St Michael Barbados
"Home of The Island's Capital of Bridgetown"

The parish of St Michael Barbados lies on the western side of the island, and is the most southern parish on this coast.

It is home to the capital city of the island, Bridgetown Barbados, and is one of the most popular areas with tourists and is where the majority of Barbadians reside.

St. Michael is bordered by the neighbouring parishes of St. George to the east, Christ Church to the south and both St. Thomas and St. James to the north.

The Beaches of St Michael Barbados

There are many great beaches to be found all over Barbados and the parish of St. Michael has a fair few of them!

The beaches in the parish are particularly ideal if you are looking for the calmer waters of the Caribbean Sea and shelter from the sometime exuberant Atlantic Ocean. These calmer waters make the beaches in St Michael Barbados perfect for all ages.

Sandwiched between the beaches known as Drill Hall Beach and Pebbles Beach is the wonderful Needham's Point Beach. This Barbados beach is a beauty of white sand that stretches up to the famous Hilton Hotel Barbados.

The sea around Needham's Point is very calm, due to the two breakwaters that protect the beach. This makes it a perfect spot for wading. There are also beach facilities such as lounge chairs, a picnic area and playground to be enjoyed.

To the north of Needham's Point is Pebbles Beach. This is a beautiful beach which leads to a spot where turtles lay their eggs (on the other side of the Hilton Hotel). The waters at Pebbles Beach are even calmer than those at Needham's Point Beach and it is why many locals choose to dock their boats along this stretch of water.

Continuing on from Pebbles Beach you will reach the large crescent shaped Carlisle Bay.

This spot is very popular with visitors, in particular those who love diving and snorkeling, as Carlisle Bay is home to shipwrecks to be explored. It is also a great place to just sit in the sun and watch the luxurious yachts being moored in the bay.

Finally, Brownes Beach leads from Carlisle Bay north towards Bridgetown. The main attraction for this beach is the opportunity to simply relax in the sun and enjoy a splash about in the mild waves of the sea. There is always a lifeguard on duty here to watch over this relaxed way of life on this particular beach on the Barbados island.

Accommodation in St Michael Barbados

No matter what your budget is or what your taste in accommodation type, you will find everything available in terms of somewhere to stay in St. Michael. You may opt for a luxurious hotel, a comfortable beachfront condiminum or a very affordable private holiday rental house.

Whatever you want or need, you will find a variety of affordable accommodation within this Barbados parish.

Nothing screams luxury at an affordable cost more than the Hilton Hotel in Barbados located at Needham's Point. The stunning rooms in this hotel offer spectacular sea views and you are a stone's throw away from the amenities of the city of Bridgetown.

The facilities available to guests of this hotel include treatment rooms, a gym, a Kid's Club and an Infinity-edge swimming pool.

Located close to Carlisle Bay and minutes away from Bridgetown is the Island Inn Hotel. This small yet charming hotel was originally a storage facility for the mass-produced product of rum, a product Barbados is famous for.

The building has been restored extensively to its former glory, giving guests a unique experience. Facilities at the Island Inn Hotel include a swimming pool and a comfortable lounge area.

Also hugging the shores of Carlisle Bay and next door the The Barbados Yacht Club is The Grand Barbados Hotel.

The guest rooms are spacious and comfortable and the hotel is in an excellent location for shopping, sightseeing, sailing and just relaxing to the beach.

Facilities available at the Grand Barbados Hotel include a swimming pool, a health club and a sauna.

Shopping Opportunities in St Michael Barbados

If you are looking for a lot of retail therapy, then the parish of St. Michael Barbados is the right parish to be in!

The capital of Bridgetown is renowned for its retail outlets and in particular it's mass of duty-free shopping opportunities.

The main thoroughfare that attracts shoppers is known as Broad Street. This street is a line of shopping outlets which provide a range of designer goods at duty-free prices such as watches, jewellery, electronics and clothing.

Broad Street is also home to a branch of Diamonds International and Colombian Emeralds which can inset flawless semi-precious stones into a unique piece of jewellery for you or your loved one.

Nightlife in St Michael Barbados

As the parish of St. Michael contains the capital city, amongst other areas, it is easy to guess that the parish has quite a vibrant nightlife.

One of the most popular spots to go to for some late evening partying is the open air, beachfront nightclub on known as Harbour Lights Barbados. The club opened in 1987 and has been wowing visitors with its excellent DJs, live acts, limbo-dancing, fire-eating and barbecue events.

Also not to be missed is an evening out at the beachfront club called the Boatyard Barbados. This club incorporates the beach and provides a wealth of fun activities throughout the day and a party atmosphere at night.

With energetic music playing, beach games and challenging party games, this location is definitely one for the party animals.

Dining Out in St Michael Barbados

There are many great places for dining out in the parish of St. Michael and in particular, a visit to the Brown Sugar Restaurant should not be omitted from your itinerary.

If you are aching to try the best in Creole and Bajan traditional delights then this is the place to go.

Set in an authentic Bajan house, the menu of the restaurant offers a selection of local and national dishes which are sure to make your mouth water.

There is nothing better than sitting in the open air surrounded by lush ferns and Whistling Frogs, whilst indulging in some of the finest food on the island.

Attractions in St Michael Barbados

There are some great attractions in and around the city of Bridgetown, Barbados that should be made a priority so you do not miss out on a fantastic experience before you have to leave.

Bridgetown is home to several great attractions including The Jewish Synagogue. The original building was built in the 17th century and is the second oldest synagogue within the Western Hemisphere.

It was then destroyed by a hurricane in the early part of the 19th century, then rebuilt and is still in use today. The Jewish Synagogue is preserved by the Barbados National Trust and is named as one of the 7 wonders of Barbados.

Also worth visiting in the parish of St Michael Barbados is the Barbados Museum. The museum contains a range of artefacts from Amerindian and African cultures, strangely housed in an old British prison building! Visitors will learn more about the history of the island by visiting this museum.

Just outside of the capital city is The Garrison Savannah Thoroughbred Horse Race Track. Locals and wealthy merchants have been able to see horse racing at this location since 1845 and now it is open to everyone.

There is a grand stand from which you can enjoy the action and for many a visit to the track is considered a family day out.

You can sit and enjoy some wonderful local food and drink or bring your own picnic whilst watching the horses thunder around the grass oval 6 foot furlongs.