Are you on the hunt for a beautiful yet accessible vacation destination? If you are, look no further than Nassau. With near-perfect weather and, of course, picturesque beaches, there are so many things to see in Nassau Bahamas.
However, many people who visit the Bahamas end up missing out on some of the many exciting things to do in Nassau and the archipelago as a whole. Too many people return home without hiking around a fort, embarking on a rum tour, or swimming with wild pigs.
To ensure that you make the most of your travel time and take advantage of the best things to do in Nassau, we’ve put together this guide of some of the many can’t miss sites. Everything mentioned below is well worth a visit, and in some cases, might even be worth visiting twice.
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, and formally known as New Providence Island. And off its northern shoreline is Paradise Island, home to the famous Atlantis Resort. As one of the main hubs of the Bahamas, most travelers will find themselves either vacationing in Nassau or transiting through. As one of the busiest Cruise Ship Ports in the World, Nassau Port, brings in many visitors daily to Downtown Nassau. For this reason Nassau has become the focal point for tourism in the Bahamas.
Read on to learn more!
1. Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island
Located on Paradise Island, the world-famous park of Atlantis has a little bit to offer everyone as one of the top rated things to see in nassau bahamas. Depending on your schedule, you can make time to visit the luxury resort, aquarium, entertainment complex, or water park. Deciding which things to do in Atlantis Bahamas is up to you.
From waterparks to aquariums, there are so many things to do in Atlantis Bahamas!
Animal lovers, for example, will love the massive outdoor aquarium that showcases native tropical species. Many of the tanks also incorporate the sculptures and ruins of Atlantis, so exploring the aquarium provides you with a fantastic way to see some of the park’s most scenic spots.
If you’re looking for exciting things to do at Atlantis Bahamas, you’ll feel right at home at the water park, Aquaventure. While it does have a lazy river, the park offers water slides that can make even the bravest of hearts skip a beat. The Leap of Faith, for example, propels you down an 18-foot slide, shooting you through a shark-infested lagoon along the way.
2. Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include at least one beautiful beach on this list. And, with crystal clear water and sand so white it looks like snow, Cabbage Beach is the one that takes home the prize. If you feel like being a beach bum, this world-class beach is the place to do it. As one of the best beaches on New Providence Island, it must be visited to be enjoyed.
Cabbage Beach is one of many great things to see in Nassau Bahamas
Besides packing sunscreen and your beach towel, you might also want to bring snorkeling gear. Schools of tropical fish swim around just offshore, providing you with a taste of the aquatic wildlife that the Bahamas are famous for. You can also go parasailing or water skiing if you’re feeling adventurous. Otherwise, there’s no shame in lounging under a rentable umbrella for the day.
Located on Paradise Island, Cabbage Beach is easy to get to by taxi or boat. You can also simply walk there from Nassau’s harbor precinct!
3. Swimming with Pigs on a Nassau to Exuma Day Trip
When you’re ready to hop out of Nassau for a bit, a Nassau to Exuma day trip might be just what you need. In addition to beautiful scenery, an Exuma day trip also gives you the chance to visit the famous swimming pigs at Pig Beach. While it’s important to treat them with respect, the pigs on Pig Island are incredibly friendly and will happily allow you to touch and pet them as they frolic around in the water alongside you.
No trip to the Bahamas is complete without a trip to Pig Island.
Swimming pig tours aren’t the only thing you’ll get to do, however. Exuma day trips with Bahamas Air Tours also give you the chance to swim with sharks in Compass Cay, explore an underwater plane wreck, hang out with iguanas on Bitter Island Cay, and sink your toes into powder-soft sand bars at Pipe Creek. All of that makes a trip to Exuma one of the top Bahamas day trips by plane and an excursion that you can’t pass up on!
4. French Cloisters on Paradise Island
Many visitors to Nassau stumble across an unexpected scene: medieval-style cloisters that stand in stark contrast to the colonial-era architecture around them. As you might guess, these aren’t native to the island—they come from a 14th-century French monastery. In the 1960s, the ruins were deconstructed, brought to the island, then reconstructed upon a hill. Today, they provide you with the opportunity to smell the ocean breeze and enjoy a site reminiscent of a past age.
The Four Seasons Ocean Club Resort owns the cloisters and the nearby Versailles-inspired garden. However, even if you’re not staying there, you can still catch a glimpse of them from the street.
Many people don’t realize that French medieval architecture is one of the many things to see in Nassau Bahamas
5. Fort Fincastle, Downtown Nassau
History buffs looking for things to do in Nassau Bahamas should make time for Fort Fincastle. Built by Lord Dunmore in 1793, Fort Fincastle was one of many efforts by the British to put a stop to piracy in the region. The fort’s massive cannons and walls serve as a testament to the severity of the piracy crisis.
Once you reach the top of the fort, you’ll get to enjoy a stunning view of the island.
Exploring Fort Fincastle is one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas
6. Queen’s Staircase
As you explore the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex, you’ll eventually find yourself at the base of Queen’s Staircase. Carved into solid limestone by hundreds of slaves in the 1790s, the staircase served as an emergency escape route from the fort above. The modern name honors Queen Victoria, the monarch who ruled the British Empire for much of the 19th century.
If you’re looking for photo ops, you’ll find them at Queen’s Staircase. Surrounded by lush foliage, the site is the perfect spot to show all your friends and family one of the top things to see in Nassau Bahamas.
Climbing up a historic limestone staircase: Another one of the many great things to do in Nassau Bahamas
7. Parliament Square, Downtown Nassau
Built by loyalists (American colonists who supported the British Crown) in 1815, the pink buildings that adorn Parliament Square house the Senate and the House of Assembly. Within those walls, crucial debates and decisions regarding the future of the Bahamas take place. If you’re politically-minded, you’ll be happy to know that you can even listen in on the legislative process when the House is in session.
Even if you’re apolitical, Parliament Square is still one of the best things to see in Nassau Bahamas
If you’re visiting the Bahamas to forget about politics, Parliament Square remains a worthwhile stop nonetheless. In addition to the colorful buildings, you’ll also find an impressive statue of Queen Victoria and many fantastic spots for photos.
8. John Watling’s Distillery
No trip to the Caribbean is complete without a glass (or several glasses) of rum. If you’re ever looking for more things to see in Nassau Bahamas, having a drink at John Watling’s Distillery is always a bright idea.
Previously the Buena Vista Estate, John Watling’s Distillery is now Nassau’s premier spot for rum tasting. Given the site’s extensive history, you can also embark on guided tours around the estate. If you have a fancy camera, the distillery is the place to use it—the bright red, white, and blue colors of the building are perfect for even the most aesthetically conscious Instagram feeds.
If you’re ever wondering what to do in the Bahamas, the answer is simple: drink rum!
Know Which Things to See in Nassau Bahamas
Whether you’re there for a weekend or a month, your vacation time will fly by. Because of that, you want to ensure that you’re never stuck wondering what to do in the Bahamas. Make time to visit all the top sites Nassau and the other islands have to offer!
If you’re looking to swim with pigs, sharks, and explore a stunning archipelago, make sure to sign up for a Nassau to Exuma day trip with Bahamas Air Tours. Even with all the other great things to see in Nassau Bahamas, don’t be surprised if it ends up being the highlight of your trip!
