2 days in Nassau

Day by day

1. Day 1: Atlantis Aquaventure and Cabbage Beach

   Atlantis Aquaventure, Cabbage Beach, Parliament Square and Junkanoo Beach, then Arawak Cay Fish Fry in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Atlantis Aquaventure

      The resort's marine habitat, The Dig, recreates the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis around aquarium tanks.

   2. Late morning

      Cabbage Beach

      Water sports, parasailing and vendors operate near Atlantis; the eastern end is quieter. Waves can be stronger than on sheltered beaches.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch salad

      Arawak Cay Fish Fry and Potter's Cay Dock.

   4. Afternoon

      Parliament Square

      Together with the nearby Supreme Court, they are the heart of the capital's colonial core.

   5. Late afternoon

      Junkanoo Beach

      It is small and lively rather than secluded, but convenient for a few hours ashore.

   6. Evening

      Arawak Cay Fish Fry

      Order a conch salad and watch it being chopped to order, then share a plate of fried snapper.

2. Day 2: Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle

   Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Nassau Straw Market and National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, then Paradise Island in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Queen's Staircase

      They were later named for Queen Victoria, and a waterfall runs down one side.

   2. Late morning

      Fort Fincastle

      It is one of the highest points on the island and looks over downtown Nassau and the harbour to Paradise Island.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cracked conch

      Fish Fry shacks and Bahamian restaurants downtown.

   4. Afternoon

      Nassau Straw Market

      Genuine hand-plaited straw work sits alongside imported souvenirs, so look closely.

   5. Late afternoon

      National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

      Housed in Villa Doyle, a restored 19th-century mansion on West Hill Street, the gallery shows Bahamian art from the 20th century to the present, including works by Amos Ferguson and contemporary artists.

   6. Evening

      Paradise Island

      Atlantis's casino, bars and nightclub, plus restaurants at Marina Village.

Before you go

• Atlantis Aquaventure: Day passes for non-guests are limited; reserve in advance, especially on cruise days.

If it rains

• Swap in Nassau Public Library (Downtown Nassau): Step in for a few minutes when passing Parliament Square; it is free and cool.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–21 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Walking. Bay Street, Parliament Square, the Straw Market, Queen's Staircase and Junkanoo Beach are all within a 15-minute walk of the cruise piers.

More or fewer days

• One day in Nassau
• 3 days in Nassau
• 5 days in Nassau

Questions travellers ask