Destinations

Beyond the Beach in Antigua


You want the beach. You want the sun in your hair. You want your worries to disappear and your life to be as free and easy as the trade wind blowing through the palms. So where do you go to find this? You hightail it out of here and set sail for Antigua. However, not just any old hotel in Antigua will do. You want the lap of luxury, so book a room at Carlisle Bay. If you’re going via Gatwick Airport then check out deals for car parking at Gatwick and book now!
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Antigua, then number one, two and three on the list are beach, beach and more beach. So want do you do if you’re tired of the beach? What do you do if your arms and legs are as red as a boiled lobster and you’ve already finished your beach read? From St John’s Saturday Morning Market to Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, believe it or not, there are other things to do in Antigua than bum around in the surf and sand. Here’s a short list to get you started.1. Hike from English Harbour to the summit of Shirley Heights. However, be sure to exchange those flip-flops for a pair of comfortable walking shoes. Located 490 feet above sea level, the summit of Shirley Heights has one of the best panoramic views in the Caribbean. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Guadeloupe. There’s even a bar and restaurant located at the summit.

2. If you’re a nature lover, then don’t miss the Devil’s Bridge. Located in Indian Town, the Devil’s Bridge is a natural limestone arch. Beside the arch, there are sea caves with natural blowholes. If you catch the weather and tides just right, seawater shoots through the holes. Bring a camera. This is the type of stunning natural phenomena that Ansel Adams loved.

3. On Saturday morning, take a taxi from Carlisle Bay to the Antiguan capital of St John. The Saturday Morning Market, which takes place on Market Street, is famous in the Caribbean. Whether you want fruits, vegetables or tropical flowers, this is where you go to barter. A more traditional shopping experience can be found at the Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay shopping centres.

4. There are numerous attractions in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park. You can visit the Dockyard Museum, stroll the marina, shop or dine. During the Napoleonic Wars, the dockyard was home to the British fleet.

5. If you’re interested in more Antiguan history, take a trip to Betty’s Hope. Today, it functions as a museum, but Betty’s Hope was the first sugar plantation on the island.

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