🇧🇸 Bahamas

10 best places in Nassau

Nassau is the Bahamas' colonial-era capital on New Providence Island, where pink government buildings and old forts sit alongside Atlantis's casinos and the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

Sight

Queen's Staircase

A 65-step staircase carved out of limestone by enslaved laborers in the late 18th century, leading up to Fort Fincastle.

Sight

Fort Fincastle

A ship-bow-shaped fort atop a hill above town, with panoramic views over Nassau's harbor.

Museum

Pirates of Nassau Museum

An interactive museum on the golden age of piracy and Nassau's role as the Caribbean's pirate capital in the early 1700s.

Market

Nassau Straw Market

The Bahamas' largest craft market, selling woven straw goods, souvenirs, and work by local artisans.

Sight

Government House

The pink 18th-century residence of the Governor-General on a hilltop, one of the city's most recognizable buildings.

Park

Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre

A tropical garden and small zoo famous for its marching flamingos, a popular family outing on the island.

Museum

Bahamas National Museum & Art Gallery

The Bahamas' national gallery, housed in a historic mansion with a collection of paintings and sculpture by local artists.

District

Arawak Cay (Fish Fry)

A waterfront row of colorful huts serving seafood, conch salad, and live music, the most authentic spot for dinner.

Restaurant

The Poop Deck

A harborfront restaurant with water views, known for fresh seafood and Bahamian classics.

Café

Cafe Matisse

A cozy café in a historic building near Government House, serving Italian-Bahamian fare in a garden courtyard.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Nassau?

December to April is dry and less humid, which makes it peak season and priced accordingly. June to November is the official hurricane season, with the highest risk from August to October. Summer is cheaper but hot, sticky and open to weather disruption.

Is the Bahamas expensive?

Yes. Nearly everything is imported, so restaurants and groceries cost noticeably more than in the US. The Bahamian dollar is pegged one to one with the US dollar and American cash is accepted everywhere. Taxis are pricey and unmetered, so agree the fare before you get in, or take a jitney bus instead.

Is Nassau safe for tourists?

The tourist areas - downtown, Cable Beach, Paradise Island - are generally fine by day, but the city has neighbourhoods with serious violent crime that visitors have no reason to enter. Take a taxi rather than walk at night. On the water, pick operators with well-kept boats and life jackets, since standards vary.

Can you move to the Bahamas?

The draw is the tax profile: no income tax, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax. There is an annual residence permit and permanent residency tied to buying property above a set threshold, with faster consideration for larger purchases; thresholds and fees get revised, so check the current ones. Citizenship is slow and hard to obtain, and housing costs will dominate your budget.