Scharloo is one of the oldest and most characteristic neighborhoods of Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao – and is part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich history and beautiful architecture.
🏛️ History of Scharloo
Scharloo began as a plantation under the Dutch West India Company as early as 1634, but due to the poor soil, the area did not initially become fully developed. The first wharf was built in 1694, after which the first houses appeared around 1753.
Starting in 1870, wealthy Jewish merchants settled here. After a devastating hurricane in 1877, many wealthy families from Pietermaai moved to Scharloo, which proved safe and better located. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the neighborhood grew to become Willemstad’s most prestigious neighborhood.
The beautiful villas and colonial buildings – often with wide Spanish patios and fountains – still bear witness to that era.
🖼️ What can you see in Scharloo?
🏠 Colonial mansions
Scharloo is best known for its picture-perfect colonial villas and mansions – once homes of the island’s wealthiest families – and a delight for photographers and architecture lovers.
🎨 Street art & creative scene
The neighborhood has become a creative hotspot in recent years with vibrant street art, murals and small galleries. Local artists such as Francis Sling have left impressive works here.
⚓ Curaçao Maritime Museum
Housed in a 1729 mansion, the Curaçao Maritime Museum tells more than 500 years of the island’s maritime history – with authentic maps and ship models.
🕍 Historic Jewish heritage sites
The neighborhood and surrounding area also contain traces of Willemstad’s rich Jewish community, including old Jewish cemeteries and synagogues in town (although some of them are just outside Scharloo).
🚶 Tours & experiences
📍 Walks through Scharloo
Several urban walks and tours are offered that take you past Scharloo’s colorful architecture, artwork and hidden stories. This often includes background information and fun tips from local guides.
🚌 City excursions
Many tours combine Scharloo with the rest of Willemstad: colorful neighborhoods like Punda, Otrobanda as well as other highlights of Curaçao.
Even without a guide it is possible to explore Scharloo, but a guided tour often provides additional context that you would otherwise miss.
🚗 Why a rental car is convenient on Curaçao
Although Scharloo is within walking distance of other neighborhoods in Willemstad, a rental car in Curaçao is highly recommended if you want to explore the island further:
Flexibility: You can drive to beaches, viewpoints and natural areas at your own pace.
Wider reach: Many attractions (e.g. Christoffel Park, West Point beaches or Hato Caves) are located outside the city and are most easily accessible by car.
Save time: Cabs or organized tours are convenient, but with a car you have more control over your daily schedule and itineraries.
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