The ultimate escape from life's problems, Barbados benefits from being warm year-round - meaning whenever you're ready for a slice of Caribbean sun, this island and its soft sandy beaches will be waiting. You'll spend mornings swimming in the crystal-clear waters, afternoons speeding across the waves on a boat, and evenings partying the night away with a cocktail or two in hand.
With our stunning selection of villas in Barbados, you'll have a beautiful base from which to explore it all, featuring options within walking distance to a beach and restaurants.
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked villas in Barbados have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking luxury homes and holiday villas in Barbados that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
It doesn't matter what time of year you visit - Barbados is truly heaven on earth, offering the kind of views you typically expect to see on postcards. From the moment you arrive in the newly-transitioned republic, you'll feel transported to a dreamlike state where sea turtles swim through clear waters and spicy comfort food is served with a smile.
Typical activities include water-sports, rum tastings, catamaran day trips and shopping in the capital, but you could spend your entire holiday sprawled out by the pool or on the beach and still come away feeling satisfied and utterly refreshed.
Check out our Barbados Travel Guide to learn more ahead of your trip.
Bajan cuisine is not only vibrant in colour but flavour as well. Flying fish and cou cou serves as the national dish, with the former soaked in lime juice and Caribbean spices before being breaded and fried. The latter is a little more unusual, combining cornmeal with okra to form a stodgy side dish that's often complemented by fresh vegetables or plantain.
Conkies are another popular dish, traditionally eaten in the lead-up to Barbados' Independence Day on November 30th. A dense cornmeal cake, complete with pumpkin, coconut, cherries and Bajan spices, is folded within a banana leaf casing, making for a convenient on-the-go snack.
Finally, we couldn't not mention the island's most famous product: rum. Whether it's mixed into cocktails or enjoyed solo on the rocks, rum was invented here in 1703 and continues to prove popular with locals and tourists alike. Visiting over Christmas? Try Bajan Black Cake, a rum-soaked fruit cake that's made three weeks in advance.
Super-soft sands, crystal-clear waters and picture-perfect palm trees are commonplace for Barbados' beaches. Should you stay on the west side, you'll benefit from the calm, shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea. By contrast on the east, thrill-seekers at spots like Bathsheba Beach will find surf-friendly waves just waiting to be caught.
If you're travelling as a family, we'd recommend Reeds Bay which is shaded by plenty of luscious trees. With a marked area for swimming, you can lap into the clear waters together worry-free.
However, for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, you can't beat Bottom Bay - be sure to grab a fresh coconut from one of the beach vendors.
For our full list of the best beaches in Barbados, click here.
While you may be someone who could happily swim in the sea or lie on the sand all day, you'll never be short of things to do in Barbados. Trade a dip in the pool for some forest bathing as you explore the 53-acre Coco Hill Forest, a sustainable farming project you can spend a day hiking around.
Feet feeling tired? Climb aboard a horse with Ocean Echo Stables to explore the east coast in truly idyllic fashion - they even offer full moon rides to amp up the romance factor. Then, swap land for sea and hire a snorkel to take in some of the world's most stunning reefs.
Check out our full list of things to do in Barbados here.
The variety of water-sports and beaches to enjoy them on means you'll never be stuck for things to do or try out, no matter your age.
While Barbados is largely a destination spot for sun-chasers, allowing you to truly unwind surrounded by shading palm trees, you shouldn't pass up the chance to discover some of the characterful towns and villages around the island. Each one offers a unique feel, whether that's the type of goods on offer or style of buildings found there.
So what are you waiting for? Trade in your flip-flops and swimsuit for some trainers and get exploring.
Found on the quieter eastern side of the island, Andromeda Botanical Gardens boast a huge variety of flora and fauna across 20 connected areas.
As Barbados' capital, Bridgetown is unsurprisingly one of the most popular tourist spots. You'll find a wide variety of duty-free shops plus local market sellers, while you should also set aside some time to explore the Parliament Buildings, statues and monuments.
Found to the far north, Speightstown was once a main port connecting Barbados with England. Today, that trading history continues with market stalls dotted around the town selling everything from fresh fruit to local jewellery. There’s also a bustling restaurant scene for taking in after a day spent browsing and maybe even buying.
The west side of the island is the most popular, and it's also home to Holetown. It's bursting with history, acting as the site of the first English landing in 1625, with the event marked by the Holetown Monument. If you visit in February, the Holetown Festival also commemorates the anniversary.
You can fly from London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh into the main Grantley Adams International Airport, with non-stop flights taking around 8 hours and 30 minutes. Just 8 miles from the Bridgetown capital, it offers various options for easily getting around the island and starting your holiday.
Taxis are widely available, with knowledgeable drivers able to point out the sights. However, they can be expensive as taxis are not metered here, meaning you should determine a price before setting off. We'd recommend booking an airport transfer ahead of time - our concierge team are happy to help.
The roads around Barbados are relatively easy to navigate, so we'd suggest hiring a car if you want to explore the island with your group. You'll need to be 21 and also buy a temporary permit though - it costs around $5 and can be purchased at your point of hire.
As your cheapest way to get around the island, buses are the best option for a day spent exploring. The fare is around 3.50 Barbadian dollars per journey, and the routes are fairly well connected for seeing some of the top tourists spots.
Looking to head off the beaten track? Hire a bike and map your own journey around the island. Rental bikes are regularly serviced as well as insured, meaning you can cycle around worry-free.
Barbados is known for having some of the most incredible beaches in the world, beautiful marine biology that you can discover, amazing cuisine and gorgeous botanical gardens.
Barbados has one of the highest standards of living compared to a lot of countries in the Caribbean, which is a result of most of their economy being based on imports making goods pretty expensive. However, if you find local goods they can be quite inexpensive.
The water in Barbados is safe and meets the drinking water sanitary guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Barbados is great all year round, but it is best to go from December to April to miss as much of the rainy season as possible.
