Sightseeing in Antigua Island - what to see. Complete travel guide

Antigua owes its name to Christopher Columbus; in such way he memorialized the Church of Santa Maria de Antigua situated in Seville. The island is located in the Caribbean Sea and belongs to the group of the Lesser Antilles, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda house of the state of the same name. Columbus has discovered the island in the late 15th century, and in 1662 it became a British colony. The rich history of the island is embodied in its priceless historical monuments, which are must see for arriving travelers.

In addition to abundance of interesting attractions to explore, Antigua differs with well-developed tourist infrastructure. There is everything you need for a comfortable stay, from first-class hotels and restaurants to stylish nightclubs and casinos. The island's capital is the city of St. John's; its historic district deserves special attention of excursions fans.

A striking example of Neo-Baroque style, St John's Cathedral, can be found in the center of the historic district. Its construction took place in the middle of the 19th century. According to historical records, the first religious building on the site of the cathedral has appeared in 1683. In the vicinity of the church there is the old cemetery, which is also of great historical value. Guests of the capital should definitely look into the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda occupying an incredibly amazing colonial building. Other monuments of the colonial era are represented at Long Street; strolling through the historic district of the capital on foot is very comfortable. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The amazing Dickenson Bay that was chosen by fans of beach rest is not far from the capital. The area is renowned not only for its natural beauty, but also for a rich historical heritage. Near the Bay there are the ruins of the ancient Corbinson Castle, one of the first fortifications that appeared on the island. Rather unusual attraction is the sugar plantation Hope Manor Bettiz with a small museum operating on its territory. The plantation has been restored recently; the first time it was founded in 1650. Permanent symbols of Antigua Island are ancient windmills; there are more than 150 of them today.

You can successfully combine exploration of historic sites with walks through the picturesque natural areas. Excursion to Half Moon Bay is in high demand of tourists. Indian Town would be interesting to explore, as it can boast a huge number of rare plants and rare species of birds. The most mysterious natural attraction is Devil's Bridge that is a spectacular rock formation mentioned in many wonderful legends.

South-West part of the island is deserted, it attracts mainly hikers. The popular Rendezvous Trail passing through the incredibly beautiful places lies there. Participants of the tour will be able to see dozens of rare species of shrubs and trees, including rare mahogany. These amazing places are home to hundreds of species of birds that give the island great charm and enhance the effect of natural beauty. Each region of Antigua Island has amazing natural and historic objects.

It is easy to combine sightseeing and exploration of historical and natural landmarks with relaxation on beautiful beaches of the region. Dickenson Bay is a famous resort that has everything needed for a comfortable stay – modern hotels, restaurants, and beaches with the necessary infrastructure. Runaway Bay is a worthy competitor of the resort mentioned above. It is also perfectly suitable for a trouble-free relaxation and active beachside entertainment.

Hawksbill is one of the largest and most popular beaches of the resort. The grandiose beach is, actually, formed by four interconnected beaches. Each of these four beaches has its own peculiarities. There are well-developed and very comfortable coastal areas and beaches that have absolutely no infrastructure. This is also the location of a nudist beach – beaches of this type are quite rare on Antigua. Travelers craving for privacy and intimacy will find what they need on the south-west coast. They will like Fryes Bay. This never crowded beach amazes visitors with its original beauty. Darkwood Beach is one more charming place to relax. The total length of all beaches of the region that are available to tourists estimates 15 kilometers. Rendezvous Bay is considered the calmest and most secluded beach of the area.