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Top places to visit in Bermuda
Updated: July 2026
You can travel from one end of Bermuda to the other in about an hour by a taxi or a scooter. But despite its small area, the island offers numerous tourist attractions. There are lovely pink beaches, picturesque landscapes, wonderful architecture, historic buildings and sites, art and craft, and so much more.
St. George, Bermuda
Photo: Charles Lewis, Shutterstock
Short on time or looking for action?
If you prefer a pre-planned route rather than building your own sightseeing list, skip the research and jump straight to our
1-Day Cruise Itinerary. If you are looking for specific activities, tours, or local events rather than geographical landmarks, explore our guide to the
Top Things To Do in Bermuda.
➤ Explore This Guide
If you only have time for the absolute essentials, these are the five iconic locations that define the Bermuda experience.
1. The South Shore Beaches
Bermuda is famous for its amazing pink sandy beaches that line the south shore.
Horseshoe Bay Beach in Southampton is undoubtedly the most popular beach in the island. It is a scenic beach facing the turquoise waters of the Atlantic, great for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.
A sandy trail from Horseshoe Bay leads to several other pristine beaches to the east, including the picturesque
Jobson's Cove and
Warwick Long Bay.
Pro tip: Do not just set up your towel right at the main entrance of Horseshoe Bay. Walk to your left (east) through the limestone rock formations to discover smaller, secluded coves which are far less crowded and feature much calmer water.
These are two amazing subterranean caves located in the same cave complex in Hamilton Parish. The caves have underground lakes and stunning limestone formations hanging down from the ceilings and jutting out from the bottom. Walk over a pontoon bridge and watch the wonders of nature.
Pro tip: The combination ticket covering both Crystal and Fantasy is meaningfully cheaper than buying each cave separately. The caves are within easy walking distance of Tom Moore's Jungle and the Swizzle Inn (Bermuda's oldest pub), so you can comfortably string them together into a half-day in the area.
This is the cruise port at the west end of the island where the large cruise ships dock. This port area has developed into a major tourist complex in itself. It houses a historic fort, a great swimming and snorkeling beach, art and craft centers, and a shopping mall.
The dockyard also has several great eateries, restaurants, bars and pubs. If you are looking for interactive marine experiences, the
Dolphin Quest center is housed right inside the Keep Fortress here.
Photo: James Willamor, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
Pro tip: Take the Sea Express ferry from Hamilton to the Dockyard instead of the bus. It cuts the travel time down to 20 minutes (compared to nearly an hour on the bus) and offers a gorgeous approach across the
Great Sound.
This is the oldest continually used church in the western hemisphere. It is located in St. George's Town. The church looks very simple from outside, but inside, the candlelit chandeliers and the open cedar beams create a charming yet awe-inspiring ambience.
There are two graveyards on the premises here - one that was used for black slaves and the other for whites.
Photo: JoeyBagODonuts, cc by sa 3.0
Pro tip: Look closely at the exposed cedar ceiling. It was constructed by early shipwrights rather than traditional carpenters, which is why the intricate timber framing resembles the inverted hull of a ship.
Built in 1846, this is one of the oldest cast iron lighthouses in the world. Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is located in Southampton parish and close to Horseshoe Bay Beach. You can climb the 185 spiral steps inside and go up to the top and get a panoramic view of the parish and the Great Sound water area.
Pro tip: The interior cast-iron staircase can get extremely hot and humid during peak summer afternoons. Plan your climb for the morning right when they open at 10 am for a much more comfortable experience.
Beyond the famous South Shore, Bermuda offers incredible coves and bays perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
This small yet picturesque beach is located in St. George. The water here offers great opportunities for snorkeling. There are many rock formations on the water and they are home to a lot of colorful tropical fish. It has a cafe with a beach bar and also holds sunset beach parties on the weekends.
Pro tip: Because it is within walking distance of St. George, this small beach fills up quickly on days when cruise ships are anchored in the East End. Arrive before 10 am to secure a prime spot and beach chair.
This beach with pale pink sand is located in Smith's Parish. It is very popular with local families. The reef line which is 200 yards offshore acts as a barrier and keeps the water calm, making it excellent for swimming and snorkeling.
Next to Jobson's Cove, this is the longest beach of Bermuda and features a long expanse of sand with many rocks fringing it. It remains relatively secluded and is great for swimming and snorkeling.
Pro tip: Snorkelers should head specifically to the western end of the bay near the jagged coral islands poking through the surface; the parrotfish activity here is excellent.
Another wonderful beach on the south shore located in Paget. There are barrier reefs offshore that make the water calm and great for swimming as well as snorkeling. There is a wreck of a Cargo Steamer just 100 yards offshore.
Sea Glass Beach and Black Bay Beach are twin beaches located next to each other in Sandys parish, well known for the treasure of sea glasses that can be found there. You can find lots of green, brown, yellow and colorless sea glasses.
Pro tip: You can only look at the sea glasses; you are strictly not allowed to collect or remove them by law. There are no facilities (not even toilets) here, which helps keep the beaches free of crowds.
Top Historical Sites and Museums
Bermuda's strategic location in the Atlantic has left it with a rich maritime and military history.
The museum is located in the Dockyard and showcases numerous exhibits and artifacts which depict early maritime life in Bermuda as well as the island's centuries-old history. The main sections of the museum are housed in the historic Keep Fortress. The highlights here include the Commissioner's House and the Queen's Exhibition Hall.
Fort St. Catherine was one of the first such forts originally built in the early 1600s in St. George. It is the largest fort on the island and has been converted into a museum showcasing various military exhibits. You can see canons, pistols, swords and muzzle loaders.
Photo: reivax / flickr, cc by 2.0
This historic fort was built in Hamilton in the 1870s to protect the Hamilton Harbor from enemy invasion. The fort terrace and the dry moat around it have been converted into beautiful landscaped gardens with many flowering plantations. It is a great place for family picnics.
Pro tip: The underground stone tunnels built for soldiers are completely open for exploration. Use your smartphone flashlight, as the passages can be quite dark and uneven in spots.
BUEI is a popular tourist attraction in Hamilton City. The Ocean Discovery Center here houses numerous artifacts and interactive exhibits that help you learn a lot about the ocean surrounding Bermuda. There is a simulated dive, a shark cage dive, and an interactive exhibit covering the Bermuda Triangle.
If you take a serious interest in artwork and paintings, this is the place you must visit. There are over 1,500 collections of Bermuda-inspired paintings and artwork dating from the 1700s till the current time. It is located inside the Botanical Gardens in Paget.
Best for Nature, Parks and Landscapes
Escape the crowds and explore Bermuda's lush reserves, trails, and wildlife centers.
See exotic marine life and colorful corals. One of the main features here is the 140,000-gallon North Rock tank which has a vast collection of live corals. The complex also has a natural history museum as well as a zoo with more than 300 birds, reptiles and mammals from oceanic islands.
North Rock Tank, Bermuda Aquarium
This 12-acre nature reserve in Hamilton Parish goes by three names: Walsingham Nature Reserve, Tom Moore's Jungle, and Blue Hole Park. There are mangrove-fringed ponds, blue holes that connect to the ocean through underground tunnels, small caves, and dense subtropical vegetation.
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC by SA 3.0
Pro tip: Wear shoes with grip. The limestone trails are uneven and can be slippery near the water. Trail signage is deliberately minimal, so allow time to simply wander.
This is a wonderful unspoiled reserve with lush vegetation offering excellent views of Castle Harbor. There are marked trails and a boardwalk to get around the reserve. It is located at St. Davids and next to
Clearwater Beach.
Reserve (Boardwalk), Rotate the imagery for 360° view
Pro tip: Do not skip the observation tower. It is a former NASA space tracking station that now offers arguably the best elevated, 360-degree views of the eastern coastline.
This is the largest and most premium nature reserve of Bermuda covering 64-acres of land. It is also the best bird watching location on the island. You can get marvelous views of the coastline and see strange natural formations on the coast.
This is a nice parkland located at the outskirts of Hamilton City with its northern edge overlooking the north shore. The park has several underground tunnels and caves, ruins of a historic building, and cliff-tops popular for cliff jumping.
Pro tip: The real secret here is the man-made cave carved directly into the limestone cliffside by a British Admiral in the 1800s. You can actually climb through the cave system directly down to the water level.
This is a walking and cycling trail that extends from the west end of Bermuda to the east end. Once tracks existed and Bermuda Railways used to operate trains along this stretch. It is now an 18-mile long scenic nature trail.
Pro tip: If you only have time for one section, walk the stretch in Hamilton Parish; it is arguably the most scenic section and crosses a lovely footbridge with views of Bailey's Bay.
Covering 36 acres in Paget Parish, these gardens offer themed sections including a hibiscus garden, a palm garden, and a sensory garden designed with Braille signage.
Camden House, the official residence of Bermuda's Premier, sits within the grounds.
Pro tip: Combine the gardens with a visit to Masterworks and lunch at
The Botanist Cafe inside Masterworks. The timing works beautifully if you align with the Tuesday or Friday Camden House opening hours (noon to 2 pm).
This is an excellent city park located in Hamilton. It is a perfect place to relax and unwind with wooden benches, shady trees, mosaic pathways, a koi pond, and a rock garden.
Iconic Landmarks, Architecture and Village Strolls
Experience the local charm, historic structures, and vibrant streets that give Bermuda its character.
Front Street is the arterial road of Hamilton City and is undoubtedly the busiest one. This is where most of the prominent shops, restaurants, bars and pubs are lined up. You can see pastel colored buildings lining the street facing Hamilton Harbor. The famous street festival
Harbor Nights is held here on every Wednesday during the summer.
Photo: Darryl Brooks, Shutterstock
The construction work of this church started in 1874 but could not be finished due to parish infighting and lack of funds. It has today become a picturesque ruin of Gothic architecture in St. George and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering an excellent photography opportunity.
Photo: Malcolm Manners/ flickr
This church is a wonderful exhibition of Victorian architecture. This imposing structure with its 143-ft tower is one of the most well-known landmarks in Hamilton City.
Pro tip: Climbing the tower requires a small fee, but it provides the absolute best, unobstructed aerial view for photographing the city of Hamilton and the harbor.
Photo: Brendan Purdy, flickr, cc by 2.0
This is the smallest drawbridge in the world. Located in Sandys parish, it was originally built in 1620. A wooden block needs to be removed to allow the mast of a sailboat to pass through.
This 55-ft tall lighthouse stands on the highest point at the Eastern tip of the island in St. David's. Climb up the 85 stairs to go to the balcony on top and soak in the wonderful views of the countryside, Ruth's Bay, and St. George's.
Located in Hamilton Parish, this picturesque sleepy village on the waterside once used to be a busy port. Stroll around through this quaint charming village, enjoy the water view at Flatts inlet, and the pastel houses on the water edge.
Photo: tequilamike/flickr, cc by 2.0
Admission and Opening Hours: Quick Reference
Prices and hours verified as of mid-2026. Confirm with the venue before visiting, as schedules can change seasonally.
| Attraction |
Admission (Adult) |
Hours |
| Crystal & Fantasy Caves |
~$25 one cave, ~$35 both
Children $10-$12 |
9 am - 5 pm daily
Last tour 4:30 pm. Closed Jan 1, Good Friday, Dec 24-26 |
| Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) |
$10
Seniors / children 5-12: $5. Under 5: free |
Daily from 9 am
Last admission 4 pm. Closed Christmas Day |
| National Museum of Bermuda (Dockyard) |
$20
Seniors $18. Children under 16 free |
Daily, hours vary by season
Verify before visiting |
| Dolphin Quest |
Encounter programs from ~$245
Booking required. Non-participants view with NMB ticket |
Apr-Oct: 9 am - 5 pm
Nov-Mar: 10 am - 5 pm
Closed Christmas Day |
| Gibbs Hill Lighthouse |
$2.50
Under 5 free |
10 am - 4 pm daily
Closed in February for maintenance |
| Fort St. Catherine |
$7
Seniors $5. Children 5-15: $3 |
10 am - 4 pm
Daily in summer; seasonal schedule otherwise |
| BUEI |
$20
Seniors $12. Children 3-17: $17. Under 3: Free |
Mon-Fri 10 am - 5 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 4 pm
Last admission 1 hour before closing |
| Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art |
Paid admission
Confirm current rate on site |
Hours vary
Inside Botanical Gardens, Paget |
| Botanical Gardens (grounds) |
Free |
Sunrise to sunset
Buildings close at 4 pm. Camden House: Tue & Fri, 12-2 pm |
| St. Peter's Church |
Free
Donations welcome |
Daytime hours
Limited Sunday access during services |
| St. David's Lighthouse |
Free to view from grounds
Tower access varies |
Confirm before visiting |
| Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity |
Free (church)
Small fee for tower climb |
Daytime hours |
Free entry, daylight access:
All south shore beaches (Horseshoe Bay, Jobson's Cove, Warwick Long Bay, Elbow Beach), Tobacco Bay, John Smith's Bay, Sea Glass & Black Bay, Achilles Bay, St. Catherine's Beach, Clearwater Beach, Front Street, Fort Hamilton, Admiralty House Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, Cooper's Island Nature Reserve, Blue Hole Park / Tom Moore's Jungle, Railway Trail, Somerset Bridge, Flatts Village, the Unfinished Church. |
Transport Reminders
Since 2024, you can also pay bus and ferry fares digitally through the Shorelink app, which lets you buy tokens, ticket booklets, and multi-day transport passes on your phone instead of carrying cash or metal tokens. Tokens, paper tickets, and passes all remain valid on both buses and ferries.
You can also hire a taxi by the hour and
take a taxi tour. Most taxi drivers in Bermuda, particularly the ones who are Blue Flag Certified, are highly knowledgeable about the island and its history; they double up as great tour guides.
About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
J Tibbles (September 2019)
HI...your responses are great. I will be visiting Bermuda in Oct. for 3 days. What are the must see sites? Horseshoe beach and the Crystal cave? Is it best to buy multiple day pass for the buses? What about using the ferry services too... can you purchase passes for them as well.
Can I purchase bus and ferry passes in advance? I am pretty adventurous, and would like to see as much as possible...in the least expensive way. Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you... and any info you share to offer to make this visit the best.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) September 2019
Hi, must see sites depend on what you may like.... there are plenty. Horseshoe Bay Beach, Crystal and Fantasy Caves, Bermuda Aquarium are certainly some of the most popular sites, however there are several other great sites as well.
For example Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, Jobson's Cove, Warwick Long Bay Beach, Tom Moore's Jungle with Blue Holes and Caves, Fort Hamilton, Fort St. Catherine, St. Peter's Church etc etc.
You should also visit and spend some time in Hamilton City and St. George, and there are several great attractions within Royal Naval Dockyard including the National Museum of Bermuda and Dolphin Quest.
Multi-day transport pass is convenient, works for both public buses and ferries, and is a good option if you plan to travel to several places a day. You can otherwise buy tokens for one-way journeys ($4.50) or even pay in cash ($5)... but this can become expensive if you plan to use local transports often.
Another option is a pack of 15 tickets which is available at Hamilton ferry and bus terminals and also at several post offices... if you plan out your day-wise local travels in advance, you can purchase the packs accordingly and that can be the cheapest option. However you can not buy passes, tickets or tokens outside Bermuda in advance.
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