St. George's Shopping and Districts

(St. George's, Bermuda)

Bermuda is flush with upscale shopping options, and tourists from the UK and North America will recognise the brands (and their prices) from high street outlets back home. The difference is that sales tax isn't levied in Bermuda, which allows stores in St. George's to maintain a lightly competitive edge on top-shelf luxury brands.

St. George's typically lures tourists on day trips bound for the city of Hamilton, where the shopping scene is more robust. For that reason, retailers here try to set themselves apart both in how they look and in what they sell. As a general rule, vendors on this side of Harrington Sound operate more boutique gift shops and souvenir stands than their counterparts.

When to Shop and Where

The best shopping district in St. George's is around King's Square, but there's also an upcoming commercial strip at Somers Wharf, which is on Water Street. This area has many big-name department stores and boutiques from the UK.

All of them have larger sister stores in Hamilton, but the chance to go shopping here in such a pleasant environment more than makes up for the slightly reduced selection.

The entire island has a solid reputation as an art producer, and this is undoubtedly Bermuda's most inspired corner. Many well-regarded artists live here in St. George's, and local boutiques carry their work. Other popular purchases include Bermudian rum and rum cakes, as well as the complete suite of duty free merchandise, from watches and crystal to perfumes and spirits.

Prices on sprits are so low that the US only allows its citizens to carry back one litre of duty free spirits (and that's only if they've been out of the country for at least two days). Where required, duty free shops in St. George's will deliver your purchase to your hotel or cruise ship before your departure.