Willemstad is one of the most recognizable parts of Curaçao—and if you’re planning your trip, knowing the best things to do in Willemstad Curaçao makes a big difference in how much you enjoy it.
Most people walk past the colorful buildings, take a few photos, and leave. That’s fine, but you’ll miss a lot.
If you plan it right, this can easily turn into one of the best parts of your trip.
If you want a full breakdown of how to structure your time here, check out my guide on one day in Willemstad: easy itinerary—it helps you map everything out without wasting time.
This is the main reason people come here.
The row of colorful buildings along the water is exactly what you’ve seen in photos—and it looks the same in person.
You’ll end up here without trying since it’s right in the middle of everything. It’s an easy first stop and a good place to get your bearings before walking around more.
The floating bridge between Punda and Otrobanda isn’t just functional—it’s part of the experience.
Walk across it at least once. It moves when boats pass through, and if you happen to catch that, it’s worth stopping for a few minutes to watch (it’s more exciting than it sounds…but I am easily entertained ha).
These are the two main sides of Willemstad, and they feel different once you spend a little time on each.
Punda is where most of the foot traffic is. Shops, restaurants, main sights—it’s the busier side.
Otrobanda is quieter, and this is where you get some of the best views looking back toward the colorful buildings across the water.
Most people cross the bridge, take a quick look, and leave. It’s worth slowing down a bit here and walking a few streets—it’s noticeably less crowded.
If you’re planning dinner or want to go out at night, this is where you want to be.
Pietermaai has:
This is where Willemstad shifts from sightseeing to feeling like a night out. You’ll see people moving between places, live music in some spots, and a lot more energy once the sun goes down.
The food here is good enough that it’s worth planning ahead instead of just picking somewhere randomly when you’re hungry.
These were my favorites:
If you’re only picking one, go to MosaCaña.
If you want a full breakdown of what to order and where to go, check out my guide on best restaurants in Curaçao (where to eat + what to order)—it’ll save you from guessing when you’re already hungry.
This is a quick stop, but it’s different from everything else in Willemstad.
Vendors sell produce and goods directly from boats along the water. It doesn’t take long to walk through, but it’s worth seeing if it’s open.
Go earlier in the day—later on, a lot of it starts closing down and you’ll miss most of it.
This is right near Queen Wilhelmina Park and takes a few minutes.
It’s one of those easy stops that’s already along your route, so there’s no reason to skip it.
This is one of the best views over Willemstad.
It’s a short drive outside of the main area, so you’ll need a car or taxi to get there—but it’s worth it if you want something different than staying in town.
The food was really good, but the view is what stands out.
If you’re planning to explore more than just Willemstad, renting a car makes everything easier—you can check options here: renting a car in Curaçao.
This is one of the most underrated things to do. During the day, it’s more about walking around and seeing the main spots. At night, it changes.
The bridge lights up
The buildings reflect on the water
Restaurants and bars fill up
There’s live music in areas like Pietermaai
One of my favorite moments of the trip was walking around here at night under the bridge—it felt completely different than during the day.
If you’re not staying at a resort, this is one of the easiest places to base yourself. You’re close to restaurants, you can walk around at night, and you’re still within driving distance of most beaches. It’s also more budget-friendly compared to staying at a resort.
If you’re deciding where to stay, you can find hotels in Willemstad here—it gives you a good range depending on your budget and location.
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Mambo Beach
This is one of the most popular spots near Willemstad, but it felt more chaotic and crowded than anywhere else we went. It is a beautiful beach—I just found there were better options that felt more secluded and natural.
If you’re looking for something more scenic or less commercial, there are better beaches on the island.
Plein Café Wilhelmina
The options felt limited, and there are better places nearby (I mostly ended up just eating bread—which I love ha—but I needed a little more than just carbs to keep me going for everything we had planned).
Willemstad doesn’t need a packed itinerary—but it does need a little direction.
If you focus on walking the main areas, planning a couple good meals, and coming back at night, you’ll have a much better experience than just stopping for an hour.
If you’re planning the rest of your trip, learn more in my post about Curaçao travel guide for first-time visitors—it connects everything together so your days flow better.
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
@peacefulsidesocial is what happens when someone builds exactly the restaurant a mountain town deserves. Made-from-scratch food. Craft beer brewed on site. A kids’ play area outside, & mountain views from the patio. ⛰️
It’s casual in the best way, the kind of place where you sit down for lunch and suddenly it’s two hours later and you don’t care.
@cityoftownsend | 📍Townsend, TN
I walked through the gates and immediately understood why people fly back to Curaçao just for this place. 🌴
23 rooms. Private beach. A Balinese-inspired resort built stone by stone by the owners themselves. Buddha statues next to conch shells. Candles lit everywhere at night. Beachfront dining that eats like fine dining but feels like you’re just having dinner on the sand.
It’s currently the #1 resort in the Caribbean and after spending time there, I get it completely.
Full review linked in bio
#travelling #curaçao #visitcuraçao #luxuryresort #travelvlog
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
