Road Town (British Virgin Islands) / British Overseas Territory

On the southern coast of the island of Tortola in the Caribbean Sea lies the capital of the British Virgin Islands, Road Town. The city is one of the most important yachting centers in the Caribbean and a popular port for cruise ships.

The oldest building in Road Town is the HM Prison on Main Street, built in 1774. You can get acquainted with exotic flora and birds in the small but beautiful botanical garden, and those who prefer marine life should visit the local dolphinarium. The Dolphin Discovery center offers many programs for children and adults, including the popular swimming with dolphins.

Tortola is famous for its beautiful beaches. It's definitely worth heading to Apple Bay, Brewster's Bay, Elizabeth Beach, Josiah's Bay Beach, Long Bay Beach, or Smuggler's Cove, which offer great conditions for swimming and exploring underwater life with a snorkel. Divers and fishing enthusiasts will also find something to enjoy. On the northern coast of Tortola lies Cane Garden Bay, with a number of bars and restaurants, popular with lovers of active leisure and water sports.

Road Town is the gateway to other islands of the archipelago – Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island, or Marina Cay. It takes just under half an hour to drive to Virgin Gorda, where you can visit The Bath National Park, a beautiful area of beaches and unique geological formations, one of the most popular tourist attractions of the British Virgin Islands. Anegada Island, also known as the "sunken island," is surrounded by shallow reefs and is a paradise for divers who can also enjoy a number of historic shipwrecks here.

Although the city is not exactly a shopping mecca, besides several bars and restaurants, you can also find a few shops: a good souvenir might be a CD with Caribbean music by the local "legend" Quito Rymer, a bottle of rum, or spices.

If you want to taste something truly typical of the British Virgin Islands, you must not miss The Painkiller, a cocktail made from dark rum, coconut cream, pineapple, orange juice, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Places worth seeing

Dolphin Discovery Tortola – Swim with dolphins and get to know these beautiful creatures in the dolphinarium, where both children and adults will enjoy themselves.

Anegada Island – Dive below the surface and admire the rich life of shallow reefs and shipwrecks on the seabed.

North Shore Shell Museum – View thousands and thousands of shells, as well as boats and other handicrafts in this unique museum.

Rhone National Marine Park – Explore the wreck of the mail ship HMS Rhone, which sank during a hurricane in 1867.

Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop and Art Gallery – Visit the popular souvenir shop and take home spices, sauces, cosmetics, or some of the interesting works or handicrafts by local artists from Road Town.

R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens – Get acquainted with native and exotic plants and tropical birds in a miniature rainforest.