Scharloo grew from a plantation into a wealthy 19th-century residential quarter just across the Waaigat from Punda. Merchants built large detached houses here, giving the district broader streets and more flamboyant villas than the compact old town. Many buildings later became offices, and recent murals have added another layer of colour.
Cross the Queen Wilhelmina Bridge and wander Scharlooweg and the streets around the Maritime Museum. Restoration is uneven and traffic can make parts of the walk less pleasant, but the architecture and street art justify extending a central Willemstad circuit beyond Punda.