By Elise Hofer Shaw

Curaçao might be small, but it’s a charming destination characterized by a rich history. From the colonization of the island by the Dutch and the impressive economic growth of its port industry to the heritage of its culture immortalized across a thriving art scene, there is so much to learn, see and do. Here’s a list of attractions and institutions that are both educational and fun.

Take a Walking Tour of the Murals in Otrobanda

Vibrant street art and culture collide in Otrobanda, the most artsy district in Willemstad. From the rainbow steps at the top of Van Lennepstraat painted by artist Avita Damberg to the murals that color the passageway between Quintastraat and Cornelis Dirksweg, Otrobanda is a feast for the eyes. Along with the impressive artwork, there are a handful of quaint cafes and restaurants sprinkled throughout the district, including Bario Hotel + Bar which offers walking tours. Its owners also started the Kaya Kaya Street Party, a festival of culture, art, music and food during the last week of August and December.

Travel Back In Time at the Savonet Museum

Located at the entrance of Christoffel National Park, this former plantation house built in 1662 is an important cultural site to visit for its well-kept structures and artifacts from the past. A unique landmark, Savonet Museum allows its visitors to recount the social evolution of Curaçao through the story of the island’s first inhabitants, plantation owners, and enslaved people, as well as the evolution of the civilization and customs following emancipation. For in-depth details, opt for an audio tour or a guided tour.

Visit the Curaçao Maritime Museum

Curaçao has one of the oldest and busiest harbors in the Caribbean. Due to its position on international trade routes in the Atlantic Ocean and its large natural port, Curaçao has been an important commercial center since its colonization by the Netherlands. Located in a monumental building in the Scharloo district, the Curaçao Maritime Museum has a three-story permanent exhibition sharing 500 years of history. The museum presents a retrospective view of this economic center, starting with the arrival of the indigenous people — the Caquetios — who crossed the sea with their canoes, on through the Spanish and Dutch explorers, slave trade, and more. Curaçao’s maritime prosperity is celebrated here with original nautical charts, ship models, and navigational equipment.

Take In the Blue Bay Sculptural Garden

Situated at the Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort in Boca Samí, the Blue Bay Sculpture Garden Is an open-air sculpture trail that starts at the entrance of the resort and ends at the manor house, a one-time plantation house. In 2017, the first piece to be placed in the park was a ceramic totem by Ellen Spijkstra, followed by works by, among others, artists Giovanni Abath, Eddy Baetens, Babs de Brabander Sr., Hortence Brouwn, Avantia Damberg, and Yubi Kirindongo. Today, there are more than 40 sculptures by 29 artists, all made from a variety of local materials.