Where is the best area to stay in Antigua?
If your holiday destination of choice is Antigua, you’ll need to know the best area to stay on this scenic Caribbean island. As Antigua is only 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, it’s easy to reach all resorts and attractions by car wherever you choose to stay.
The capital Saint John’s is the main hub of the island - a cosmopolitan town with glorious sandy beaches, Duty-Free shopping and superb beaches, bars and restaurants. You can jump on a ferry and take a trip to neighbouring Barbuda or Montserrat from here, or rent a car to explore this small, perfectly formed island.
Alternatively, English Harbour Town and Jolly Harbour are bustling beach resorts with a wide range of activities, historic sites and good nightlife to suit families, couples and friends. If you seek a peaceful holiday, Dickenson Bay is an ideal choice for family holidays with crystalline waters, soft white sands and old sugar cane plantations nearby. If you seek an even quieter location, yet within easy reach of amenities and attractions, Falmouth or Saint Philip will suit you perfectly, both have access to beautiful beaches, historic sites, shops, family-friendly attractions, bars and restaurants.
In the north of the island, nestled on the west coast is the capital of Antigua, Saint Johns. This lively town is just 15 minutes from the island’s airport, meaning no long transfer times to your hotel! It’s a bustling town, lined with pastel coloured buildings, featuring shopping malls, historic sites and museums. Most cruise shops dock around Heritage Quay, and it’s here you’ll find an abundance of Duty-Free shops.
English Harbour town lies on the southern shores of Antigua around 35 minutes from the airport. It’s a pretty resort with historic sites such as Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, Pillars of Hercules and Shirley Heights – an observation post with amazing views from the colonial era.
Jolly Harbour is a charming resort on the west coast of Antigua around half an hour from the island’s main airport. With palm-lined white sand beaches, rolling emerald hills, a plethora of shops, water sports activities, bars and restaurants, it’s a great resort choice for families and couples.
Dickenson Bay is nestled on the north west coast of Antigua less than 20 minutes from the main airport. It’s quieter than St Johns and some of the southern resorts, preferring to focus on palm-fringed soft sandy beaches, calm waters and lazy days in the sun. You can pop into Saint Johns for Duty-Free shopping at Heritage Quay or hire a car to explore northern beaches and sugar cane plantations of Antigua. Hotels in Dickenson Bay cater to all tastes and budgets with a choice of budget, mid-range, luxury aparthotels and resorts.
Falmouth sits on the southern shores of Antigua close to English Harbour Town and 30 minutes from the airport. This tranquil resort is a great place to stay for those who seek a quieter location, yet within a short drive to historic sites and the bustling town of English Harbour.
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