|
 
Shopping
in Bridgetown Barbados
"Where To Shop In The Island's Capital"
Shopping in Bridgetown Barbados, the capital of the island,
is an obvious choice for visiting tourists as it is the commercial
centre of the island. Located along the south western coast of the island,
the population of this island capital is approximately 80,000 and is home to many
of the island's landmarks including The Barbados Parliament Buildings.
Often
referred to by locals as simply "Town", Bridgetown Barbados has an array
of shops usually open from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday and from 8am
to midday on Saturdays. No need to worry, shopping in Bridgetown
Barbados for visitors is easy since most major credit cards are widely
accepted and most hotels offer a free shuttle bus to and from the island capital.
To Beginning Shopping in Bridgetown Barbados You Have To Get There!
Bridgetown Barbados
is really easy to get to no matter which part of the island you are
traveling from. As I just mentioned, for those of you staying at hotels most offer guests a complimentary shuttle
service to the capital. However if you have hired a rental car all of the
major highways from the north, south and east of the island lead to
Bridgetown.
There
are also 2 public bus terminals in
Bridgetown, the Princess Alice Bus Terminaland the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal.
It will only cost you BDS $1.50 (approx. USD 75 cents) for a trip
on the bus to Bridgetown.
As
an alternative to buses, you could try a route taxi, these are small
vans often called mini vans, which follow a fixed route around the island,
and for the same low fare
will take you to Bridgetown.
Where Are The Main Areas To Go Shopping in Bridgetown?
Broad Street
 Broad
Street is the main street which passes right through the centre of the
city. It passes by The Parliament buildings and is the definite centre
of the capital's shopping area.
Broad Street is where you will not only
find the island's largest department stores, shopping malls and duty free
shops but also banks and business offices. This is where you
will do most of your duty free shopping in Barbados.
Shopping in
Barbados along Broad Street is quite simple. You can just stroll
from one end of the street to the other end poping inside which ever stores
interest you the most. It's that easy!
Swan Street
Another major
shopping area in Barbados for tourists is Swan Street. This street runs
parallel to Broad Street in Bridgetown and is where shopping in
Bridgetown Barbados truly becomes unique. Unlike the large department stores of Broad Street, this tiny street consists of
smaller shops and local vendors selling clothing, island
jewelery, fruits, vegetables and local handcrafts.
While
walking along Swan Street you should also take a few minutes to
visit Roebuck Street to the east and Tudor Street, a street
that intersects Swan Street. These two Bridgetown streets
also offer a variety of
local crafts for sale.
The Shopping Malls and Stores of Bridgetown Barbados
Once
you have begun your day of shopping in Bridgetown Barbados the first
thing you will most likely do is visit the several shopping malls along
Broad Street and then take a stroll along Swan Street. Below is a list of some of the major Barbados shopping malls and department stores in Bridgetown.
Cave Shepherd
At the top of Broad
Street ( Upper Broad Street ), closest to The Parliament Buildings, you
will find Cave Shepherd, the largest department
store in Barbados and the island’s leading duty free stockist.
Here you can buy a wide range of products, from swimwear to souvenirs,
jewelery
and cosmetics.
Colombian Emeralds
 You can't miss Colombian Emeralds
International on Broad Street which is opposite Cave Shepherd.
They have their own store as well as a
concession within Cave Shepherd. This international duty free jeweler
stocks fully guaranteed and certified precious stones.
Diamonds International
 As
you continue west along Broad Street you will reach the upper broad
street Diamonds International store. This Barbados shopping
centre specialises
in diamonds, fine watches, gold and silver jewelery and other
gemstones.
There are two Diamonds International stores in
Bridgetown, both of which are on Broad Street. The Lower Broad Street
location is their flagship store stocking a
tempting selection of designer jewelery and watches.
Harrison’s
Just
a few steps further and on the opposite side of Broad street is
Harrison’s. Harrison's in Barbados offers 2 locations for
shopping in Bridgetown Barbados. Both of these locations are on
Broad Street where you will find luxury branded items from around the
world.
Dacostas Mall
Next comes Dacostas Mall on Broad Street. This is one of the most visited Barbados shopping malls
in Bridgetown. The attractive pink facade and wrought iron of this two
floor market place give it a unique island feel. Inside over 35 shops
offer a range of local Bajan clothing and duty free goods.
Little Switzerland
Little
Switzerland is also located right by Dacostas Mall. For luxury
branded items such as
timepieces and jewelery, Little Switzerland is the place to go
while shopping in Bridgetown Barbados if you are interested in brands
such as Omega and Breitling.
Mall 34
Across the street from Dacostas Mall you will find Mall 34 on Broad Street. This shopping mall in Barbados has over twenty shops including a Best of Barbados Gift Shop, selling duty free goods, souvenirs and gifts.
Diamonds International Lower Broad Street
 Just past the Mall 34 and Scotia Bank you will finally reach the The Lower Broad Street
location of Diamond International.
Like I mentioned above this is their flagship store, a must visit for those lovers of high end jewelery.
Pelican Village
 Now
just as a side note I want to mention Pelican Village. Pelican
Village is not located on Broad Street but along the Princess Alice
Highway just before the Bridgetown Port and Cruise Terminal. This is the
biggest craft centre in the Caribbean and a must visit while shopping
in Bridgetown Barbados.
This shopping village is dedicated to
local arts and crafts. Here you will have an opportunity to watch the
artists and craftspeople at work as well as purchase their creations,
which include metal work, glass work and basketware, as well as paintings
and hand crafted jewelery.
Shopping at The Bridgetown Harbour Cruise Terminal
 If
you are taking a Caribbean cruise during which Barbados is one of your
destination stops the Bridgetown Harbour Cruise Terminal offers cruise
passengers a slightly smaller but great selection of shopping in
Bridgetown Barbados.
Cruise ship passengers have their
very own Barbados shopping mall at the Bridgetown cruise terminal. Here
you can shop in air conditioned comfort, enjoying about 25 stores.
There are some good deals on jewelery, china, crystal and clothing
which are available at duty free prices.
Stores you should look out for include the cruise terminals very own Harrison’s, Little Switzerland and The Royal Shop, a leading duty free jewelery and watch store.
|
|
What is RSS?
Subscribe via RSS
Add
To Google
Add
To My Yahoo!
Add
To My MSN
Add To
Newsgator
Subscribe
with Bloglines
