Antigua’s reputation as a holiday destination centres around the impressive number of beaches that line the island’s coast. But it’s also a location that has a detailed military history and several impressive natural attractions offering so much more to do around the island than just spending your days by the sea.
If you’re visiting Antigua on holiday and fancy exploring more than just the beautiful coastline, there are a range of tourist attractions that you can add to your itinerary. In this article, we share seven of our favourite things to do in Antigua to help you plan your holiday to this spectacular Caribbean island.
Shirley Heights was built by the British military in the 17th century when they had control of the island and was named after Sir Thomas Shirley, a former governor of the Leeward Islands who oversaw the construction of the site. The expansive views provided by the lookout were essential to the British’s success in defending the island.
You can either hike or drive to Shirley Heights, with the best times of day to visit being earlier in the morning when it’s quiet or just before the sun sets. Admiring the view in the evening is particularly popular, as not only do you get spectacular views of the sun disappearing into the sea, but you can also watch all the lights appear in St John’s down below.
You’ll find the restaurant and bar Shirley Heights Lookout alongside the historic remains at Shirley Heights which is a lively spot to have a meal or enjoy a drink. It’s famous for its Sunday night parties, which feature live music, a BBQ and plenty of local rum punch! If you’re looking for fun things to do in Antigua, these parties should definitely be on your list.
Wallings Nature Reserve was set up as a community effort to preserve the biological diversity of the island and to help protect natural resources from the impact of climate change. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy the shade provided by Antigua’s rainforest and also gives visitors the option to take part in a guided tour so they can learn more about the landscape and the projects taking place there.
The name of this popular Antigua attraction comes from its status as an important port during the British occupation in the 17th and 18th centuries. English Harbour was once a naval base for the military and is still home to the famous Nelson’s Dockyard, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Named after Admiral Horatio Nelson who was based in Antigua between 1784 and 1787, it’s still home to colonial architecture and a museum housed in the old Admiral’s House.
If you’re looking for even more things to see in Antigua, the colonial Clarence House sits just above the dockyard in English Harbour and is considered one of the most impressive examples of architecture from this period. Today it’s a museum with a star-studded history of visitors, as well as a popular venue for big events like weddings.
English Harbour is still a hub for sailing on the island and you’ll see plenty of impressive boats moored here if you take a walk around the marina. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might catch one of the sailing events or regattas, which always bring a lot of visitors to this part of the island.
The design of St John’s Cathedral is Baroque, with two 70 ft high towers at the west end of the building. You’ll notice statues of St John the Divine and St John the Baptist on the pillars flanking the south gate; these were actually taken from a French ship destined for Martinique in the 1700s and displayed outside the cathedral instead.
If you’re in St John’s then it’s well worth a trip to the cathedral, as it’s one of the most impressive buildings of its kind in this entire area of the Caribbean. Some restoration work is still underway, but this doesn’t detract from the beauty of the place.
The Devil’s Bridge wouldn’t have been formed without the windy conditions on the coast, but be prepared for a strong breeze when you visit. The bridge and the surrounding stone are home to quite a few blowholes, so you should also be prepared to get wet if you’re standing on the bridge at the wrong time!
Visiting this coastal attraction is one of the top things to do in Antigua, but you should also be aware of the sombre history surrounding how the spot got its name. People who had been enslaved on the island were said to throw themselves off the bridge and into the water to escape their circumstances, and this happened so many times that locals began to believe that the devil lived under the bridge.
Proceed with caution when visiting the Devil’s Bridge as the stone can be quite slippery. Once you’ve visited the site, Long Bay Beach is only a short walk away and provides safe conditions for swimming or paddling if the weather is good.
Betty’s Hope is home to a fully restored sugar mill tower with sails and there are still remains of a stillhouse, distillery and estate house. Once you’ve paid an entrance fee you’re free to wander around the site yourself and examine the ruins or read the accompanying information.
This plantation was once the most profitable and successful spot on the island and you can learn about its history and influence at the museum on site or through one of the guided tours offered here. It was owned by the Codrington family, who had a significant influence on the island and belonged to them until 1944.
You’ll find Betty’s Hope outside of Pares Village in St. Peter’s. It’s best reached by car or as part of an organised tour, as it’s very difficult to get to on foot.
Barbuda is smaller and less developed than Antigua, making it a wonderful place to visit to admire some truly unspoiled Caribbean scenery and make the most of beaches that will feel a little less crowded. There’s one main village community on the island and that’s it, so it’s also a great opportunity to enjoy a more authentic atmosphere and support the local economy.
Perhaps one of the most unique things to do in Antigua and Barbuda is visit the pink sand beaches, and Barbuda is home to one of the most beautiful in the entire Caribbean. If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Antigua, a trip here will provide a magical atmosphere for a day spent in the sun with your partner.
Aptly named ‘Pink Sand Beach’ it stretches for eight miles along the coast and gets its rosy hue from the shells that are deposited on the shore by the waves, which means the colour varies depending on the tides. It’s still beautiful no matter when you visit however, and should be top of your list if you make the trip to the island.
Unless you’re planning a 365-day trip to Antigua (and we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to) then you won’t get the chance to visit all of the spots along the coast. Every spot has classic Caribbean white sand and bright blue water, so you can be sure of incredible scenery and great swimming and snorkelling conditions wherever you go.
Some of the most popular beaches in Antigua include Dickenson Bay in St John, Half Moon Bay which is a popular spot for surfboarding, and Pigeon Point Beach near English Harbour, which is great for snorkelling. If you’re searching for things to do with kids in Antigua, Ffryes Beach is a popular choice because of the calm water and nearby amenities, along with Long Bay Beach which has a great selection of watersports activities for families.
Are you planning a holiday to Antigua and looking for the perfect place to stay? The Villa Collection has a stunning portfolio of luxury properties on the island that offer the perfect base to explore. Take a look at our villas in Antigua or visit our blog for more recommendations on what to do on your Caribbean holiday.r.