Last checked: November 2026
A good first Antigua trip takes five to seven days. Use three days for the highlights: St. John’s, English Harbour with Shirley Heights, and a beach. Add Devil’s Bridge, a boat trip and a full day in Barbuda from day five onward. Most drives are under 45 minutes, but the Barbuda ferry takes about 90 minutes each way. If your dates are still open, the best time to visit Antigua guide shows how weather and events change a plan.
Travel times to plan around
| Route | Typical time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Airport to St. John’s or Dickenson Bay | 15 to 20 minutes | North coast |
| Airport to Jolly Harbour | 30 to 45 minutes | West coast |
| Airport to English Harbour | 35 to 45 minutes | About 25 km |
| One end of the island to the other | About 45 minutes | According to AAA |
| Devil’s Bridge to Betty’s Hope | Under 15 minutes | Easy pairing in the east |
| St. John’s to Barbuda by ferry | About 90 minutes | Per Visit Antigua & Barbuda |
Major roads are generally in good condition, but potholes occur and few streets are lit at night. If you are not used to driving on the left, plan to be back at your hotel before dark. The getting around Antigua and Barbuda guide has the full transport picture.
3-day Antigua itinerary
Day 1: St. John’s and the north
Start with the cathedral, the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda and the market in St. John’s. Add Fort James in the afternoon, then finish with a beach sunset at Dickenson Bay. The capital is very quiet on Sundays, so if you arrive on a Sunday, swap this day with Day 3.
Day 2: English Harbour
Allow 35 to 45 minutes to drive from the airport area. Spend the morning at Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museum. Have lunch in the harbour area, and go up to Shirley Heights in the late afternoon. On Sundays the lookout hosts its evening party, so confirm the schedule and arrange a taxi back.
Day 3: A beach day
Choose Half Moon Bay in the southeast if you have a car, or Jolly Harbour and Valley Church Beach on the west coast if you want sunset views and easier facilities.
5-day Antigua itinerary: add the east and west
The best places to visit in Antigua guide describes each of these stops in more detail.
- Day 4: Devil’s Bridge and Betty’s Hope. They are under 15 minutes apart, and the Antigua Donkey Sanctuary is another stop in the east.
- Day 5: Fig Tree Drive, a taste of the Antigua Black pineapple around Old Road, and an afternoon at a quieter west-coast beach such as Ffryes or Darkwood.
7-day Antigua itinerary: add Barbuda and a boat day
- Day 6: Barbuda. The ferry dock is at the bottom of High Street in St. John’s. Take an early boat, allow about 90 minutes each way, and visit the Frigate Bird Sanctuary with a licensed operator from Codrington. Book ahead and confirm departure times, because sailings are limited. Read the official guide to getting to Barbuda first.
- Day 7: A boat day or a rest day. Boat tours visit Great Bird Island and snorkelling spots such as Cades Reef, which the tourism authority includes in its own itineraries. Or simply rest.
10-day Antigua itinerary: slow it down
- Day 8: Snorkelling or a dive trip, depending on your experience.
- Day 9: Deep Bay on the west coast, with the walk up to the Fort Barrington ruins for views. Yacht itineraries also mention the Andes shipwreck here as a snorkelling or diving stop.
- Day 10: A buffer day before your flight, with a final beach morning and your airport transfer booked in advance. The flights to Antigua guide covers the airport and transfers.
If you want a longer Barbuda stay, remember that places to stay there are limited. Most visitors choose a day trip.
Getting around on these plans
Each plan works with a rental car, taxis or organised tours. Tours are the easiest way to do Barbuda and a Shirley Heights evening without driving. Use the guide to getting around Antigua and Barbuda to compare taxis, buses, rental cars and ferries before you book.
Tips that save time
- Group sights by coast. South for the dockyard, east for Devil’s Bridge, west for beaches.
- Start early to enjoy the cooler hours at outdoor sights.
- Book Barbuda, boat trips and Sunday evening plans a day or more ahead.
- In hurricane season, keep one flexible day and read the latest forecast.
Common mistakes
- Basing yourself in the north and expecting to drive to English Harbour and back at night.
- Packing too many stops into one day, when each sight needs time.
- Leaving Barbuda for the last day, which risks a missed return ferry or flight.
Planning checklist
- Choose your base and book transfers.
- Arrange the temporary driving permit if you rent a car.
- Book Barbuda and any boat tours.
- Check Shirley Heights and market days against the day of the week.
- Save the ArriveAntigua QR code and carry your passport.
FAQs
Can you see Antigua in two days?
You can see the main highlights, but it is rushed. Do St. John’s and a beach on one day and English Harbour with Shirley Heights on the other. Skip Barbuda and the east for a longer trip.
Should I stay in one place or two?
One base works because the island is small. Two bases, such as the north and English Harbour, cut driving if you plan to spend evenings in the south. Our where to stay in Antigua guide compares the areas.
How early should I leave for the Barbuda ferry?
Listings describe the boat leaving Antigua early in the morning and returning in the afternoon. Confirm the exact departure and check-in time with the operator, and arrive at the St. John’s dock early.