In depth 1
The UNESCO story.
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The back story
Bridgetown and its Garrison: the UNESCO story
Why UNESCO listed Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison in 2011, and a walk through the old town, the Synagogue district, Parliament and the Garrison.
12 of the best · Barbados
Museums, Galleries and Heritage in Barbados
UNESCO-listed Bridgetown and its Garrison, the Barbados Museum, George Washington House, the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Parliament, Speightstown’s Arlington House and the island’s galleries.
Our 12 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Barbados
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Barbados.
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The 17th-century port and its garrison
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison (UNESCO)
Bridgetown’s old town and the Garrison, inscribed by UNESCO in 2011 as one of the earliest fortified port towns of the British Atlantic.
Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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The island’s story in a military prison
Barbados Museum & Historical Society
The island’s museum of heritage and culture, in 19th-century military prison buildings in the UNESCO-listed Garrison.
The Garrison, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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A synagogue founded in 1654
Nidhe Israel Synagogue & Historic District
The Synagogue Historic District in the heart of Bridgetown, a city block of heritage buildings around the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, founded in 1654.
Synagogue Lane, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
The full list: Museums & Heritage, A–Z
Show 11 of 12 places on a map
Neighbourhood
UNESCO World Heritage 1
Bridgetown and the Garrison.
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The 17th-century port and its garrison
Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison (UNESCO)
Bridgetown’s old town and the Garrison, inscribed by UNESCO in 2011 as one of the earliest fortified port towns of the British Atlantic.
Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Museums 5
History.
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Speightstown’s story in three floors
Arlington House Museum
An interactive three-storey museum in a restored 18th-century building in Speightstown.
Queen Street, Speightstown, St. Peter, BarbadosExplore View on map
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The island’s story in a military prison
Barbados Museum & Historical Society
The island’s museum of heritage and culture, in 19th-century military prison buildings in the UNESCO-listed Garrison.
The Garrison, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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Where the young Washington stayed
George Washington House
Bush Hill House in the Garrison, where the young George Washington stayed for two months in 1751, now a museum, with 1820s tunnels below.
The Garrison, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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A synagogue founded in 1654
Nidhe Israel Synagogue & Historic District
The Synagogue Historic District in the heart of Bridgetown, a city block of heritage buildings around the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, founded in 1654.
Synagogue Lane, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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Democracy since 1629
Parliament & the National Heroes Gallery
The Parliament Buildings on National Heroes Square, with the Museum of Parliament and the National Heroes Gallery inside.
Trafalgar Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
Galleries 3
Art.
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The island’s arts council since 1957
Barbados Arts Council Gallery
The gallery of the Barbados Arts Council, inaugurated in 1957, at the Pelican Craft Centre on Harbour Road.
#20 Pelican Craft Centre, Harbour Road, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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Art from across the Caribbean
Gallery of Caribbean Art
A gallery in Speightstown dedicated to art from across the Caribbean, from Haiti and Cuba to Guyana.
Northern Business Centre, Queen Street, Speightstown, St. Peter, BarbadosExplore View on map
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Art upstairs from lunch
On The Wall Art Gallery at Champers
A bright fine art and craft gallery upstairs at Champers on the south coast, showing local, resident and Caribbean artists.
Skeetes Hill, Christ Church, BarbadosExplore View on map
Heritage 2
Historic places.
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A historic college in St. John
Codrington College
The theological college of the Anglican Church in the West Indies, in St. John, affiliated with the University of the West Indies, with grounds open to visitors.
St. John, BarbadosExplore View on map
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Racing on the old parade ground
The Garrison Savannah
The old parade ground of the Garrison, a horse-racing venue since the 19th century and home of the Barbados Turf Club and the Sandy Lane Gold Cup.
The Garrison, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map
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