77 Best Sights in Bermuda

This 17th-century building, owned by the National Trust, was previously home to several of Bermuda's governors—and at least one ghost. Mistress Christian Stevenson, who was condemned as a witch in 1653, proclaimed her innocence at this spot and now seems reluctant to leave it. Other National Trust properties also qualify as \"favorite haunts.\" For instance, the Old Rectory on Broad Alley is said to have a spirit who plays the spinet in the wee hours of the morning. While most of the building is closed to the public, at the Bridge Street entrance, a small gift shop, Confections, sells traditional Bermudian sugar cookies.

When you're in the mood for a picnic in the park, pick up supplies at Bulli.Social right beside the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance or pull up a chair in the restaurant's outdoor seating area just inside the park. Come for gourmet burgers, poutine, or the Ultimate Bacon Butty—bacon jam, Bermuda Smokehouse pork belly, candied bacon, and pork cheek confit on a soft, crusty roll. For a taste of Bermuda's social scene, stop by instead for Friday-night happy hour.

The most rewarding time to visit the Cabinet Building, which was completed in 1841 and remodeled almost a century later, is during the formal opening of Parliament, traditionally held on the first Friday of November. His (or Her) Excellency the Governor, dressed in a plumed hat and full regalia, arrives on the grounds in a landau drawn by magnificent black horses and accompanied by a police escort. A senior officer, carrying the Black Rod made by the Crown jewelers, next asks the speaker of the House, elected representatives, and members of the Senate chamber to convene. The governor then presents the Throne Speech from a tiny cedar throne dating from 1642.

This graceful white 18th-century house, nestled within the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, serves as the official residence of Bermuda’s premier (though the premier doesn’t reside there). Inside, you’ll find a collection of fine art and charming furniture. Tours of the interior are available on Tuesdays and Fridays from noon to 2 pm, except when official functions are scheduled—be sure to call ahead to confirm and avoid any disappointment.

Come summer you'll be able to find Captain Kirk's Longtail Floating Fun Park, an on-the-water obstacle course with slides and a diving board from the third deck. Open from 10 am to 7 pm daily, walk or boat up to your day's entertainment!

After the original Anglican sanctuary on this site was torched by an arsonist in 1884, Scottish architect William Hay was enlisted to design a replacement: true to his training, Hay erected a Gothic-style structure in the grand European tradition. Inside, the clerestory in the nave is supported by piers of polished Scottish granite, soaring archways are trimmed in stone imported from France, and the choir stalls and bishop's throne are carved out of English oak. The pulpit is modeled on the one in Hay's hometown cathedral (St. Giles in Edinburgh), and the whole thing is crowned by a copper roof that stands out among Bermuda's typical white-topped buildings.

Despite the European flourishes, Bermuda Cathedral still has a subtropical flair. After all, the limestone building blocks came from the Par-la-Ville quarry, and one of its loveliest stained glass windows—the Angel Window on the east wall of the north transept—was created by local artist Vivienne Gilmore Gardner.  After sauntering around the interior, you can climb the 155 steps of the church tower for a heavenly view of Hamilton and its harbor.

Nestled east of Horseshoe Bay, these tiny beaches nearly disappear at high tide. Both Chaplin and Stonehole bays are located along South Shore Park, an area that often experiences strong winds and surf, making the waters too cloudy for snorkeling. If you wander further along the dunes, you'll discover several more peaceful beaches, eventually leading to Warwick Long Bay. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

City Café is a New York–inspired deli that serves made-to-order sandwiches (including vegetarian variations) as well as tasty breakfasts. Because of its location next to the bus terminal on Church Street, City Café is a convenient place to grab a bite before catching a bus to other parts of the island. If you have time to fill up before your bus departs, continue walking past the deli (away from the harbor) to Victoria Park, where you can chow down in style amid ornamental shrubbery.

Located inside the Hamilton Ferry Terminal on Front Street, the Visitor Services Centre is a good place to start when you're ready to explore the City of Hamilton. This is the place to find everything from pamphlets and maps to book tours and excursions, and to have your questions answered. You will also find brochures for self-guided city walking tours, and you can purchase officially branded Bermuda souvenirs.

On the eastern tip of the island in St. David's, Clearwater is a long sandy strip of beach that's popular with serious swimmers and triathletes, who use it as a training ground. But don't be intimidated: the young and old also flock here to wade in the shallow water, and there are buoy markers that identify where the water becomes deeper.

Head a little further along the beach to find serene Turtle Bay, and keep your eyes peeled for turtles! There's also a beach bar, Sunjammers, open during the summer months and selling a variety of sandwiches and tropical drinks, just off the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; swimming; walking.

After Gibbs Hill Lighthouse was automated in 1969, the keeper's cottage at its base was converted into an eatery. Whether you're looking for a filling meal or just a refreshing drink to quench your thirst, this quaint little restaurant serves dinner Tuesday to Sunday and lunch from Friday to Sunday. Seafood and pizzas are the specialties on the menu.

After exploring maritime history at the National Museum of Bermuda, dive into the world of dolphins at Dolphin Quest. This marine sanctuary offers a variety of in-water programs and hands-on conservation experiences for adults and children ages five and older. You can pet, play with, and swim alongside eight Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the historic Keep Pond. There are even sessions for younger kids, conducted from a submersible bench. Entry to the Dolphin Quest area is included with museum admission, so anyone can watch the dolphins in action. Participation in the programs is priced separately, and advance booking is recommended.

This public beach is perfect for swimming and bodysurfing, and it's a lovely spot for a late-evening stroll, with hotel lights reflecting on the water. Arrive early in the summer to secure a spot, as it's a popular location. In addition to sunbathers and joggers, locals often gather for pickup football and volleyball. The coral reefs provide some of the safest waters on the island, making it ideal for families. A lunch wagon offers fast food and drinks during the day, but note that there are no public changing rooms and only limited restroom access. Amenities: parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Just west of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo, Flatts Bridge spans Flatts Inlet, connecting Hamilton and Smith's Parish. The inlet provides an entry point for much of the seawater that flows into Harrington Sound. While the bridge itself is fairly nondescript, it's what goes on underneath that makes it worth a stop. The strong tidal current that rushes beneath the bridge is pretty spectacular, especially if you catch a Spotted Eagle Ray surfing the current, and Harrington Sound is one of its favorite habitats.

The British chose the highest hill in Somerset for this fort, not for the stunning views, but to defend the Dockyard from potential American attacks. Built in the late 1860s and early 1870s, the fort was garrisoned by British troops until World War I, and, ironically, American forces occupied it during World War II. Today, its stone walls are set amidst 22 acres of beautiful gardens, and the view of the Great Sound and Ely's Harbour from the parapet is breathtaking. Be sure to visit the early Bermuda Weather Stone, advertised as a \"perfect weather indicator\"—a sign nearby solemnly explains all. The fort also offers access to the Bermuda Railway Trail.

Surrounded by a dry moat and accessed by a drawbridge, this restored and formidable hilltop fort has enough tunnels, towers, redoubts, and ramparts to satisfy even the most avid military historian—or adrenaline-fueled child. The original fort was built around 1614 by Bermuda's first governor, Richard Moore, but it was remodeled and enlarged at least five times. In fact, work continued on it until late in the 19th century. On-site, an intriguing collection of antique weapons complements the impressive architecture. Standing out among the pistols and muskets is an 18-ton muzzle-loading cannon, which was capable of firing 400-pound shells a full half mile.

The supersize fireplace in which coopers used to forge their barrel bands is the focal point of the Frog & Onion Pub. Architectural interest aside, this naval-theme pub makes a great place for a lunch break, an afternoon libation, or even a quick game of pool. The menu has traditional fare (think Cornish pasty and fish-and-chips) as well as thirst-quenching ales made on-site by the Dockyard Brewing Company.

Named after its neighboring military fort, Gates has a very small beach that is popular with local families. The park is off Barry Road, not far from Alexandra Battery, a favorite diving spot of St. George's children. It's also near Building Bay Beach, a good spot for snorkeling. From the Gates Fort, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of cruise ships as they navigate the reefs through the Town Cut. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunrise.

A reminder of what the island was like in its early days, this blissfully peaceful 44-acre preserve remains an unspoiled open space, save a handful of manicured flower gardens. Pathways with well-positioned park benches wind through the park, affording some wonderful water views. If you continue along the main path, you'll reach rustic Heydon Chapel. Built in the early 1600s, it's Bermuda's smallest church. Weddings can be arranged by prior appointment.

Near their starting points, trails in this park are dominated mostly by agricultural land; however, once you trek past tidy rows of vegetables, you’ll soon be rewarded with one of the best views along the western part of the south shore. Beyond the cultivated fields, 32 acres of trails wind through forests of endemic spice trees and the remains of cedar trees affected by the blight that devastated the island’s cedar population in the 1940s and ’50s. The highlight, though, is the steep coastal path that leads to the shallow shoreline. If you're lucky with your timing, you’ll discover a small beach. Regardless, the tide pools are worth exploring, and the clear shallow waters are full of hogfish and brightly colored parrotfish.

Just past Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, this beach consists of a pretty strand of long, flat, open sand. The presence of a lifeguard in summer makes it an ideal place to bring children. The only public beach in Smith's Parish, John Smith's Bay is also popular with locals. Groups like to gather in the park area surrounding the beach for parties, especially on weekends and holidays. If you're not in the mood for a festive bunch with music and plenty of beer, this may not be the place for you. Lots of scooter parking is available, and, during the summer months, the BQ Beach Grill offers beach favorites including hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as healthier selections such as hearty salads (note: it's cash only). There are a few brightly colored tables and chairs with a view of the ocean, so you don't have to worry about getting sand in your lunch. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

Today it looks rather inauspicious, more a patch of pavement than a leafy common, yet this square is St. George's undisputed center. In a town where age is relative, King's Square is comparatively new, created in the 19th century after a marshy part of the harbor was filled in. Locals frequently congregate here for civic celebrations. Reenactments of historical incidents, overseen by a town crier in full colonial costume, are staged in the square. Check with the Corporation of St. George's for days and times.

While roaming the backstreets, look for Nea's Alley. Nineteenth-century Irish poet Thomas Moore, who lived in St. George's during his tenure as registrar of the admiralty court, waxed poetic about both this \"lime-covered alley\" and a lovely woman he first encountered here: his boss's teenage bride, Nea Tucker. Though arguably the most amorous, Moore wasn't the only writer to be inspired by Bermuda.

Mark Twain wrote about it in The Innocents Abroad, and his exclamation \"You go to heaven if you want to; I'd rather stay in Bermuda\" remains something of a motto in these parts. Two 20th-century playwrights, Eugene O'Neill and Noel Coward, also wintered—and worked—on the island. More recently, former Bermuda resident Peter Benchley took the idea for his novel The Deep from the ships lost offshore.

Built around 1699 by part-time privateer George Dew, this charming limestone cottage is mainly associated with a later resident, Alexander Richardson (the rector of St. Peter's Church), who lived here between 1763 and 1805. In addition to handsome gardens, the house, with its cedar beams, multiple chimneys, and \"welcoming arms\" entrance, is a lovely example of traditional Bermudian architecture. It is currently a private residence, but you can see many features of the Old Rectory from the road.

A paltry peppercorn is the rent paid annually for the Old State House by the Masonic Lodge St. George No. 200 of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the fraternal organization that has occupied the building since Bermuda's Parliament—the third oldest in the world after Iceland's and England's—vacated it in 1815 when the capital moved to Hamilton.

A curious ritual takes place every April in King's Square as one peppercorn, placed upon a velvet pillow, is presented to the mayor of St. George's amid much pomp and circumstance. The Old State House was erected in 1620 in what Governor Nathaniel Butler believed was the Italian style, so it's one of the few structures in Bermuda to feature a flat roof.

Builders used a mixture of turtle oil and lime as mortar, setting the style for future Bermudian buildings. The building is visible only from the street, as the interior is currently not accessible to the public.

The island, accessed by a bridge and directly across from King's Square, is dominated by a splendid bronze statue of Sir George Somers, commander of the Sea Venture. Somers looks surprised that he made it safely to shore. Somers supervised the construction of the Deliverance and Patience to carry survivors from the 1609 wreck onward to Jamestown. But considering the ship's size (just 57 feet from bow to stern), Deliverance hardly seems seaworthy by modern standards. In complete contrast, Ordnance Island is often host to some of the world's most spectacular motor and sailing yachts, who use Bermuda as a mid-Atlantic stopover.

Along with some of the last remaining stands of native Bermuda palmetto and cedar, this 25-acre reserve—virtually untouched since presettlement times and jointly owned and preserved by the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Audubon Society—contains a mangrove forest and grassy savanna. These unspoiled habitats can be explored via a boardwalk with interpretive signs describing the endemic flora and fauna. When lost in the cries of the native and migratory birds that frequent this natural wetland, you can quickly forget that bustling Hamilton is just minutes away.

This eye-catching Italianate edifice, erected in 1819, is where the House of Assembly (Bermuda's lower house of Parliament) and the Supreme Court convene. The Florentine towers and colonnade, decorated with red terra-cotta, were added to the building in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The Victoria Jubilee Clock Tower made its striking debut—albeit a few years late—at midnight on December 31, 1893. Bermuda's Westminster-style Parliament meets on the second floor, where the Speaker rules the roost in a powdered wig and robe. (The island has approximately 14 times as many politicians per capita as Europe or North America, so maintaining order is no small feat.) Sartorial splendor is equally evident downstairs in the Supreme Court, where wigs and robes—red for judges, black for barristers—are again the order of the day.

Call first to find out when parliamentary sessions and court cases are scheduled. Tours can be scheduled for 10:30 daily, except on Fridays, when Parliament is in session.  You're welcome to watch the colorful proceedings: bear in mind, though, that visitors, too, are required to wear appropriate attire.

Known for its sandy bottom and shallow water, Shelly Bay is a good place to take small children. It also has shade trees, a rarity at Bermudian beaches. A large playground behind the beach attracts plenty of youngsters on weekends and during school holidays. There's also a nearby soccer and cricket practice field and a public basketball court. There are no public changing rooms, but there is a bathroom facility by the upper parking lot. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.

At this sheltered inlet near the National Museum of Bermuda, you’ll find both vibrant marine life and traces of the Dockyard’s seafaring past. Accessed through a stone tunnel, the bay hides cast-iron cannons from the 1500s to 1800s, plus an old anchor and gun-carriage wheel beneath its calm waters. But the real stars are the colorful fish—more than 50 species—as well as anemones, sea cucumbers, and coral. Floating rest stations make snorkeling and diving easy, and you can rent everything from kayaks and pedal boats to Jet Skis, underwater scooters, and beach gear. By day, it’s a family-friendly spot popular with cruise visitors; by night, it transforms into a lively beach club with parties and barbecues. Amenities: food and drink, water sports. Best for: snorkeling, swimming.