Fort Nassau
An 1797 hilltop fort above Willemstad, now a restaurant with a view over the harbour.
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Fort Nassau was built in 1797 on the hill behind Willemstad to cover the harbour entrance from above, and it now holds a restaurant and terrace with what is generally regarded as the best view on the island: the whole of the inner harbour, the Queen Emma pontoon bridge, the painted facades of Punda and Otrobanda, and the oil refinery beyond. The historic core it looks down on is inscribed by UNESCO, though the fort itself sits above that boundary.
What you actually see
- The harbour view - the inner harbour and pontoon bridge laid out below.
- The painted facades - Punda and Otrobanda seen from above.
- The 1797 fort - the walls and platform built to cover the harbour entrance.
- The terrace - the viewing deck and restaurant occupying the site.
When to go
Year round; late afternoon and sunset are the point. The restaurant keeps evening hours. The terrace view works at any time of day.
Honest expectations
The site functions mainly as a restaurant and the historic fabric is limited. The view includes the refinery, which is not what everyone wants in the photograph. Parking on the hill is tight.
Nearby
Willemstad's historic centre is below, and Rif Mangrove Park is west.
What to pack for Fort Nassau
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.