The Oranjestad waterfront is the most vivid part of the city, and the part that feels least like a Caribbean resort. Venezuelan fishing boats and trading schooners dock along the quay, selling fresh fish, tropical fruit, vegetables, and spices directly from their decks. The market is informal and lively, and the haggling is good-natured. Go early in the morning for the best selection.
The harbour front also offers the best views of Oranjestad's colourful Dutch colonial architecture — pastel-painted facades with stepped gables reflected in the water. The Renaissance Marketplace complex has tamed some of the immediate waterfront with restaurants and shops, but walk a few minutes east along the quay and the old character reasserts itself. The cruise terminal is at the western end, and on days when ships are in port the whole area buzzes with activity.