Fort Fincastle & the Queen’s Staircase: Echoes of Colonial History in Nassau

Fort Fincastle sits on Bennet’s Hill, the highest natural point in Nassau, and from its limestone walls you can see cruise ships sliding into the harbour, Paradise Island across the water, and the eastern coastline of New Providence stretching out. It was built in 1793 under Governor Lord Dunmore, and its unusual shape — like a paddle-wheel steamer — makes it stand out among Caribbean fortifications. Just below the fort, the Queen’s Staircase cuts 66 steps directly into solid limestone, carved by enslaved people working with hand tools between 1793 and 1794. Together, these two sites form the most concentrated historical walk in Nassau, and they’re connected by more than just geography.

This article covers what you’ll actually see at both sites, how the colonial history ties together, and the practical realities of visiting — including the crowds, the heat, and the souvenir sellers you’ll meet at the top. If you’re pairing this with a cruise stop or a longer stay in Nassau, knowing the layout and the timing makes a real difference.

Nassau’s Colonial Defensive Core

Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase sit within a few hundred metres of each other on the eastern edge of downtown Nassau, forming a single historical corridor that most visitors walk in one loop.

Bennet’s Hill rises about 65 feet above sea level, which doesn’t sound like much until you’re standing at the fort looking down at the cruise terminal. The fort itself is one of three surviving colonial-era forts in Nassau, alongside Fort Charlotte and Fort Montagu, but it’s the only one shaped like a steamer. The Queen’s Staircase was originally called the “66 Steps” and was renamed to honour Queen Victoria’s role in the abolition of slavery within the British Empire in 1834. That renaming matters locally — it’s not just a tourist label but a deliberate shift in how the site is remembered.

One limitation worth knowing: the staircase is a one-way experience for most visitors. You walk up from the bottom on Shirley Street, pass through the shaded limestone corridor, and emerge at the fort’s entrance. There’s no separate exit route, so you’ll retrace your steps or walk around the block on the road. The British colonial influence on Bahamian culture is visible in the fort’s design and the street grid below, but the staircase itself tells a more complicated story of forced labour and eventual emancipation.

Walking the Sites: Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase

Most visitors start at the bottom of the Queen’s Staircase and work their way up to the fort, which is the natural route if you’re coming from downtown or the cruise port.

The Queen’s Staircase: 66 Steps Carved Into Limestone

The staircase was cut between 1793 and 1794, entirely by hand, using basic tools. The limestone here is soft enough to carve but hard enough to hold its shape for centuries — the original steps are still intact. The corridor is flanked by vertical rock walls on both sides, and the vegetation overhead creates a shaded tunnel effect that feels noticeably cooler than the street below. That shade is practical: Nassau’s heat and humidity hit hard by mid-morning, and the staircase offers one of the few naturally air-conditioned spots in the historical district.

At the base, you’ll find a small plaque explaining the site’s history, and local guides often offer informal tours for a few dollars. The staircase was part of the same defensive system as Fort Fincastle, designed to move troops and supplies quickly between the harbour and the hilltop. Today, it’s one of the most photographed locations in Nassau, and the contrast between the dark limestone walls and the bright sky at the top makes for a striking composition. The main drawback: the staircase is narrow, and when two tour groups meet in the middle, you’ll be waiting.

Fort Fincastle: The Paddle-Wheeler on the Hill

At the top of the staircase, you step directly onto the grounds of Fort Fincastle. The fort’s paddle-wheel steamer shape is immediately obvious from the ground — the rounded bow end faces the harbour, and the flat stern sits toward the land side. It was built in 1793 under Lord Dunmore, who named it after his second title, Viscount Fincastle. Unlike larger Caribbean forts such as El Morro in San Juan, Fort Fincastle is compact. You can walk the entire perimeter in five minutes.

The fort later served as a lighthouse and signal station, and the views from the top are the main draw. You can see Nassau Harbour, the cruise ships, Paradise Island, and the eastern coastline of New Providence. On clear days, the water shifts from turquoise to deep blue depending on the depth. Inside the fort, there’s a small museum with historical displays, though the exhibits are modest. The real value is standing on the original limestone ramparts and understanding why this spot was chosen — it commands the entire eastern approach to the harbour.

If you’re combining both sites into a single visit, plan for 45 minutes to an hour. That’s enough time to walk the staircase, explore the fort, take photos from the ramparts, and read the informational signs. The Discover Bahamas guide to Fort Fincastle notes that the fort is one of the most visited historical attractions in Nassau, and the numbers back that up — cruise days bring hundreds of visitors through the site between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Planning Your Visit: Timing, Access, and Costs

Both sites are open to the public with a small admission fee for the fort, and the staircase is free. The logistics are straightforward, but a few details can make the difference between a rushed stop and a relaxed visit.

Getting There from the Cruise Port

From the Nassau Cruise Port, head east on Bay Street, then turn left onto East Street. The base of the Queen’s Staircase is about a 15-minute walk. The route is flat until you reach the staircase, which is the only significant incline. If you’re arriving by taxi from elsewhere on New Providence, the fare from Cable Beach or Paradise Island is typically $15–$25 depending on negotiation. The fort has no dedicated parking, so taxis and rideshares are the practical option for non-cruise visitors.

Best Time of Day and Seasonal Considerations

The dry season from December to April brings the most visitors, and cruise ship schedules mean the sites are busiest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The wet season from May to October sees fewer crowds but higher humidity and afternoon rain showers. The limestone corridor of the staircase stays shaded regardless of the time of day, but the fort’s open ramparts offer no shelter from the sun. Bring water and a hat — there are no water fountains on site.

The Queen’s Staircase history guide notes that the site has evolved from a functional military route into a cultural landmark, and the landscaping and preservation efforts have transformed the area into a shaded passage. That transformation is real — the vegetation has grown thick over the decades, and the corridor feels more like a garden path than a defensive route. But the original carved steps remain intact, and you can still see the tool marks in the limestone if you look closely.

On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go

The practical details of visiting Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase are straightforward, but a few local realities can catch first-time visitors off guard.

Packing and Comfort

Comfortable walking shoes are essential — the limestone steps are uneven after two centuries of use, and the ramparts at the fort have no railings in some sections. A lightweight insulated water bottle will keep your water cool for the duration of the visit, and reef-safe mineral sunscreen is worth having even in the shaded corridor — the sun reflects off the limestone walls. I’ve found that a packable sun hat makes the open ramparts much more bearable, especially between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Local Etiquette and Cultural Context

The sites are historical landmarks, not active military installations, but they’re treated with respect locally. Avoid climbing on the cannons or the limestone walls — the rock is soft and erodes easily. Photography is allowed everywhere, but some vendors at the top of the staircase ask for a small fee before you photograph their goods. That’s normal, and a dollar or two is standard. The broader history of The Bahamas from the Arawaks to independence provides useful context for understanding why these colonial fortifications exist in the first place — they’re part of a longer story of maritime trade, piracy, and British military strategy in the Caribbean.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase

How long does it take to visit both sites?

Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour total. The Queen’s Staircase takes about 10–20 minutes to walk up, and Fort Fincastle needs another 20–40 minutes to explore the ramparts and read the displays. If you’re on a tight cruise schedule, you can see both in under an hour.

The tradeoff is that rushing means you’ll miss the quieter moments — the staircase is at its best when you’re not sharing it with two tour groups. If you have the time, budget an extra 15 minutes to sit on the fort wall and watch the harbour activity.

Is the Queen’s Staircase suitable for people with mobility issues?

The staircase has 66 uneven limestone steps with no handrail, and the incline is steady. It’s not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. There is a road route around the block that leads to the fort entrance, but it’s a longer uphill walk on pavement with no dedicated pedestrian path.

For visitors who can’t manage the stairs, a taxi to the top of Bennet’s Hill is the practical alternative — the fort itself is flat once you’re inside.

Why was the Queen’s Staircase renamed after Queen Victoria?

Originally called the “66 Steps,” the staircase was renamed to honour Queen Victoria’s role in the abolition of slavery within the British Empire in 1834. The renaming was a deliberate shift in how the site was remembered — from a military route built by enslaved labour to a landmark commemorating emancipation.

That context matters when you’re standing at the base of the staircase. The steps themselves are a physical record of forced labour, but the name reflects a later attempt to reframe the site’s meaning.

Are there guided tours available at the sites?

Informal local guides often offer short tours at the base of the Queen’s Staircase for a few dollars. They’re not officially licensed, but many are knowledgeable and can point out details you’d miss on your own — like the tool marks in the limestone and the original drainage channels.

If you prefer a structured experience, several Nassau tour operators include both sites in a historical walking tour that also covers Government House and downtown Nassau. The Junkanoo heritage celebrations offer a different kind of cultural context if you’re visiting during the holiday season.

What’s the biggest downside to visiting?

The crowds during cruise ship hours are the main friction point. The staircase is narrow, and the fort is small, so even 50 visitors can make both sites feel packed. The vendors at the top of the staircase are persistent, and the heat on the open ramparts can be intense by midday.

The upside is that these are predictable problems. Arrive early, bring water, and you’ll have the sites mostly to yourself.

One Last Look from Bennet’s Hill

Standing on the ramparts of Fort Fincastle, looking down at the cruise ships and the turquoise water beyond, it’s easy to forget that this hilltop was once a strategic military position designed to defend against pirates and foreign navies. The cannons are still in place, pointed toward the harbour, but the only threat now is the midday sun. What stays with me is the contrast — the noise of the city below, the quiet of the limestone corridor, and the fact that the same steps carved by hand in the 1790s are still carrying visitors up the hill every single day. For a deeper dive into how this colonial history shaped modern Bahamian life, the impact of plantation history on Bahamian culture is worth reading alongside your visit.

Sources and further reading

Exploring Fort Fincastle: Nassau’s Historic Hilltop Fortress. Discover Bahamas, 2024.

History of the Queen’s Staircase. Queen’s Staircase Info, 2024.