27 Amazing Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas (2023)

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas and the main settlement on New Providence Island, is the beating heart of the Bahamian islands and home to an exciting array of things to do in Nassau, Bahamas. With over 700 islands that make up the Bahamas archipelago, Nassau is a perfect hub for visiting the outer islands of the Bahamas and Bahamas Air Tours operatesday trips in the bahamasby plane to the Exumas and Harbor Island, the 2 most popular islands to visit.

Aside from Nassau's beaches, it's easy to miss the rich history and culture that lies outside the resplendent hotels and stately resorts of Nassau and Paradise Island. Nassau offers a rich variety of history, culture, and cuisine. So what better way to discover Bahamian culture than to take our list of the best things to do in Nassau, Bahamas and see how many of them you can tick off on your next Bahamian vacation?

Looking for things to do in Nassau, Bahamas?

Try these 27 Amazing Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas and Paradise Island:

1. Paradiesinsel

Paradise Island, the little sister of New Providence Island, is located off the coast of Nassau. Connected by two highway bridges jutting into the Nassau skyline, Paradise Island is easily accessible by road or boat (frequent boat taxi service departs from the downtown waterfront).

Paradise Island is the place for family fun, excitement and adventure. Home to the sprawling white-sand beach resort Atlantis Bahamasaquaventure water park, a casino, a shopping arcade, a conference center and a golf course. 5-star hotels like the Ocean Club featured in the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale are also located on Paradise Island.

2. Exuma Day Trips

The first thing to do in Nassau Bahamas is to visit the Bahamas Swimming Pigspig beach(Big Major Cay) in the Exuma Cays archipelago.

to get oneExuma Day Trip from Nassaucom Bahamas Air Tours by plane and fly to Swimming Pigs Island for the best day trip to Exuma. you can go tooSwim with sharksalso at Compass Cay Marina in the Exuma Cays.

3. Playa Junkanoo

Junkanoo Beach is the closest white sand beach to downtown and Old Nassau. It's a stunning stretch of beach lined with swaying palm trees and tiki huts. Local vendors offer Bahamian cuisine, cocktails, and drinks at colorful stalls and tiki huts.

4. Parliament Square

Parliament Square was built in 1815 and in front of the building is a remarkable statue of Queen Victoria from 1905. Behind Parliament are the Senate buildings, which house the Supreme Court (prison wagons are often here carrying prisoners to trial).

5. Government Building

Government House, the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas, is an icon of the colonial era.

A statue of Christopher Columbus stands proudly on the steps leading up to Government House. Columbus was the pioneer who discovered the Bahamas and gave them the namebah-mar(Spanish forshallow waters).

6. Graycliff Heritage Village

Along W Hill Street is Graycliff Heritage, operated by the Graycliff Hotel. Another historical attraction in Nassau, Bahamas, Graycliff is home to the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas (opened in 2014). Also on site are the Graycliff Cigar Company, Graycliff Chocolatier and Bahama Barrels Wine Tasting.

7. Kohlstrand

Cabbage Beach, the longest stretch of white sand on Paradise Island, is the backdrop to some of Nassau's best hotels, including the Atlantis Resort, Rio, and the Four Seasons Ocean Club.

Named for the farmland that used to be Paradise Island (hog farms, originally called "Hog Island") and the cabbage that supported this type of agriculture. Here you will find some of the best water sports activities in Nassau, Bahamas including water skiing, jet skiing, snorkeling and parasailing.

8. Pompey-Museum

The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation is located near Pompey Square (between the downtown waterfront and Bay Street, next to the Nassau Straw Market). The Pompey Museum documents the history of slavery in the Bahamas. The building actually dates back to the 1760s, when it was originally a market building. Painted pink (like all government buildings) and with a unique history, the Pompey Museum is an interesting attraction in Nassau, Bahamas.

9. Pirates of Nassau

The only interactive pirate experience in Nassau, Pirates of Nassau takes you back in time to 1716 and the era of piracy, making it one of the most exciting things to do in Nassau, Bahamas. Adorned with many interesting exhibits and replicas, visitors can relive the golden era of piracy that began in 1969, when privateer Henry Every brought in The Fancy and, after bribing local officials, established Nassau as a base from which pirates could fly safely.

Next door is Smugglers Restaurant in Old Nassau, under the spire of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, a very picturesque street.

10. Heritage Museum of the Bahamas

Owned by the Graycliff estate, the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas is housed in Mountbatten House, a listed historic building. The exhibits and collections are owned by Hamilton White, a well-known British antiquities collector. Take in the colorful scenes along W Hill Street and see the rest of Graycliff Heritage Village during your visit.

11. Queen's Staircase

The impressive Queen's Staircase has 65 steps carved into the limestone cliffs. They were built by Salves in the 1790s. The stairway provided an escape route from Fort Fincastle, which sits on top of the hill. Next to the Queen's staircase is a waterfall and tropical plants.

12. Fort Fincastle

For visitors climbing the nearby Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle offers a well-earned view of the New Providence Island skyline and the Nassau cruise port. One of the most popular things to do in Nassau Bahamas as all cruise ship tours stop here. The fort was built by Lord Dunmore in 1793 to protect Nassau from pirates.

13. Blue Lagoon

Lagoa Azul is a small island (salt cay) right across from Paradise Island. Visitors enjoy a scenic boat ride from Nassau Harbor to reach the private island. It is often voted one of the best things to do in Nassau, Bahamas. The island offers many exciting activities including; Stingray Encounter, Segway Tour, Shark Encounter, Beach Day, Sea Lion Encounter and the main attraction; Dolphin encounter and swim.

14. John Watlings Distillery

One of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas for adults! The recently restored John Watlings Distillery on the Buena Vista Estate, featured in the James Bond film, Casino Royale. Pay attention to the indicator sign in the area's meadow! The John Watling Distillery offers tours, a museum, and a bar for cocktail tastings and rum samples!

15. National Gallery of Art of The Bahamas

The NAGB - National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is located on the grounds of the impressive Villa Doyle, an 1860s mansion and home of the first Chief Justice of the Bahamas. The building took 7 years to restore before opening in 1996. NAGB collects, preserves, and exhibits historical and contemporary art from the Bahamas.

16. Oceanfront in the center

The Nassau Downtown Waterfront runs along Woodes Rodgers Walk Street. With expansive views of Nassau Harbor, it is the main arrival point for cruise ship visitors on their daytime visits to Nassau. With such a large flow, the promenade is adorned with many bars and restaurants. The biggest one is Señor Frogs. You'll also find James Bond Never Say Never Bar & Grill, Tropicana Bar, Lukka Kairi, Fat Tuesdays, and Pirate Republic Brewing.

17. French Cloisters and Gardens of Versailles on Paradise Island

a single 14^ºA 19th-century Augustinian monastery dismantled by William Randolph Hearst and imported from Europe, the French Cloister is the centerpiece of the Gardens of Versailles on Paradise Island. It is actually privately owned and belongs to the Four Seasons One&Only Ocean Club, but it can be seen from the public road.

18th Nassau paja market

A popular stop for souvenir shopping, the Nassau Straw Market is a focal point of Bay Street and the Nassau Downtown Waterside area. There are many local vendors with stalls selling local crafts and gifts.

19. Atlantis Resort Aquaventure

Aquaventure is the largest water park in the Bahamas. Located at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Hands down the most fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas,Aquaventurait is accessible to guests not staying at Atlantis. You can also purchase a day pass with access to Cove Beach and the pools. The water park is home to many water slides, river rides, 20 swimming areas, a children's playground, and 11 pools.

20. Hilton Colonial Beach

The only downtown hotel with direct access to the beach, the Hilton Colonial hotel offers a large outdoor pool and restaurant. The white-sand beach is a mecca for cruise ship visitors.

21. fair

Festival Place is the main terminal of the cruise port with an outdoor shopping area where you can shop for souvenirs, arrange tours/excursions, and sample local Bahamian cuisine. It's not one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas, but it's an interesting place to visit, even if you're not on a cruise.

22. Arawak Cay (Tourist Fried Fish)

Arawak Cay, at the end of Junkanoo Beach, is about a 20-minute walk from downtown Nassau. It's considered the tourist fish sandwich, with upscale, locally owned restaurants like the ever-popular Twin Brothers. This is the place for Bahamian fish and chips!

23. Potters Cay (local fish fry)

Perhaps Nassau's best-kept secret, Potters Cay, found under the Paradise Island highway bridges, is the locals' fish fry. This is where you'll find locals enjoying beers and cocktails alongside plates of grilled fish and escargot salads. This is the place to go if you want to experience some authentic local Bahamian cuisine! And the prices are much cheaper than any other restaurant in Nassau.

24. Clifton Heritage Park

On the west coast of New Providence Island, Clifton Heritage is one of our favorite things to do in Nassau, Bahamas. Spread over 208 acres, it is home to unique collections of historical and cultural sites in Nassau. Along with a diverse ecosystem, caves and nature trails, and the unique underwater sculpture park, Clifton Heritage Park is one of Nassau's top attractions.

25. Praia do Cabo

Cable Beach, a fine stretch of white sand that is home to some of Nassau's most luxurious resorts and hotels; Melia Nassau, Baha Mar, and Sandals Bahamian are the best resorts in Nassau. Named for the telephone wire that landed here on New Providence Island, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Nassau.

26. Urwald

Managed by the Bahamas National Trust, the jungle is a stunning ecological paradise. Located on the west end of New Providence, it is a 30 minute drive from downtown Nassau (behind the airport). A dense and spectacular rainforest rests on top of limestone caves and sinkholes. Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife that lives here!

27. Roseninsel

Rose Island is a top destination for day trippers. The long but narrow island closest to Nassau and Paradise Island is home to white sand beaches and tropical vegetation. It has some of the best diving in Nassau, making it one of the best things to do in Nassau, Bahamas.

Looking for the best things to do in Nassau, Bahamas?

Then look no further than Bahamas Air Tours.Day Trips from Nassau to ExumaBy plane! Fly direct from Nassau to see the Exuma Swimming Pigs, considered the best in Nassau, Bahamas. Escape the hustle and bustle of Nassau on a day trip to the spectacular Exuma Cays and Big Major Cay (Pig Island).

Looking for more things to do in Nassau, Bahamas? Then download ourfreeBahamas travel guideand Bahamas travel guide.

Discover the outer islands of the Bahamas

With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides.
Download the manual

Related