14 Best Sights in Willemstad, Curaçao

This protected nature preserve right downtown mere steps from the cruise terminal is run by CARMABI, the island's official nature alliance. You're welcome to wander the vast expanse of long wooden walkways over the waters on your own (there's a tall wooden lookout tower for excellent views), but you'll get more from the park's guided tour; there's a choice of walking or sea kayak tours with informative guides that will help you appreciate the vital importance of keeping mangrove areas thriving for a healthy ecosystem. You'll also learn about the types of wildlife that live here and why their lives depend on the preservation of these essential natural areas.

Local artist Francis Sling is a man of many talents---painter, outdoor muralist, sculptor, musician, and poet. He documents his creative journeys in videos and online multimedia presentations to help you follow his process; his most famous installation in Scharloo was the building-wide mural he created on his own home. His passion to bring more creativity to his neighborhood also spawned local group Street Art Skalo who is now turning the bario into a little Wynwood (Miami) with their own outdoor art---the group was invited to the Miami art festival to create their own mural tribute to their island home. You'll recognize Sling's inimitable style popping up all over Curaçao, but now he has a permanent gallery where you can purchase his art, and if you're lucky, watch the artist at work. 

This surreal, building-sized art installation was painstakingly (and literally) created out of some 30 million thorns over a five-year period by award-winning artist Herman van Bergen. Each section is dedicated to a world religion; the nooks and crannies contain a rotating series of art objects by guest artists. It’s on the grounds of Landhuis Bloemhof (a museum, art gallery, and historic plantation), and is an incredible sight when illuminated at night. It's free to visit at night the first Friday of each month at 7:30 pm.  Wear sturdy shoes---errant thorns can pierce your flip-flops!

Kurá Hulanda (Dutch for \"Holland courtyard\") is the heartbeat of the historic quarter of Otrobanda, and it was completely rejuvenated in 2023 to create a vibrant new village of boutique shops, alfresco cafés, bars, dining spots, public squares, a boutique hotel, a spa, and eye-popping outdoor art. It’s an enchanting maze of pedestrian-friendly cobblestone alleys bedecked by a rainbow of brightly colored and beautifully resorted 18th-century colonial buildings. The Kurá Hulanda Museum is still a cornerstone of the square, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the region’s slave history as well as comprehensive exhibits on African art and culture. Live music on weekends nights are popular here now, too.

The famed blue Curaçao liqueur, which is made from the peels of bitter laraha oranges, originated at this distillery. The family-run operation, located on a heritage estate that dates from the 1800s, offers a choice of guided tours that include tastings, cocktails, and even mixology lessons. 

Designed to resemble the interior of a ship, this museum contains more than 500 years of maritime and island history with model ships, historic maps, nautical charts, navigational equipment, and more. Exhibit topics include the development of Willemstad as a trading city, Curaçao's role as a contraband hub, De Alphen (a Dutch freighter that exploded and sank in St. Anna Bay in 1778 and was excavated in 1984), the slave trade, the development of steam navigation, and the role of the Dutch navy on the island. The museum also offers a popular ferry excursion through Curaçao's harbor every Wednesday 2–3 pm (advance reservations required).

Affectionately called “the Swinging Old Lady,” this bridge, which is beautifully lit at night, crosses Santa Anna Bay, connecting the two sides of Willemstad (Punda and Otrobanda). The bridge swings open to allow passage of ships to and from the sea, and when it does, there are free ferries for crossing available to the public. The original bridge, built in 1888, was the brainchild of the American consul Leonard Burlington Smith, who made a mint off the tolls he charged for using it: $0.02 per person for those wearing shoes, free to those crossing barefoot. (Although he meant to help the poor, the rich often saved money by crossing barefoot, and the poor would often borrow shoes to cross because they were too proud to admit they could not afford the toll!) Today it's free to everyone.

This museum's hands-on, interactive, and multisensory exhibits—indoors and out—cover several educational themes, including nature, language, culture, and arts. Special seasonal events are held throughout the year.  School groups often visit in the mornings, so plan your visit postlunch for better access to the experiences. Adults must be accompanied by a child.

Housed in a restored 1853 plantation house that later served as a military hospital, this small museum is filled with artifacts, paintings, and antiques that trace island history. This is also a venue for domestic and international art exhibitions, and there's a sculpture garden that features work by local artists.

Originally called the floating market because it was made up of dozens of Venezuelan schooners, the market has morphed into a more stationary local farmer’s market with the majority of stalls crammed tightly together on terra firma. Though there are still some South American fishing boats selling the catch for the day, most of the wares are fresh fruit and produce and the vibe is lively and fun. Get there early morning for the best and freshest finds.

The Western Hemisphere's oldest temple in continuous use is one of Curaçao's most important sights and draws thousands of visitors per year. The synagogue was dedicated in 1732 by a Jewish community that had grown from the original 12 families who came from Amsterdam in 1651 and included Jews who fled persecution by the Inquisition in Portugal and Spain. White sand covers the synagogue floor for two symbolic reasons: a remembrance of the 40 years Jews spent wandering the desert, and a re-creation of the sand used by secret Jews, or conversos, to muffle sounds from their houses of worship during the Inquisition. The Jewish Cultural Museum, in the back of the temple, displays antiques and artifacts from around the world.

The Old Market is a popular lunch stop for locals working downtown. Visitors also appreciate the hearty, simple authentic fare and good prices. Enjoy such Curaçaoan specialties as funchi (polenta), goat stew, fried fish, stewed okra, fried plantains, and rice and peas—all prepared right in front of your eyes in open kitchens by local cooks. Some kiosks occasionally offer vegan specials.

The Wilhelmina Drawbridge connects Punda with the once-flourishing district of Scharloo where the early Jewish merchants built stately homes. It was a tight-knit community and the architecture along Scharlooweg (much of it from the 17th century) is magnificent. Some of the neighborhood has been restored as part of the UNESCO heritage site and the Curaçao Monuments Foundation will be restoring more old mansions in the future. This neighborhood is also home to the island's most photographed building, a light-green mansion dubbed the "Wedding Cake House" since it looks like it's been frosted with white icing. Kleine Werf—the little wharf cresting Scharloo—has now become a venue for large-scale outdoor concerts. New nightlife corners such as District 1850 are popping up there as well .