14 Best Things to Do in Antigua (+ 7-Day Itinerary)

10. Fort James

Fort James was built during 1706 – 1739 by the British to protect against potential French invasion. It is named after the King James II and located at the entrance of the St. John’s Harbour. Some of its original cannons have been impressively preserved and still stand overlooking the harbour today. Its ruins however don’t seem to be as well-maintained; the fort looks like more of a secondary attraction compared with the views of the breathtaking Antigua seascape that it points out to. I’m not sure if I missed any, but I noticed I didn’t see any signage nor available guide to detail the history of the site, so I looked up the above info on my own after visiting. If neither of these exist here I could see Fort James (and others) having a lot more attraction potential than it currently does, but it is still worth a visit as is.

11. Designer Duty-Free Shopping in Antigua

Heritage Quay is a designer shopping district in Antigua. Its duty-free shopping complexes are on the waterfront in the heart of the St. Johns capital, which mainly come alive when tropical cruise ship voyageurs dock at the piers of the harbour. If you’re looking to do some retail therapy in Antigua you’ll find rows of bright-coloured stores, souvenir shops, plus eateries and bars at Heritage Quay.

12. English Harbour

Antigua and Barbuda gained independence relatively recently in 1981 from the British. English Harbour started as a British settlement, and is now a popular sailing hub. It boasts 2 of the Caribbean’s best marinas and 1 of my favourite viewpoints in Antigua. There are many conveniences in the area including a museum, fruit stands, pharmacies, liquor stores, eateries and more. Restaurants of all kinds line the tourist-oriented Dockyard Drive― a strip between Nelson’s Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour.

Photo Credit: Passport Heavy

13. Historic Nelson’s Dockyard

Nelson’s Dockyard is a former British Navy base, possessing 18th and 19th-century buildings that were restored in the 1950s. The naval dockyard was once an important base for ship repairs. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and these former colonial buildings now house shops, restaurants, and bars.

14. Shirley Heights

Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout point that was initially used during the war of American independence. Today it is a popular hangout for socializing and sunset gazing, some consider it the best in all of Antigua. The pinnacle of Shirley Heights offers a spectacular view of the English and Falmouth harbours. During my visit, Thursday and Sunday evenings seemed to be the peak party time which featured local bands, drinks, food and of course bigger crowds. Sadly I never got to visit during my eventful week-long trip, but I realized quite a few times it was the talk of the town by both residents and other tourists.

Things to Know about visiting Antigua

Now that you have learned some of the best things to do in Antigua, I’m hoping by now I’ve played a part in adding this Caribbean gem to your travel bucket list. If you do consider making the trip, here are a few things to know before visiting.

Photo Credit: Travel Antigua & Barbuda

Most of them are mentioned earlier in this article so let’s recap:

When is the best time to visit Antigua?

What language(s) do Antiguans speak?

English is Antigua’s official language. Residents may also speak in their local dialect.

What currency does Antigua use? / Are US Dollars accepted in Antigua?

The official currency of Antigua is the East Caribbean dollar, but the US dollar is widely accepted. At the time of my visit in May 2023, the exchange rate was approx. $1 USD : $3 ECD

What airport do you fly into for Antigua?

The V.C. Bird International Airport is Antigua’s main international airport.

How do I get from Antigua to Barbuda?

You can visit the twin island Barbuda by ferry (most popular option), chartered plane or helicopter. It can be done as a day trip or overnight stay.

How do I get from Jamaica to Antigua?

At the time of this post, Jamaica offered direct flights to Antigua from Kingston via Caribbean Airlines. It’s a roughly 2.5hr flight.

Do you need a visa to go to Antigua?

You may find if your passport requires an Antigua visa here. Jamaican passport holders do not require a visa to visit Antigua.

Conclusion

The country of Antigua is more than just beautiful beaches; it oozes history, and as a Jamaican it was pleasantly surprising to see how much our cultures aligned. I’m grateful I got to experience this Caribbean gem for a global influencer conference curated by Traverse Events and Antigua and Barbuda Travel Authority in partnership with Caribbean Airlines.

If you want my advice, a few extra days to complete this itinerary are recommended. Though my fellow group members and I are proof that this 7-day itinerary is indeed possible, I would’ve been grateful for an extra 2 or 3 days to just relax on the beach more. You can keep that in mind when planning your own vacation in Antigua.

Which of these fun things to do in Antigua do you imagine yourself enjoying???