History · Nassau · Bahamas
8 historic sites to see in Nassau
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: NAGB-Communications, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Parliament Square, Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 6–8 hours across 3 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 6–8 hours
- Areas
- Downtown Nassau, West Bay Street and Southwest New Providence
Historic sites in Nassau
Landmark · Downtown Nassau
1.Parliament Square
Together with the nearby Supreme Court, they are the heart of the capital's colonial core.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
2.Queen's Staircase
They were later named for Queen Victoria, and a waterfall runs down one side.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
3.Fort Fincastle
It is one of the highest points on the island and looks over downtown Nassau and the harbour to Paradise Island.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Historic site · West Bay Street
4.Fort Charlotte
Guides explain its history, and the ramparts overlook Arawak Cay.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Gallery · Downtown Nassau
5.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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- History
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
6.John Watling's Distillery
A rum distillery set in the 18th-century Buena Vista Estate on Delancy Street, with free tours of the grounds and production area and a tasting bar in the old house.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
Historic site · Southwest New Providence
7.Clifton Heritage National Park
Offshore, the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden includes Jason deCaires Taylor's large submerged figure Ocean Atlas.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
8.Nassau Public Library
An octagonal building next to Parliament Square that served as Nassau's jail in the 18th century, now a library whose former cells hold bookshelves, old prints and maps.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Nassau | Parliament Square, Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, John Watling's Distillery and Nassau Public Library | 20–30 minutes + 30 minutes + 30–45 minutes + 1 hour + 45 minutes + 20 minutes |
| West Bay Street | Fort Charlotte | 1 hour |
| Southwest New Providence | Clifton Heritage National Park | 2–3 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 4 free, 4 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Clifton Heritage National Park; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Downtown Nassau): Parliament Square → Queen's Staircase → Fort Fincastle → National Art Gallery of The Bahamas → John Watling's Distillery → Nassau Public Library, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (West Bay Street and Southwest New Providence): Fort Charlotte → Clifton Heritage National Park, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- September: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 15 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Peak hurricane season; the quietest and lowest-priced month, with some businesses closing for maintenance.
- October: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds. Still warm with hurricane risk in the first half; humidity eases late in the month.
- May: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds. Hotter, with the first summer showers; a good-value month.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Downtown Nassau — Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers
- Love Beach and the northwest coast — Low-key northwest shore with reef snorkelling and small guesthouses
More of Nassau
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Nassau?
Parliament Square. Pink, colonnaded government buildings from the early 19th century surround a statue of a seated Queen Victoria on Bay Street.
+Which of these are free in Nassau?
Parliament Square, Queen's Staircase, John Watling's Distillery and Nassau Public Library.