Clustered with pastel-coloured colonial buildings, Willemstad is the picturesque capital of Curaçao and overlooks the Caribbean Sea on the island’s south coast. It centres around an Old Town that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas.
Things to do in Willemstad
Enjoy a stroll through Willemstad’s historic Old Town, which was established as a trade hub by the Dutch in 1634. Photograph the colourful houses that line the Keukenstraat and see the 17th-century fortifications of Fort Amsterdam, then feast on authentic Curaçaoan fare at the Old Market. The island’s seafaring history is showcased at the Maritime Museum Curaçao while the Kura Hulanda Museum focuses on the local slave trade.
One of Willemstad’s most famous landmarks is the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon crossing that connects the Punda and Otrobanda quarters. Originally built in 1888, it is known locally as the “Swinging Old Lady”. Coincide your visit with a passing ship to watch as the Queen Emma hinges open like a door or admire the bridge when it is illuminated at night.
A short drive east of Willemstad is Mambo Beach, a man-made stretch of white sand that is backed by lively restaurants and bars. You can participate in a variety of water sports, play beach volleyball or stroll along the waterfront boardwalk. Mambo Beach is also home to the Curaçao Sea Aquarium, where you can get up close to dolphins, sea lions and sharks.
Getting around Willemstad
Curaçao International Airport is around 25 minutes’ drive from Willemstad and has flights to destinations across the Americas and Europe. Buses connect Willemstad to destinations across Curaçao and travel throughout the city. Willemstad’s Old Town is ideally explored on foot.