North America >> Caribbean >> Barbados >> Holetown

Holetown is set on the west coast (also known as 'the Platinum Coast') of Barbados island, amongst the posher hotels and villas. Holetown offers shopping, eating and drinking, but there isn't much of a town centre to speak of. Walk through the numerous alleys down to the beach, and you will see why this is the most expensive coastline of Barbados.

Travel to Holetown - Visa Requirements

The coastal highway runs north from Bridgetown to Speightstown through Holetown, but doesn't carry much traffic any more so noise is not too much of a problem. Both public buses and private-run mini vans run often between Bridgetown and Speightstown.

Tours and Getting around Holetown

Culture and History

Holetown is the site of the first British settlement in Barbados and the site of the first English landing (in 1625). It was originally Jamestown, so named when Captain Powlett claimed the land for King James the 1st.

Holetown tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Holetown monument a monument that commemorates the first English landing.
  • St. James Parish Church the first church in Barbados, the St. James Parish church has been in continuous operation since 1628. Damaged and rebuilt many times thanks to hurricanes, the present structure dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Holetown city tours

  • The Holetown Festival in February celebrates the arrival of the English in Barbados with parades, dances, games, street fairs, and hymns and prayer at the St. James Parish Church.

Holetown souvenirs and shopping

Holetown Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Surprisingly good selection of bars and restaurants in this small town.

  • Angry Annie's Restaurant & Bar, 1st Street, 246 432-2119. Daily 6-10 pm. Seafood, chicken, rasta pasta, curries, ribs. Colourful decor. Warning, some patrons in 2006 reported nausea & vomiting after drinking bottled "mineral water" that arrived at the table already opened. Hopefully this lapse in food safety has been resolved.Mains US$15-$US$30.  
  • Blue Rare Steakhouse and Rum Bar, 1st Street, 246 432-6557(paolagarm@sunbeach.net, fax: 246 432-5917). Daily from 6:30 pm. Enjoy prime USDA steaks, New Zealand lamb, or fresh local seafood, in an atmosphere of cool contemporary design. Air-con.Expensive.  

Chefette

Cocomos

Coach House

The Mews

Olive's Bar & Bistro

  • Patisserie Flindt, 1st Street Holetown, St. James, 246 432-2626(patisserieflindt@caribsurf.com, fax: 246 432-2634), [1]. Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm, Sat 7 am - 2 pm, Sun 7 am - noon. Imaginative and delicious breakfasts and lunches, featuring sandwiches, salads, quiches, pizzas. Exquisite desserts: cakes, pastries, beautiful handmade chocolates. Delivery and catering services available. 

Raffles

Ragamuffins

Sakura Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Sitar Indian Restaurant

Surfside Restaurant and Bar

Tam's Wok

Holetown cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Gurland House - Luxury Villa - Sandy Lane Estate, St James, West Coast

Gurland House is a 4/5 Bedroom Luxury villa situated on the old 9 hole Sandy Lane Golf Course.
Included: All Bedrooms have ensuite, Dining Area, Central Cortyard, Lounge, Pool, Fully fitted Kitchen.

Visit Website www.barbadoscaribbean.net
Contact info@barbadoscaribbean.net

Get out

This page was last edited by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by D Merchant, Wandering, David, Tom Holland, Evan Prodromou, Michele Ann Jenkins and Colin Jensen, Wikitravel user(s) Nzpcmad and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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