By air
Lynden Pindling International (NAS), ~15 km by road
North America · Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
Pirate history and pastel streets in the capital
Getting there
Best time to visit
December to April — warm and dry
Don't miss
Fort Fincastle
The Queen's Staircase
Parliament Square
Cable Beach
Things to do
Walking the old town
Beach days at Cable Beach
Snorkelling trips
Junkanoo celebrations at New Year
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Kiran891 · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Swimwear, sunscreen, light clothes
A quieter corner
The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, a row of stalls serving local seafood
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Nassau?
December to April — warm and dry. What to pack: Swimwear, sunscreen, light clothes.
How do I get to Nassau?
Fly into Lynden Pindling International (NAS), ~15 km by road.
What is there to do in Nassau?
Walking the old town, beach days at Cable Beach, snorkelling trips, Junkanoo celebrations at New Year. A quieter find: The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, a row of stalls serving local seafood.
What should I eat in Nassau?
Conch salad, cracked conch, peas and rice, guava duff.
About Nassau
- Island
- Coastal
Where it is
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, on the north shore of New Providence island, facing a sheltered harbour and the smaller Paradise Island.
History
The town began as the English settlement of Charles Town and was renamed Nassau in 1695 in honour of King William III. In the early 18th century it became a notorious haven for pirates until the governor Woodes Rogers restored British control in 1718, and it later grew into the island chain's trading centre and tourism hub.
People
Nassau's people speak English and Bahamian Creole, and the city comes alive for Junkanoo, when groups in huge costumes parade to drums, horns and cowbells on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Known for
- Pirate history
- Pastel colonial buildings
- The Queen's Staircase
- Junkanoo street parades
Did you know?
The Queen's Staircase, a flight of 66 steps cut into the limestone by enslaved workers in the late 18th century, was later named in honour of Queen Victoria.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.