Nassau Landmarks and Monuments

(Nassau / Paradise Island, New Providence, Bahamas)

Many of the most intriguing landmarks and sights within Nassau and Paradise Island are shared between the One&Only Ocean Club and the Atlantis Resort. One&Only, used in the fairly recent James Bond flick Casino Royale, is home to the jaw-dropping Versailles Gardens and French Cloister.

The shopping area known as Marina Village is good for taking in the island's pastel-coloured buildings, while some of Nassau's most famous landmarks are to be found bounding Parliament Square. In the Prospect Ridge area, the Government House is quite a palatial sight, with its elaborate candy pink architecture.

French Cloister

Address: One&Only Ocean Club, Ocean Club Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 363 2501
Part of the One&Only Ocean Club and situated within the Versailles Gardens is the French Cloister. Visitors are usually quite surprised to learn that this is actually a genuine cloister that was originally built in southern France during the 12th century, and was recently shipped out here and reconstructed. However, the story does not stop there - it ended up taking a couple of years to piece the cloister together, as nothing had been labelled. The French Cloister is simply beautiful to muse on, whilst wandering amid the gardens at large.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Government House

Address: Corner of Blue Hill Road and Duke Street, Nassau, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 322 1875
Featuring grand Georgian-style architecture, the Government House functions as the official residence for the Governor General of the Bahamas and has been an important local landmark since it was completed in 1737 as a private mansion. In 1799, the government gained ownership of the property and soon after, the Governor General moved in. The Government House enjoys an elevated setting overlooking Hill Street and is very easy to recognise, since its facade is painted pink and white, being fronted by a prominent statue of Christopher Columbus. Especially grand, the entrance is flanked by a steep staircase, four ornate columns and a portico. Although visitors are not able to enter the building, you can walk freely around the grounds. On alternate Saturday mornings at 10:00, the changing of the guards ceremony is worth a look.
Open hours: daily - grounds only
Admission: free

Parliament Square

Address: Parliament Square, Parliament Street / East Street, Nassau, Bahamas, BS
Parliament Square lies on the easterly side of central Nassau, where it is edged by Bay Street (north), East Street (east), Shirley Street (south) and Parliament Street (west). Close by is Rawson Square, the Royal Victoria Gardens and the Bambu Music Bar, while gracing Parliament Square itself are a number of prominent historical landmarks, such as the Supreme Court, the House of the Assembly, the Senate, the Nassau Public Library and Museum and Queen Victoria's Statue, as well as the Gardens of Remembrance.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Fort Fincastle

Address: Elizabeth Avenue, Bennet's Hill, Nassau, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 322 7500
Built in the early part of the 1790s by Viscount Fincastle (Lord Dunmore) and reached by climbing the Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle stands on Bennet's Hill and enjoys endless views of the town beneath, as well as the nearby Atlantis Resort, across the water. This ancient fortress stands close to the Water Tower, just off Greenwich Street, and comes with a number of neighbouring souvenir shops and eateries. There are also some large cannons perfect for posed photographs. The guided tours come highly recommended and generally last around 15 minutes or thereabouts.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 15:00
Admission: free