Holetown
As the first settlement in Barbados, the small community of Holetown holds the nation’s spirit and history as vital to their collective personality. Though Holetown is small, it comes with an alluring authenticity unseen in most tourist centers. Practically pulsing with charisma, Holetown draws in visitors with its community feel, national pride, and gorgeous scenery.
Holetown Group Tours Pixabay Public Domain
Being a small community, Holetown encourages a small-town feel with city-wide events such as the annual Holetown Festival which hosts local craftsmen, artists, and presents colorful parades every February. For more local craftsmanship, visit the nearby Chattel Village, a bright and colorful collection of shops set within beautifully landscaped tropical gardens.
The city itself is pure Barbados, the way Barbados was before the tourist industry. Holetown maintains mom-and-pop stores along its historic streets, small eateries, cafes, and restaurants serving authentic Bajan cuisine. First and Second streets in Holetown are lined with such shops, adding to the town’s local revenue and charm. Along the waterfront, you can find beach restaurants like Surfside and The Beach House where you can purchase delicious, easy to eat food while you walk along the shores or take in the sunset. For a quiet and scenic stroll through the town, check out the boardwalk where you can catch the sun setting over the Caribbean or just relax at your leisure.
Other activities to be experienced in Holetown range from catching a movie at the Limegrove Cinema to shopping at the duty-free West Mall shopping centre. Visit the Sandy Lane Beach where you can find a golf course, surf spot, and recreational area for those desiring an afternoon in the sun. Check out the Tide Arts Gallery for an appealing sampling of Caribbean artwork or even visit the Folkestone Marine Park and Museum including an aquarium, educational displays, and water sports areas for snorkeling and diving in the ocean.
The scenery in Holetown, much like in the rest of Barbados, is a sublime combination of atmosphere and nature. With an average yearly temperature hovering in the mid-80s, Barbados is a wonderful winter getaway. Spend a day at the Holetown Beach where you can recline in the sun and earn that quintessential Caribbean tan, dive among the cerulean waves to see turtles, tropical fish, and other wildlife, or join in a game of beach volleyball. The possibilities are endless when you imagine a vacation in Barbados.
