Caribbean islands similar to Europe

The Caribbean is not Little Europe. Over time it’s been shaped by Indigenous groups, colonizers, generations of islanders, and millions of annual visitors. There’s nowhere else on Earth like the Caribbean and nowhere else in the Caribbean like any given island.

But archipelagos with names like the Netherlands Antilles, French West Indies, and Spanish Virgin Islands are bound to invite comparison to the countries they take their names from. And while the Caribbean may not be Little Europe, much of that je ne sais quois that draws visitors to cities like Paris and Amsterdam courses through the Caribbean, too.

If a European escape is just not possible, consider these Caribbean destinations for an alternate taste of France, Spain, Netherlands, or the UK — plus some extra island heat.

We hope you love the Airbnbs we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Photo: Filip Fuxa/Shutterstock

Set foot in Bridgetown and you’ll instantly recognize the island’s British influence in its Georgian, Victorian, and Jacobean architecture. Another clue: Barbados’s obsession with horse racing.

Races occur from January to April, May to August, and October to December. Garrison Savannah is the historic horse-racing venue, dating all the way back to 1845, a whole three decades before Kentucky’s famous Churchill Downs was established. Plan your trip around the island’s biggest annual sporting event, the Sandy Lane Gold Cup, which takes places in late February or early March. Just remember: In Barbados spectators sip rum, not gin.

Across the island, accommodations reflect the island’s British roots and Caribbean identity — from former plantation houses to contemporary villas with shaded verandas and wide-open views of the coastline. To experience a side of the island that feels more personal, skip the sprawling resorts and opt for a vacation rental that puts you closer to the island’s culture and everyday life. For a more in-depth look at Airbnbs on the island, check out this guide.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Set above the west coast’s coral-sand beaches, this three-bedroom villa in Westmoreland Hills offers a quiet retreat within a secure community of 45 homes. The gated development includes 24-hour security, a clubhouse with a gym, a community pool, and a café. Inside, the villa leans modern and unfussy: three bedrooms, four bathrooms, open-plan living spaces, and a 26-foot pool overlooking the sea. Large windows and patios make the most of the coast-facing views without overcomplicating the design. At $500 per night, it’s a good fit for families or groups who want to stay close to Holetown’s restaurants and beaches, while still having a base that feels rooted in the quieter, residential side of Barbados.

Steps from the calm waters of Batts Rock Beach, this one-bedroom waterfront apartment ($230 per night) on Barbados’s west coast sits close to Sandy Lane and Holetown. The property opens onto a small bay known for its clear water and occasional sea turtle sightings, with a communal deck shaded by palms for chilled afternoons. Its location makes it an easy base for exploring Bridgetown to the south or the beaches near Bathsheba to the east. It’s best suited for couples or solo travelers who want to stay close to the island’s west coast restaurants, beaches, and snorkeling spots without feeling isolated.

Photo: eric laudonien/Shutterstock

The Cayman islands are a British Overseas Territory. Nowhere is this more evident than the pub scene on Grand Cayman, the largest island. The Kings Head prides itself on being a traditional British Victorian pub, complete with grub and Guinness. It also hosts viewing parties for the Six Nations Rugby tournament every year. Fidel Murphy’s Irish Pub a few minutes south plates up a proper full English breakfast, as well as mains like bangers and mash, cottage pie, and fish and chips. The island even has a Victorian tea room with some seriously tasty scones.

After a day spent chasing down a full English breakfast or catching the Six Nations at the pub, you’ll find that the best places to stay on Grand Cayman echo the island’s mix of British tradition and waterside living. Beyond the big beachfront resorts, smaller vacation rentals in neighborhoods like South Sound and Cayman Kai offer a more grounded way to experience the island. You’re close to George Town’s historic core and the island’s quieter beaches — but it’s the easy access to coral reefs, boat docks, and open water that gives staying here a distinctly Caymanian feel.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Facing the calm reef waters of South Sound, this three-bedroom, two-story beachfront home ($424 per night) offers a spacious base close to the heart of George Town. The house has direct beach access, a shaded terrace with a rustic bar and charcoal grill, and a wide open-plan interior built for group gatherings, with a 12-seat dining table and a living room perfect for entertaining. Upstairs, two of the bedrooms feature king-size memory foam beds, while a third has two singles, making the house a good choice for families or small groups. The master suite comes with a walk-in wardrobe and a Jacuzzi set beside windows overlooking the Caribbean Sea. South Sound feels residential and local, but you’re less than ten minutes from George Town’s downtown for shopping, cafés, and ferry connections to explore farther afield.

Set along the shore of Grand Cayman’s bioluminescent bay, this two-bedroom beach house ($495 per night) in Cayman Kai offers a quieter alternative to the island’s more built-up areas. The property features a screened-in porch that faces the bay, a private boat dock, and a white-sand beach just steps from the back door. Inside, both bedrooms have king beds, and additional pull-out sofas make it flexible enough for small families or groups traveling together. On clear nights, the bay behind the house can glow with bioluminescence, offering the rare chance to kayak or swim just steps from shore beneath the stars. This Airbnb is best suited for travelers who want to split their time between kayaking on the bay, snorkeling nearby reefs, and spending evenings under the stars far from resort crowds.

Photo: Damien VERRIER/Shutterstock

If what you really mean when you say you’re dying to visit Paris is that you’d kill for a baguette from a Parisian boulangerie, Martinique may hit the spot. Chez Surena, the island’s oldest bakery, has been serving up baguettes, brioche, and other French breadstuffs in the capital for over 100 years. In Trois-Ilets, La Guérande’s display case tempts with colorful macarons, pyramids of bonbons, and perfectly flaky croissants. Nearby, travelers can see the sugar plantation-turned-museum where Napoléon Bonaparte’s first wife, Joséphine, was born.

Francophiles can also visit the Schoelcher Library, which was built in France in the late 19th century and shipped to Martinique in installments, and Le Cabret, a village on the northwest coast where French painter Paul Gauguin lived for several months. Dive deeper into the post-impressionist’s time on Martinique at the Paul Gauguin Interpretation Center.

Between bakery stops and museum visits, Martinique’s accommodations offer a quieter way to engage with the island’s French heritage. Vacation rentals are scattered along the coasts and hillsides, close to village boulangeries, small markets, and less-developed beaches. Options range from seafront villas in Le Diamant to hilltop homes near Sainte-Marie, offering easy access to rum distilleries, hiking trails, and small towns.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

A short walk from the Atlantic shoreline and the North Atlantic Trail, this large three-unit estate ($681 per night) works well for families or groups traveling together. The main house has three bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and a sea-facing terrace, while two smaller units — a one-bedroom apartment and a bungalow — offer private spaces ideal for couples or smaller groups within the same party. The property’s pool overlooks the Sugarloaf formation offshore, and a river cuts through the grounds below. While it’s set apart from Martinique’s busier resort zones, it’s within easy reach of local rum distilleries, natural swimming pools, and Sainte-Marie’s seasonal tombolo crossing — one of the island’s rarest coastal phenomena.

Closer to the southern coast, this newly built one-bedroom villa ($313 per night) sits just a few steps from the sea and faces Diamond Rock, one of Martinique’s most recognizable landmarks. It’s a good fit for couples or solo travelers looking for a quieter base, with a small private pool, a shaded terrace for afternoon rum tastings, and easy access to beaches during certain seasons. The villa has secured parking and a private pool, but the real draw is its location — close enough to Le Diamant’s beaches and cafés for quick trips into town, yet quiet enough for evenings spent watching the sky change over the Caribbean.

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

St. Barts is like St. Tropez, only instead of old Hollywood starlets it’s today’s celebs chartering the yachts. Like in the French Riviera, beaches and designer boutiques are two of the island’s biggest draws, with shoppers flocking to Gustavia, the capital, for the latest luxury labels. Haute cuisine is also on the menu in Gustavia: Stick around for Bonito’s French-Latin seafood creations and dedicated ceviche menu. Later, when you’re ready to party like the southern French elite, head to Nikki Beach to rub elbows with A-listers.

Airbnbs here are generally more expensive than on other Caribbean islands, but the difference isn’t dramatic. If you book in advance, you can still find worthwhile deals — it just takes some looking. Gustavia draws most of the attention, but much of the island’s personality shows up in its neighborhoods. Flamands and Anse des Cayes offer access to beaches without the crowds, while hillside homes across the island give you space to recharge between meals, swims, and trips into town.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Set above the bay in the quiet neighborhood of Anse des Cayes, this two-bedroom villa ($785 per night) combines ocean views with thoughtful design. Recently featured in glossy interior design magazines, the space has whitewashed interiors, organic textures, and a layout that brings in the outdoors. The primary bedroom has a king bed and ensuite bath; the second bedroom, which can be set up as a king or two twins, is smaller — making this best suited for couples or families with older kids. A shaded deck surrounds the pool, and an outdoor shower is tucked just beyond the terrace. Inside, the open-air kitchen includes a Lacanche range and plenty of space for prepping a market haul or cooking up fresh fish from the harbor. The beach is five minutes away on foot, while Gustavia, Flamands, and St. Jean are all a short drive.

Just a few minutes’ walk from both Flamands and Colombier beaches, this modern two-bedroom duplex ($284 per night) offers a more casual base without sacrificing location. The master bedroom and private garden sit on the ground floor, while upstairs, a second bedroom with an adjacent bath works well for another couple or a pair of friends. The living space opens onto a small terrace with a dining table and plancha grill. With two of the island’s best beaches within walking distance, this rental is well suited to travelers who’d rather stay close to the coast.

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

One perk of Europe travel is the ease of movement between countries. If you want to see France and the Netherlands on one vacation, though, you’re going to lose at least a half-day in travel. St. Martin and Sint Maarten make it easier to double down on European culture in a single trip: They share the same island.

St. Martin, an overseas French collectivity, occupies the northern 60 percent of the island whereas Sint Maarten, a Dutch territory, takes up the rest. Many travelers opt to stay on the Dutch side, a quiet yet popular port with lots of shopping opportunities, but eat on the French half. Bistrot Caraibes, La Villa Restaurant, and L’Auberge Gourmande are big names in fine dining while Le Sous Marin gets rave reviews for its casual, affordable, northern French fare.

For dessert? Some say Cafe Atlantico makes the best croissants. You be the judge.

Staying on St. Martin or Sint Maarten puts you within easy reach of two different experiences on one small island. The northern coast near Cul de Sac and Orient Bay tends to be more residential, with quieter beaches and easy proximity to markets, bakeries, and small harbors. On the Dutch side, areas like Simpson Bay and Terre Basses are home to gated communities and villas with sunset views and convenient access to restaurants and nightlife. With the island so compact, it’s easy to stay in one area and spend your days hopping between boulangeries and beach bars on both sides.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

On the northeastern coast of St. Martin, this three-bedroom villa ($518 per night) sits directly on the calm bay of Cul de Sac, with a view of Pinel Island and kayaks available for you to use. The house has two full bathrooms, and one of the guest rooms includes a mezzanine sleeping area, making the setup flexible for families or mixed groups. From the small dock, you can paddle to the island’s restaurants or spend the afternoon snorkeling in the surrounding marine park. The villa is a short drive from local shops, beach bars, and restaurants, with amenities like a bakery and fish market nearby. It’s especially well suited to travelers who want a quieter base with direct access to the water and the option to explore by boat rather than car.

Located on the Dutch side in the Terre Basses neighborhood, this two-bedroom villa ($576 per night) offers privacy and contemporary design. Each bedroom has an ensuite and outdoor shower, and the home includes an air-conditioned lounge, a lovely kitchen, and a laundry room. The saltwater infinity pool and partially covered terrace face a quiet stretch of the lagoon, while a small dock over the water makes a good spot for drinks at the end of the day. You’ll have access to a fitness room, a barbecue area, and concierge services for help booking activities or meals around the island. Baie Longue beach is nearby, and Marigot and Maho are both reachable in under 20 minutes by car.

Photo: CathyRL/Shutterstock

Curaçao is part of the Dutch Caribbean. Willemstad’s waterfront is a constant, colorful reminder of this: In the Punda neighborhood, on one side of the Queen Emma Bridge, the capital’s historic Handelskade is lined with nearly neon Dutch colonials. Together with landmarks like the 17th-century Fort Amsterdam and Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which was founded by Sephardic Jewish immigrants from the Netherlands and Iberian Peninsula in the late 1600s, the Handelskade helped earn the city center its UNESCO inscription.

After sightseeing, tap into the island’s bar and cafe culture to channel Amsterdam. Several establishments are modeled after brown cafes, the Dutch equivalent of British pubs. Try Cafe Old Dutch Curacao or Cafe de Tijd for the ambience. Then, when it’s time to soak up all that jenever, or Dutch gin, end the night with a warm, crunchy-gooey order of bitterballen.

Curaçao is small enough that you can base yourself in one spot and explore most of the island by car. Staying in or near Willemstad gives you easy access to the city’s cafes, museums, and colonial architecture, while coastal neighborhoods like Jan Thiel and Piscadera offer quick beach access and a more residential feel. Pietermaai, just east of the city center, is a walkable option with restaurants, live music, and renovated townhouses that open onto backyard pools or the sea. Whether you’re here for culture, coastline, or a bit of both, you won’t have to go far.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Set inside a restored 300-year-old townhouse in the heart of Pietermaai, this one-bedroom villa ($625 per night) is an ideal rental for travelers who want to stay central. The kitchen has modern appliances, but most guests spend their time in the backyard garden, where a private pool overlooks the ocean just beyond the wall. The king bedroom includes an open-style ensuite bath and a custom cooling system designed to keep the bed area comfortable at night. The villa is within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and live music venues, while the gated parking and thick stone walls help keep the atmosphere quiet even in a busy part of town.

This two-bedroom house ($290 per night), also located in Pietermaai, offers direct ocean access and a layout suited to small groups or families. Both bedrooms have ensuites and face a shared living space with kitchen and shuttered windows that let in the trade winds. A porch wraps around the back of the house, where you can lounge by the mineral-based pool or head straight down a few steps to a private beach. An outdoor kitchen and grill area make it easy to stay in for the night, though Willemstad’s nightlife is just blocks away. The house has its own gate with direct access to a small public beach — and the view from the porch at sunset might be one of the best you’ll get without leaving the city.