We present optical and near-infrared images, together with long-slit spectra at red wavelengths, of NGC 1808. The complex morphology of hotspots seen at short wavelengths may be the result of dust obscuration. Our data (namely the equivalent width of the Ca II triplet and broad-band colours) suggest the presence of red supergiants, associated with a burst of star formation less than 5×10 7 yr ago. NGC 1808 is claimed to show spectral evidence for weak Seyfert-like activity in the nucleus, surrounded by a circumnuclear starburst. Combining our data with those in the literature, we discuss the nature of the hotspots and nucleus