Free things to do · Nassau · Bahamas
7 free things to do in Nassau
Nassau without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Taugenichts80, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Nassau without paying an entry fee: Parliament Square, Cabbage Beach, Junkanoo Beach and Queen's Staircase are all free. The Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one with the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted everywhere; change is often given in Bahamian dollars.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Downtown Nassau
1.Parliament Square
Visit early before the cruise crowds; the colours photograph best in morning light.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Beach · Paradise Island
2.Cabbage Beach
Walk east away from Atlantis for space, and check flags before swimming.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Beach · Downtown Nassau
3.Junkanoo Beach
Come early on cruise days, before the bars and loungers fill up.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Food
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
4.Queen's Staircase
Combine it with Fort Fincastle and the walk down to Parliament Square for an easy downtown loop.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Market · Downtown Nassau
5.Nassau Straw Market
Bargaining is expected; ask vendors which items are locally made.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
6.John Watling's Distillery
Try the rum punch on the veranda; the tour itself is short and free.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
7.Nassau Public Library
Step in for a few minutes when passing Parliament Square; it is free and cool.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Nassau | Parliament Square, Junkanoo Beach, Queen's Staircase, Nassau Straw Market, John Watling's Distillery and Nassau Public Library | 20–30 minutes + 2–3 hours + 30 minutes + 1 hour + 45 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Paradise Island | Cabbage Beach | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · West Bay Street
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
Order a conch salad and watch it being chopped to order, then share a plate of fried snapper.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
Fort Fincastle
Go in the morning when it is cooler and the light on the harbour is clear.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Historic site · West Bay Street
Fort Charlotte
Walk down to the Arawak Cay Fish Fry for lunch afterwards.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Gallery · Downtown Nassau
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
A cool, quiet break from the heat of Bay Street, a few minutes uphill.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- History
Historic site · Southwest New Providence
Clifton Heritage National Park
Bring snorkel gear and water shoes, and allow time to walk the coastal trail.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Market · East Bay Street and Montagu
Potter's Cay Dock
Go at lunchtime and ask for a scorched conch, a spicy variation of conch salad.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one with the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted everywhere; change is often given in Bahamian dollars.
- Eat at Arawak Cay and Potter's Cay for local food at a fraction of resort prices.
- Use jitneys instead of taxis for trips along West Bay Street.
- Check whether gratuity and VAT are already on the bill before adding a tip.
- May, June, September and November offer the lowest hotel rates outside hurricane-peak weeks.
- Rentals with kitchens in Sandyport or Love Beach help cut food costs on longer stays.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Nassau expensive to visit?
Nassau is very expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Nassau?
Parliament Square: Visit early before the cruise crowds; the colours photograph best in morning light.