One of the best ways to get to know a new city that you’re visiting is to go on a walking tour. But, if you’re on a budget and trying to save some money, an expensive walking tour isn’t the best option. And although some cities have free walking tour options where you only have to tip the guide, that’s not always the case. So let me tell you about the perfect DIY walking tour of Nassau, Bahamas.
And let’s be honest – unless you live close to it, the majority of people know precious little about the history and culture of the Caribbean islands.
I visited Nassau, Bahamas, for a week during March (totally forgot it was spring break) 2023, and tried to do it on a budget. I knew precious little about the island and the history of Nassau, so I cultivated a DIY walking tour of Nassau. I couldn’t believe how awesome it was and how much I got to see in such a short space of time.
Related: 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn the History of Destinations
Nassau is an easy, walkable city, even as you get away from the cruise port. If you’re heading to Nassau and want to save a bit of money, follow along for the perfect DIY walking tour of Nassau, Bahamas.
In this article, I’ll discuss the benefits of a DIY walking tour of Nassau, what you should bring on your tour, what time of day is best, the stops you should make and why they’re included on this tour. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions when I do these DIY walking tours.
Let’s get started!
First of all – where is Nassau?
Nassau is the capital city of The Bahamas, an archipelago consisting of 700 islands, with only about 20 of them inhabited. Nassau is located on New Providence Island, and boasts the largest population in the country.
The Bahamas is located in the northern part of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean, with Florida to the north west, Cuba to the south west, and Turks and Caicos to the south east.
Benefits of a DIY walking tour of Nassau
Even if paying for a walking tour of Nassau is in your budget, there are so many more benefits to going on a DIY walking tour.
First of all, a DIY walking tour is free. Like I mentioned before, even if a paid tour is in your budget, you can save that money and put it towards another boat excursion, a nice meal, or that souvenir you’ve been eyeing. And even the “free” walking tours you can sign up for aren’t exactly free.
Secondly, you get to go at your own timing. When you go on a DIY walking tour of Nassau, you might start off strong in the morning. You’ve hit a few highlights…but then realize the Caribbean sun is too much for you in the middle of the day. With a DIY tour, you can stop whenever you need, take a break out of the sun, and then pick it back up later that evening, or even the next day.
Third, you can customize a DIY walking tour to fit your style. Not interested in shopping? Skip the market. Prefer museums? Add a few more. See something interesting along the way? Go for it. I love DIY walking tours for this main reason.
What should you bring on your DIY walking tour of Nassau?
Cash. Now, although you are essentially going on a free walking tour, there might be some small items that come up that you’ll want to take advantage of. When I created this DIY walking tour of Nassau, these were the things I spent a little cash on:
- A coconut to drink – $5
- Entrance to Fort Fincastle – $4
- Bus ride back after my tour – $1.25
- Cold water bottle from a vendor to refill my Hydro Flask – $4
Good walking shoes. My friend had blisters on her feet from her “trusty” sneakers and it put a damper on the rest of her trip. Even if they’re not the most stylish pair of shoes that you brought to The Bahamas, wear your most comfortable shoes. I wore my Tevas. Not only did they comfort my soles, but they allowed my feet to breathe to help me stay cool.
Water. You’re going to be walking a lot in the sun, and the last thing you want is to become dehydrated. Fill up your water bottle before you head out. Even if it’s a pain to carry, you’ll need it.
Sun protection. Whether you want to wear a hat, flowy dress, or, like me, a UV-protection long sleeved rash guard, you want to protect your skin from the Caribbean sun. Even if your goal is to get tan on your visit to The Bahamas, save the tanning time for the beach. Walking around and basically cooking your skin is not the way to do it. Bring along your reef-safe sunscreen for multiple applications. Once you sweat it all off, you’ll want to reapply.
Camera/cell phone. The Bahamas is a beautiful place, and there will be many photo opportunities along the way of your DIY walking tour of Nassau…not only of the locations themselves, but the journey as well. Plus, sometimes I don’t want to read plaques or signs while I’m walking around, so I will typically take a picture and then read it later when I’m processing the adventure.
When is the best time to go on your tour?
If you’re visiting Nassau on a cruise ship, you will be a little more limited with your availability. My advice is to go as soon as you disembark. The locations will get you away from the throngs of passengers quickly, allowing you to have some less-crowded time at the sites.
For anyone else who is staying locally at a resort or local accommodation (I stayed at a hostel), I would recommend going on your tour immediately after breakfast. The air is still a little cooler and the sun isn’t as aggressive.
I wouldn’t recommend a walking tour during a squall or storm. Some of the locations will get flooded and muddy, which will detract from the experience. The cool thing about the Caribbean is that typically the squalls will pass quickly so you can resume your tour!
Stops for your DIY Walking Tour in Nassau
You’re packed, sun screen has been applied, you’ve got some cash on-hand and you’re ready to go! These are the stops I recommend on your DIY walking tour of Nassau!
Parliament Square
Start your tour at Parliament Square, conveniently located directly across from the cruise port. The pink buildings with green shutters were built in 1815, modeled after the old capital of North Carolina, thanks to American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown after the American Revolution. If the House is in session while you’re visiting, I heard a rumor that you could sit and watch if you’re interested in politics…
If not, take a few minutes to admire the architecture, snap a picture of the statue of Queen Victoria, and marvel that you’re in the epicenter of Bahamian Government!
Public Library
Just behind the Parliament buildings you’ll find a memorial to Bahamian soldiers and the Nassau Public Library. The building that houses the library is really cool – it’s in the shape of an octagon and was originally built as a prison in 1797. Although the Library also houses a museum with some pretty sweet artifacts, it was closed when I went by. If it’s closed during your visit, you can still sit in the shade next to the building and admire it.
Queen’s Staircase
Built as a direct path between Fort Fincastle and Nassau, the Queen’s Staircase is a set of 66 limestone steps that will instantly transport you back to Nassau’s piratical past. The steps were carved by hundreds of slaves and took them over a year to complete, finishing in 1974.
As you walk up and down the staircase, taking all the pictures you can, take a minute and trace your hand along the limestone walls. Feel where the slaves were forced to labor to create this beautiful staircase, later named after Queen Victoria.
When I visited, there was a “guide” at the top of the stairs, ready to tell you about the history of the staircase. If you’re interested, stop and have a listen, but understand that a tip is pretty much expected for this information. Do with it what you will.
Fort Fincastle
If you’ve seen any pirate movie, you’ll love Fort Fincastle. Built atop Bennet’s Hill, this fort was a lookout for marauders and pirates that wanted to sneak into Nassau Harbor. It was completed in the late 1700s and is made of the same limestone as the Queen’s Staircase. Although the fort is small, it offers sweeping views of the harbor, cruise ships, Paradise Island, and so much more.
There is a small fee to enter the fort (I think I paid $4) and it was so worth it. You can see real canons, get even better views, and enter the keep that has a little recording about the fort.
Government House/”Statue” of Christopher Columbus
The Government House is the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas, similar to the White House in the United States. It’s an impressive building on 10 acres atop Mount Fitzwilliam, built in 1801. Since it is a residence, you cannot enter the grounds. It’s still impressive to look at.
Back in 1830, a statue of Christopher Columbus was gifted by Governor James Carmichael Smythe in honor of Columbus’ landfall at San Salvador in 1492. As of today, the statue is no longer there. A local man took a sledgehammer to the statue in 2021 and destroyed a good portion of it, causing the statue to be removed. The platform is still in place.
Heritage Museum
As you walk around Nassau, you will see many historical artifacts out in the open. But there are some that are too precious, too valuable, and too fragile to keep outside. The Heritage Museum is a great midway stop to get out of the sun and learn a little more about the history of Nassau and New Providence Island as a whole.
The museum is located in an original building from the 1850s, so even simply walking around was to step into history. The most impactful section were the rooms dedicated to slavery. It was a sobering reminder that although The Bahamas is paradise, it wasn’t always that way for people that lived there.
Christ Church Cathedral
Beautiful churches are always a treat to visit. The Christ Church Cathedral has impressive stained glass windows set against a white/grey edifice, which makes those beautiful colors pop. Head on in and take a seat in a pew. Look around at the architecture from 1837, and take a moment to reflect on where you are.
For the most part, Bahamians are a God-fearing people, so there are many different churches to visit on the islands. Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest and still in use today, which is why I’ve included it on this DIY walking tour of Nassau.
John Watling’s Distillery
Even if you don’t drink, you need to include a visit to the local rum distillery on your DIY walking tour of Nassau. Rum production is a huge part of The Bahamas’ culture and history, and being able to take a free tour of the distillery is eye-opening. Everything is done by hand, so when I was there, I got to witness the workers stamping the bottles by hand.
After your free tour, you can stop by the bar for a rum tasting or mixed drink. Don’t worry, you can get it alcohol-free as well. It was the best virgin piña colada I had on the island. Plus, you can sit in the air conditioning and give your feet a rest.
Any of you fans of James Bond films? Part of the opening scene from Casino Royale was filmed on the grounds!
Sawmill Market
End your DIY walking tour of Nassau at the famous Sawmill Market. Get all of your island souvenirs here, including some items you didn’t know you needed. If I had the space, I would have purchased a sword. There are tons of vendors and if you find something you like for a price a little more expensive than you would like, just walk a little further and you might come across the same thing a little cheaper.
FAQs
Why should I go on a walking tour at all? This is The Bahamas…shouldn’t I just be at the beach?
Your time off is yours. Do what you want. But good citizens try to learn more about the places they visit. Even if you don’t complete the whole DIY walking tour of Nassau, even visiting a few of these locations will make you a better person and a more conscientious tourist. Think about people who visit your hometown. Isn’t it always nice when they try to learn a little bit about your customs/history?
Why shouldn’t I just hire a driver or go with a tour group?
Live your dream! Not everyone is mobile enough to walk or has the stamina. This is just a free option that will take you to parts of the city that you might not have planned on visiting. Plus, I think being able to walk helps you feel the city more, and offers you more photo opportunities en route.
I like museums. Are there more you could recommend?
Yes! Aside from being able to get into the Nassau Public Library Museum, I would recommend the Pirate of Nassau Museum and National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.
How long should I plan on spending on this DIY walking tour of Nassau?
Depending on your style and schedule, I would give yourself 2-3 hours. If you like to take your time, obviously you’ll want to allocate additional time.
What were your favorite stops?
I really enjoyed the Queen’s Staircase because it reminded me of the 99 steps in St. Thomas. It’s also a beautiful location that is a perfect respite from the sun, as it is mostly shaded. I also love the thought of being able to walk through history.
I hope this guide helps you save a little money on your trip to The Bahamas, and provides some direction to learning more about the history and culture of Nassau. Would you consider going on this DIY walking tour of Nassau?
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