Willemstad
Willemstad is the capital and largest city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
It was the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to that entity's dissolution in 2010. The city accounts for around 90% of Curaçao's population, with 136,660 inhabitants as of 2011. The historic centre of the city consists of four quarters: the Punda and Otrobanda, which are separated by the Sint Anna Bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the Schottegat, as well as the Scharloo and Pietermaai Smal quarters, which are across from each other on the smaller Waaigat harbour. Willemstad is home to the Curaçao synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The city centre, with its unique architecture and harbour entry, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting to Willemstad
Countries eligible for a visa-free entry are shown in green on image to the right. Other countries require obtaining a visa, which is valid for Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands and allows multiple entry for a maximum period of 90 days within 180 days. The maximum uninterrupted stay in one of the individual countries is 30 days. The visa is not valid for the European part of the Netherlands.
- 01Curaçao International Airport
Worth seeing
Westpunt: The westernmost point of the island has restaurants and beautiful small beaches abound. Nordpunt: The northernmost point of the island, much rougher sea than at Westpunt but beautiful nature (not recommended for swimming!) Watamulu, the "lungs of the island": Between Nordpunt and Westpunt hollow rocks and corals spit out water with every wave. An impressive sight and a must see when in the area.
- 01Museum Kura Hulanda
This anthropological museum chronicles the African slave trade as well as the cultures of Curaçao.
- 02Maritime Museum
Things to do
Diving and snorkeling: The clear waters and maritime life make it an ideal diving destination. Divers are, after cruise ship tourists, the largest group of tourists. Plenty of dive schools offer courses and certifications. Christoffel National Park,. West Point. A national park that is run by the Carmabi Foundation.
- 01Kunuku Aqua Resort
Small all-inclusive resort with lots of water slides, pools and bars.
Where to eat
Local cuisine in Curaçao is a mixture of European, West-Indian and East Asian (particularly Indonesian) flavors. Dutch influences are found in the use of cheeses, bread and seafood, which are also important in Curaçaoan food.
- 01Rozendaels
Penstraat 47, Willemstad, info@rozendaels.com.
Getting around Willemstad the local way
- Get inA ferry operates between Willemstad and Numansdorp (Hoeksche Waard).
From Wikivoyage: Willemstad (Netherlands), CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.