Throughout its history, Nassau has been by turns a haven for those fleeing religious persecution, home to pirates and privateers, smugglers, African slaves, and British aristocrats. Formerly known as Charles Town, it was renamed Nassau in 1695. In 1973, Nassau and the Bahamas achieved independence from the English, but it still belongs to the Commonwealth. Nassau offers a mix of British, Spanish, and West African influences, with a singular local culture and cuisine.

Nassau's buildings reflect the country's colonial past. Parliament Square houses administrative offices, the Nassau Public Library & Museum is a former colonial prison which today houses historic artifacts, the 65 limestone steps of the Queen's Staircase were constructed by slaves during Queen Victoria's rule and lead to Fort Fincastle, built in 1783 to repel foreign marauders, and Fort Charlotte is the largest on Providence Island, with subterranean passages and deep underground cells.