Bridgetown

Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of Barbados, located on the southwestern coast of the island along Carlisle Bay in the parish of Saint Michael. It functions as the political and commercial heart of the country, housing the Parliament of Barbados, many government offices, and a busy port that serves both cargo and cruise ships.

The city began as a 17th-century English settlement and quickly developed into the island’s administrative center. In 2011, Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing the historic urban core and its colonial military structures as a site of global cultural significance.

Key historic and cultural sites in Bridgetown include the Parliament Buildings, National Heroes Square (formerly Trafalgar Square), the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, and the Nidhe Israel Museum. The historic quarter lies at the heart of the city, while nearby fortifications and the Garrison Savannah are notable nearby landmarks.

Economically, Bridgetown serves as Barbados’s main hub for finance, commerce, and tourism services, with a port that handles cargo as well as cruise tourism. The city is the principal transportation hub on the island, connected by major roads to the rest of Barbados and situated near Grantley Adams International Airport. The climate is tropical, with warm temperatures year-round and a wet season typically occurring from June to December.

Bridgetown’s blend of historical architecture, government institutions, and modern commercial activity makes it a central feature of Barbados’s national identity and economy.