Alto Vista Chapel

The Alto Vista Chapel sits alone on a hill above the rugged north coast, a short drive inland from Noord. Painted a vivid mustard yellow against the blue sky and the surrounding cactus scrub, it is one of the most photographed and most loved landmarks on the island. The present chapel dates from the 1950s, but it stands on the site of Aruba's first Catholic church, built here in 1750 to serve the island's Spanish missionaries and the Indigenous community.

The approach is part of the experience. A narrow lane lined with white crosses, marking the stations of the cross, winds up to the chapel through the dry, wind-shaped landscape. Inside, the simple whitewashed interior holds a few wooden pews and a small altar, and the doors are usually left open so visitors can step in quietly to reflect.

A place of pilgrimage

Locals still walk to Alto Vista during Holy Week, and the chapel carries a calm, devotional atmosphere that sets it apart from the busy beach strip. From the hilltop you look out over the wild windward coast, far from the resort areas around Palm Beach and Eagle Beach.

• The chapel is free to visit, and it remains an active place of worship.
• It combines well with the nearby California Lighthouse and the north-coast attractions.

Dress respectfully, keep your voice low if others are praying, and go in the morning when the light is soft and the heat is gentler on the open hilltop.