Our Highlights for Barbados
Barbados combines gorgeous beaches with British charm, making it one of the Caribbean's most beloved destinations — and that's exactly what captivated us. A personal highlight was watching whales pass by the coast during our visit.
The west coast offers over 16 km of pristine white and slightly pink sandy beaches with crystal-clear water. No matter what this idyllic stretch is called elsewhere, the most fitting name for this slice of paradise is the "Platinum Coast." On the east side, you'll find dramatic cliffs and rough weather. It truly is an island of two faces.
Another hallmark of Barbados: the English manor houses and countless sugarcane plantations scattered across the island.
Barbados is today one of the wealthiest Windward Islands — thanks in no small part to tourism.
Bridgetown — the Capital of Barbados
Bridgetown lies south of the cruise port and is a lively, bustling capital — an architectural mix of shops and restaurants, modern and Victorian colonial buildings, with several notable sights. The best shops line Broad Street.
Here you can pick up English porcelain, crystal, perfume, British tweed, cameras and watches at 25 to 50% less than US prices — all duty-free. Barbados boasts prices for perfume, porcelain and crystal that rival St. Thomas, while spirits and leather goods are said to be even cheaper.
Weather, Climate & Best Time to Visit Barbados
Barbados enjoys a pleasant, mild tropical climate. Steady trade winds provide a refreshing breeze. The island is sunnier and drier than most other Caribbean islands. The dry season runs from December to June. From July to November, brief tropical showers occur now and then. Tropical storms can develop between June and November.
Entry Requirements, Vaccinations & Travel Info for Barbados
⚠ Note: Entry requirements may change at short notice. Please check with the relevant authorities before traveling.
German citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Barbados. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
Upon entry, you typically receive a stay permit for 28 days. Extensions can be requested at the local immigration office. Air passengers should carry a return or onward ticket.
Since 2024, an online travel form is mandatory. Complete it at least 72 hours before arrival at travelform.gov.bb. Present the confirmation at immigration — electronically or printed.
Note: Airlines may have additional document requirements. Please check with your airline before departure.
If traveling via the USA, observe US entry requirements!
Customs regulations:
Importing weapons (including diving and marine signal pistols) requires a special import license.
We advise against wearing military-style clothing, as this is reserved exclusively for the military.
Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory vaccinations for Barbados.
For short trips, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccination is recommended. For longer stays, Hepatitis B and Typhoid protection is also advised.
Malaria does not occur in Barbados. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is present. Since 2024, a Dengue vaccine (Qdenga) has been approved in the EU. Consultation with a tropical medicine institute is recommended. Protect yourself against insect bites.
Other information:
Tap water is heavily chlorinated and not suitable for drinking. Buy bottled water at grocery stores.
Despite relatively good medical care, travel health insurance including emergency repatriation is recommended.
All information without guarantee!
Getting to Barbados & Getting Around
Condor offers direct flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Düsseldorf to Barbados. British Airways flies via London Gatwick and is reachable from all major German airports. KLM (via Amsterdam) and Air France (via Paris) also provide good connections.
The Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) is in the southeast of the island, about 16 km from Bridgetown. Regular buses run from the airport to the city.
Bridgetown is a popular port of call for cruise ships. Around 450,000 cruise passengers visit Barbados each year.
Where is Barbados?
Barbados belongs to the Lesser Antilles. It lies about 150 kilometers east of the Windward Islands and is relatively small at just 430 km². Barbados is 34 kilometers long and 22 km wide at its broadest point.
Barbados sits outside the island arc of the Lesser Antilles stretching from Puerto Rico to Venezuela and is the only Windward Island entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. In contrast to the calm waters and peaceful beaches of the Platinum Coast, the mountainous east coast is rocky, windy, rugged and constantly exposed to the power of the dark-blue Atlantic. Neighboring islands include St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago to the south.
The History of Barbados
- Around 400 BC, Barbados was first settled by Arawak Indians.
- From the 12th century, the Arawaks were killed or displaced by Carib Indians.
- In 1536, Portuguese explorer Pedro A. Campos discovered the island and named it Barbados. The name comes from the fig trees with their scraggly, exposed roots — he called them Los Barbados, "the bearded ones."
- In 1551, the Spanish arrived. They enslaved some islanders; the rest fled.
- In 1625, the English took control from the Portuguese. Unlike many neighboring islands, Barbados remained under British rule until 1966.
- Barbados has been independent since 1966.
