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Oranjestad is the capital and largest city on the Caribbean island of Aruba. Situated in the Lesser Antilles, Aruba is an autonomous dependency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Oranjestad is an attractive and interesting tourist destination.
From the UK flights to Oranjestad land at the Reina (also called Queen) Beatrix International Airport (airport code: AUA). The airport is just 1.5 miles from the city centre, which makes getting into the city very quick and easy. Flights to Oranjestad from the UK are offered with various airlines including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Continental and American Airlines and will involve one or two connections. Flights to Oranjestad vary in their routes, depending on the airlines, though most will fly via their home countries.
Oranjestad was first developed as a town back in 1796 when a fort, Fort Zoutman, was constructed and the city grew around it. It was named after King Willem van Oranje-Nassau. It is now an important port and welcomes regular cruise ship passengers. Of course when a cruise ship has docked the city becomes far more crowded than on other days!
The main attraction with Oranjestad is the colonial Dutch architecture. Though there isn’t as much of this apparent as there are in some neighbouring Caribbean countries, plans are being put into action to restore older buildings and to build up interest in the cultural heritage of the city. Some of the more impressive local landmarks are actually re-created buildings, but they give visitors a great idea of the impressive architecture of the colonial days.
To see some good examples head for the Royal Plaza, as well as Main Street and Main Square. The restored Civil Registry building on Wilhelminastraat is a particularly good example of a restored building.
Oranjestad was built around Fort Zoutman, and the fort is still one of the city’s popular tourist attractions. Other places of interest include the tax-free harbour where tourists can look for some tax-free bargains! Renaissance Marketplace is another tourist hotspot, and the Queen Wilhelmina Park next door to it is a nice place to relax.
Watching the cruise ships and luxury yachts come and go from the harbour is a popular pastime, and of course there are a number of restaurants, serving a variety of cuisines, in Oranjestad to enjoy too.
From the UK flights to Oranjestad land at the Reina (also called Queen) Beatrix International Airport (airport code: AUA). The airport is just 1.5 miles from the city centre, which makes getting into the city very quick and easy. Flights to Oranjestad from the UK are offered with various airlines including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Continental and American Airlines and will involve one or two connections. Flights to Oranjestad vary in their routes, depending on the airlines, though most will fly via their home countries.
The Tourist Attractions of Oranjestad
The island of Aruba was settled by the Dutch in the 1600’s and was part of the Netherlands Antilles until gaining independence in 1986. Although independent, Aruba is still an autonomous dependency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Dutch, along with Papiamento, is the official language.Oranjestad was first developed as a town back in 1796 when a fort, Fort Zoutman, was constructed and the city grew around it. It was named after King Willem van Oranje-Nassau. It is now an important port and welcomes regular cruise ship passengers. Of course when a cruise ship has docked the city becomes far more crowded than on other days!
The main attraction with Oranjestad is the colonial Dutch architecture. Though there isn’t as much of this apparent as there are in some neighbouring Caribbean countries, plans are being put into action to restore older buildings and to build up interest in the cultural heritage of the city. Some of the more impressive local landmarks are actually re-created buildings, but they give visitors a great idea of the impressive architecture of the colonial days.
To see some good examples head for the Royal Plaza, as well as Main Street and Main Square. The restored Civil Registry building on Wilhelminastraat is a particularly good example of a restored building.
Oranjestad was built around Fort Zoutman, and the fort is still one of the city’s popular tourist attractions. Other places of interest include the tax-free harbour where tourists can look for some tax-free bargains! Renaissance Marketplace is another tourist hotspot, and the Queen Wilhelmina Park next door to it is a nice place to relax.
Watching the cruise ships and luxury yachts come and go from the harbour is a popular pastime, and of course there are a number of restaurants, serving a variety of cuisines, in Oranjestad to enjoy too.