Saint Andrew delivers unspoiled beauty from the northeast of the island. Barbados’ highest point, Chalky Mount, is a rugged bastion overlooking the turbulent Atlantic Ocean. The island’s oldest sugar mill, Morgan Lewis, and remaining tracks of a city-bound railroad which ceased operation in the 1930’s are other parish attractions. Saint Andrew’s rich red clay soil is distinguished amid Barbados’ mainly coral landscape and makes the parish home to the island’s single pottery village.

Saint George
Saint George is a central parish untouched by the ocean and surrounded by the lush rolling hills of Barbados. A panoramic view of the island made it an ideal location for one of England’s finest signal stations during colonial years. Today, Gun Hill Signal Station still carries a fascinating landmark—a lion carved out of a single rock—sculpted by an officer of the station in 1835.

Saint James
The western parish, originally called the Golden Coast, is surrounded by calm blue waters great for swimming and underwater adventure. The parish was named after King James I of England. The first Englishmen who settled Barbados arrived here in 1627 and claimed the island in the monarch’s name.

Saint John
This eastern parish is home to several fishing bays and historic sites. The most well known bay—Consett Bay—meets the Atlantic. In addition, St. John’s Parish Church and Codrington College deliver a rich history of the Church of England in Barbados. Villa Nova, one of the island’s remaining Great Houses, is another significant landmark of Saint John.

Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and boasts waves of phenomenal sizes at Bathsheba. The Soup Bowl—home to international surfing tournaments—is located here. Saint Joseph also offers a fascinating floral collection at the Flower Forest and Andromeda Gardens. 

Saint Lucy
The island’s most northern parish is crowned by cliffs and rocky terrain beaten by seething waters. Saint Lucy features the Animal Flower Cave—a wave-pounded subterranean wonder inhabited by a fascinating variety of sea anemones.

Saint Michael
Saint Michael is one of Barbados’ western parishes and home to Bridgetown, the island’s capital. A bustling shopping and business town, an active sea port, and many historical sites characterize the parish, which also houses the Government’s House of Assembly.

Saint Peter

Saint Peter looms in the northwest of the island and features one of Barbados’ town centres, Speightstown. The parish features the Barbados Wildlife Reserve—a natural habitat for endangered and exotic animal species. Historic sites are also located in St. Peter—Farley Hill Park’s Great House ruins and St. Nicholas Abbey, one of three remaining Western Hemispheric Jacobean Mansions built in 1650.

Saint Philip
Saint Philip, the largest parish on the island, is located on the eastern side of Barbados. One of three functioning lighthouses in Barbados is found here at Ragged Point, which offers a breathtaking view of the island’s entire east coast and occasionally farther north. Saint Philip also looks out to the Atlantic Ocean—waters which forbid sea-bathers and inexperienced surfers.

Saint Thomas is tucked away from the coast and features seemingly never-ending rows of sugar cane. Toward the east of the parish, Harrison’s Cave—one of Barbados’ Seven Wonders—nestles underground. The cave is a spectacular network resplendent with stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites from the roof; waterfalls; emerald pools and crystal clear streams. A nature trail called Welchman Hall Gully is found not too distant from the cave and is a habitat for many tropical plant species.