CuraçaoEscape
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Photo: Nicolas Brogno · Google Maps
Tours

Colorful Stairs

In Otrobanda, just off Breedestraat, an ordinary neighborhood staircase has turned into a vibrant canvas of colorful geometric patterns. This free photo spot, now emblematic of Willemstad's street art revival, draws locals out for a stroll as well as visitors eager to capture the moment. Pair it with a wander through the surrounding streets, among murals and restored facades, to soak up the full artistic spirit of the neighborhood.

otrobanda15 minEasyTours

Just off Breedestraat, in Otrobanda, you'll come across a staircase like no other: every step is painted with bold geometric patterns, turning an ordinary passageway into a genuine open-air work of art. This colorful staircase was born during the Kaya Kaya festival in 2018, when artist Avantia Damberg gave it the identity that makes it today one of the most recognizable photo spots in Curaçao.

The spot is part of Willemstad's street art revival, the movement that has transformed Otrobanda - long overlooked - into a neighborhood where murals and restored facades now tell the story and culture of the island. From the top of the steps, the view opens onto the Queen Juliana Bridge, its arched silhouette dominating the horizon.

Access is free, any time of day. To enjoy softer light and avoid other visitors angling for the same shot, it's best to stop by early in the morning or late afternoon.

The real pleasure, though, is not stopping there. The surrounding streets of Otrobanda are packed with murals and small galleries, and the walk naturally continues from one painted wall to the next, following the restored facades that piece by piece tell the story of a whole neighborhood's transformation.

Colorful Stairs

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Nearby

Old Market (Plasa Bieu)

900 m away

A few steps from the Emma Bridge in the Punda district, this covered market with rustic charm has housed the island's best local kitchens for decades. Six independent stands welcome you around picnic tables in a relaxed atmosphere where locals and visitors gather for lunch.

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Mambo Beach

4.8 km away

At Bapor Kibra, right next to the Sea Aquarium, Mambo Beach is Curaçao's liveliest beach, hands down. The boulevard lines up shops, bars and restaurants on two levels, facing water sheltered by a breakwater and perfect for families. By day, it's all about relaxing in peace. By night, especially on weekends, the mood shifts and the sand turns into a dance floor.

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Pasawá Box Eatery

4.9 km away

On Caracasbaaiweg, east of Willemstad, this food court built in containers painted by local artists turns every evening into a social gathering. Several food stands, a central bar, music, and giant screens. A concept that immediately found its audience since opening in 2023.

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Blue Bay Beach

5.9 km away

About fifteen minutes from Willemstad, near Sint Michiel, Blue Bay is a white sand beach lined with palm trees that's part of the Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort, but it stays open to day visitors for an entrance fee. Sun loungers, a beach club and on-site restaurants set the scene, while a reef accessible right from shore makes this one of Curaçao's favorite beaches for family snorkeling.

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Jan Thiel Beach

7.3 km away

In the southeast of Curaçao, at the end of Caracasbaaiweg, Jan Thiel beach is the island's liveliest gathering spot. Calm water protected by breakwaters, groomed sand, beach clubs and shops line the shore one after another. Between the loungers at Zanzibar, wood-fired pizzas and the easygoing vibe, this is where locals and travelers come to spend the whole day, from breakfast until sunset.

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More things worth doing

Kura Hulanda

In Otrobanda, within the restored courtyards and houses of the Kura Hulanda Village, the Kura Hulanda Museum offers one of the most powerful journeys in the Caribbean through the history of slavery. You walk through a reconstruction of a slave ship's hold, discover an African art collection assembled over decades, and understand, piece by piece, the transatlantic trade that shaped the island. A visit that asks for time and an open mind.

  • 1h30
  • Easy
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Fort Beekenburg

At the entrance to Caracasbaai, an early 18th-century fort still watches over the bay. Fort Beekenburg, built in 1703, stands out from a distance thanks to its round tower shaped like a chess piece, one of the best-preserved historic forts in the Caribbean. Access is free, the climb to the top of the tower offers a view over the Spanish Water, and the surroundings hold a few surprises for those who take the time to linger.

  • 45 min
  • Easy
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The Aloe Vera Farm Curaçao

In eastern Curaçao, in Groot Sint Joris, the CurAloe plantation stretches out in fields of aloe vera. A guided tour takes you through the rows of aloe before showing you behind the scenes at the small factory where the leaves become gels and cosmetics. A simple, informative stop, ideal to combine with a walk around nearby Sint Joris bay.

  • 45 min
  • Easy
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