11 Best Things to Do in Antigua

Antigua beaches are a mix of white and pink sand fronting the Caribbean Sea. Locals claim there are 365 stretches to enjoy, with some of the most popular beaches located on the island’s northwest and eastern coasts.

Half Moon Bay is arguably the best beach in Antigua. The crescent-shaped bay offers excellent snorkelling on both ends while sizable waves in the centre are popular with surfers and windsurfers. If you prefer staying close to St John's, Runaway Beach and Dickinson Bay Beach are excellent choices. Both stretches have umbrellas and sun lounges for rent, as well as beach bars and restaurants serving a good range of local cuisine.

Fort James offers spectacular views of St. John’s Harbour and the Caribbean Sea. This stronghold ruin was built by the British between 1706 and 1739 to protect the city of St John from foreign invasion. The structure is just 450 metres south of Fort James Beach in Antigua.

Fort James originally had 36 cannons and barracks that accommodated 75 men. Today, you can only see a few of the guns, a powder magazine, and the fort’s stone foundation. Its elevated position makes it a great place to enjoy sunsets and views of the surrounding sea.

The Devil’s Bridge National Park hosts a natural limestone arch that was formed by thousands of years of wave erosion. The bridge-like formation is surrounded by several blowholes that blast seawater into the air on windy days. It’s in Willikies, a small coastal town around 22 km east of St John's.

The Devil’s Bridge National Park is the meeting point between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the most popular sights in Antigua. Note that the bridge can get slippery, so wear proper shoes when exploring this area and tread carefully.

Saint John’s Cathedral has been the main site of worship for St John’s local community since the 19^th century. The Anglican church has twin baroque-style towers that are 21 metres tall, so you can easily spot this structure when exploring Antigua’s port city.

Check out the church’s south gates, which feature pillars displaying statues of St John the Divine and St John the Baptist. Locals believe the figures came from a ship dating back to 1756. As Saint John’s Cathedral is built on St John’s highest point, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and surrounding sea from here.

Nelson's Dockyard is a restored English marina and cultural site in Antigua’s English Harbour. The naval base lies on the southern coast, overlooking the Guadeloupe archipelago. It served the Royal Navy until 1889, and was restored and opened to the public in the 1960s.

Today, you can find several landmarks, souvenir shops, art galleries, and restaurants within Nelson’s Dockyard. A must-visit is the Dockyard Museum, which occupies the former headquarters of the famous Admiral Lord Nelson. You can enjoy a 15-minute documentary on Antigua’s history at the Dow's Hill Interpretation Center. There are also hiking trails leading to several beaches and vantage points from here, including the 149-metre-high Shirley Heights.

Heritage Quay is a prominent shopping complex on High Street, about 400 metres north of the St Johns Cruise Port. It has an open-air concept, with 2 floors housing duty-free stores, jewellery outlets, and handicraft shops. There’s also a casino with table games and slot machines for those who want to try their luck in Antigua.

Some of the best things to get at Heritage Quay include branded watches and diamonds at Sterlings or Diamond Republic, tropical swimwear at Island Beach Bums, as well as duty-free electronics, local rums, and liquors at AmaTech. The pedestrianised streets often host buskers and fun events, so there’s always something interesting to see during your shopping trip.

Fig Tree Drive runs 8 km along the southern coast of Antigua, passing through rainforests and farmland. This scenic drive is a nice option if you want to see a different side of the Caribbean island. Along the way, you can see coconut, banana, and mango trees – it’s a good idea to stop at a roadside stand to buy fresh fruits. 

The western end of Fig Tree Drive is Mount Obama, which stands at 402 metres above sea level. You can hike to the top or join a canopy tour for panoramic views of Antigua.

The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda is a small but informative centre in St. John Parish. It showcases the island country’s history through various artefacts, such as ceramics, prehistoric tools, and metal objects. The upper floor hosts a library, where you can explore old texts, maps and photographs of the islands.

You can see a life-sized replica of an indigenous Arawak house here, along with models of sugar plantations in the gallery. Founded in 1985, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda occupies the former St John’s Courthouse on Long Street.

Antigua’s markets offer many of the island’s specialities, including native fruits and vegetables. There’s at least 1 market in every town or village across the island. The Public Market occupies a large and airy building in St John, just 500 metres south of the St Johns Cruise Port.

For something different, check out the Artisans Antigua Travelling Market. It's a craft market that takes place on weekdays in different parts of Antigua. You can shop for homemade dishes and snacks, as well as unique handicrafts, jewellery, and cosmetics.

Mount Obama is part of the Shekerley Mountains, a low mountain range in Antigua’s southwestern region. At 402 metres above sea level, it’s the highest peak on the Caribbean island – great for hiking and enjoying amazing views.

The 6.6-km trail to the top is a constant uphill journey, so it’s best if you have experience in steep hiking. You’ll pass by various native trees along the way, especially papaya and mango. Mount Obama overlooks the entire island and surrounding sea. If the sky is clear, Montserrat is visible from this lookout point.

Antigua beach bars are among the best places to spend your evening on the island. These lowkey venues offer some of the best views of the Caribbean Sea, where locals and visitors like to come for drinks after dinner in Antigua.

If you’re based in St John's, you can find excellent beach bars along Dickenson Bay. Enjoy rum punch at Kon Tiki Bar & Grill, a floating bar that’s accessible via its free water taxi. Other standouts include Beach Bum Bar & Cafe in Half Moon Bay and Sunset Horizon on Darkwood Beach.