HamiltonBermuda's pretty pastel-shaded capital,
Hamilton, named after a former Governor, hustles and bustles with local shoppers and keen sightseers every day of the week. Although it is officially a city, boasting a massive 19th-century neo-Gothic cathedral, it is the size of a town and is inhabited by approximately 15,000 people. The population swells appreciably with the frequent arrival of cruise ships that berth next to Hamilton's main thoroughfare known as Front Street, stretching along the harbor-front. Front Street also boasts a ferry terminal, a parade area and countless shops,
restaurants and taverns. Most visitors linger at any one of the restaurants along the stretch and enjoy the harbor views or watch the passersby from the decorative balconies. The mood is relaxed and amiable. Throughout the town British influences have blended comfortably with the casual island style. Visitors can explore elegant buildings like the Royal Yacht Club and Historical Museum, or take a ride in a quaint horse-drawn 'surrey with a fringe on the top'.
Hamilton's pride is the Georgian-style Sessions House, on Church Street. It dates back to 1815 and serves as Bermuda's House of Assembly and Supreme Court. It is also worth visiting
Fort Hamilton, particularly for the splendid views it offers of the city, harbor and
Gibb's Hill Lighthouse. At midday every Monday shows are staged with bagpipers and traditional dancers.
From Hamilton one can take a 15-minute walk to one of
Bermuda's more recent attractions, the state-of-the-art
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. This is a multi-million dollar institute built to showcase the natural wonders of the surrounding oceans. The Institute offers a simulated dive in a capsule and interactive exhibits detailing local reef wrecks, plant and animal life.
Getting Around: It is important to note that visitors to Bermuda are not allowed to rent cars. There are, however, several transport options and as the city of Hamilton and Bermuda itself are not large, this is hardly a problem. A bus services operates in Hamilton and links it to other major points in Bermuda, with inbound service stops marked with pink-topped poles and outbound service stops marked with blue-topped poles. If transferring to another bus, be sure to ask the first driver for a transfer to avoid paying again. Transfers are valid for half an hour. Ferries are another popular way to enjoy the sights of Hamilton and its surrounds, and scooters and mopeds are also available for hire. Walking and cycling are also excellent ways to get around. A traditional means of transport, and a fun way to enjoy the city, is on a horse drawn carriage ride. One does need to look past the fact that in Hamilton, the horses wear diapers!
Climate: The climate of Hamilton is sub-tropical, the weather being sunny and hot all year round. There are no distinct seasons, but the hottest weather is during July, August and September when highs can hit 90°F (32°C). Generally the Gulf Stream keeps temperatures moderate. There is no specific rainy season, showers occurring at any time of year, the skies rapidly clearing.
St George's TownSt George's was Bermuda's original settlement and one-time capital, until 1815. It is situated at the east end of the country and provides a pleasant and relaxed day's sightseeing. There is a slide show on the Parish, which may be of interest to visitors. A walking tour is a good way to explore the museums and quaint shops and one can meet the Town Crier along the way whilst stopping here and there to sample the fare at the charming restaurants.
The hub of town life is
King's Square, featuring stocks, a pillory and whipping-post where criminals were punished in days of yore. The Town Crier appears here on occasion, in traditional costume, to re-enact scenes such as committing the town drunk to the stocks and securing the town gossip on the Ordnance Island ducking stool. The Town Hall fronts the square, and behind it is one of Bermuda's oldest buildings, the State House, dating from 1619. Located close to this is an art gallery and several museums.
The town is a delightful one in which to walk around. It has many narrow lanes leading away from the harbor, which were originally the footpaths to the houses. The dwellings are picturesque with their well-maintained gardens colored by banana and paw-paw trees. There are horse-drawn buggy rides as a means of transport and a bus service runs to locations of interest such as
Clearwater Beach, St David's Island and
Fort St Catherine.
Getting Around: Visitors may not rent cars in St George's Town (or the rest of Bermuda), but the city is easy to negotiate on foot, and hiring a scooter or a moped is a fun way to explore. Bicycles are also available for hire and a limited bus service is available.
Climate: Bermuda, and St George's Town, has a subtropical climate with temperatures moderated by the warm Gulf Stream. Winters in St George's Town are mild, with an average temperature of about 62°F (17°C), though strong winds are common. May to October is very hot and humid, with especially high humidity in July and August. Summer temperatures average about 78°F (26°C). Rainfall is highest in October, though showers can occur throughout the year. Although Bermuda is usually fairly well protected, hurricanes can occur from August to October, bringing high waves and strong winds.
The WestAlong the south western shore, the parish of
Warwick offers some of the finest pink-sand beaches and coves in Bermuda, including Horseshoe Bay and one of the best public beaches, Warwick Long Bay. Between them are numerous lovely coves such as Jobson's Cove, which is a favorite for beach weddings, and an offshore reef offers great snorkeling and diving opportunities. The far western part of the island includes
Ireland Island, Boaz Island and Somerset, where the
Bermuda Maritime Museum within the Naval Dockyards is a major tourist attraction, and where it is possible to interact with the dolphins that live there.
