Few Caribbean destinations match Curaçao when it comes to variety and quality of beaches. From quiet coves perfect for snorkelling to long stretches of palm-fringed sand made for sunset walks, here are the beaches that local guides recommend and returning travellers keep coming back to. 1. Willemstad Historic Centre (UNESCO) Willemstad is the capital and largest city of Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea that is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was the capital of the Netherlands Antilles prior to that entity's dissolution in 2010. The city accounts for around 90% of Curaçao's population, with 136,660 inhabitants as of 2011. The historic centre of the city consists of four quarters: the Punda and Otrobanda, which are separated by the Sint Anna Bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the Schottegat, as well as the Scharloo and Pietermaai Smal quarters, which are across from each other on the smaller Waaigat harbour. Willemstad is home to the Curaçao synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The city centre, with its unique architecture and harbour entry, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore our complete catalogue of beaches and waterfront properties to find the one that fits your vacation style — quiet luxury, family-friendly action, surf-and-adventure or backpacker-friendly relaxed.