Go Backpacking

  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
×
Home » Destinations » Central America » The Bahamas

7 Bahamas Landmarks for History Buffs on a Budget

Modified: May 17, 2025 · Published: Oct 20, 2022 by Kayla Gallocher |

Are you a history buff or student seeking a whirlwind adventure of the mind in the Bahamas, but worried about all those travel expenses? This list of budget-friendly historical Bahamas landmarks will keep your mind sharp and more money in your pocket.

Table of Contents

  • Top Bahamas Landmarks
    • 1. Fort Montagu, New Providence Island
    • 2. Blackbeard's Tower, New Providence Island
    • 3. Christ Church Cathedral, Nassau
    • 4. Statue of Woodes Rogers, Nassau
    • 5. Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle, Nassau
    • 6. Wyannie Malone Historical Museum, Great Abaco Island
    • 7. Sapona Shipwreck, Bimini

Top Bahamas Landmarks

1. Fort Montagu, New Providence Island

Cannons at Fort Montagu, a Bahamas landmark on New Providence Island (photo: iStock).
Cannons at Fort Montagu

New Providence Island is home to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. It's also the perfect place to begin a sailing trip to beautiful beaches and historical landmarks.

We recommend hiring a Bahamas yacht charter for this sailing adventure. Share the cost with a group of friends or family members to save money and enhance your Bahamian experience.

Fort Montagu, the oldest fort in the Bahamas, is located on New Providence Island. The British built it from limestone in 1741, and it is free to visit. The four cannons used in The Battle of Nassau to defend the British against Spanish invaders remain firm.

2. Blackbeard's Tower, New Providence Island

Nassau, Bahamas (photo: Lauren_vdM).
Nassau, Bahamas (photo: Lauren_vdM)

The Bahamas has a fascinating history involving pirates, of which you may already be aware. Blackbeard, arguably one of the world's most referenced and infamous pirates, captured approximately 40 ships during his global reign of tyranny.

This notorious pirate's lookout on New Providence Island is an eerie landmark from the 1700s pirating era in the Bahamas.

Climb this crumbling tower to catch the view and imagine yourself in the shoes of the frightening pirate Blackbeard. For your safety, it is best to visit this historical site in a group.

3. Christ Church Cathedral, Nassau

Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau  (photo: iStock).
Nassau, The Bahamas

Maybe your passion lies in religious history. If so, we suggest traveling to the first church built in the Bahamas - Christ Church Cathedral, also in Nassau.

Wander through the cathedral, marvel at the stained-glass windows, and revel in this beautiful landmark's religious ancestry. 

Christ Church Cathedral was rebuilt four times, if you can believe it. Whether it was due to being destroyed by Spaniards or replaced for longevity, the ancient cathedral has been through wars since 1670.

The locals will even welcome you to participate in an admission-free Sunday morning service if you desire to immerse yourself in the experience.

4. Statue of Woodes Rogers, Nassau

If you've heard of the Great Pirate Era of the Bahamas, you'll be delighted to know that a statue of Woodes Rogers, the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas, stands gloriously in Nassau.

Woodes Rogers aided in eliminating pirates in the region, even though he was disappointingly also a slave trader. The statue is beautifully crafted to show the liveliness of this historical figure, so we encourage you to pay close attention to the sculptor's work.

5. Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle, Nassau

The Queen's Staircase in Nassau (photo: iStock).
The Queen's Staircase

The Queen's Staircase, initially built by enslaved people, was eventually named in honor of Queen Victoria's abolishment of slavery. Like many Bahamas landmarks on our list, this royal treasure is in Nassau. 

The Queen's Staircase is free to visit, and Fort Fincastle (the destination atop the staircase) has a minimal entrance fee. 

You may not be able to afford the royal treatment on your travels, but it's still possible to create a travel budget that allows you to visit the Bahamas for less.

Learning how to save money for a trip like this is a worthy endeavor. Plan far in advance, pool your money, and raise funds with your history-passionate peers to organize a tour for yourselves. 

6. Wyannie Malone Historical Museum, Great Abaco Island

Let's move on to spectacular landmarks on several other beautiful Bahamas islands. Visit the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum on Great Abaco Island.

Visit this affordable, authentic museum on a rainy day and discuss the local donations with passionate volunteers who love history like you.

China and pottery. Letters and manuscripts. Photos and artifacts. You'll be gripped by the depth of Bahamian history you can explore in the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum. 

Related: Swim with Pigs in the Bahamas

7. Sapona Shipwreck, Bimini

One of many Bahamas landmarks, the S.S. Sapona sunk from a hurricane off the coast of Bimini in 1926.
A front view of the shipwrecked S.S. Sapona

If you're interested in the spookier side of the Bahamas' history, the Sapona Shipwreck, a few miles from Bennet's Harbour in South Bimini, may entice you.

We recommend sailing past this iconic ship, which transported U.S. troops in World War I and later ran aground during a dangerous hurricane in 1926.

Visitors have expressed that snorkeling around the wreck truly enhances this experience! The contrast between the harrowing shipwreck and colorful tropical fish swimming among the wreckage is spectacular.

Sharp, rusty pieces of the shipwreck may concern you, but if you make sure to look and not touch them, you have nothing to worry about.

______

This story is brought to you in partnership with Oceans Evasion.

Related Stories

  • The Atlantis Paradise Island (photo: Georgy Trofimov).
    The Bahamas: What To See on a Family Vacation
  • Dave in Exuma cays (photo: Kelly Lemons)
    2021: A Year of Travel, Loss, and New Beginnings
  • My Experience Swimming with the Pigs in The Bahamas
  • Dave in Exuma Cays, The Bahamas
    Staniel Cay Travel Guide: The Bahamas' Best Little Island
22 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

Footer

back to top

About

  • About
  • Archive
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Follow Us

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Submissions

Copyright © 2025 Go Backpacking

22 shares
  • 22