The 10-Day Best of Bermuda

Sure, you can laze on a beach for weeks on end, and shop till you drop—or run out of money. But with its short distances and efficient public transport, Bermuda can reveal so much more of itself to energetic travelers during a 10-day stay (a typical vacation for those seeking more than just a weekend getaway). Look below the surface of this reef-fringed paradox and you’ll discover a fascinating melting pot of culture, history, and outdoor adventure encompassing all nine parishes. Split your stay between a couple of hotels or guesthouses to experience the island’s very different areas.

Day 1

Arrive at Bermuda International Airport and grab a cab to your hotel. Shake off your mainland cobwebs with an afternoon at Elbow Beach, strolling the soft sand or testing turquoise waters. Dress up and choose a South Shore terrace, such as Café Lido or Coconuts, for an alfresco dinner.

Day 2

Head into Hamilton for breakfast with Bermudians of all backgrounds at The Spot Restaurant. Try traditional codfish and potatoes, if it’s on the menu. Spend the morning exploring Front, Reid, and Church Streets’ boutiques, art galleries, and churches such as Holy Trinity Cathedral, whose landmark tower overlooks the city. The harborfront’s Aggie’s Garden Café is the perfect lunch spot. In the afternoon, rent a moped or hop on a bubblegum bus and cruise the North Shore and Harrington Sound to visit underground caves. Watch the sun go down from Shelly Bay.

Day 3

Okay, you can laze on the beach today. Go to Horseshoe Bay for bodysurfing, sandcastles, and snorkeling. Follow the trail east through protected dune-cradled park to sample Chaplin Bay, Jobson’s Cove, and Long Bay. In the late afternoon, escape the sun and book a spa treatment at one of the many resorts (book your treatment days in advance if possible).

Day 4

Take the ferry from Hamilton across the Great Sound to the Royal Naval Dockyard, scooter optional. Immerse yourself in the stories of military, slaves, immigrants, and war veterans at Bermuda Maritime Museum. Watch a cedar craftsman at the Bermuda Arts Centre. Stop into Somerset Village for lunch, then rent a kayak or take a snorkeling or paragliding tour of the West End.

Day 5

Take the ferry along the North Shore to St. George’s. Explore the steeped history and twisting alleys of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit area forts (also UNESCO gems), including Gates Fort, the Martello Tower at Ferry Reach, and Fort St. Catherine with its commanding views of the bay where the first settlers landed. Mingle with fishermen at St. David’s and sample the fresh lobster, tuna, and dark ’n’ stormies at neighborhood eateries.

Day 6

Walk in John Lennon’s footsteps at Botanical Gardens, Paget, where Double Fantasy was born, and pay a visit to the nascent Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Nearby, journey to the virtual ocean floor at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at the foot of Hamilton Harbour. Head into North Hamilton, the city’s “Uptown” district, for a West Indian-style lunch at one of the many cafés, such as Jamaican Grill or Fish Hut. Walk the pretty French Quarter-style streets here, and climb up to Fort Hamilton for moat gardens and panoramic views. Return to North Hamilton for a rousing evening of local jazz.

Day 7

Get a nature fix with a hike along the old Railway Trail from Paget or Warwick as far as you feel fit for. The outing will give you an “inside” look at Bermuda via backyards, farmers’ fields, golf courses, and thick woodlands populated with island birds, lizards, and wild fruits like loquats and cherries. Tribe roads lead off the trail back to main roads and bus stops at regular intervals. The beach is never too far away; cool off with a leisurely afternoon swim. If you reach Southampton, climb Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, have afternoon tea, then squeeze in an hour or two at a spa to unwind.

Day 8

Take a bus or moped to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo and spend a few hours soaking in the wildlife. Have lunch in historic Flatts Village, then take your time exploring North Shore communities such as Devonshire Dock and Spanish Point. Fit in a swim at one of the deep, sheltered coves along the way, such as Robinson’s Bay or Clarence Cove.

Day 9

Head down under to explore Bermuda’s reefs and shipwrecks. Numerous scuba and snorkeling outfitters can arrange half-day or full-day expeditions, from Hamilton, Somerset, the South Shore, or East End. Popular shallow-dive wrecks, spanning the Age of Discovery to the 20th century, include the 1943 Hermes off Horseshoe Bay in Southampton and the 1915 German vessel Pollockshields, off Paget’s South Shore.

Day 10

Grab an early-morning beach run and dip along the South Shore before your flight out.