One-Week Best of Bermuda Itinerary

With its short distances and efficient public transport, Bermuda reveals much of itself to energetic travelers during a weeklong stay. Look below the surface of this reef-fringed paradox and you’ll discover a melting pot of culture, history, and outdoor adventure encompassing all nine parishes. Start your travel planning with this suggested itinerary covering the best of Bermuda.

calm waves on the shore of Elbow Beach in Bermuda
Elbow Beach. Photo © Rosemary Jones.

Day 1

Touch down at L. F. Wade International Airport and grab a cab to your hotel. Ask the driver where to find the island’s best fish sandwich, a Bermudian staple. Shake off your mainland cobwebs with an afternoon at Elbow Beach, strolling the soft sand and testing the turquoise waters. Later, choose a waterfront terrace, such as the trendy Seabreeze Lounge on Paget’s South Shore, The Dock in Southampton, or sunset-soaked 1609 Bar & Restaurant on Hamilton Harbour, for an alfresco dinner.

Day 2

Head into Hamilton for a home-grown breakfast with Bermudians at the Cottage Café & Bistro. Spend the morning exploring Front, Reid, and Church Streets’ boutiques, art galleries, and churches. Climb Holy Trinity Cathedral’s landmark tower to overlook the city. Try lunch at sushi hot spot Beluga Seafood Bar or farm-to-table Devil’s Isle Kitchen and Bar. In the afternoon, rent a scooter or hop on a bus and cruise the North Shore to visit Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave. Watch the daylight dwindle aboard a Hamilton Harbour sunset cruise, then head to Marcus’, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s restaurant that puts his award-winning spin on island cuisine.

people on a white sand beach in Horseshoe Bay Bermuda
Horseshoe Bay. Photo © Rosemary Jones.

Day 3

Cool out on the beach today. Go to pristine Warwick Long Bay for bodysurfing, sandcastles, and snorkeling. Follow the trail west through protected, dune-cradled South Shore National Park to sample Jobson’s Cove, followed by Chaplin, Stonehole, and Horseshoe Bays. Take a dip at each. Have lunch at the foot of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse inside The Dining Room. In the late afternoon, escape the sun and indulge in a spa treatment at a resort (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. Book a half-day scuba outing, rent a kayak, or take a snorkeling or paragliding tour of the West End. Celebrate the neighborhood’s British heritage with a pub lunch, then learn stories of soldiers, slaves, immigrants, and war vets at the National Museum of Bermuda. Grab a rum cake, a piece of blown glass, or a painting from the Bermuda Arts Centre to take home.

cannon pointing out to the ocean in Bermuda
Gates Fort commands a key vantage point overlooking the Town Cut. Photo © Rosemary Jones.

Day 5

Take the ferry along the North Shore to St. George’s. Explore the museums and backstreets of the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit area forts (also UNESCO gems), including Gates Fort, Alexandra Battery, the Martello Tower at Ferry Reach, and Fort St. Catherine with its commanding views of the bay where the first settlers landed. Have lunch at one of the wharf-side eateries, then do some souvenir scouting.

Day 6

Walk in John Lennon’s footsteps at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens in Paget, where Double Fantasy was born, and pay a visit to the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Head to North Hamilton for a Caribbean-style lunch at one of the many cafés, such as Jamaican Grill, Juice ‘n’ Beans, or Fish & Tings. Climb up to nearby Fort Hamilton for moat gardens and panoramic views, and stroll the backstreets to glimpse gingerbread architecture. If it’s a Wednesday, return to the city for a stroll around Harbour Nights, or go for an evening pool dip or a chilled dark ’n’ stormy.

Day 7

Grab an early-morning beach run or walk along the South Shore and cool off with a dip in the balmy water before your flight out.


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