Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery
Gazing across Sint Annabaai at the colorful town houses lined up on the shore, you might think that you're in the Old Country. Until you remember that the sun is shining, it's 28°C (82°F), and you're on your way to the beach. Despite the flawless weather, Willemstad feels like a Dutch city, complete with waterways and street cafes.
Residents live in the hills surrounding Schottegat, the deep inland harbor. Much of the sprawling city is traffic clogged and rather mundane. But the crowded streets of Punda are packed with galleries and shops, while nearby Pietermaai is coming alive with restaurants, bars and clubs. Throughout the old town the architecture is rich, with stunning examples of 17th- and 18th-century fortifications, Dutch colonial planning and diverse building styles, all of which earned this city its Unesco-protected status.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Willemstad.
Museum
Located in a 19th-century merchant's house and slave quarters, this excellent museum documents the brutal history of slavery in the New World, including the slave trade, the culture of enslaved people, and abolition. There's also a fantastic collection of art and artifacts from West Africa – including a cool sculpture garden – showcasing the significant African influences on Caribbean culture.
Bridge
Spanning Sint Annabaai, this local landmark is sometimes called Our Swinging Old Lady. It's a pontoon bridge that swings open to make way for oceangoing ships. When the bridge is open, two free public ferries shuttle passengers back and forth between Punta and Otrobanda.
Arts Center
As visitors wander the leafy grounds of this 1735 plantation home they encounter a range of things. An old car covered in mosaic tiles depicting sea creatures. Plants growing out of discarded toilets. A towering cathedral constructed of thorns. Essentially, this is the epicenter of the avant-garde in Curaçao, and for a small fee someone will guide you through the wonders, many of which tell important stories of the island and its history.
Gallery
Housed in the 17th-century Landhuis Habaai plantation house, this cooperative gallery has the city's largest collection of works by Caribbean artists. The rotating exhibits usually feature one or two artists with local connections, but there's always a great variety of works on display, including whimsical sculptures in the courtyard and gardens. Located about 3km northwest of Otrobanda.
Museum
The 1651 Mikvé Israel Emanuel Synagogue has the oldest continuously operating Jewish congregation in the western hemisphere. Its small but fascinating museum occupies two 18th-century buildings that once housed the rabbi's residence and bathhouse. The museum's centerpiece is the original mikveh (bath), discovered during renovation. Also on display is a Torah scroll that was brought to Curaçao by the first Jewish settlers.
Museum
Engaging displays trace the island’s history, including exhibits on the Dutch West India Co, the growth of Willemstad, the slave trade and more. A highlight is Steam for Oil, a working model of the oil refinery that has been a centerpiece of the island's economy throughout the 20th century. The museum also runs informative biweekly harbor tours. Combination tickets are available.
Museum
Small but worthwhile, this museum touches on art, history and society in its eclectic collections. In an unlikely residential location 1.6km west of Otrobanda, it's housed in a beautifully renovated military hospital. Highlights include the cockpit of the Snip (the first airplane to cross the ocean from the Netherlands to Curaçao) and the impressive collection of contemporary sculpture in the garden.
Distillery
Did you ever wonder why blue curaçao is blue? Find out at Landhuis Chobolobo, where the liqueur is produced (in five colors, actually) from the peel of Valencia oranges. Walk yourself through an informative tour of the tipple's history and production process, then hit the gift shop to sample the goods. Landhuis Chobolobo is located on the eastern side of the Schottegat.
Museum
At the Curaçao Maritime Museum, this exhibit includes a working model of the oil refinery that has been a centerpiece of the island's economy throughout the 20th century.