Queen Emma Bridge, Curacao's Delightful "Swinging Old Lady"

The ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are some of the Caribbean’s best sunny destinations.

Aside from a certain electric-blue liqueur, the island of Curacao is probably best known for its colorful, Dutch-inspired capital of Willemstad.

Connecting the two sides of this UNESCO World Heritage city is the Queen Emma Bridge which is better known as the “Pontoon Bridge” or even better (and my favorite), the “Swinging Old Lady.”

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Built in 1888 and supported by 16 floating pontoon boats, the bridge swings open across Willemstad’s St. Anna Bay several times a day to allow ships to enter the port.

Queen Emma Bridge Willemstad Curacao — Queen Emma Bridge, Willemstad, Curacao

When the Queen Emma Bridge is open, a free ferry shuttles pedestrians from the Punda to the Otrobanda quarters of the city and back.

Whether I visit Curacao by cruise ship or flight, I love watching the Swinging Old Lady sweep back and forth across the harbor. It’s one of the best (and most unique!) things to do in Curacao.

In fact, this quirky bridge is just one of the things that makes Curacao one of my 10 favorite islands in the Caribbean.

Curious about the other 9?

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