About Nassau / Paradise island

Deep historical character and beauty

Nassau, capital city of The Bahamas, lying on New Providence Island, the neighbour of Paradise Island, is both captivatingly old and new. This island pair maintains a distinct blend of international 21st century glamour, old-world charm and tropical ease, giving holidaymakers the freedom to do everything - or simply relax and do nothing at all on their visit to Nassau & Paradise Island.

Soak up the sights and sounds

Venture into the historic heart of Nassau, and you'll discover this thriving commercial centre retains pretty much all of its colonial heritage and appeal. You can admire the Georgian architecture, pastel-coloured wooden shops and offices scattered along lively Bay Street; hire a horse-drawn cart - called a surrey - and take a leisurely tour of old Nassau while your driver regales you with the local folklore. Check out the numerous ancient sites, forts and the hand-carved Queen's Staircase with its awesome vistas of Nassau, Paradise Island & Bahamas views beyond.

Delve into Nassau's history and art

If you want to step back through the centuries in Nassau you can wander along to the Pompey Museum and take a good, long look at the display of artefacts, documents and drawings. For a more modern glimpse of Nassau & Paradise Island Bahamas art you won't want to miss the contemporary Bahamian art galleries and the cultural Junkanoo museum tour either.

Shopping and sporting in Nassau & Paradise Island

When you fancy getting active Nassau offers a plethora of sports to entertain the whole family - including golf, bahamas diving, tennis and squash. With duty free savings on famous brands passed on to shoppers in many stores, shopping in and around Nassau or Paradise Island is a delight. Souvenir hunters will enjoy the unique selection in the Straw Market; this is the one place on the island where you are free to haggle with the vendors - in fact, it's expected.  

Where the action is…

From unmissable bargains to unforgettable beaches, take a walk along the fabulously colourful ‘Bahamian Riviera', Cable Beach. Only three miles west of the city and easily accessible by bus or taxi, this magnificent stretch of exclusive resorts and homes on two and a half miles of golden sand is also the focus of Nassau & Paradise Island's Bahamas-style vibrant nightlife. Nightclubs, pubs, restaurants, and even a casino, are all just a short stroll away from each other.

Paradise Island – Bahamas beauty at its best

Waiting to welcome you just a stone's throw from Nassau is the glamorous Paradise Island. Just six km long and 0.8 km wide, Nassau & Paradise Island are connected by two bridges. Looking at the beaches that curve along the north shore, the elegant resorts, or the championship level Cable Beach Golf Course, it's hard to believe that this was, until recently, an unused islet known as Hog Island. Things have certainly come a long way since those days on Paradise Island – Bahamas visitors will find a lot to do.

World’s largest open-air aquarium

Without doubt, the main attraction of Nassau & Paradise Island is the 14-acre Atlantis Waterscape, the world's largest open-air aquarium, which teems with over 100 species of colourful fish. Paradise Island is also the drop-off point for the unforgettable Dolphin Encounter and the exhilarating Powerboat Adventures.

Giving shelter through the ages

Nassau's stunning natural harbour lies on the 33-km-long island of New Providence. Protected for a 4 km stretch by Paradise Island, this sheltered harbour has attracted settlers to Nassau and Paradise Island since long before the British colonists left Eleuthera and arrived in New Providence in the late 1600s.