Oranjestad Travel Guide
Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, is where many visitors first encounter the island's distinctive blend of European elegance and Caribbean warmth. Its harbour, once busy with schooners and fishing boats, now welcomes cruise ships from around the world, bringing travellers into the heart of a city that wears its history with pride.
Despite its popularity, Oranjestad has held onto its laid-back charm. Downtown streets are lined with pastel-coloured Dutch colonial buildings, their ornate gables and lacy trim reflecting the island's long-standing ties to the Netherlands, and the city's name itself pays tribute to the House of Orange-Nassau (the Dutch royal family).
A walk through Oranjestad offers more than pretty architecture, though. The Archaeological Museum presents a fascinating look at Aruba's Indigenous Arawak roots through thoughtful, modern exhibits. And just a short stroll away, the 18th-century Fort Zoutman, Aruba's oldest building, houses the Museo Histórico Arubano, which traces the island's colonial and maritime history. The Willem III Tower, added in the 19th century, once served as a lighthouse and still overlooks the city.
Beyond the cultural sights, Oranjestad is vibrant and full of life, and features luxury boutiques, waterfront malls and glitzy casinos that draw the crowds. A few blocks away, the city reveals a more relaxed side full of local bars, colourful murals and a welcoming community where visitors can settle in with a cold drink and soak up the real Aruba.