3 perfect days in Nassau
Think of the Bahamas and you probably picture tranquil turquoise waters, soft white sand, and a dreamy all-inclusive. Nassau—the capital on New Providence island—has all of that and then some. It's the island's urban pulse, a place where you can choose between chilling out on a secret beach, checking out museums about Bahamian culture, or exploring a national park with an underwater sculpture garden.
The good news: three days is more than enough time to do it all. So check out our three-day itinerary to the island with tips and reviews from our traveler community, too.
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DAY ONE
MORNING: Learn about the island
Let’s head to the less touristy suburbs to get a feel for local life. From downtown, hop in a taxi (or opt for a private car for the day) and head west to Louis & Steen’s, a gourmet market just northwest of the airport. Its specialty coffee, crepes, and extensive Cajun-inspired menu will get you going. From there, head 10 minutes to Clifton Heritage National Park for a snorkeling tour, where you can see the famous Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden and a sunken plane made famous by the James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again.
Travelers say: “Clifton Heritage National Park was totally worth the drive from Nassau/Paradise Island. We did the heritage tour with Octavia who was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned so much about the history of New Providence and getting to see slave structures still standing over 200 years later was very memorable.” —@Amber L
AFTERNOON: Dive deep
On the south side of the island, Stuart Cove's is the premier watersports operator. Spend an afternoon scuba diving and exploring one of the world’s largest underwater sculptures, Ocean Atlas, which depicts a Bahamian girl looking up to the surface of the sea. For lunch, conch is everywhere in Nassau. Loop back to the north side of the island for a stop at Dino’s Gourmet Conch Stand, renowned for its tropical conch salad with pineapple, mango, apple, tomato, pepper, and fresh conch, all prepared right in front of you.
EVENING: Dine at a lux resort
Save a night to spend at the Baha Mar resort complex, home to Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood hotels, a variety of high-end restaurants, and a hoppin’ casino if you want to test your luck. Bond is perhaps the island’s trendiest club as it attracts world-renowned DJs and has more than 10,000 square feet of space. Reserve a table in advance to eat at one of Baha Mar’s restaurants or bars. Meat-lovers will enjoy Carna steakhouse by butcher Dario Cecchini while Mediterranean enthusiasts will have a field day at Cleo.
NASSAU FOOD TOUR OPTIONS
- The Nassau Rum and Food Walking Tour takes you to the island’s only rum distillery (John Watling’s) and gives you a taste of boozy chocolates and conch fritters.
- Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour lasts approximately three hours and includes stops at five restaurants. Count on homemade truffles and Bahamian mac and cheese, among other bites.
DAY TWO
MORNING: Explore the north
Before embarking on a day of sightseeing and museums on the northern side of the island, hit The New Duff for breakfast. You can’t go wrong with its pulled pork and egg breakfast sandwich or homemade guava swirl cinnamon roll. From there, stroll to Junkanoo Beach, which is primed for people watching as mega-cruises and their passengers dock nearby. If you want to paddleboard, there are plenty of rental spots and watersports packages. Just south of the beach, Educulture Junkanoo Museum and Resource Centre pays homage to The Bahamas’ most important annual celebration.
Travelers say: “If you want to learn about the history of Junkanoo from quite literally the nicest couple in Nassau, this is the place. Mrs. Ferguson had all her Junkanoo costumes (that Mr. Ferguson created for her) displayed, along with several historical pieces so visitors could see the evolution of Junkanoo. They did an excellent job explaining the history and importance of Junkanoo to Bahamian culture. They even took us to the back room where we played the drums and cowbells with them.” —@Angela Z
AFTERNOON: Walk around a park
A five-minute drive southwest brings you to Queen’s Staircase. Carved from limestone in the late 1700s, the stairs provided an escape route from the adjacent fort and make for quite the photo op today. For a breath of fresh air, walk around The Retreat Garden, an 11-acre nature reserve in the heart of downtown. It features more than 170 species of exotic palms—the largest collection in the world. Another oasis is the Adastra Gardens & Conservation Center, where you can see dozens of Caribbean flamingos—the national bird of the Bahamas. Have lunch downtown at Arawak Cay, a strip of beach BBQ shacks serving the freshest fried fish.
NASSAU OUTDOOR EXCURSIONS
- Play in the water with a group of cute splashing swine. Board a boat on The Swimming Pigs and Turtle Excursion and visit three cays, including Rose Island where your snorting friends await.
- This ATV Island Tour is a zippy way to see some of the island’s popular spots, including Fort Charlotte and Queen’s Staircase. The adventure lasts about three and a half hours.
EVENING: Plan a date downtown
A fancy meal to kick off the evening? Yes, please. Regarded as the country’s first five-star restaurant, Graycliff is a stone’s throw from the Heritage Museum of The Bahamas and The National Art Gallery in the heart of downtown. Its wine cellar is one of the largest in the world, so you’re guaranteed to find a fantastic bottle to pair with the upscale Caribbean fare. Continue the romantic night at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, where you can see a Shakespeare play or a show by local artists.
DAY THREE
MORNING: Discover Atlantis
Rise and shine! We’re taking a quick trip to Paradise Island. Cross the Paradise Island Bridge or hop on a ferry at Prince George Wharf. Head to Atlantis, a massive entertainment complex and stop to gawk at the pastel pink The Royal at Atlantis resort before buying a day pass to the mind-boggling 141-acre Aquaventure waterpark (admission is included for hotel guests). Fill up for breakfast at Murray’s Deli (the potato latkes and cheese blintzes are out-of-this-world). Poseidon’s Table and Plato’s Lounge have extensive breakfast buffets as well. After breakfast, wander around the shops at Crystal Court to buy some nice souvenirs.
Travelers say: “I loved the immersive theme. I am not a water park person, but I felt totally comfortable here. It was very clean. The water was crystal clear in the pools. The River Rapids ride called The Current was unreal… the ultimate experience—thrill, chill, and amazing landscaping. All the lifeguards and staff were extremely pleasant.” —@Lars
AFTERNOON: Soak up the sun
Save time for a little R&R—you are on vacation, after all. Cabbage Beach is home to Atlantis and The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort while the mile-long Paradise Beach is snorkeling and watersports central. Arawak Beach is a hidden gem tucked on Paradise Island’s northeastern-most tip. It’s a great family-friendly option due to its quiet shore and shallow water. For lunch, Viola’s Bar & Grill has been an island staple for 100-plus years. We recommend the frozen drinks, mac and cheese bowls, and onion rings smothered in spicy mayo and jalapenos.
NASSAU WATER ADVENTURES
- The Jet Ski Adventure in Cabbage Beach includes a one-hour rental to scoot across the waves. The tour also offers drop-off to select locations for a fee.
- Take a Half-Day Guided Boat Tour to cruise around Nassau Harbour and Rose Island. Unlimited beer and mojitos are included for the 18-plus crowd.
EVENING: Feast on fresh seafood
On the Nassau side of Paradise Island Bridge, you’ll find a handful of mom-and-pop seafood shacks cooking fresh conch, shrimp, hogfish, and other seafood. McKenzie’s is a favorite for its excellent lobster (choose either grilled or deep fried). If you want to go dancing, don’t miss the Tiki Bikini Hut. Just off Junkanoo, it’s a beach club by day and restaurant by night, where the jazz, calypso, and steelpan players jam out into the wee hours of the morning.
Know Before You Go
Count on sunshine and tropical temperatures (80s and 90s) year-round in Nassau. Spring Break (March and April) as well as the holiday season—including Boxing Day on December 26 and New Year’s Day—tend to attract the largest crowds. Some of the best deals may fall within September and October, which coincides with Hurricane Season. If you book a trip during June through November, keep an eye on the weather.
If you can swing it, weekdays are exponentially cheaper to stay at the resorts. Thursday through Sunday is prime time for nightlife but you’ll face way more crowds. On Sundays, make sure to double check if businesses are closed or have reduced hours.
Count on most shops and grocery stores being open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alcohol may not be sold in stores on Sundays.
Paradise Island: The Atlantis complex includes lux hotel options like The Cove, The Royal, The Coral and more, each with massive pools and ocean views. Paradise Island Beach Club is a budget-friendly option with private villas.
Central Nassau: Goldwynn Resort & Residences is Nassau’s newest hotel, opened in 2023. This boutique stay has 81 oceanfront rooms and a modern spa.
West End: The Island House has 30 elegant rooms and suites tucked far from Nassau’s noisy core. There is plenty to keep you occupied: squash courts, an art house cinema, and lap pool.
Public transportation: You’ll see jitneys zipping around Nassau; they are government-owned and privately-operated mini-buses that service Nassau and its suburbs. The Route 10 jitney is the most popular among tourists, connecting downtown and Cable Beach. If you’re going from Nassau to Paradise Island or vice versa, there are open-air ferries that take about 10 minutes.
By bike: Nassau doesn’t have many public bike paths. Beyond renting e-bikes for group tours or short-term rentals to coast by the beach, count on other transportation options.
By taxi: Taxis can be hailed around the island and are often lined in queues outside hotels. Important: Taxis are cash only, and you’ll want to confirm the fare before starting any journey. Note: The bridge toll to/from Paradise Island will be added to the cost. Rideshare apps are currently not operating in Nassau or the broader Bahamas.
By car: Thanks to Nassau’s reliable public transportation and taxis, you won’t need to rent a car. If you’re spending a whole day out and about, you can always hire a private driver—just ask your hotel.