Shopping · Nassau · Bahamas
Shopping in Nassau
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Taugenichts80, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Shopping in Nassau ranges from duty-free jewellery, watches and liquor on Bay Street to hand-plaited straw goods and Bahamian art. Prices for luxury goods can be lower than elsewhere, but compare before buying. Best souvenirs: Straw work, Bahamian rum and Rum cake.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Straw work
Where to shop
Bay Street
Duty-free jewellers, watch shops, perfumeries and liquor stores near the cruise piers.
Marina Village, Paradise Island
Boutiques and gift shops around the Atlantis marina.
Baha Mar shops
Resort boutiques and luxury brands at Cable Beach.
Markets
Nassau Straw Market
Covered market on Bay Street with straw goods, carvings and souvenirs; bargaining expected.
Potter's Cay Dock
Fish, conch and produce stalls under the Paradise Island bridge.
What to buy
Straw work
Hand-plaited straw bags, hats and baskets; ask for locally made pieces.
Bahamian rum
Rums from John Watling's and other local producers.
Rum cake
Tinned rum cakes travel well and are sold downtown.
Androsia batik
Hand-dyed batik fabric from Andros, sold as clothing and textiles.
Bahamian art
Paintings and prints by local artists from downtown galleries.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Downtown Nassau
Nassau Straw Market
A large covered market on Bay Street with hundreds of stalls selling straw bags, hats, wood carvings, T-shirts and jewellery.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
Market · East Bay Street and Montagu
Potter's Cay Dock
Under the Paradise Island bridges, stalls sell freshly caught fish and conch, and food shacks make conch salad and fritters, while mail boats depart for the Out Islands.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Off the beaten path
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Conch fritters, Guava duff, Rum cake and Kalik and Sands beer. Beach bars, the Fish Fry and resort pool bars. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Nassau | $$ | Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers |
| Paradise Island | $$$$ | Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach |
| Cable Beach | $$$$ | Strip of large beach resorts along West Bay Street |
| Love Beach and the northwest coast | $$ | Low-key northwest shore with reef snorkelling and small guesthouses |
| East Bay Street and Montagu | $$ | Waterfront strip of local restaurants, Potter's Cay and Fort Montagu |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in BSD. Many restaurants add a 15% gratuity automatically. Otherwise tip about 15%, tip taxi drivers about 15%, and give housekeeping and porters a few dollars.
- Expect a quieter Sunday, with some shops closed and church services in the morning.
- Check whether gratuity and VAT are already on the bill before adding a tip.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in September; the busiest months are March and December.
- June: Junkanoo Summer Festival (usually June to July)
- December: Bahamas International Film Festival (usually early December)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, budget and shopping
Downtown Nassau
Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Nassau?
Straw work, Bahamian rum, Rum cake and Androsia batik.
+Where is the best shopping in Nassau?
Bay Street: Duty-free jewellers, watch shops, perfumeries and liquor stores near the cruise piers.
+What are the best markets in Nassau?
Nassau Straw Market and Potter's Cay Dock.