Where to stay · Nassau · Bahamas
Where to stay in Nassau
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Downtown Nassau. Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers. Best alternatives — families: Paradise Island; nightlife: Paradise Island.
Key facts
- First visit
- Downtown Nassau
- Families
- Paradise Island
- Budget
- Downtown Nassau
- Nightlife
- Paradise Island
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Downtown Nassau | Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers |
| Families | Paradise Island | Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach |
| Couples | Cable Beach | Strip of large beach resorts along West Bay Street |
| Budget | Downtown Nassau | Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers |
| Luxury | Paradise Island | Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach |
| Nightlife | Paradise Island | Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach |
| Food lovers | East Bay Street and Montagu | Waterfront strip of local restaurants, Potter's Cay and Fort Montagu |
| Solo travellers | East Bay Street and Montagu | Waterfront strip of local restaurants, Potter's Cay and Fort Montagu |
| Shopping | Downtown Nassau | Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers |
| Quiet stays | Sandyport and Old Fort Bay | Canal-side condos and quieter western beaches |
| Beach | Paradise Island | Resort island across the harbour, dominated by Atlantis and Cabbage Beach |
Nassau neighbourhoods in detail
$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, budget and shopping
Downtown Nassau
Downtown runs along Bay Street from the British Colonial area to the bridges to Paradise Island, with Parliament Square, the Straw Market, duty-free shops and the cruise terminal at Prince George Wharf. A few hotels and guesthouses sit here, within walking distance of the forts and Junkanoo Beach. It is busy by day when ships are in and much quieter at night.
- Good
- Walk to historic sights; Cheaper than beach resorts; Close to the water taxis to Paradise Island
- Watch out
- Crowded when several ships are in port; Quiet and empty at night; No great beach on the doorstep
- Nearby
- Parliament Square, Straw Market, Queen's Staircase, Junkanoo Beach
$$$$ · Best for families, luxury, beach and nightlife
Paradise Island
Linked to Nassau by two bridges, Paradise Island is home to the Atlantis resort's water park, aquarium and casino, as well as quieter luxury hotels and Cabbage Beach, the longest beach on this side of the island. The Marina Village and Hurricane Hole areas have restaurants and yachts.
- Good
- Best beaches close to town; Atlantis water park and aquarium; Upscale dining
- Watch out
- Very expensive; Resort-centric and crowded in high season; Bridge toll and taxi costs into town
- Nearby
- Atlantis Aquaventure, Cabbage Beach, Versailles Gardens, Marina Village
$$$$ · Best for beach, families, couples and luxury
Cable Beach
About 10 km west of downtown, Cable Beach is a long, gently curving beach lined with big hotels, including the Baha Mar complex with its casino, golf course and several hotels. Jitneys run along West Bay Street to downtown, and the Arawak Cay Fish Fry is on the way.
- Good
- Long, swimmable beach; Wide range of resorts; Easy jitney ride downtown
- Watch out
- Some beachfront dominated by resort construction; Resort-style dining prices
- Nearby
- Baha Mar, Arawak Cay, Goodman's Bay, Sandyport
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, families and couples
Sandyport and Old Fort Bay
West of Cable Beach, Sandyport is a planned community of pastel townhouses on canals with a small beach and cafés, while Old Fort Bay and the nearby beaches are calm and residential. Vacation rentals here suit longer stays.
- Good
- Quiet and residential; Rentals with kitchens; Close to western snorkel spots
- Watch out
- Car or taxi useful; Few evening options
- Nearby
- Sandyport Beach, Love Beach, Cable Beach
$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and budget
Love Beach and the northwest coast
The northwest coast of New Providence, around Love Beach and Gambier, has calm water, shallow reefs a short swim offshore and a few guesthouses and rentals. It is the island's best area for independent snorkelling and escaping cruise crowds.
- Good
- Snorkelling from the beach; Peaceful setting; Near the airport
- Watch out
- Car essential; Limited dining nearby
- Nearby
- Love Beach, Old Fort Bay, Clifton Heritage National Park
$$ · Best for food lovers, budget and solo travellers
East Bay Street and Montagu
East of the Paradise Island bridges, East Bay Street runs past Potter's Cay Dock's conch stalls, marinas, waterfront restaurants and the small Fort Montagu. Smaller hotels and apartments here are closer to local life than the resort strips.
- Good
- Local seafood stalls; Lower prices; Short ride to downtown and Paradise Island
- Watch out
- Few beaches for swimming; Traffic on East Bay Street
- Nearby
- Potter's Cay Dock, Fort Montagu, Montagu Beach
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Nassau | $$ | Parliament Square, Straw Market, Queen's Staircase, Junkanoo Beach |
| Paradise Island | $$$$ | Atlantis Aquaventure, Cabbage Beach, Versailles Gardens, Marina Village |
| Cable Beach | $$$$ | Baha Mar, Arawak Cay, Goodman's Bay, Sandyport |
| Sandyport and Old Fort Bay | $$$ | Sandyport Beach, Love Beach, Cable Beach |
| Love Beach and the northwest coast | $$ | Love Beach, Old Fort Bay, Clifton Heritage National Park |
| East Bay Street and Montagu | $$ | Potter's Cay Dock, Fort Montagu, Montagu Beach |
Getting to your hotel
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is about 15 km west of downtown. Taxis take about 20 minutes to Cable Beach, 30 minutes to downtown and 35–45 minutes to Paradise Island, at set zone fares. There is no direct public bus from the terminal for most visitors.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Nassau for first-time visitors?
Downtown Nassau. Downtown runs along Bay Street from the British Colonial area to the bridges to Paradise Island, with Parliament Square, the Straw Market, duty-free shops and the cruise terminal at Prince George Wharf.
+Where should families stay in Nassau?
Paradise Island: Best beaches close to town.
+Which area of Nassau is best for a budget stay?
Downtown Nassau ($$): Bay Street's colonial buildings, the Straw Market and the cruise piers.