Sightseeing in Antigua and Barbuda

October 30, 2026

Antigua’s best sights are historic: a Georgian naval dockyard, hilltop forts, a museum in St. John’s and former sugar estates. English Harbour is the centre of it all. Prices are quoted in US dollars where sites list them that way, and the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) is pegged at US$1 to EC$2.70.

Nelson’s Dockyard National Park

The Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The adult heritage pass is about US$15 (EC$40), and the park lists opening hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. The pass covers the Dockyard, the Dockyard Museum, Fort Berkeley and the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre. The museum is in the Naval Officer’s and Clerk’s House, built in 1855. The Copper and Lumber Store, completed in 1789, is now a historic inn, and the Admiral’s Inn occupies the former 1785 Pitch and Tar Store.

Fort Berkeley

Fort Berkeley is listed from 1704 and stands on the peninsula at the harbour entrance. A short coastal footpath, about 10 minutes from the Dockyard, leads to it.

Shirley Heights

This fortified lookout above English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour has views toward Montserrat on clear days. Day access is covered by the park pass. On Sunday the lookout hosts a party that starts around 4pm, and it is closed on Mondays.

Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre

The centre shows a multimedia presentation of about 15 minutes. The park lists 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, so confirm the hours at the gate.

Museum of Antigua and Barbuda

The museum is at Long and Market Streets in St. John’s, in the old courthouse building, and it was founded in 1985. It opens Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4pm, and Friday, 8:30am to 3pm, with earlier closing on cruise ship days. It charges a small entry fee.

St. John’s Cathedral

The Anglican cathedral on Newgate Street reopened after an eight-year restoration, and work is continuing. A visitor fee has applied since January 2024, so ask for the amount at the door. Hours are 9am to 4pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

Betty’s Hope

Betty’s Hope is an 18th-century sugar estate that was worked by enslaved Africans. The Codrington family held it from 1674 to 1944, and 393 enslaved people were recorded there in 1680. One of the two windmill towers is restored, with sails and crushing gear. The Great House is a ruin, excavated since 2007, and cannot be visited. A visitor centre in the former cotton-house store and an open-air museum, opened in 1995, are run by the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Visit with respect for what the place was, and check opening hours before you drive out.

Devil’s Bridge

Devil’s Bridge National Park is at Indian Town Point on the east coast. Watch the sea from behind the barriers only. Three people died here in 2023, the rock is slick, and waves surge through the blowholes without warning. Do not walk onto the arch or swim near it.

Park details are on the National Parks Antigua site , and museum details at Antigua Museums . Compare guided tours on Viator .