Hamilton (Bermuda)

Introduction

Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda and has about only 1,500 people living within its boundaries, meaning it not even is the largest city which is the historical St. George's, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is however the administrative and economical heart of the country island. It is located in the central part of the island along the coast at Hamilton Harbour. Apart from stores, apartments and official buildings, there is not much going on in Hamilton, but at least there is nice Hamilton Cathedral which is an English church. Other than that it is best to base yourself anywhere else on the island or in St. George's.

Sights and Activities

• Anglican Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity (Bermuda Cathedral), Church St, ☎ +1 441-292-4033. The city's Anglican cathedral, built in 1869.
• Barr's Bay Park.
• Bermuda Historical Society Museum, Par-La-Ville, 13 Queen Street, ☎ +1 441-295-2487, e-mail: [email protected]. Museum covering the history of the island, particularly when it was a British colony.
• Bermuda National Gallery (City Hall & Arts Centre), 17 Church Street, ☎ +1 441-295-9428, fax: +1 441-295-2055.
• Bermuda National Library, ☎ +1 441 295-2905.
• Cathedral of St. Theresa, 13 Elliot St, ☎ +1 441-292-0607.
• Fort Hamilton (overlooking the City of Hamilton).
• Ocean Discovery Centre (Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute), 40 Crow Ln, East Broadway (just outside of Hamilton), ☎ +1 441 297-7219.
• Par-la-Ville Park (Queen Elizabeth Park), 9 Queen St., ☎ +1 441-295-6446.
• Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, 15 Point Pleasant Road, ☎ +1 441-295-2214.
• Sessions House, Church St.
• Spanish Point (5 km (3.1 mi) to the northwest of Hamilton). prominent headland and park.
• Victoria Park.

Weather

Hamilton has a subtropical climate with warm to hot summers and mild winters. Summers last from May to October with temperatures between 25 °C and 30 °C during the day and 19 °C to 23 °C at night. December to April, daily temperatures are still between 20 °C and 22 °C dropping to around 15 °C at night. Rainfall is quite evenly distributed throughout the year with between 100 and 150 mm of rain a month. April to June is the driest time of year, with an average of 9 rainy days a month, while December has 15 of these days with some rain. Overall, October has the highest amount of rain. Generally though, conditions are very sunny and pleasant, only on hot summer days with higher humidity and almost no wind are conditions a bit more unpleasant.

Getting There

By Plane

L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA IATA Bermuda International Airport), ☎ +1 441 293-2470. There are daily flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington, together with less frequent flights from other US and Canadian cities. British Airways fly from London Gatwick to Bermuda.

There is a $50 airport tax for all passengers. Bermuda's Airport has the world's highest landing/parking fee for airlines, so the overall price for the air ticket (including all taxes) is considerably higher than for many Caribbean destinations.

Arriving passengers will need to pass through Immigration and Customs, and non-residents must have a return or onward ticket. Importing narcotics and weapons (including all forms of guns) is strictly prohibited, as is importing any live marine animals, snakes or plants.

The airport is adjacent to Castle Harbor, in St. George's Parish, and nearer St George's than Hamilton (though no part of Bermuda is far from any other). If you are arriving on an inclusive tour, then your tour operator will probably have arranged onward transportation to your hotel by private bus. The airport is well served by local public buses, but unfortunately these will not accept luggage.

Taxis are available at the airport; depending on time of arrival and destination they may cost up to $100. Rates to and from the airport are set and posted. Hire cars are not available (see 'Get around' below).

One plus for visitors arriving from the US is that customs and immigration clearance is done in Bermuda prior to boarding your flight home. This allows for easy domestic connections on arrival in the US.

By Bus

All but one route (Route 6) in Bermuda start from the bus terminal in Hamilton:

• Route 1 - Hamilton / Grotto Bay / St. George's
• Route 2 - Hamilton / Ord Road
• Route 3 - Hamilton / Grotto Bay / St. George's
• Route 4 - Hamilton / Spanish Point
• Route 5 - Hamilton / Pond Hill
• Route 7 - Hamilton / Barnes Corner via South Shore Road
• Route 8 & 8C - Hamilton / Barnes Corner; Hamilton / Dockyard; Hamilton / Somerset via Middle Road
• Route 9 - Hamilton / Prospect (National Stadium)
• Route 10 - Hamilton / St. George's via North Shore past Aquarium
• Route 11 - Hamilton / St. George's via North Shore Road

By Boat

Sea Express runs comfortable, reliable (actually punctual!) and fast ferries:

• Pink route - to Hamilton from Paget Parish (Lower Ferry, Hodsdon's Ferry, Salt Kettle) and Warwick Parish (Darrell's Wharf, Belmont Ferry)
• Blue route - to Hamilton from Sandys Parish (Royal Naval Dockyards)
• Green route - to Hamilton from Sandys Parish (Watford Bridge, Cavello Bay) and Southampton Parish (Rockaway)

Getting Around

All locations in and around Hamilton are easily walkable.

Eat

There are some restaurants in Hamilton that are considered to be "pub style".

• Flanagan's Irish Bar and Restaurant, 69 Front Street, ☎ +1 441-295-8299. Has a main bar and a sports bar.
• Hog Penny Pub and Restaurant, 5 Burnaby Hill (just off of Front Street), ☎ +1 441-292-2534. Was the inspiration for Cheer's Bar in Boston.
• The Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant, 25 Richmond Rd, Pembroke, ☎ +1 441-295-3314.

Drink

Try the Gosling Rum.

Sleep

There are also a wide variety of B&B style accommodations and smaller guestroom hotels (with kitchenettes).

• Robins Nest, 37 Mount View Rd (Pembroke), ☎ +1 441 292-4347.
• The Rosemont Hotel, 41 Rosemont Ave (Pembroke), ☎ +1 441 292-1055.
• Oxford Guesthouse, Woodbourne Av (Pembroke), ☎ +1 441 295 0503.
• Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, 76 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke, ☎ +1 441-295-3000.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

External Links

• Official Website