Looking for the best free or low cost things to do in Nassau, Bahamas? Check out this list of 11 ways you could spend your day.
Nassau is an extremely frequent cruise port stop. It is also a popular place in the Bahamas to vacation. Going on vacation does not have to cost tons of money.
There are plenty of things to do in Nassau, Bahamas for free or a much lower cost.
From beaches, food and drink samples, historical sights and more, this list has it all!
These are the top tried and tested things to do in Nassau you should definitely check out on your next vacation.
This post is all about things to do in Nassau.
Things To Do In Nassau For Free Or Low Cost
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Updated Cruise Port
If you have not been to Nassau in many years or have never been you’re in for a surprise!
Nassau’s cruise port has received a 300 million dollar upgrade. It can now hold more ships and has been completely transformed.
This project took 4 years. It’s a fantastic change considering Nassau is the second busiest cruise port behind Cozumel.
It now offers a Junkanoo Museum, tons of venders selling food, drinks and merchandise, an art gallery and green spaces.
You can walk around the port for free or if you’d like to spend just a little bit of money you can buy some souvenirs.
Straw Market
A place you should go at least once when visiting Nassau on a port stop is the Straw Market.
If you go however you better be ready to haggle because there will be tons of vendors trying to sell you their products. Be sure to negotiate your price if you’re looking to buy anything or you can just walk around for free to see what all they have to offer.
The Straw Market is on Bay Street.
John Watling’s Distillery
If you’re looking for some history, free samples and a chance to purchase some delicious drinks all within a short (ish) walk from the cruise port or a taxi ride if you’re staying locally then you should check out John Watling’s Distillery.
It was founded in 1789. Be sure to get a free pina coloda sample (or 3) when you go! They are absolutely DELICIOUS and the drink I would recommend to get from the bar if you want a full sized drink. The one I had was better than any pina colada I’ve ever had.
You can take a tour of the home for free if you like. It is small, just a few rooms and has several photos on the walls of past history.
After you tour the home you have the options of checking out the gift shop. Here you can purchase a bottle or a few of their small batch rums. They also sell merchandise such as t-shirts.
They have a full bar where you can choose from a list of curated cocktails if you want to spend a few dollars.
You can also do a rum tasting which is what I did on my most recent visit where you taste 6 different rums. They give you a pamphlet with information on each of the rums and their alcohol content.
They are open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm with some exclusions of course for holidays so be sure to check before going on your next vacation!
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Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase is a must see if you are visiting Nassau. It’s a piece of history you should definitely see at least once in your life. Nassau is a frequent cruise port stop so it would be extrememly accessable to visit this landmark on one of your cruise vacations.
The staircase is 66 steps of limestone that was carved out by slaves in 1793 and 1794 to make an escape route from the Fort at the top of the stairs.
Cruise lines often offer walking tours of Nassau as an excursion. I have always seen this as a stop on those. You can book that excursion or if you’re looking to save money, venture out on your own if you’re wanting to visit this historical stop.
It is about a 15 minute walk from the cruise terminal. I would recommend bringing some bottled water with you because it can be a very hot walk with minimal shade until you reach the structure.
I personally did this walk with my husband and did not feel unsafe for those wondering about safety walking around downtown Nassau.
If you haven’t been to The Queen’s Staircase before I would check it out on your next vacation in Nassau and grab a photo for the memories.
Fort Fincastle
Fort Fincastle is at the top of The Queen’s Staircase.
It was built in 1793 and was made to provide protection. They have guided tours from 8 am to 4pm.
If you would like to go inside of the fort most places online will say it is free and it most likely is because that is the common consensus.
However the last time I went in May 2023 they told me I couldn’t go inside unless I paid $2. Even so it is an extremely affordable landmark to see if you have interest.
Especially if you’re already going to The Queen’s Staircase you might as well check this out too.
There are some local vendors outside the fort to the side with souvenirs if you are wanting to bring something home from your trip.
Umbrella Lane
If you’re looking for a cute photo op Umbrella Lane is the place to go!
It is located on West Hill street.
If you’re making a few stops along your way through downtown Nassau, the umbrellas are a great addition.
I personally went here after stopping by the Governor’s House on the way to the rum distillery.
Governor’s House
The Governor’s House is just a few minutes walk from the cruise terminal and is another perfect photo opportunity.
It was built in 1806.
You won’t be able to go inside the house but you can take a look around the grounds completely free.
Margaritaville
While Margaritaville’s water park and beach areas are an additional cost there are a couple things you can do here for free.
Margaritaville is a gorgeous hotel/resort that is an extremely short walk from the cruise terminal.
You can walk around the grounds/lobby area for free. You can also do some shopping but that will be an extra cost.
A bar that not many people know about unless staying there is the Graycliff Sky Lounge.
It is on the 10th floor of Margaritaville. You can easily take the elevator up to the bar and take in the goregous views for free.
If you’d like to buy a drink you can but it is not required. This is a stunning place to take in the resort and beach views while staying on budget as you do not have to pay a cover charge to hang out here.
On my last cruise to Nassau after walking around downtown seeing the sites we ended our day here spending a couple of hours hanging out.
Rum Cake Shops
One rum cake shop you need to check out on your next visit to Nassau is The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory.
They offer free samples of their products you can try while browsing the store’s selections.
The founder started a small store in 2000 that is still where the company resides today. In 2014 it became the official rum cake of the Bahamas.
Definitely stop by this store and grab yourself a rum cake to take home to family and friends!
Walk Around Atlantis
If you’re wanting to see the famous Atlantis resort you can do so without buying an expensive pass.
Although that means you won’t have access to everything, you can still go to the hotel and take a few photos. You’ll have access to the lobby, some shops, and the casino if you want to try your luck.
Atlantis is located on Paradise island so if you are not staying close by you will need to take a taxi from the cruise port to get there.
Free Beaches
If you aren’t looking to blow the budget with a day pass to a hotel in Nassau there are a few free beaches you can go to.
Some are within walking distance from the cruise port and others you will have to take a taxi to to get there.
If you’re looking to save more money on the ones you need a taxi for you can take a bus instead.
The only beach within walking distance, making it a very popular free option is Junkanoo Beach.
5 beaches you can hang out at for free:
-Cabbage Beach
-Cable Beach
-Junkanoo Beach
-Love Beach
-Saunders Beach
Whatever you choose to do on your vacation in Nassau there is always something fun and it does not have to cost a lot of money.
Insider Tip:
If you’re interested in any of these options I would suggest looking at the location of each stop you want to make and plan out the most efficient way to go about your day.
Before your cruise starts you may also want to offline download a portion of the map app for Nassau if you don’t have a phone that will load the map without costing you international data charges.
This post was all about things to do in Nassau.
