Old town and historic sights in Nassau
The area mixes pastel government buildings with abandoned houses and brightly painted Caribbean structures, which makes it a good place to walk slowly.
Places to go
Downtown Nassau
Downtown Nassau is the historic core of the capital, a compact grid of colonial buildings, monuments, murals and museums. Most of it is best seen on foot, one street at a time.
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest church in Downtown Nassau and the first church built in The Bahamas. Its history goes back to 1670, and the Gothic building standing today dates to 1841.
Fort Fincastle
Fort Fincastle is a small fort on a hill south of downtown Nassau, with cannons on display and views over the city.
Queen's Staircase
The Queen's Staircase, known as the 66 Steps, is a flight of 66 steps cut into solid limestone in Nassau.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
A visit to the old town usually starts downtown and moves on foot through the center. Parliament Square has pink and white colonial buildings from 1815 facing Rawson Square. It was the first church built in The Bahamas, with the first structure dating to 1670, and the present Gothic building of local limestone went up in 1841.
Downtown Nassau has about 20 square blocks of monuments, murals and museums to explore on foot. Vendue House, built before 1769, was a marketplace until the late 1800s, where enslaved Africans and other goods were sold. The Queen's Staircase, a 66-step climb cut from solid limestone by enslaved people between 1793 and 1794, leads up toward Fort Fincastle. The sights mostly suit a visit of two to three hours and work well for walkers and families.
Where to go
- Vendue House. A former marketplace built before 1769, where enslaved Africans and other goods were sold until the late 1800s. By walk.
Getting there
Most of the historic sights are within walking distance of each other in downtown Nassau. Taxis are available if you prefer a ride to Fort Fincastle. Use only licensed yellow-plated taxis, and agree on the fare first.
When to go
The downtown walk works all year. Plan the Pompey Museum at Vendue House for a day other than Sunday or a public holiday, since it is closed then.
Good to know
- Wear comfortable shoes for cobbled and uneven stretches and the steps of the Queen's Staircase.
- US dollars are accepted at a 1:1 rate, so you do not need to exchange money.
- Bring water and a hat; the walk is in tropical sun with little shade on some streets.
- Keep to the main downtown streets and avoid the Over-the-Hill area south of downtown.
Questions
Can I see Nassau's old town on foot?
Yes. The main sights are close together downtown, and Parliament Square faces Rawson Square.
How long does a walk through Nassau's historic sights take?
Most of the downtown historic sights suit a visit of two to three hours. A guided walking tour runs about 1.5 hours, and you can add the forts and cathedral as short walks.
Is Christ Church Cathedral worth a visit?
It is the first church built in The Bahamas, with the first structure dating to 1670. The current Gothic building of local limestone was completed in 1841 on that same site.
