The Bahamas · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in The Bahamas
These are the places worth your time in The Bahamas, from the forts and Fish Fry of Nassau to the sandbars of Exuma, the pink sand of Harbour Island, the national parks of Grand Bahama and the Loyalist villages of Abaco. Classics sit beside quiet corners many visitors miss, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Nassau
Arts and Culture
- Queen's Staircase (Elizabeth Avenue)
Sixty six limestone steps carved by enslaved labourers lead up to Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower. - Fort Fincastle (Bennet's Hill)
A small paddle steamer shaped fort from 1793 with sweeping views over the harbour. - Fort Charlotte (West Bay Street)
The largest fort on New Providence, with dungeons and tunnels to explore with a guide. - Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation (Vendue House, Bay Street)
A moving small museum telling the story of slavery and freedom in The Bahamas. - National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (Villa Doyle, West Hill Street)
The best introduction to Bahamian painting, sculpture and contemporary art. - Doongalik Studios Art Gallery (Village Road)
A creative gallery and garden that hosts the Sunday Marketplace and Junkanoo themed events. - The Hermitage at Clifton Heritage National Park (Clifton, western New Providence)
Ruins, Loyalist history and an underwater sculpture garden on the island's wild west end. - John Watling's Distillery (Buena Vista Estate, Delancy Street)
Tour a rum distillery in an eighteenth century estate house and sip at the Red Turtle Tavern. - Parliament Square (Bay Street)
Pink colonial government buildings and the Queen Victoria statue at the heart of the capital. - Christ Church Cathedral (George Street)
The Anglican cathedral of Nassau, a calm stone church a short walk from Bay Street.
Things to Do
- Atlantis Aquaventure (Paradise Island)
A huge waterpark with slides through shark tanks and a lazy river, ideal for families. - Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre (Chippingham Road)
Home of the famous marching flamingos, the national bird of The Bahamas. - Graycliff Chocolatier (West Hill Street)
Make your own chocolate bar in a hands on class in an old Nassau mansion. - Primeval Forest National Park (Gladstone Road)
Boardwalks through native forest and deep limestone sinkholes, run by the Bahamas National Trust. - Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas (South West Road)
A long running dive and snorkel operator known for shark dives and film set reefs.
Nature and Outdoors
- Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island)
A long sweep of soft sand on the north shore of Paradise Island. - Jaws Beach (Clifton, western New Providence)
A quiet local beach with calm water and shade, far from the cruise crowds. - Love Beach (West Bay Street, western New Providence)
Easy snorkelling over a reef close to shore on the quieter west coast. - Junkanoo Beach (West Bay Street)
The closest beach to downtown, with bars, music and a busy local feel. - The Retreat Garden (Village Road)
The Bahamas National Trust headquarters, a hidden garden of rare palms in the middle of town.
Restaurants
- Arawak Cay Fish Fry (West Bay Street)
A row of painted shacks serving conch salad, fried snapper and Sky Juice late into the night. - Twin Brothers (Arawak Cay)
A Fish Fry favourite for cracked conch, grouper fingers and big plates of peas and rice. - Goldie's Conch House (Arawak Cay)
Watch fresh conch salad being chopped to order at one of the best loved Fish Fry stands. - Potter's Cay Dock (Under the Paradise Island bridge)
Stalls beside the mailboat dock where locals buy conch salad and fresh fish. - Graycliff Restaurant (West Hill Street)
Fine dining in an eighteenth century mansion with one of the largest wine cellars in the region. - Café Matisse (Bank Lane)
Italian and seafood dishes in a pretty courtyard just behind Parliament Square. - Lukka Kairi (East Bay Street)
Bahamian tapas, harbour views and an easy downtown setting. - Dune (One&Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island)
Elegant beachfront dining at one of the most famous resorts in the country.
Bars and Nightlife
- Señor Frog's (Woodes Rogers Walk)
Loud, cheerful party bar right by the cruise port. - Bahamas Rum Cake Factory (Bay Street)
Taste rum cakes made on site, a sweet and easy souvenir stop.
Shopping and Markets
- Nassau Straw Market (Bay Street)
Woven baskets, hats and crafts, best for genuine Bahamian straw work if you look carefully.
Events
- Junkanoo Parade (Bay Street)
Thousands of drummers and dancers in crepe paper costumes on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Stays
- The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort (Paradise Island)
A classic luxury resort with Versailles Gardens and a famous beach. - Atlantis Paradise Island (Paradise Island)
The landmark mega resort with an aquarium, waterpark and many restaurants. - Graycliff Hotel (West Hill Street)
A historic boutique hotel in an old mansion steps from downtown. - Baha Mar (Cable Beach)
A large resort complex on Cable Beach with several hotels, a casino and art collection.
Places to Visit in Exuma
Nature and Outdoors
- Big Major Cay (Northern Exuma Cays)
The famous Pig Beach where pigs swim out to meet visiting boats. - Thunderball Grotto (Staniel Cay)
Snorkel into a sunlit limestone cave filled with fish, best at slack low tide. - Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (Warderick Wells Cay)
The first land and sea park in the region, with protected reefs and walking trails. - Compass Cay Marina (Compass Cay)
Swim beside docile nurse sharks in a calm marina. - Allan's Cay (Northern Exumas)
A small cay home to rare rock iguanas that come down to the beach. - Stocking Island (Elizabeth Harbour)
Atlantic beaches, ridge trails and blue holes a short boat ride from George Town. - Tropic of Cancer Beach (Little Exuma)
A wide crescent of white sand and turquoise water on the line of the Tropic of Cancer. - Coco Plum Beach (Great Exuma)
Huge sand flats at low tide, with almost nobody around. - Sandbars of Elizabeth Harbour (George Town)
Shallow sandbars that appear at low tide, perfect for a private picnic by boat.
Restaurants
- Chat 'N' Chill (Stocking Island)
A beach bar and grill famous for its Sunday pig roast and fresh conch salad. - Santana's Grill Pit (Williams Town, Little Exuma)
A roadside seafood stand loved for lobster and cracked conch. - Exuma Fish Fry (Queen's Highway, north of George Town)
A cluster of local shacks for fried fish, conch and a friendly Friday night crowd. - Staniel Cay Yacht Club (Staniel Cay)
The social hub of the central cays, with a restaurant, bar and marina.
Shopping and Markets
- Exuma Straw Market (Under the fig tree, George Town)
Local women sell straw bags and crafts under the shade of a big tree. - Exuma Markets (George Town)
The main grocery store, where boaters and villa guests stock up.
Events
- National Family Island Regatta (George Town)
A spring regatta of traditional Bahamian sloops, with music and food ashore.
Arts and Culture
- Williams Town Salt Marker (Little Exuma)
A historic stone marker and ruins of the old salt industry above the sea.
Stays
- Grand Isle Resort (Emerald Bay)
Spacious villas with sea views and a marina nearby. - Staniel Cay Yacht Club Cottages (Staniel Cay)
Colourful cottages in the middle of the cays, close to the pigs and Thunderball Grotto.
Places to Visit in Eleuthera
Nature and Outdoors
- Pink Sands Beach (Harbour Island)
Three miles of soft pink tinted sand and calm water. - Glass Window Bridge (Near Gregory Town)
A narrow strip where the deep blue Atlantic meets the green Bight of Eleuthera. - Preacher's Cave (North Eleuthera)
The cave where the Eleutheran Adventurers sheltered after shipwreck in 1648. - Ocean Hole (Rock Sound)
A deep inland blue hole linked to the sea, with fish crowding the edges. - Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (Governor's Harbour)
Trails through native forest and bush medicine plants, run by the Bahamas National Trust. - Lighthouse Beach (Bannerman Town, South Eleuthera)
A remote pink sand beach and cliff top lighthouse at the island's southern tip. - Hatchet Bay Cave (Hatchet Bay)
A long limestone cave with bats and old graffiti, best with a local guide. - French Leave Beach (Governor's Harbour)
A calm, shady beach a short walk from the old town. - Surfer's Beach (Gregory Town)
The best known surf break in The Bahamas, wild and beautiful.
Arts and Culture
- Dunmore Town (Harbour Island)
Pastel clapboard cottages, picket fences and old churches in one of the oldest settlements in the country. - Spanish Wells (Off North Eleuthera)
A tidy fishing village known for lobster and quiet streets.
Restaurants
- Rock House (Harbour Island)
Stylish dining on a terrace above the harbour. - Queen Conch (Harbour Island)
Fresh conch salad made to order at a small stand by the water. - The Landing (Harbour Island)
Refined island cooking in a historic harbourfront house. - Governor's Harbour Fish Fry (Governor's Harbour)
A Friday night gathering for fried fish, music and local chat.
Events
- Eleuthera Pineapple Festival (Gregory Town)
An early summer celebration of the island's sweet pineapples with food and music.
Stays
- Pink Sands Resort (Harbour Island)
Secluded cottages right on the famous pink beach. - The Cove Eleuthera (Gregory Town)
Cottages on a headland between two coves, close to the Glass Window Bridge. - Coral Sands (Harbour Island)
A classic beach hotel on the pink sand with an easy island style. - French Leave Resort (Governor's Harbour)
Modern villas above the bay in the heart of the island.
Places to Visit in Grand Bahama
Nature and Outdoors
- Lucayan National Park (East of Freeport)
Boardwalks to underwater caves and through mangroves to Gold Rock Beach. - Gold Rock Beach (Lucayan National Park)
A vast beach that becomes a sweeping sand flat at low tide. - Rand Nature Centre (Freeport)
Pine forest trails and some of the best birdwatching on the island. - Peterson Cay National Park (South coast)
A tiny protected cay for snorkelling and picnics, reached by boat or kayak. - Taino Beach (Lucaya)
A broad, easy beach with local seafood spots nearby.
Things to Do
- UNEXSO (Port Lucaya)
A long running dive centre known for reef dives and dolphin encounters. - Garden of the Groves (Freeport)
Gardens, waterfalls and a small chapel, a peaceful place for an afternoon walk.
Shopping and Markets
- Port Lucaya Marketplace (Lucaya)
Shops, bars and live music around Count Basie Square by the marina.
Restaurants
- Smith's Point Fish Fry (Smith's Point)
A Wednesday night fish fry gathering with seafood and music.
Bars and Nightlife
- Count Basie Square (Port Lucaya Marketplace)
Free live music and dancing on many evenings.
Places to Visit in Abaco
Arts and Culture
- Elbow Reef Lighthouse (Hope Town, Elbow Cay)
Climb one of the last hand wound kerosene lighthouses in the world. - Hope Town (Elbow Cay)
Car free lanes and pastel cottages in a Loyalist village. - Wyannie Malone Historical Museum (Hope Town)
Small museum telling the story of the Loyalist settlers of Abaco. - Albert Lowe Museum (New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay)
Model ships, paintings and the history of a small island settlement. - Man-O-War Cay (Abaco cays)
A quiet boatbuilding village with a long tradition of wooden boats and canvas bags.
Nature and Outdoors
- Treasure Cay Beach (Treasure Cay)
A long crescent of fine white sand and gentle shallow water. - Abaco National Park (South Abaco)
Pine forest home of the endangered Abaco parrot. - Tahiti Beach (Elbow Cay)
A sandbar at low tide, perfect for paddling and shell hunting.
Things to Do
- Albury's Ferry (Marsh Harbour)
Hop between Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Guana Cay on the local ferry.
Bars and Nightlife
- Nipper's Beach Bar and Grill (Great Guana Cay)
Bright beach bar with reef snorkelling just offshore and lively Sundays. - Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar (New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay)
Home of the Goombay Smash cocktail, a classic island stop.
Restaurants
- Pete's Pub (Little Harbour)
A sand floored pub beside a bronze foundry and gallery in a remote harbour.
Places to Visit in Andros
Nature and Outdoors
- Captain Bill's Blue Hole (Central Andros)
A deep freshwater blue hole for swimming in the island's pine forest.
Stays
- Small Hope Bay Lodge (Fresh Creek, Andros)
A family run eco dive lodge beside the great Andros barrier reef.
Arts and Culture
- Androsia Batik Factory (Fresh Creek, Andros)
Watch artisans hand print the colourful Androsia batik fabric.
Places to Visit in Long Island
Nature and Outdoors
- Dean's Blue Hole (Clarence Town, Long Island)
One of the deepest blue holes in the world, with a sandy beach for easy swimming.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Educulture Junkanoo Museum (West Bay Street, Nassau)
Try on costumes, bang the goatskin drums and learn how Junkanoo is made. - Mckenzie's Fish Shack (Potter's Cay, Nassau)
Simple conch salad and fried fish at a no frills stand popular with locals. - Sea Grape Restaurant (Old Fort Bay, Nassau)
Island cooking and sunset views on the quieter western side of New Providence. - Bahama Barista (Downtown, Nassau)
Locally owned coffee spot for a proper espresso before exploring Bay Street. - Bahamas Craft Centre (Paradise Island, Nassau)
Small stalls selling local art, shell jewellery and handmade gifts. - Doongalik Sunday Marketplace (Village Road, Nassau)
A weekend market of local farmers, food, crafts and live music. - Junkanoo Summer Festival (Arawak Cay, Nassau)
Summer weekends of music, food and Junkanoo rush outs at the Fish Fry area. - A Stone's Throw Away (Tropical Gardens, western New Providence, Nassau)
A small colonial style inn on a hill above the sea, far from the bustle. - Moriah Harbour Cay National Park (Great Exuma, Exuma)
A protected cay and sandbar where seabirds nest, reached by kayak or boat. - Shirley's at the Fish Fry (Fish Fry, George Town, Exuma)
Generous Bahamian plates and fresh seafood at a long running stand. - Splash Bar and Grill (Palm Bay Beach Club, George Town, Exuma)
Waterfront dining with views over Elizabeth Harbour. - Peace and Plenty Bar (George Town, Exuma)
A historic hotel bar beside the harbour, built in a former cotton warehouse. - Hideaways Exuma (Palm Bay, George Town, Exuma)
A small adults oriented boutique hotel with a pool and calm water. - Twin Coves (Gregory Town area, Eleuthera)
Two pretty coves with clear water and few visitors. - Sip Sip (Harbour Island, Eleuthera)
A breezy lunch spot above the pink sand. - The Rainbow Inn (Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera)
A friendly restaurant and inn known for seafood and sea views. - Gusty's (Harbour Island, Eleuthera)
A sandy floored bar with music and a relaxed island crowd. - Paradise Cove and Deadman's Reef (West End road, Grand Bahama)
Snorkel straight from the shore onto a healthy reef. - Tony Macaroni's Conch Experience (Taino Beach, Grand Bahama)
Roasted conch and beachside music at a local institution. - Flying Fish (Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama)
Creative seafood and an elegant setting for a special dinner. - Pier One (Freeport Harbour, Grand Bahama)
Seafood on stilts above the water, with shark feeding in the evening. - Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan (Lucaya, Grand Bahama)
A beachfront resort a short walk from the marketplace. - Old Bahama Bay (West End, Grand Bahama)
A quiet marina resort at the island's oldest settlement, with sunset views. - Fowl Cay Reef Preserve (Near Man-O-War Cay, Abaco)
Protected reefs for snorkelling by small boat. - Firefly Bar and Grill (Hope Town, Abaco)
Sunset dinners overlooking the Sea of Abaco. - Wally's (Marsh Harbour, Abaco)
Bahamian dishes in a pretty colonial style house by the harbour. - Hope Town Inn and Marina (Hope Town, Abaco)
Cottages and a pool facing the lighthouse across the harbour. - Bluff House Beach Resort (Green Turtle Cay, Abaco)
A hillside resort with marina and beach on a charming cay. - Bimini Museum (Alice Town, Bimini, Bimini)
Hemingway, fishing and civil rights history on the island closest to Florida.