Itinerary

3 Days of Bermuda Culture

The heart and soul of Bermuda can be found in the people. One of the best ways to experience the island’s culture is to interact with the locals, which starts as soon as you are greeted with ‘good morning’ and ‘good afternoon’ as you walk down the street.

Itineraries,
People & Culture

A close up of a gombey dancer with people dancing and walking behind.

Experience Bermuda’s culture with this three-day itinerary, packed full of interesting people, must-do activities, and more. It’s Bermuda culture, or as we say ‘kulcha’, at its best.

WHERE TO STAY

To start, immerse yourself totally by skipping the big hotels and booking into a more intimate guest house or inn. You will be welcomed by a Bermudian family to your own little piece of ‘the rock’, in a traditional home. Most guest houses offer a private apartment within close proximity of the owners who will be keen to tell you the best ways to experience their island home.

If you want to be within walking distance to Horseshoe Bay and other South Shore beaches, stay at the Wade’s Garden Inn located in Southampton parish. For a more central location, Lemon and Ginger is a five-minute drive from Hamilton in Spanish Point. And for a more cultural experience, stay at the scenic Red Barracks, just a short walk from the historic town of St. George.

Day 1

EXPLORE THE EAST

Head out to St. George’s bright and early and prepare yourself for a day full of Bermudian stories, history, architecture, nature, food and laughs.

As you make your way into St George’s you will come across the coffee cart Cafecito on the side of the road. Take a quick pit stop to collect your morning drink of choice and then continue on your way to arrive in the Old Town, a UNESCO world heritage site.

An outdoor coffee stand called Cafecito with a water view and seats in the background.

While in St. George’s you will want to hear about the fascinating history that has helped steer the culture of Bermuda today. There is no better way to do this than with Kristin White from Long Story Short. Kristin’s vibrant personality (and dress sense) will have you deeply entrenched in the tales of Bermuda’s past and present. Offering walking and e-bike tours, depending on how much ground you want to cover, the tour starts and finishes at Kristen’s store Long Story Short on Water Street.

You will have worked up an appetite after all that walking and cycling, so now it is time to find Munchies By The Sea – a fun and funky harbourside eatery owned by St George’s natives Richard and DeVeene Burchall. Sitting on their brightly coloured patio overlooking the visiting yachts you will find a menu filled with local favourites like the fish sandwich, wahoo nuggets and fish chowder.

A bright orange building with an outdoor seating area.

After lunch, you can choose to wander some of the forts around St. George's, or even check out Tobacco Bay for the afternoon. However, if you are up for an adventure, head to Blue Hole, where you will find a dreamy turquoise swimming hole and the entrance to the Walsingham Nature Reserve - a walking trail around Bermuda’s one and only ‘jungle’. Bermuda’s jungle is safe and free from any dangerous wildlife so you can feel safe wandering at your own pace. If you are looking for local insight and some trails that might otherwise not be found, we recommend booking Weldon Wade’s Exclusive Eco Adventure Tour, where you will learn all about the birds, fauna and other nature that can be found in this area – as well as the option to take a dip inside some of the caves saltwater caverns.

It's been a long and adventurous day! The best way to soak in all of these amazing memories is to put your feet up and enjoy one of Bermuda’s most famous libations, the Rum Swizzle. Luckily for you, the Swizzle Inn is no more than 500 metres down the road from Blue Hole Park and is also an excellent choice to grab some grub for dinner. The famous saying is ‘Swizzle Inn, Swagger Out’ and that is an ode to the tasty yet lethal national cocktail.

A close up of Bermuda Rum Swizzle with a pitcher and glass on top of a newspaper.

Day 2

WANDER THE WEST

Rise and shine. Today you are going to explore the western tip of the island, the Royal Naval Dockyard. Depending on where you are travelling from, try taking the south shore route so that you can stop along at the viewpoints looking down on some of our famous pink sand beaches.

A view of path leading to an empty beach with houses in the back.

Just before you pass through Somerset village, stop at De Island Shack for your morning coffee or smoothie and a light bite – try one of the delicious home-baked pastries, which change daily. This family-run business is a quaint side-of-the-road shack with a welcoming atmosphere, and a true Bermudian experience not to be missed.

As you arrive at Royal Naval Dockyard you will immediately see the maritime influence on the architecture. The National Museum of Bermuda is where you will head to wander around the old Commissioner’s House and the surrounding exhibits. The property also houses Dolphin Quest where you can book an experience with the dolphins. Feel free to roam at your will, but one of the best ways to experience the museum is with a tour by local storytellers Liana and Ajala from Unchained on the Rock.

Once you have finished at the museum you can walk across the street to the Frog & Onion Pub for a bite to eat. This restaurant gets its name from the Frenchman (Frog) and the Bermudian (Onion) who opened the doors in 1992. It is set in an 18th-century Cooperage and has its own microbrewery in the stone warehouse in the back. The food has everything from traditional English pub style to fresh Bermuda seafood.

Across the hallway from the Frog & Onion, you will find the Bermuda Craft Market. The hall is filled with Bermuda hand-crafted gifts, such as Bermuda cedar wood carvings, local jams and chutneys, handmade jewellery, paintings, ceramics and much more. You will want to carve out some time after lunch to roam this market and collect all your gifts and your own little piece of the island to take home with you. You may even find the artist at the market and they would be delighted to tell you all about where they find their inspiration.

Your Bermuda experience is not complete without seeing the island from the water! Before you leave Dockyard, get set for a beautiful sunset cruise departing from King’s Wharf. Treat all your senses as you soak up the sun, watch the sails catching the sea breeze, enjoy the fruity taste of a rum swizzle, and listen to some island music as you cruise around the Great Sound. Have your camera ready for the sky to put on a show of pink and orange during our wonderful golden hour.

Day 3

SIGHTSEE THE CITY

Hamilton is Bermuda’s capital and city that is bustling with businesspeople in Bermuda shorts, colourful buildings, boutique shops and restaurants. Start off at Devil’s Isle where you will find specialty coffee, smoothies, and a delicious breakfast menu. Located in the heart of Hamilton, this is a hot spot for locals to meet and mingle and you will always find a buzz of conversation around you.

With a happy belly, you can start exploring this small but mighty city. Set off on a self-guided tour of the city murals that will take you all around the main streets. You can pick up a map from City Hall reception, located on Church Street. There are a ton of amazing murals to find, but if you are looking for an Instagram-worthy shot, find the Bermuda flag that is located on the back of the public bathrooms building on Front Street.

You’ve heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but did you know that the northern tip of the triangle is located in the City of Hamilton? Don’t miss the opportunity to get a photo next to the plaque that marks the tip of the legendary mysterious triangle. If you have a drone, you will want to get an aerial shot of this triangular-shaped park!

On Wednesday evenings throughout the summer months, Front Street closes off to all traffic and becomes a street market with local vendors, a children’s play zone, live entertainment and the beating drums and fast feet of the Bermuda Gombeys. For an unforgettable experience, follow the Bermuda Gombeys as they find the rhythm of the drums and follow the order of the whistle in their traditional and luminous dress down Front Street.

A birdseye view of Front Street filled with people and vendors.

Wrap up another fun-filled day with dinner at the Red Carpet (a well-kept Bermuda culinary secret). Away from the hustle and bustle of Front Street, this restaurant offers a charming atmosphere that is known locally for wonderful local seafood and great service. It is perfect for your last night in Bermuda, and is sure to leave a good taste in your mouth!