Oranjestad, Aruba

Fort Zutman

The oldest building in Oranjestad is Fort Zoutman. It was built in 1796, and the fort was named in honor of the most famous Dutch admiral. Four cannons stand around it, and its most outstanding feature is a tower named after King William III. The tower was added to the fort in 1868; at the time, it served a dual purpose: it functioned as the city clock and also acted as a lighthouse. Today, the Fort is home to the Museum of Island History and Heritage-it is located right opposite the Governor’s office.

St. Anne’s Church

There are many churches in the city; the most important of them is the Catholic Church of Saint Anne, which was built in the early 20th century, and the most beautiful part of it is rightfully considered to be the altar in the Neo-Gothic style-hand-carved from oak even before the church was built, in 1870. This work even received a special award in Rome.

Beaches of Aruba

Druif Beach - is a long and rather narrow stretch of ivory-colored sand, a calm resort where you can relax or take a break with your kids. Arashi Beach is also considered popular - quiet beaches that boast a fairly abundant underwater life. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are more lively. Here you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy not only any kind of water sport, but also visit beach bars, restaurants, and shops. These beaches are considered some of the best and most beautiful. The shallow coast of Mangel Halto is rich in exotic fish and marine animals; octopuses, barracudas, and moray eels can also be found here. Mangel Halto is a fairly secluded beach-an excellent place for diving and picnics, since along the coastline you’ll also find mangrove forests.

Renaissance Island

Renaissance Private Island is one of the most beautiful places for a beach holiday. It is surrounded by coral reefs and offers great opportunities for snorkeling and diving. Iguana Beach is one of the two beaches on Renaissance Island. Iguana Beach, like the island itself, is private. Accordingly, its infrastructure and level of service are of a high standard. The beach is sandy and clean, with large palm trees that provide natural shade. It is equipped with a breakwater, so swimming in its area is absolutely safe. The beach got its name from dozens of iguanas living there, each about the size of a human hand.

Shopping malls

In Oranjestad, there is excellent shopping, from Guess, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton boutiques (prices here are significantly lower than in Europe, as the port and surrounding areas are duty-free shopping zones), to a wonderful flea market along the waterfront. Small shopping centers are tucked away in the labyrinth of narrow streets in the city center. When cruise ships dock in the city, the opening hours of shopping centers and shops are extended dramatically. The three-story Royal Plaza shopping center is located near the harbor and specializes in jewelry, clothing, accessories, bed linens, perfumes, cigars, and souvenirs. Renaissance Mall sells luxury items. Renaissance Market offers a colorful selection of various souvenirs. South Beach Mall features high-end gifts, clothing, jewelry, silver, and souvenirs.

Panoramic tour of Oranjestad

Oranjestad is a toy-like city-elegant and cozy, a luxurious and vibrant heart of the Caribbean islands. The center of town is bursting with cheerful Dutch houses with blue and red roofs, as if framed with delicate white stone “lace.” During a city excursion, you will see not only the many colorful, neat Dutch houses for which Oranjestad is so famous, but also many other interesting sights: Fort Zoutman with its beautiful Wilhelm III tower, St. Anne’s Church with an extraordinary altarpiece in neo-Gothic style, hand-carved from oak, Queen Wilhelmina Park, the grand waterfront promenade, and the Natural Bridge-an amazing attraction created by nature itself from coral-as well as much more.

Seaside cruise

Every day, cruise boats depart from Oranjestad, on which you can embark on your journey. For an hour, a well-equipped submarine-one that even has a mini-bar-will take you around the nearby waters of the island’s west coast. You will truly enjoy the experience, admiring the underwater realm through the portholes: coral reefs with their exotic flora and fauna. You will see turtles and tropical fish, sea seals and moray eels.

Aloe Vera Factory

The Aloe Vera processing plant was built on Aruba in 1840, and its presence influenced every facet of life, from art and architecture to health. Due to the widespread growth of the plant (two thirds of the island), the island was named the “Aloe Island” and became the world’s largest exporter of aloe. The island’s hot southern sun and tropical climate enhance the plant’s natural, healing properties and help produce the most powerful aloe gel, which brings damaged skin back to life and refreshes it. The aloe processing plant not only produces various aloe-based products, but also carries out serious scientific work. During the excursion, you will see the entire production process-from harvesting plant parts to filling finished creams and lotions into beautiful jars-and you’ll learn many interesting facts about the plant itself and its 160-year history of use in Aruba. At the end of the excursion, you will be able to purchase products from the factory at the local shop.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.