Hamilton Port

As the capital of Bermuda, Hamilton naturally attracts large numbers of tourists, including many cruise ship visitors, thanks to its large harbour area.  With a population of just 1,800 Hamilton has the smallest population of any capital city in the world and its status as a British Overseas Territory means there’s plenty of colonial history as well as natural beauty to uncover.  Though Bermuda itself was discovered in 1505 by Spanish seaman Juan de Bermudez, Hamilton’s British history began in 1790 when land was set aside by the Bermuda Government for its seat there. The town became a city in 1897, with the Church of England Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity consecrated in 1911. A building restriction in the city means that this cathedral is still honoured today, as no new buildings are permitted to obscure the view of it.

Sightseeing in Hamilton

The aforementioned cathedral is indeed Hamilton’s most popular tourist landmark and is central to the town’s colonial history. It’s a beautiful building to explore, offering visitors some beautiful stained glass windows, tasteful architecture and spectacular views of the surrounding city from its tower. Fort Hamilton is another key attraction, which dates back to the time when the busy Royal Naval Dockyard was in need of protection. There’s a lot of history to unearth in the fort which naturally, owing to its strategic nature, sits at the top of a hill. The walk is not too strenuous however, and once at the top, you’ll enjoy some fabulous views of Hamilton’s Harbour. Once there, you can explore the courtyard, moat and fort walls at your leisure. A walk in the park is a quintessentially British thing to do and as Hamilton is British Territory, a trip to Queen Elizabeth Park is a great way to escape the busy tourist areas. Located in the centre of the city, it offers lots of welcome shade, a number of attractive monuments and some excellent landscaping.

Shopping in Hamilton

When it comes to shopping, there’s one must-visit area in Hamilton which you should certainly experience during your visit. As well as being one of Hamilton’s historic areas, Front Street is the place to go for a spot of retail therapy, or simply just to people-watch. Here, you’ll find all the high-end department stores and familiar department store favourites, as well as a number of independent art galleries and jewellery stores. Of course, you’ll also find cheaper souvenirs here to take back home and once a week there’s a local street market, offering all manner of traditional goods.

Eating out in Hamilton

Front Street is also the perfect place to enjoy a meal while exploring Hamilton, as there are plenty of good quality restaurants to choose from, along with a number of bars offering more laid-back fayre. With Hamilton being a British overseas territory, you can expect a strong English influence in the cuisine as well a notable Portuguese influence, too. Understandably given its coastal location, fish is a common ingredient, particularly cod, and fish chowder is a national dish, though if you want a real taste of home, it’s entirely possible to order fish and chips while in the city.