Nassau, Bahamas’ capital and most populous city, is a town steeped in rich Caribbean history. Originally known as Charles Town, the city was rebuilt and renamed Nassau in 1695 after the Spanish burned it to the ground in 1684. Beginning in the late 17th century, Nassau earned itself a reputation as a safe haven for pirates.

At one point in the early 18th century there were believed to be more than 1,000 pirates living in Nassau, taking advantage of the easily accessible major shipping lanes where they could commandeer large merchant vessels. With a plethora of sufficiently well-hidden corners of the islands, the Bahamas is home to plenty of folk lore about buried treasure not only in Nassau but around its islands in general.

These days, Nassau is quite the bustling port city teeming with tourists coming off of cruise ships and via several international airlines. With five-star resorts and some of the clearest water on the planet within reach, it is easy to see why Nassau is such a popular destination.

The Junkanoo festival, often compared with Carnival on other islands, is a popular Bahamian parade that takes place on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day every year. Cable Beach, Bay Street and the Nassau Straw Market are three of the biggest attractions in the Bahamas’ capital.

Sport in Nassau Cricket is the oldest sport in the country and has been played in and around Nassau since 1846. Football is not far behind in terms of popularity and Nassau’s biggest team, FC Bears are the dominant side in the BFA Senior League having won seven of the last eight season.

Bears play in Nassau’s Thomas Robinson National Stadium, which has a capacity of 15,000 people. Named for one of Nassau’s most famous runners, Robinson competed for his country in four consecutive Summer Olympics, signifying the Bahamas’ strength in athletics. More recently, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson, Chandra Sturrup, Savatheda Fynes and Eldece Clarke-Lewis ­– affectionately known as the Golden Girls – captured the Bahamas’ first athletics Olympic gold medal at Sydney 2000 when they won the 100 meter relay.

The Bahamas’ traditional sport is sloop sailing and as a result of the capital being situation right on the waterfront, Nassau also sees its fair share of regattas.