Straw Market, Nassau (must see)

Nassau Straw Market is one of the city’s best-known marketplaces and reflects a long tradition of Bahamian straw work. Long before it became a tourist attraction, straw weaving formed part of everyday island life, with baskets and braided items used for fishing, storage, and carrying produce. The Straw Market itself became firmly established as a public market in the mid-20th century, when rising tourism created demand for handmade goods that visitors could easily carry home.

The original market structure was destroyed by fire in 2001. Its replacement, a two-story building completed in 2011, introduced a more organized layout with mostly covered walkways and partially air-conditioned interior areas, offering relief from heat and rain while preserving the informal feel of a traditional market.

Inside, the market unfolds as a dense grid of hundreds of small vendor stalls, many operated by the same families for generations. Straw bags, hats, and baskets remain the core products, but visitors will also see wood carvings, shell jewelry, paintings, spices, and small locally inspired food items. A mix of handmade crafts and mass-produced souvenirs fills the aisles.

Bargaining is customary and usually friendly rather than confrontational. Prices are rarely fixed, and polite conversation often leads to better deals. A useful tip is to walk through the market once before buying—many stalls sell similar items, and prices can vary. Vendors are often happy to explain how straw items are made or how long a particular piece took to weave.