Best Things To Do in Nassau

On your visit to the capital of the Bahamas archipelago, Nassau, you will not have time to waste. In this coastal city you will find a wide range of tourist activities to enjoy: guided or self-guided tours to explore the historic center, gastronomic tours, water activities, among others.

You can visit the city's rum distilleries and stroll through the streets of downtown on a bicycle. Also, visit Junkanoo Beach to explore the marine life, surf, snorkel and other sports, take a Segway tour of the blue lagoon, live an off-road adventure on Nassau's roads and much more.

Exploring downtown Nassau todiscover the most emblematic places of the city is one of the first activities to do during your stay. You can take a look at the cultural heritage of this city and learn about the history hidden in each building and monument.

The route of this tour can varyaccording to your interests. However, among the must-see destinations are the following:

• Christ Cathedral, built in 1670 and considered the first church in the Bahamas.
• The Queen's Staircase, with a total of 65 steps excavated by slaves on limestone rock during the period of 1793 and 1794.
• Fort Fincastle, built in the 18th century as a defensive wall against pirates.
• The Government House, built in 1831 and representative of the Georgian architectural style.

This experience through the historic center of the capital of the Bahamas can be done on your own or through a guided tour of downtown Nassau. In the latter case, you will save time by going directly to each attraction without fear of getting lost, thanks to the company of an expert guide.

Useful information

• Price: the city tour is free, but if you take the guided tour you can find options from 32€ per person.
• Duration: the walk on your own has no time limit. On the other hand, if you join a tour, it could last around three hours.

The Blue Lagoon is another paradisiacal destination that you can visit during your stay in Nassau. It is a place with crystal clear waters, framed by lush vegetation. There, you will relax in a quiet environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, while enjoying the amazing native fauna of the place.

Throughout this visit you will have the opportunity to spot dolphins and sea lions, as this island is home to both species. You will be able to take amazing pictures and create unique memories of your trip.

You will also have the opportunity to join some marine life activities in Nassau to explore the coral reefs and be amazed by the hundreds of colorful tropical fish that live there. Also, if you want to make the most of your time, you can join a Segway tour of the blue lagoon in Nassau and move comfortably around the island while contemplating the natural scenery that surrounds you.

While there are several means of transportation to explore the city, none is as fun and original as biking. Reach the hidden corners of the city where cars can't. In addition, you will get a different perspective of the streets, buildings, monuments and other destinations of interest.

You can pedal throughout the city without inconvenience and discover at your pace the architectural and natural beauty that characterizes the capital of the Bahamas. You will be able to stop at the places of your interest and, thus, take some pictures or explore the destination in greater detail.

For example, some unmissable places that you will have the opportunity to visit when taking a bicycle tour through downtown Nassau are:

• The Straw Market, a picturesque traditional place in the city, where you will find many handicrafts to compare.
• Rawson Square, considered the main square of the city.
• The Queen's Staircase, which currently retains a total of 65 emblematic steps made of limestone.
• The National Gallery of Art of the Bahamas, with an important collection of photographs, ceramics, sculptures, frescos, etc.
• The Water Tower, with a height of about 38 meters and a privileged panoramic view.

Information of interest

• Price: the tour has an average price of 53€ per person.
• Duration: about four hours approximately.

If you want an off-road adventure during your stay in Nassau , you can rent a buggy. This is an ideal option if you are traveling alone or with a group of up to six people. You will explore the capital of the Bahamas in a different way and at your own pace.

You will have the opportunity to create a route with the main tourist attractions. Such is the case of Fort Fincastle, considered the highest area of Nassau; and Fort Charlotte, located on top of a hill that leads the view of the city's harbor.

You can navigate the streets of Nassau and discover other destinations such as the Ardastra Gardens Conservation Center and Zoo or the Arawak Cay area, located along the coast about 15 minutes from downtown. There, you will find a variety of restaurants and a lively nightlife.

In addition, with the buggy rental in Nassau you will not have time limits to carry out your itinerary, as you can select between 4 and 24 hours, at your convenience. Also, to ensure your safety and that of your companions, the person in charge will give you some recommendations for driving off-road vehicles.

Useful information

• Price: from 318€ per buggy.
• Duration: up to 24 hours.

During your stay, surprise your palate with the Caribbean flavors of Nassau's cuisine and, at the same time, discover the history behind each preparation. Visit the restaurants and food stalls in the city center and taste the local savory and sweet dishes of this region.

You can visit some of Nassau's gastronomic establishments: family restaurants, artisanal chocolatiers, cocktail bars, etc. For example, Bahamian Cookin' Restaurant and Bar, Curly's Restaurant and Bar, among other places. All of them, with a wide range of food and drinks.

This is a tour that you can do at your own pace or join a gastronomic tour of Nassau. Whatever the case may be, you will be able to taste the famous Bahamian macaroni and cheese and the traditional conch fritters, accompanied with artisanal rum. You will also find local desserts such as pineapple cake, handmade truffles, coconut cake, etc.

The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, is often known for the production of high quality rum. You can visit some of the city's distilleries during your stay to experience the rum-making process and taste samples of this popular spirit.

Due to the rum culture in Nassau, you will find several distilleries within easy reach of the city center, including the following:

• Luna Rum Distillery, a traditional factory that began its history preparing rum cakes.
• John Watling's distillery, with a history dating back to 1789. Its products are made by hand.

Whichever distillery you visit, you will discover the step-by-step preparation of rum: harvesting sugar cane, fermentation, distillation, flavoring and bottling. You will also have the opportunity to buy some mini bottles of rum as a souvenir.

After this experience, you can continue with other activities on your itinerary. For example, join a jeep tour of Nassau, visit Cable Beach and relax by its tranquil waters or, if it's your last in town, return to your hotel to connect with the Nassau airport shuttle service.

Information of interest

• Price: the average price of the tour is 22€ per person.
• Duration: approximately two to three hours.

Pearl Island Beach is a popular destination in Nassau. You can enjoy a privileged landscape, swim in crystal clear waters, practice water sports, discover reefs and unique marine species, among others.

You will have to take a route of approximately 20 minutes by ferry to the beach. During this tour you will see a different perspective of the city with its picturesque buildings, the coast with its white sand and lush vegetation, the Caribbean Sea and the radiant sky. Without a doubt, you will experience one of the best boat rides in Nassau.

When you arrive at the beach, you will have the opportunity to kayak and explore the coast at your own pace. You'll also be able to dive into the crystal clear waters with your snorkel to get a close-up look at an important display of marine life: rays, tropical fish, turtles and more.

On this Pearl Island beach excursion from Nassau, you'll have free time to lie on the sand, breathe in the fresh air, swim and take pictures. In addition, you will be able to taste the gastronomy in local restaurants: fried fish, ceviche, tropical fruit salad, etc.

Information of interest

• Price: the cost of the activity corresponds to approximately 84€ per person.
• Duration: five hours, approximately.

If you are visiting Nassau and you are enthusiastic about off-road sports, then you will find it a good idea to drive an ATV around the city. As the wind and the sun's rays brush your face, you will discover many amazing destinations, seen from a different perspective.

Some of the places you can incorporate into your quad biking tour of Nassau include the following:

• The New Providence Caves, located about 11 kilometers from the city.
• The Arawak Cay, which is a fairly extensive commercial area with dozens of restaurants, stores and a view of the coast.
• Fort Charlotte, with 42 cannons, dungeons and a series of subway passageways.
• The Queen's Staircase, a historic 66-step shortcut to Fort Fincastle.

And, if you don't have experience riding ATVs, but still want to experience it, you don't have to worry. In the city you will find tour companies that offer an ATV tour of Nassau, so you can get around safely.

Information of interest

• Price: the value of this adventure is about 181€ per person.
• Duration: about three hours.

There are many tours that allow you to see the must-see sights of the city. However, the ideal is to join an excursion where you can discover much more than the history of the place. For example, you can go along the coast to enjoy the beaches, practice some water sports and try the local cuisine.

In this sense, you will find some excursions and day trips in Nassau that start with a historical walk through iconic places, such as the Queen's Staircase, the top of Bennet Hill (the highest area of the city). You will also visit Fort Fincastle and the Straw Market. In the latter, you will be able to buy some souvenirs.

In addition, this type of excursion usually incorporates in its itinerary other destinations such as the following:

• Graycliff Chocolate Factory. There, you will learn about the chocolate making process and do some tasting.
• The caves, known as the ancient pirate lairs and, today, home to fruit bats.
• Love Beach, a beautiful beach with crystal clear waters, gentle waves and white sand. You can snorkel, swim or sample the local cuisine in the surrounding restaurants.
• The Pirate Museum, which houses the history of the Caribbean, a series of replica pirate ships and much more.

Information of interest

• Price: the price of the tour starts at about 195€ per person.
• Duration: approximately five hours.

Among the other things to see and do in Nassau are the boat rides, with the purpose of admiring the city's coastline from a totally different perspective. You will be mesmerized by the picturesque panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea.

You can sit comfortably on the deck of the boat, enjoy the sea breeze and relax while watching the different shades generated by the sun's rays, which sneak through the clouds reflecting on the surface of the sea and the entire city.

This is a very popular activity, usually incorporated among the best tours in Nassau and you can do it at any time of the day. However, during sunset you will have the opportunity to enjoy a true natural spectacle: the sea and the sky becoming one on the horizon.