Perhaps, no place in the world provides so much splendor in architecture, art, music and natural beauty in such a compact area. This is why San Juan is the perfect place for walking tours to take in the intimate streets and panoramic views. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, this is one of my favorite ports in the world for culture, shopping, walks and natural splendor. After being here numerous times, I love sharing my adventures. So, read on to learn about the top 20 San Juan attractions.
About Old San Juan
Located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, Christopher Columbus claimed Puerto Rico in 1493. It became the gateway to the New World. Spain fortified Old San Juan with city walls and forts to protect San Juan Bay and Puerto Rico “Port of Riches.” During the Spanish colonial times, from 1539 – 1898, citizens lived in Old San Juan. In 1898, following the Spanish American War, the United States acquired Puerto Rico. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with vibrant, colonial buildings, forts and narrow, blue cobblestone streets. Old Town is on the western half of a small island called Isleta de San Juan.
The San Juan City Wall protects the western side of Old San Juan and includes 3 iconic fortresses. Furthermore, El Morro, San Cristobal & La Fortaleza became designated as part of the San Juan National Historic Site. These forts and a large portion of the original San Juan City Wall were built between the 16th and 20th centuries to protect the city and the Bay of San Juan.
Old San Juan is perfect for a walking tour as everything is compact with historic, pedestrian streets. Also, it has incredible plazas and a vibrant, rich culture to explore. Perhaps, a guided walking tour is the best way to really see and learn about Old Town because there is so much rich history.
Also, Check out my YouTube Video Walking Tour
Top 20 San Juan Attractions
Old San Juan is always a good place to start. It’s a compact gateway to the history and culture of this amazing island. While there are vibrant neighborhoods outside the Old Town, 13 of my 20 top attractions are in Old San Juan.
Old San Juan Attractions
Walk the Streets of Old San Juan
In this historic district, many of the blue, narrow cobblestone streets are car-free zones. So, they are perfect for a walking tour. And the architecture is fantastic with the colorful, Spanish, Colonial buildings. Calle de Fortaleza is abuzz with incredible shops for unique cultural artifacts and fashion. The bustling Calle San Sebastian is a strip of cafes and bars for lunch, music and nightlife. Iconic, must-see destinations are the forts of El Morro, San Cristobal and La Fortaleza. Additionally, the plazas are a wonderful place to relax and people watch.
Paseo de la Princesa
This is a wonderful introduction to San Juan as one of the most beautiful promenades in the world. From the waterfront along the Wall of San Juan, this palm-lined path takes you through natural scenery and vibrant culture. There are restaurants, food trucks, gardens and historic landmarks along the way. Highlights are the La Princesa building that served as the prison for years. It now is the headquarters for the Puerto Rico Tourism Board.
I really enjoyed dinner and ambiance at the Princesa Restaurant, illuminated in vibrant colors with Puerto Rican cuisines. Another stunning landmark is the Fuente Raices (fountain). Raices means roots. This symbolic fountain celebrates the roots of Puerto Rico including Tainos (natives), Spaniards and Africans. At the end of the promenade is the iconic Red Gate of the wall. It marks the beginning of other historic walks (San Juan Cathedral and Paseo del Morro).
Red Gate to San Juan Cathedral Ritual Walk
The end of the Paseo de la Princesa is the Red Gate. This monumental landmark is the last of the 5 gates still standing on the wall of San Juan. Through here travelers took the blue-cobbled stone street to the golden San Juan Cathedral. Here they thanked God for the safe journey to San Juan.
San Juan Cathedral
Since 1540, the San Juan Cathedral remains one of the most important churches in Puerto Rico. Its beautiful yellow exterior in Spanish Colonial architecture is eye-catching. As aforementioned, from the Red Gate travelers took the blue-cobbled stone street to the San Juan Cathedral. Here they thanked God for the safe journey to San Juan.
There is free admission to see the beautiful interior and give your own personal thanks for the journey here. Furthermore, the church is famous for being the final resting place of Ponce de Leon, the Spaniard who quested for the Fountain of Youth.
Paseo del Morro
From the Red Gate, the Paseo del Morro goes around the perimeter of the wall alongside the San Juan Bay. This ¾ mile path offers majestic views of the bay and an intimate look of the wall. The path is nicely manicured and surprisingly quiet. Most people get caught up in the maze of Old Town. Don’t miss this refreshing scenery to the iconic El Morro. At the end of the path, steep stairs take you up to the entrance of El Morro.
San Juan National Historic Site is one of the over 400 parks of the National Park Service. It includes Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate and Fort San Juan de la Cruz just across the entrance to the bay.
San Felipe del Morro
The San Felipe del Morro, a citadel built between the 16th and 18th centuries is one of the most significant landmarks in San Juan. It became an important military post for both Spain and later the United States. Overall, this citadel protected San Juan Bay from the Dutch, British and pirates. It spreads out over the western tip of the peninsula. Furthermore, across the bay the smaller Fortin San Juan de la Cruz contributed also with crossfires to block entrance to the harbor.
This is my favorite fort in the world for views and architecture. It’s fun to explore the 6 levels of this amazing place with many steps and ramps to get around. The views are breathtaking from the batteries and sentry boxes of the beautiful San Juan Bay. Don’t miss the level 6 with the lighthouse and views below of the Great Plaza. Overall, if I only had 1 day in San Juan, I would come to El Morro. El Morro is open 7 days/week from 9:30 – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and ticket is good for both El Morro and San Cristobal.
Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Adjacent to El Morrow is the gorgeous cemetery along the rocky shores. This is the most beautiful cemetery that I have ever seen. The statues and mausoleums are elegantly showcased alongside San Juan Bay’s panoramic views. This is the final resting place for many of most prominent native citizens.
They chose this setting next to the ocean, as a symbol for the spirit’s transition into the afterlife. The cemetery gate is open until 1 pm. After then, you still can get an incredible view of the cemetery from above. However, for an intimate tour of the graves you would need to arrive before 1 pm.
San Cristobal
Further down the coastline from El Morrow, the eastern gate at San Cristobal Castle guarded the land entrance to the walled city of San Juan. In comparison, El Morro, was designed to protect the city from attacks by sea. Here, also are dramatic views from tunnels, canons and sentry boxes, where solders stood guard. For example, the overlook to the Devil’s Sentry Box is popular for tourists. Legends arose because the soldiers mysteriously disappeared from this sentry box.
San Cristobal is open 7 days/week from 9:30 – 4:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and ticket is good for both El Morro and San Cristobal.
La Fortaleza “The Fortress”
La Fortaleza, along with the later fortifications of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal and San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo), and a large portion of the original San Juan City Wall, were built between the 16th and 20th centuries to protect the city and the Bay of San Juan. It has served as a fortress, an arsenal, a prison, and residence of the Governor-General. Today, it’s the seat and residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. Even more, It’s the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the New World. Tours are available.
Shopping in Old San Juan
Some of the best shopping in Puerto Rico is in Old San Juan. Wandering the streets and window shopping is half the fun. Shops are mainly concentrated on Cristo and Fortaleza Streets. Souvenir ideas abound here, such as, spices, rum, jewelry, coffee, arts and crafts. Also, for men, consider Guayaberas, a loose-fitting, comfortable shirt.
Also, hammocks are one of the most popular items in Puerto Rico and a respected craft. Some believe that the native people, the Taino, invented the hammock. Another culinary souvenir, pique is a popular Puerto Rican hot sauce. It’s a blend of chili peppers, seasonings, and herbs infused in vinegar for flavor.
Explore the Food Culture
The foodie scene in San Juan is awesome. A great way to plunge into their native cuisine is taste some Mofongo, a mashed plantain with meat and/or vegetables. Arroz con gandules is a national dish made with rice, pigeon peas, and sofrito. Asopao is a a cross between a soup and a stew with rice and meat, such as, beef, pork, seafood, pigeon peas, or chicken. Tripleta is a popular sandwich in Puerto Rico filled with three types of meat: grilled steak, lechon pork, and ham. Also, a popular side dish is tostones, fried plantain patties.
The Food Truck Boom in Puerto Rico offers native cuisine for affordable prices. Throughout Old San Juan there are delicious options, especially on the Paseo de la Princesa where they are lined up for service.
A food tour is a wonderful way to take in the culinary culture. San Juan Food Tours is a good source for ideas. I give 2 thumbs up to Princesa Restaurant on the Paseo de la Princesa for both food and ambiance. Outdoor seating is among tropical trees with native cuisine and colorful lights. Other popular restaurant ideas in Old San Juan include the following: Marmalade (fine dining), Sofia’s (Italian), Chocobar Cortez (lunch), Casita Miramar and San Juan Smokehouse (BBQ). Also, La Factoria in San Sebastian is known for being the “Best Bar in the World.”
Relax in a Plaza
The plazas in San Juan are picturesque settings with historic landmarks that bring people together to just relax or socialize. De Armas Plaza is beautiful with the City Hall and fountain symbolizing 4 seasons. La Rogativa Plaza is the most scenic plaza in San Juan, offering incredible views of San Juan Bay, El Yunque in the distance, San Juan Gate and La Fortaleza. Also, it’s one of the best places to catch a view of the sunset in San Juan. Colon (Columbus) Plaza is often a starting point for walking tours. It’s a great hub near many landmarks, such as, San Cristobal, Tapia Theater and the Puerto Rico Capitol.
Experience the Music Culture
Music is at the heart of Puerto Rican culture and the locals love to dance. There are 5 main types of music here: Salsa, Merengue, Plena, Bomba and Reggaeton. Music is everywhere in the streets, bars, festivals and beaches. La Placita del Mercado de Santurce, a marketplace, is the most popular area in San Juan for music and dancing at nighttime. Also, there are popular bars in San Juan with live music, such as, Nuyorican Café, La Respuesta, and El Barril.
Museum Hopping
Because Old San Juan is an outdoor museum, it’s not always at the top of the list to go to an indoor museum. However, if you have more time or the weather is not great, these museums are fabulous ways to learn about the history and culture of San Juan and Puerto Rico:
Museo de las Americas (Museum of the Americas)
Casa del Libro (House of the Book)
Museo de San Juan (San Juan Museum)
Museo del Mar (Museum of the Sea)
San Juan Attractions Outside Old Town
Hit the Beach
There are plenty of incredible beaches near San Juan. Escambron Beach is the most popular, located between San Juan and Condado. It provides a white, sandy beach with swaying palm trees, a historic site, snorkeling and diving. In comparison, Condado Beach is a trendier, Miami Beach-style known for its amenities and resorts. Another smaller beach is La Playita del Condado, yet it’s beautiful and great for people crunched for time because of its convenient location. Isla Verde Beach is a 15-minute drive east of San Juan and recently dubbed the “Best City Beach in the Caribbean.”
Laguna del Condado
In the Santurce neighborhood, this estuary of San Juan Bay is fantastic for water recreational sports, such as, kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling. Even more, the gentle giants, manatees, live in this ecosystem.
Cruise San Juan Bay
The awesome San Juan Bay is the heart and soul of Old San Juan. There are plenty of opportunities to see the area by water, such as, Sunset Sailboat Tour or Catamaran Tour. Cruising by the wall and monumental forts, such as, El Morro, San Cristobal and La Fortalaza is the best way to truly experience the architectural splendor of Old San Juan.
Bioluminescent Algae Experience at Mosquito Bay
East of Puerto Rico mainland is the island of Vieques. Here, the brightest bioluminescence effect in the world lights up the night. Furthermore, Conde Nast Traveler designated this as one of 2020’s Seven Wonders of the World. Only found in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Bahamas, the phytoplankton, dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense lights up in a blue glow when agitated. Also, this phenomenon is even brighter during night with a new or crescent moon.
Visit a Rum Distillery
With Puerto Rico being the “Rum Capital of the World,” it’s the ideal place to explore the history and production of rum. In San Juan area, there are fantastic distilleries, such as, Casa Bacardi Distillery, Ron del Barrilito and Ron de Pepon.
El Yunque Rainforest
Just 35 miles east of San Jan, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. The El Portal Visitor Center is a great place to start and learn about this ecosystem. A main attraction is hiking to one of the natural pools on La Coca Trail. The 4 km (2.5 mi) El Angelito Trail includes some rope swing fun. Also, if there, don’t miss the Yokahu Observation Tower at an elevation of 1,575 feet. It offers panoramic views of the rainforest and ocean in the distance. A unique creature of this rainforest is the tiny Coqui Frog. The males make a loud sound at night that reverberates throughout the rainforest.
Enjoy San Juan!
There is so much to see and do in historic San Juan. Even if you only have a short time, Old San Juan is a concentrated area to experience tons of culture and natural beauty.
Leave comments below if your travels take you to San Juan. Let us know any tips or ideas on how best to experience this amazing city!
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