresh fish, casual indoor-outdoor seating, the laid-back West Coast lunch alternative to The Cliff.

Roadside fish-cutter cart at Pebbles Beach — the canonical Bajan fish cutter (fried fish in a salt-bread roll) for around US$5. Lunch only; locals queue for it.

Friday-night open-air seafood market in the fishing town of Oistins — dozens of stalls grilling flying fish, marlin, dolphinfish to order, live music, the south coast's defining weekly party.

St Lawrence Gap Mexican-Caribbean cantina — tacos, fajitas, frozen margaritas, a long beach-view deck. The non-Bajan alternative when you've had three days of flying fish.

South Coast tapas bar in Hastings with a long Med-influenced small-plates list and an oceanfront terrace. The South Coast nicer dinner that isn't a steakhouse.

South Coast pub doing flying-fish cutters, burgers and proper draught beer on tap. Good football-watching, fair prices, casual atmosphere.

Cheap-and-cheerful central Bridgetown lunch counter doing the canon of Bajan dishes — pudding and souse on Saturdays, fried fish, pelau, stewed peas. Locals' weekday lunch.

Holetown pan-Asian restaurant doing Thai curries, sushi and noodle dishes. Walk-in friendly, well-priced and the city's most reliable non-Caribbean option.

St Lawrence Gap Italian doing fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza and a Caribbean-Italian crossover that works in spite of itself. Family-friendly and walk-in.

Sealed walking path running the length of the South Coast from Hastings to Accra Beach — about 1.5km, surf clubs and beach bars all the way, sea wall and limestone outcrops. The South Coast's defining outdoor space.

Three-quarter-mile hilltop gully walk through native and exotic tropical vegetation — palms, banyans, balata trees, the only wild monkeys you'll see in the country. Easy paved path, mostly shaded.

Short coastal walk along the dramatic North Point cliffs above the Animal Flower Cave — Atlantic swell crashing on coral cliffs, sometimes whale-spotting in February-March. Walk after lunch at the cafe.

Self-guided walk through the UNESCO Garrison precinct — the Savannah, Main Guard, George Washington House, the Garrison Tunnels. About 2km, 90 minutes if you stop to read.

Underwater snorkel trail at the protected Folkestone Marine Park north of Holetown — submerged sculptures, reef tours, an artificial reef from a sunken cement boat. Best beginner snorkel on the west coast.

Friday-night beach-village party at Oistins — dozens of fish stalls, two stages of live music, dance floors, the south coast's defining weekly event. Loud, festive, locally beloved.

Tour of the world's oldest rum distillery (1703) at the Mount Gay visitor centre. Tasting flight at the end; longer cocktail-experience tours with food upgrades available.

Catamaran day trips along the West Coast with stops to snorkel with sea turtles and over a shipwreck or two — rum punch on board, lunch included on full-day trips. The island's most-booked excursion.

Real submarine that takes visitors to 130 feet down off the West Coast to view coral reefs and shipwrecks through portholes. Touristy and brilliant; not the experience you can do at home.

Saturday-afternoon thoroughbred horse racing at the Garrison Savannah racetrack — the country's defining sporting day. Open to the public, beer tents on the grass, a working community event.

Annual six-week summer carnival celebrating the end of the sugar harvest — concerts, calypso competitions, the Grand Kadooment parade at the start of August. The biggest event on the Bajan calendar.

Crescent of calm-water beach right by Bridgetown — six shipwrecks lying offshore make it the easiest snorkel and dive spot on the island, plus Pebbles Beach is the city's swim default.

UNESCO-listed 17th-century British military garrison south of central Bridgetown — Garrison Savannah racetrack, the Main Guard, the Clock Tower, and George Washington House (where the future president stayed in 1751).

The Garrison house where young George Washington stayed for two months in 1751 — restored, furnished and the only home outside the US that he ever visited. Includes the tunnel tour.

Limestone cave system in the centre of the island, toured by tram through chambers of stalactites and underground streams. The most-touristed natural attraction in Barbados; cool air, no crawling required.

Anthony Hunte's eccentric six-acre garden built into a sinkhole, with classical music playing through the trees and Hunte himself sometimes pouring rum punches for visitors. The country's most-loved garden.

Sea cave at the northernmost point of the island — climb down through carved limestone steps to coral pools where small sea anemones (the 'animal flowers') wave in the surf. Swimming is allowed in calm conditions.

West-coast village marking the spot where English settlers first landed in 1627. Now upscale shops, beach resorts and the prettier alternative to busy Bridgetown for a beach-and-shop day.

East-coast village famous for its giant 'Soup Bowl' rock formations and the Atlantic surf that breaks around them. World-class surf, dramatic photographs, no swimming in the riptides.