Antigua Holidays 2025/2026

Holidays to Antigua offer a paradise that mixes natural beauty with a fascinating history and charming culture, resulting in unforgettable memories for all.

Tiny though it may be, it’s a postcard-worthy island from all angles which makes it a top choice for your next holiday destination. With a huge range of incredible hotels on offer, whether it’s for the family, just the two of you, or more, browse our great value Antigua holidays and find the one for you.

Dreamy beaches

Antigua’s beaches are a gem in the Caribbean with aquamarine waters and powdery soft sands perfect for relaxing. In fact, there’s 365 sretches of sands on the island, so there really is plenty of choice – it’s one for every day of the year!

• Dickenson Bay is home to one of the most popular beaches which is known for its calm waters and golden sand. It’s a beautiful spot for a lazy beach day, or ideal for adrenaline lovers with plenty of water sports from snorkeling to jet skiing. What’s more, there’s a great selection of hotels, restaurants, and bars lining the sands, so it’s great for long, rejuvenating beach days.
• Pigeon Point beach is another stretch of shoreline know for it’s natural beauty with crystal clear waters incredible for snorkelling. It’s an unspolit beach, simply the gorgeous sands and the sound of waves lapping against the shore. Although, nearby you’ll find the historic Nelson’s Dockyard so you canadd a bit of cultural exploration to your beach day.
• Long Bay is another secluded pick ideal for those looking to escape the crowds. It’s a picture-perfect spot lined with palm trees which help provide shaded areas and an all round tropcial vibe. The calm waters are great for paddling around or playing with kids and you can soak up the beauty of the island.

Island hopping

The Caribbean islands are ever so mesmerising and picturesque and are perfect for luxurious holidays, so island hopping is a must to soak in as much as possible. Antigua is the gateway to exploring the surrounding smallers islands, each of which has its own unique charm and beauty to compliment your holiday to Antigua.

• Barbuda sits just a 30 minute boat ride from the north of Antigua so it makes for a great day out exploring somewhere new. Known for it’s unspoilt beaches, pristine sands and even the famous Pink Sand Beach your camera will have a field day. It’s much less developed than Antigua so can offer tranquil days, but you can also hop on a boat trip around Barbuda to see more, or even visit the Frigate Bird Sanctuary which is home to thousands of these birds.
• Monsterrat sits a little further from Antigua and boasta slightly different vibe as it is actually an active volcano. Parts of the island are restricted due to the Soufrière Hills volcano of 1995, but there are some really impressive sight seeing opportunities elsewhere. Relax on the striking black sand beaches, hike through the luscious rainforest, or enjoy a boat ride around the island.
• Island hopping is an unforgettable activity for your Antigua holiday to discover more of the Caribbean’s diversity and beauty but be sure to look into your options, you can opt for private boat charters or make it more affordable with boat tours, or there are often regular, low-cost ferries, particularly between Antigua and Barbuda.

Places to go

Holidays in Antigua are brimming with spectacular places to go and things to do, whether it’s somewhere to deep dive into the Caribbean’s history or somewhere to understand real relaxation, Antigua has it.

• St. John’s is the vibrant capital city of Antigua and is certainly worth the visit. Known for its bustling markets, quaint local shops and impressive colonial architecture, it’s a day out filled with history, culture and Caribbean charm. Head to St John’s Cathedral for an impressive example of 19th Century architecture and even visit the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda to really step back in time and learn all about the island’s history.
• For a slightly different day out, head to Half Moon Bay on the southeast coast of Antigua for a beautiful and tranquil day lounging around. It’s got it’s name from being shaped like a crescent moon and it’s surrounded by rolling green hills, and of course the cyrtsal clear waters. It’s a great spot for those who like a secluded and quiet beach day away from the crowds.
• Another historical site great for exploring is Nelson’s Dockyard, which is an UNESCO World Heritage sight and one of the most famous attractions for holidays in Antigua. What was once the base of British Caribbean Fleet and named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, is now a beautifully restored dockyard where you can walk through a charming marina, wander around the museum and marvel at the Georgian-era buildings and old naval ships.

Things to see

With a wonderful mix of dreamy beaches, charming culture and fascinating historical sites, Antigua holidays offer a bit of something for everyone. It’s an idyllic and adventurous island fantastic for families, couples and friends alike – the islands’ beauty will have everyone in awe.

• Devil’s Bridge is an inredible sight where a nautral limestone arch has been carved by the Atlantic Ocean throughout the centuries – if you’re up for the thrill you can walk over the bridge for a dramatic photo opportunity. Devil’s Bridge National Park has several hiking trails that allow you to look out and admire the dramatic coastline.
• In the English Harbour, Shirley Heights Lookout offers one of the best panoramic views of Antigua so is certainly a worthy sight to see. A Sunday afternoon is a great time to visit for a fun atmosphere as there’s often a BBQ party with live music and plenty of dancing, or you could choose to visit at sunset or sunrise to enjoy the incredible views in quiet.
• A fun sight to see to mix it up from the beaches is Fig Tree Drive where you can enjoy Antigua’s natural beauty up close. Head through Antigua’s vibrant rainforest on this scenic route, passing the luscious green landscapes, fruit plantations and charming small villages. You can opt for guided tours or head out yourselves to take it at your own pace.

Cuisine in Antigua

Like it’s neighbouring islands, the cuisine in Antigua is a fusion of Caribbean, African and European influences which creates powerful flavours and rich, nourishing meals. You’ll enjoy fresh ingredients that have been sourced locally over a variety of delicious dishes, both sweet and savoury.

• Some key ingredients for adding flavour in Antiguan cuisine include coconut, particualrly coconut milk which is added to stews and rice dishes, as well as hot peppers which are key to adding the signature Antiguan spice. You’ll find lots of fresh seafood on holiday in Antigua (given it’s location) with fish like mahi-mahi, snapper, lobster, shrimp and more.
• Pepperpot is a meal that reflects the African influence on Antiguan cuisine and is a popular dish for the locals. Made from pork, beef or goat, it’s a hearty stew cooked with vegetables and hot peppers for a rich and fiery flavour. Another signature dish showcasing the islands abundance of fresh seafood is Antiguan lobster. It’s griled fresh lobster served with a delicious butter sauce.
• Sweet treats are also popular in Antigua, so be sure to try a coconut tart – a pastry filled with coconut, nutmeg and cinnamon, or black cake, if you like a rum-soaked fruit cake.

Nightlife in Antigua

Antigua’s nightlife may not be as wild as nearby islands like Jamaica or the Dominican, but there is still plenty of choice to suit different tastes. Whether you’re looking for lively nightclubs and bars, or a more relaxed, intimate evening out, there’;s some great spots for you to choose your ideal vibe.

• As you might expect, the capital, St John’s hosts the biggest nightlife scene with everything from bars and lounges to enjoy a cocktail or two, or live music joints for a bit of a boogie, to a few booming nightclubs for all-night dancing. The Waterfront cafe is a popular pick for a low-key yet fun atmosphere with live music, usually reggae or calypso, while Club 360 is a great nightclub playing Caribbean and international tunes.
• Dickenson Bay is a bit more subdued with beach bars, live music and an all-round relaxed vibe. Cocos beach bar is a good venue for an evening out, try the local rum and enjoy some cocktails as the sun goes down.
• English Harbour offers a middle ground with bars and pubs for casual drinks, live music venues and the Shirely Heights Sunday BBQ, as well as some spots to party into the morning like Club Sugar or Tamarind Hills.