If you’re looking for the best Instagram spots in Curaçao, this island makes it really easy to come home with a full camera roll. I’d pull over for one view, take a few photos, then do it again ten minutes later because something else caught my eye. Between the colorful buildings, bright blue water, and random stops along the road, I kept finding good shots without even trying.
I started in Willemstad and immediately pulled my phone out because the buildings were exactly what I pictured—bright, stacked, right along the water. I walked over to the Otrobanda side and turned back toward Punda, which is the angle everyone uses, and it made sense as soon as I saw it.
I kept walking around after that and found more photo spots just by turning corners, especially once the light started changing later in the day. If you want more exact stops, check out my guide on Willemstad Walking Guide: What to See, Do, and Eat.
I walked across the Queen Emma Bridge next and stopped halfway through because the view lined up perfectly with the buildings behind me. It’s a floating bridge, so it shifts slightly while you’re on it, which made the photos feel a little different than a normal walkway.
I took photos from both sides after crossing since the angle changes depending on where you stand, and I ended up liking both directions for different reasons.
I drove west to Playa Kenepa Grandi, parked, and walked over to the overlook to get that iconic cliffside shot with the bright blue water below. The water was that unreal bright blue you see in photos, and it actually looked like that in person.
I grabbed a few shots from the top, then went down to the beach after because at that point I was getting in the water no matter what. If you’re planning your beach days, I break this area down more in Best Beaches in Curaçao (with Map + Tips).
I stopped at Playa Kalki and set up near the cliffs, then got in to snorkel before coming back out to take photos. The rocks and the way the beach curves made the photos look different from the others I had already taken.
It also wasn’t packed, so I didn’t have to work around people in the background, which made everything easier to shoot without waiting around.
I took photos from the top first, then went down after to snorkel since that was really why I came to this beach. If you want more details on this spot, see my full Directors Bay Curaçao Snorkeling Guide + Tips.
I drove over to Playa Forti and walked straight to the edge where people were cliff jumping. I didn’t jump, but Brad decided to brave the 40-foot jump, so we stood there watching people go for it and got some really good shots from the top before it was his turn.
You may not want to grab the screenshot of you mid-jump though (not exactly your best angle ha). We grabbed lunch at the restaurant right there after, and Brad earned that meal—honestly, the stress of me watching everyone else was enough for me to earn mine too.
We made a quick stop at Santa Martha Bay Viewpoint and pulled over as soon as the view opened up. It overlooks a wide bay with hills around it, and it felt a little calmer than the other beaches.
We got there closer to sunset, so the lighting was changing while I was there and the view looked different within a few minutes.
I got in the water at a few different beaches and ended up liking those photos just as much as the actual locations. The water is so clear that even simple floating shots looked good on camera.
I started going out earlier in the day for better lighting, then timed a few places around sunset after seeing how much it changed the colors. I wore water shoes most days since some of the beaches were rocky, and that made it easier to move around without thinking about where I was stepping. Although, I would take them off for photos if it wasn’t too rocky.
I kept my plans loose and pulled over anytime something looked good, which is how I found a few of my favorite photo spots. If you’re planning your trip overall, I’d look at Curaçao Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors to map things out.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
I’d go into this with a plan and hit these spots first because they’re the ones that consistently gave me the best photos. I still pulled over a few extra times when something caught my eye, but these are the places you’ll be glad you added to your agenda.
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
