Willemstad

Willemstad – colourful jewel and pride of Curacao

Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, looks like a living picture, mixing Dutch architecture, Caribbean atmosphere and vibrant city life. The colourful colonial houses, the narrow streets, and the bridges that open up before your eyes. All of this creates the unique character of this city. It is not just the capital, but the heart of the whole island. A place where history, culture and modern lifestyle meet. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Queen Emma Bridge

One of the most iconic symbols of Willemstad is the Koningin Emmabrug, or Queen Emma Bridge, also known as the Floating Bridge. This wooden bridge connects the historic districts of Punda and Otrobanda and is unique in that it moves on pontoons. When a boat approaches, the bridge opens completely on its side and you have to wait for the boat to pass so you can continue to the other side. The bridge was built in 1888 and named in honor of Queen Emma of the Netherlands.

A walk on the Queen Emma Bridge is a unique experience. As the bridge is built on pontoons, it gently sways as you walk, giving it the nickname ‘the swinging old lady’. Especially in the evening, the atmosphere comes alive when the structure glows with colored lights that reflect on the surface of the water.

If you’re lucky, you may experience the moment when the bridge starts to open. First, a warning horn sounds, and then the whole structure slowly rotates, creating an impressive scene.

Directly behind the bridge in the Punda area, you will find hearts made of locks. Will you also lock your love here and throw away the key to make it last forever?

Punda – the most photogenic part of the city

The Punda district is the oldest and liveliest part of Willemstad. Its colourful houses, which are typical Dutch architecture, line the waterfront and create an iconic view of the city. A walk along the Handelskade, the commercial waterfront, is like a postcard come to life. It is from here that the most famous view of Willemstad comes, which appears in most photos and postcards from the island.

The most beautiful view is from the Queen Emma Bridge.

There are many souvenir shops, restaurants and luxury brands housed in beautiful historic buildings.

During our walk, we also came across the Curaçao sign. A photo with it is not to be missed.

We also discovered several interesting statues, both of historical and cultural value. One of them is the Chichi statue. This colourful and cheerful statue represents a strong, caring and energetic woman who is an important part of Caribbean culture.

Renaissance Rif Fort – more than just shops

Renaissance Rif Fort is one of the most interesting places in Willemstad, where history, culture and modern luxury come together. Once protecting the town from pirates and invaders, the fort is now a vibrant centre with shops, restaurants and a wonderful atmosphere.

The Rif Fort was built in 1828 as a defensive fort to protect the port of Willemstad. In 2009 it was renovated and became part of the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort, but retained its historic appearance.

Here you will find stylish boutiques, luxury brands, souvenir shops and art galleries. If you’re interested in gastronomy, many restaurants and bars are offering Caribbean specialities, fresh seafood and refreshing cocktails. For dessert, we tried the pancake bar. Unfortunately, the vegan pancake was pretty gross and with a price tag of €13, it ranks as one of the most wasted money spent on the whole holiday 😊.

In the evening, the fortress comes alive with music and a pleasant atmosphere. You can enjoy the sunset on the terraces overlooking the ocean, while live music or a DJ plays in the bars. For a romantic dinner or a nightcap under the stars, the venue is just perfect.

Floating market – an exotic taste of the Caribbean

One of Willemstad’s most unique spots is the Floating Market, where fishermen and merchants from Venezuela sell fresh fruit, vegetables and fish straight from their boats. But the smell of fish was so strong here that I couldn’t bear to visit the place. I don’t like fish and it smells a lot, so places like this are not really for me.

Christmas in Curaçao? Willemstad is the right choice

If you find yourself in Willemstad in November, you can experience an unconventional version of St Nicholas Day. Instead of snow and sleighs, Sinterklaas arrives on a boat from the Netherlands and with his helpers hands out sweets to the children. This Dutch custom has been preserved in Curaçao to this day and is one of the town’s most interesting cultural traditions

As part of the celebrations, a parade through the city is held, where Sinterklaas’ helpers ride in a bus, honking and giving out Christmas cheer.

In the evening, the programme culminates with a lively event in the square, where people gather to dance, sing or just enjoy sweets from the stalls set up especially for the Sinterklaas festival. Closing the programme is a fireworks show.

We didn’t know about the holiday at all, and it was a complete coincidence that we found ourselves in Willemstad on this particular evening. Making our experience of the celebrations all the more beautiful.