Awe-inspiring Antigua is a magical Caribbean escape steeped in breathtaking beauty and wonder – but which part of this paradise island is best for the type of holiday you crave?

Maybe you’re seeking a romantic escape with the love of your life, fun in the sun with your family, wild party nights with friends or a laid-back time exploring the island’s historical and cultural attractions. Whatever you desire, this spellbinding destination – the largest of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda – can make all your holiday dreams come true. The island was colonised by English settlers in 1632 and many of its major tourist attractions hark back to its colonial past, including Nelson’s Dockyard and Fort James. Prepare to be wowed by glorious sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, beautiful coral reefs, historic sugar plantations and postcard-perfect scenery. Antigua also boasts luxurious 5-star hotels, superb beachfront restaurants, water sports galore, fantastic shops and incredible food.

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Best Spot for Family Holidays

This sensational destination, located at the northern end of the Leeward Islands, is home to a beach for every day of the year, making it a dream come true for families seeking fun on the sands. One ideal spot is Dickenson Bay on the northwestern coast, with its calm and shallow waters, beautiful beaches and exciting activities, including snorkelling, kayaking, glass bottomed boat rides and catamaran trips. The resort village of Jolly Harbour is another superb option, where you can enjoy a fun-filled day on the beach, then a tasty lunch in a water’s edge restaurant. A host of other wonderful activities during a family holiday in Antigua include swimming with rays at Stingray City, ziplining above the rainforest, meeting the long-eared inhabitants at the donkey sanctuary in Bethesda, and have a splashing time on D-Boat, an amazing water amusement centre built on a refurbished oil tanker.

Best Spot for Romantic Holidays

It’s no surprise Antigua is regarded as the romance capital of the Caribbean, with idyllic sandy coves, beguiling sunsets and intimate cruises among the delights for loved-up couples. The island is also a honeymoon haven and popular with couples who want to tie the knot in an endearing beachfront wedding ceremony or renew their vows in idyllic surroundings. Rendezvous Bay is the place to spend precious moments with your loved one, surrounded by secluded stretches of sand, turquoise waters and verdant hills. This is a great spot for diving to enchanting coral reefs or riding on horseback along the beach. Other options to create the perfect holiday for couples include a relaxing stroll around Falmouth Harbour, a soothing treatment in a sumptuous hotel spa, a candlelit dinner on the beach, or an exhilarating dolphin and whale-watching cruise on a catamaran.

Best Spot for Activity Holidays

There’s never a dull moment during a holiday in Antigua, with an abundance of exciting activities to fill your days. The lively western coast is very different from the quieter Atlantic coast and features the best beaches and the main attractions. Popular activities in this part of Antigua include kayaking, scuba diving, banana boat rides, sunset sailing, scooter snorkelling and a plethora of exhilarating water sports. Set off on a jeep safari around the island's remote off-road spots, meet giant tortoises during a nature tour of Laviscount Island on the east coast, swim with turtles off Galeon Beach or step to it for a hike in the rainforest. Alternatively, a visit to the capital St John's offers the chance for some retail therapy, with its malls and duty-free stores. Key natural attractions on the island include Devil’s Bridge National Park, Cades Reef and the Pillars of Hercules.

Best Spot for Nightlife

You won't struggle to find somewhere to party in Antigua, with a multitude of pulsating clubs and tiki bars to choose from. English Harbour on the southern shores boasts some of the best nightlife on the island, with live reggae music, upbeat waterfront venues and DJs spinning the tunes. Key locations for late-night vibes in Antigua include the Lime Lounge, in English Harbour, Beach Limerz, at Port James, and Bulldog Beach Club, in Jolly Harbour. The island also boasts a fantastic food and drinks scene, with Pepperpot among the much-loved traditional dishes to try and rum punch a local favourite in the lively bars. Sip tropical cocktails beside the beach, sample the mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine in charming bars and cafes and gaze out at spectacular ocean views. The Sunday night barbecue at Shirley Point Lookout is a popular event, while Seafood Fridays at Nelson’s Dockyard are great fun.

Best Spot for Culture

Alluring Antigua, which was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, is a goldmine for culture vultures, with its rich heritage, old sugar plantations and enthralling colonial landmarks. The island capital of St John’s is a must-visit for culture fiends, with charming old buildings, bustling markets and the excellent Museum of Antigua among the delights which await. Fort James at the harbour entrance, which still has a full complement of cannons, is most impressive, while St John’s Anglican Cathedral is a stunning neo-Baroque building. Another major cultural attraction is the 18th century Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, a marvellous heritage site and marina in English Harbour on the south of the island, where Admiral Horatio Nelson commanded a fleet of magnificent ships in days gone by. A visit to nearby Shirley Heights, a restored gun battery and military lookout offering amazing views of the island, is also highly recommended.

Antigua enjoys a wonderful warm tropical climate all year round, making it a great choice for anyone yearning for the holiday of a lifetime in the radiant Caribbean sunshine. Temperatures are consistent throughout the year, which means any month is suitable for exploring the island's amazing natural attractions and taking to the ocean for a refreshing swim and thrilling water sports action. Antigua's high season is December to April, which is also the coolest and driest time of year when temperatures average around 28°C. This is the most popular time for visiting the island, so your chances of bagging a holiday deal will be limited. The wet season runs from mid-June to mid-November when the island experiences short outbursts of rain and evening thunderstorms. There is still plenty of sunshine at this time of year, with temperatures between 25°C to 31°C, but conditions can feel muggy and humid. Mid-August to mid-October is the time of year when Antigua is most at risk of hurricanes.

“Antigua will leave every visitor awestruck with its phenomenal natural beauty, no matter where you decide to stay on the island or what type of holiday you desire.

“The west coast is generally accepted as the best coast to stay on, largely due to the fact the Caribbean waters are calmer and much easier to access. This is ideal for families seeking fun on the sands.

“This side of the island also boasts plenty of vibrant nightlife for people who like to party and quaint bays and coves where romantic couples can stroll hand in hand and marvel at spectacular sunsets.

“Antigua is also home to opulent all-inclusive hotels where lavish accommodation, fine dining restaurants and top-class entertainment give every visitor a taste of the good life.

“With its 365 beautiful beaches, inviting sapphire waters and blissful year-round sunshine, it’s no wonder this exotic Caribbean getaway is so popular with couples, families and groups of friends seeking the ultimate luxury holiday experience.”

Sandals Grande Antigua

Dickenson Bay

Relaxing hours in the blissful Antiguan sunshine await at this luxurious 5-star couples-only beachfront retreat which has been voted the Caribbean’s ‘Most Romantic Resort’ on many occasions. You’ll savour culinary joys in a choice of top-class restaurants, spend heavenly nights in exquisite accommodation and enjoy head-to-toe pampering in the sumptuous spa. A myriad of other attractions include a cutting-edge fitness centre, sparkling swimming pools, water sports and a bumper programme of live evening entertainment.

Check out Sandals Grande Antigua

Curtain Bluff

Carlisle Bay

This dreamy 5-star haven of relaxation is the perfect place to unwind and soak up the invigorating Caribbean sunshine. Boasting 2 pristine sandy beaches, this all-inclusive paradise sanctuary will wow every guest with its lavish accommodation, glistening swimming pool and superb dining venues where traditional island fare will tantalise your taste buds. An array of other fabulous amenities to ensure there’s never a dull moment include tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a lively kids club and a plush spa for head-to-toe pampering.

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Pineapple Beach Club

Willikies

A blissful sunshine holiday experience awaits at this laid-back adult-only hideaway nestled next to powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters. Sip cocktails while gazing out at amazing ocean vistas, spend restful nights in ultra-stylish accommodation, and enjoy flavoursome local delicacies in a choice of fine dining venues. There’s also a modern fitness centre for an energetic holiday workout, an elegant spa for the ultimate pampering experience and a choice of sparkling swimming pools for a refreshing dip after soaking up the sun on the relaxing terrace.

Check out Pineapple Beach Club