Top 10 Places to visit in Aruba

1. Arikok National Park & The Conchi Natural Pool

Covering nearly 20% of the island, Arikok is a dramatic desert landscape of giant cacti, limestone caves, and a rugged, wave-battered volcanic coastline. The crown jewel here is Conchi, a protected tidal pool formed by a wall of black volcanic rock that shields swimmers from the fierce Caribbean surf.

2. San Nicolas Street Art District

Known traditionally as “Sunrise City,” this former refinery hub on the southern tip of the island has completely reinvented itself as the street art capital of the Caribbean. Dozens of massive 3D murals and curated art installations transforming the urban landscape into an open air gallery.

3. Mangel Halto

If you want to escape the high rise resort crowds, Mangel Halto offers a serene sanctuary. Enclosed by a dense network of thriving green mangroves, this beach features shallow, glass flat water that transitions into a deep, electric blue marine shelf.

4. Boca Catalina & The SS Antilla Shipwreck

Boca Catalina is a small, quiet, white sand cove in the Malmok area. The water here is incredibly clear and calm, making it a haven for marine life exploration. Just a short distance offshore lies the SS Antilla, a 400-foot German freighter scuttled during World War II that has transformed into one of the largest intact shipwrecks in the Caribbean.

5. Eagle Beach & The Iconic Fofoti Trees

Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world, Eagle Beach features a sprawling expanse of powdery white coral sand. It is famously home to the island’s most photographed Fofoti trees, which permanently lean toward the sea due to the gentle, constant pull of the trade winds.

6. Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Located on the windward coast, these imposing, fortress like stone structures are the remains of a 19th century gold smelting mill. Built in 1872 by the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company, the ruins stand as a rugged monument to the island’s mid 1800s gold rush.

7. Alto Vista Chapel

Rebuilt in 1952 on the exact site of the island’s first Catholic church from 1750, this small, bright yellow chapel stands in solitary peace on a high hill overlooking the north shore. The winding dirt road leading to the chapel is lined with white crosses representing the Stations of the Cross.

8. Renaissance Private Island (Flamingo Beach)

The Renaissance Island is located just a brief, scenic 8 minute water taxi ride from downtown Oranjestad, this exclusive 40 acre private tropical paradise is operated by the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort.

9. Westpunt & The California Dunes

Located at the northernmost tip of the island, Westpunt features vast, rolling white sand dunes rolling down to meet a jagged coral coastline. It sits right in the shadow of the historic California Lighthouse.

10.Huchada Bakery / Restaurant

Located in Santa Cruz, far from the resort crowds, Huchada is a beloved neighborhood bakery and lunchroom housed in a charming, authentic Cunucu house. This cozy spot has become a local favorite, drawing both island residents and visitors eager for a true taste of Aruba’s culinary traditions.

Go beyond the resorts. Discover Aruba like a local

Find the best things to do in Aruba here.