Things to do in  Willemstad

Peaceful Scharloo started life as one of the many plantations in Curacao, but today, the region is home to villas and vibrant street art. Wander the quiet streets and admire the elaborate, baroque-style mansions that have earned the neighborhood a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Curacao’s Shete Boka National Park offers rocky coastal views and wind-lashed landscapes bordering Christoffel National Park. There are beaches tucked away on the limestone coast, where three species of sea turtles lay their eggs. Scenic hiking trails wind across the cliff tops, offering sweeping coastal views. Boka means inlet in Papiamento, with Shete Boka standing for “seven inlets.”

The island nation of Curacao has become synonymous with the liqueur it produces—as blue as the surrounding Caribbean waters. The distillery is equally colorful. Housed in a 19th-century mansion named Landhuis Chobolobo, its yellow walls and cheerful white trim stand out against the clear blue sky, making it a perfect spot to spend an afternoon.

Soaring over the mouth of St. Anna Bay, Curacao’s Queen Juliana Bridge offers unparalleled views of the colorful capital city of Willemstad and the blue Caribbean Sea. Opened in 1974, the bridge is known for its panoramic views of Willemstad’s historic neighborhoods and is a landmark of the island nation. You’ll see ships from around the world passing under the bridge.

Curacao’s limestone Hato Caves were used by indigenous Arawaks for shelter and by runaway slaves as a hideaway during colonial times. Today long-nose fruit bats call the cave home, while dramatic lighting illuminates its cave paintings, waterfalls, pools, Madonna statue, and formations with names such as the Pirate's Head and the Sea Tortoise.

As you explore Willemstad, you’ll cross the Queen Emma Bridge, which connects the colorful neighborhoods of Punda and Otrobanda. It offers views of the candy-colored buildings lining the waterfront, where you can find quaint cafes with outdoor seating. Don’t forget to strike a pose—this pedestrian-only swing bridge is the perfect spot to capture memories.

Perched on Curacao's Caribbean coast, Fort Beekenburg looks like it could have come from a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Its weathered stone ramparts are speckled with moss and lichen, and the area is surrounded by scrubby bushes, which lend it a slightly desolate feel. A visit to this 18th-century Dutch fort offers insight into Curacao's eventful history.

Colorful Punda is in downtown Willemstad, where narrow colonial houses are painted in sweet candy shades. The historic district is an ideal spot to wander and see the sights and sounds of the island. From the street food vendors of the Old Market to the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas), the neighborhood is full of culture.

Otrobanda is full of vibrant colors and is the perfect blend of busyness and laid-back island vibes. In the historic quarter of Curacao’s Willemstad, the neighborhood overlooks the mouth of St. Anna Bay. Here, colonial-era buildings are decked out in tropical shades, and locals and visitors relax on the waterfront and enjoy the ocean view.

Standing on a prominent bluff, the rusty cannons of craggy Fort Nassau point out to sea. Over the centuries, the fort has protected Curacao from the Spanish, French, English, and buccaneers. Built in 1797, the fort was only called upon in battle when the English invaded. Now decommissioned, it remains an important signal station for vessels in St. Anna Bay.

Explore the Caribbean’s underwater world at the Curacao Sea Aquarium in Willemstad. Set in an old naval vessel, the aquarium lets you embark on a unique marine adventure featuring natural habitats that are continuously filled with fresh seawater. Ocean- and coral reef-related research projects are also conducted on site.

Colonial relics, maps, and Antillean art come together at the Kura Hulanda Museum, with a world-class collection of African artifacts. This well-regarded anthropological museum focuses on the cultures that have contributed to Curacao’s makeup over the centuries, including African slaves, West African empires, and pre-Columbian traders.

The lively Rif Fort courtyard complex is a major shopping and entertainment hub in Willemstad, located at the entrance of St. Anna Bay. It’s also home to some of the island’s finest restaurants. Originally built to protect the bay and the outer part of Willemstad’s Otrobanda neighborhood, the fort eventually lost its military use and has since been transformed into a popular tourist area.

Located on the west side of the Caribbean island of Curacao, Kokomo Beach offers laid-back vibes, turquoise waters, and lounge chairs positioned in the shade of palm trees—a true idyllic tropical getaway. There’s also a professional dive center here for those who want to explore the waters off the coast, which boast plenty of tropical fish and coral gardens.

On the island of Curacao, Blue Bay Beach epitomes the fantasy of a Caribbean getaway, with palm trees, lounge chairs, shade umbrellas, water sports, several restaurants, and a golf course. A favorite among families and locals, the beach boasts azure waters and plenty of on- and offshore amenities.