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Why?  A holiday in Hamilton is a holiday in the principal harbour town of one of the world's favourite Carribean islands. From Hamilton all the sightseeing boats, ferries and local buses depart and all the cruise liners arrive, and its busy Front Street is the main shopping area of the island. No-one who travels to Bermuda can avoid visiting Hamilton, focal point of the island's historic sight-seeing and commercial activity.

When?  There is no 'best time' to travel to Hamilton, because the island of Bermuda has perfect holiday weather all year round, and tourist season never stops completely, although things do slow down in the 'off season' between November and March. This can be a blessing for the budget conscious though, because hotels offer discounts during these months.

Who for?  Fun lovers, sun worshippers and watersports enthusiasts (especially scuba divers) choose to holiday in Hamilton, but the majority of visitors flood into the city from the many cruise liners that travel to Hamilton as part of their Caribbean itinerary.

More Info:  For an overview of what to expect from a holiday in Hamilton, as well as detailed information about attractions and excursions, access our comprehensive Hamilton travel guide which is print and email friendly.

Overview

Bermuda'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 harbour-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 harbour 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, harbour 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.