The many winding steps of Charlotte Amalie were built in the mid 1700s. The bricks for the steps were brought all the way from Denmark as ballast in the empty hulls of the sailing ships. The picturesque 99 steps attract the most foot traffic and cameras. How could one resist this narrow stairway, adorned with flowers on both sides! The original name if the street can be translated as the Greater Tower Street. The steps lead to the Blackbeard’s Castle — a 17th century watch tower. The tower has been closed to visitors since Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but the view from up above is still stunning.

Set in old Dutch warehouses by the Sunda Kelapa harbour, the Maritime Museum tells the story of Indonesia’s long history with the sea. Inside are model ships, navigation tools, maps, and photos that trace the country’s seafaring past. The building itself is worth a look too — its thick walls and timber beams date back to the 17th century.

Set in the old town hall of Batavia, this 17th-century building now tells the story of Jakarta’s past under Dutch rule. The museum houses furniture, maps, paintings, and relics from the colonial era, showing how the city grew from a trading post into today’s capital.