Speightstown
Barbados's second city — a charming colonial town with uncrowded beaches, excellent diving and authentic Bajan character
Explore Speightstown
Click any marker to find out more about each spot.
Things To Do in Speightstown
The best beaches, history and experiences in northern Barbados.
Arlington House Museum
The Arlington House Museum, housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century merchant's house, is the best museum in northern Barbados. Three floors of interactive exhibits cover the history of Speightstown — from its days as a major trading port (known as Little Bristol) to the present day. The rooftop terrace has excellent views over the town and the sea.
Heywood Beach
Heywood Beach, just south of Speightstown, is one of the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches on the west coast. The water is calm and clear, the sand is white and fine, and the beach is wide enough that it never feels crowded. The Almond Beach Resort is right on the sand and is one of the best-value options in northern Barbados.
Diving & Snorkelling
The reefs north of Speightstown are among the best diving sites in Barbados. The Maycocks Bay reef is particularly good — pristine coral, excellent visibility and a good variety of marine life including sharks, rays and sea turtles. Several operators in Speightstown offer guided dives and snorkelling trips.
Local Dining & Markets
Speightstown has a more authentic, less touristy character than Holetown or Bridgetown. The local markets sell fresh produce, fish and Bajan street food at excellent prices. The Fish Net restaurant, right on the waterfront, is the best place for fresh fish and local cuisine. The town has a good range of rum shops — the authentic Barbadian bar experience.
Animal Flower Cave
About 15 minutes north of Speightstown, the Animal Flower Cave is a sea cave at the northern tip of Barbados. Named after the sea anemones (animal flowers) that live in the rock pools, it offers dramatic views of the Atlantic crashing against the cliffs and is one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Barbados.
Speightstown Travel Guide
Speightstown is Barbados's second city and one of its most charming. Less developed and less touristy than Holetown or Bridgetown, it has an authentic Bajan character that is increasingly rare on the island. The colonial architecture, local markets and rum shops give it a character that feels genuinely Caribbean rather than resort-Caribbean.
The town was historically known as Little Bristol because of its importance as a trading port — ships from Bristol, England, would dock here to load sugar and rum. The Arlington House Museum, housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century merchant's house, tells this story well. Three floors of interactive exhibits cover the history of Speightstown from its trading days to the present, and the rooftop terrace has excellent views over the town and the sea.
The beaches around Speightstown are excellent and significantly less crowded than those further south. Heywood Beach, just south of the town, is one of the most beautiful on the west coast — calm, clear water, white sand and a wide beach that never feels crowded. The beach right in the town is also good for a quick swim or snorkel.
The diving north of Speightstown is some of the best in Barbados. The Maycocks Bay reef has pristine coral, excellent visibility and a good variety of marine life. Several operators in the town offer guided dives and snorkelling trips.
The Animal Flower Cave, about 15 minutes north of Speightstown at the northern tip of Barbados, is one of the most dramatic natural attractions on the island. A sea cave named after the sea anemones that live in its rock pools, it offers extraordinary views of the Atlantic crashing against the cliffs.
Speightstown is about 30 minutes north of Bridgetown and 15 minutes north of Holetown. It makes an excellent base for exploring the north of the island.
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