How many days · Nassau · Bahamas
How many days do you need in Nassau?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Whoisjohngalt, CC0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Nassau, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers downtown's forts and Parliament Square, the Fish Fry, a beach day and Paradise Island. Five days lets you add a day trip to the Exuma Cays or Rose Island and more time on the beach.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 10.6 h (Dec) to 13.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Atlantis Aquaventure, Parliament Square, Arawak Cay Fish Fry and Cabbage Beach |
| 2 days | Rushed | Cabbage Beach, Junkanoo Beach and Queen's Staircase |
| 3 days | Good | Fort Fincastle, Fort Charlotte and Nassau Straw Market |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Exuma Cays |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Exuma Cays and Rose Island |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Nassau add up to roughly 19–25 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Atlantis Aquaventure (Full day), Cabbage Beach (Half a day) and Junkanoo Beach (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantis Aquaventure | Full day | Paradise Island |
| Parliament Square | 20–30 minutes | Downtown Nassau |
| Arawak Cay Fish Fry | 1–2 hours | West Bay Street |
| Cabbage Beach | Half a day | Paradise Island |
| Junkanoo Beach | 2–3 hours | Downtown Nassau |
| Queen's Staircase | 30 minutes | Downtown Nassau |
| Fort Fincastle | 30–45 minutes | Downtown Nassau |
| Fort Charlotte | 1 hour | West Bay Street |
| Nassau Straw Market | 1 hour | Downtown Nassau |
| Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre | 1.5–2 hours | West Bay Street |
| National Art Gallery of The Bahamas | 1 hour | Downtown Nassau |
| John Watling's Distillery | 45 minutes | Downtown Nassau |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Atlantis Aquaventure and Parliament Square |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Atlantis Aquaventure |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Exuma Cays and Rose Island |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.6 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.7 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Nassau with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Nassau?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers downtown's forts and Parliament Square, the Fish Fry, a beach day and Paradise Island. Five days lets you add a day trip to the Exuma Cays or Rose Island and more time on the beach.
+Is a week too long in Nassau?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Exuma Cays and Rose Island.