Fort Amsterdam occupies a rocky headland on the southwestern tip of Sint Maarten, commanding panoramic views across Great Bay and the approaches to Philipsburg. The fort is now partly in ruins — only a single cannon-mounted bastion and fragments of the original walls survive — but the site is atmospheric and the views are excellent.
The Governor's Residence is built into the ruins, which limits access to some sections, but the grounds around the surviving walls and cannon emplacements are open to visitors. The walk up from the road takes about ten minutes along a rocky path. Combined with Little Bay Beach just below, this makes a pleasant half-hour excursion from Philipsburg. The sunset views from the promontory, with the bay and the distant French mountains behind, are among the best on the island.