Popular Destinations in Antigua and Barbuda
Stingray City
Stingray City is located off the east coast of Antigua. It is a shallow
pool with a sandy bottom in the middle of a tropical reef where heaps of
friendly southern stingrays gliding through the waters wait to be fed by
the visitors. While here, one can snorkel, stand, or swim with these
stingrays depending on his/her comfort level. After the encounter, visitors
can explore the surrounding coral reefs. The touch of the smooth, satiny
bodies of these stingrays brushing against the skin is a highlight of this
exciting adventure.
Nelson's Dockyard National Park
Nelson's Dockyard National Park is one of the most popular tourist
attractions in Antigua. The park is in English Harbor and is home to former
18th-century British Naval Dockyard of Antigua. This dockyard was added in
UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2016. The park is also home to several
restored historic buildings and some of the best nature trails in Antigua.
The naval dockyard in the park is home to beautiful old stone warehouses,
hotels, restaurants, galleries, shops, and museums. Dockyard Museum in the
park traces the site's history from the 17th century to the present-day.
After exploring the Dockyard, tourists can enjoy scenic island views from
the ruins of Fort Shirley, located on the hilltop at Shirley Heights at the
west entrance to the harbor. Nelson's Dockyard National Park is also home
to 18th-century Clarence House, which was built for the King William IV.
Tourists can also explore the Dow's Hill Interpretation Centre located
along the Lookout Trail near Shirley Heights.
St. John's
The capital city and cruise ship port of Antigua and Barbuda, St. John
features a mix of candy-hued colonial cottages and market stalls amassed
high with tropical flowers and fruits. Rising above the skyline are the
imposing white neo-Baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral. This cathedral
is one of the most distinctive buildings in the city. For an overview of
the island's history, history buffs can head to the Museum of Antigua and
Barbuda, located in the 18th-century former Court House. Shopaholics must
not miss out on visiting St. John's duty-free shops at Heritage Quay. Here,
souvenir stalls are available in heaps and vibrant harborside public
markets are the place to visit on Fridays and Saturdays. To enjoy
magnificent views of city and harbor, tourists can visit the ruins of
18th-century Fort Barrington Fort James, constructed to protect St. John's
from the French invaders.