Sightseeing in Paramaribo
Paramaribo’s Historic Inner City became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. It is a compact grid of painted timber buildings, mostly white with dark green or charcoal trim, standing on red brick foundations beside the Suriname River. The main sights are close together, and most visitors cover them in a day. The details of the UNESCO listing are on the UNESCO World Heritage page .
Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral
The cathedral stands at Henck Arronstraat 22 to 24. It was built between 1883 and 1885, and its towers were added in 1901. After restoration it reopened on 13 November 2010, and Pope Francis gave it the status of minor basilica in 2014. Sources describe it as among the largest wooden structures in the Western Hemisphere. It measures about 59 m long and 16.5 m wide, and the towers rise 44 m. Inside, the cedar is left unpainted, and the nave smells of wood. The crypt holds the tomb of Blessed Peerke Donders, the Dutch priest who worked with leprosy patients. The cathedral is usually open outside Mass. Dress modestly and keep quiet during services. Background is on the cathedral’s Wikipedia page .
Keizerstraat: synagogue and mosque
Neveh Shalom synagogue is at Keizerstraat 82. Work began in 1835 and the building was finished in 1842. An active Liberal congregation uses it, and there is a small museum. Visits are by prior arrangement through the Jewish community, at surinamejewishcommunity.com . The sand floor is traditionally linked to the years the Israelites spent in the desert. Beside it stands Mosque Keizerstraat, completed in 1984. The two buildings stand side by side on the same street.
Independence Square and the Palmentuin
Onafhankelijkheidsplein is the civic square, facing the river. The white wooden Presidential Palace dates from 1730 and can be viewed from outside only. The Court of Justice and the Ministry of Finance stand beside it. Behind the palace, the Palmentuin is a park of royal palms, planted in the late 17th century, with shaded paths and benches. It is open about 06:00 to 18:00. Crime, including violent crime, has been reported in the Palmentuin, so visit in daylight and not alone.
Waterkant
The riverfront Waterkant has a row of white wooden merchant houses at numbers 2 to 8, with galleries, steep roofs, shutters and brick basements. They were built after the city fires of 1821 and 1832. The Centrale Markt is at the same end of the waterfront. A road bridge, the Jules Wijdenbosch Bridge, links the city to Meerzorg across the river, and it has no pedestrian crossing. Water taxis cross from Platte Brug in about five minutes for SRD 20 to 30.
Fort Zeelandia
Fort Zeelandia is a star-shaped riverside fort at Abraham Crijnssenweg 1. It houses the Surinaams Museum in its former officers’ quarters. Bastion Veere, part of the fort, is a national monument to fifteen men killed in December 1982. Approach it in a solemn spirit. Listed hours are Tuesday to Friday 09:00 to 14:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00, closed Monday and Saturday. Check hours and fees before visiting.
Moving around
The old town is flat and walkable, but the pavements are uneven and have open drainage channels called goten. A taxi across town usually costs SRD 100 to 150 for short trips. Fares are agreed before you ride, since there are no meters. Walk in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
Read more: Walking Tours in Paramaribo puts these sights in a route.
Booking help
Guided city and river tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .