How to spend one day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Characterized by its colorful buildings, historic forts, and ocean views, Old San Juan is a city sure to charm! With over 500 years of history, there’s plenty of places to visit to learn about the city’s intriguing past. There’s no better way to explore the area than by walking, so here are the best sites to see on your Old San Juan Walking Tour!
Click here for a Google Map that shows all of the stops listed on our Old San Juan Walking Tour. Feel free to start at any site and go in your preferred order! If you would prefer to go on a guided tour, check out this option.
Walking Tour Stops
A. Plaza Colón
To start the walking tour, head over to Plaza Colon! This plaza was once the intersection of the main city gate and the easternmost city wall prior to the wall being torn down in May of 1897. Nowadays, the plaza is used for the start of sightseeing tours and is a great place to find restaurants and gift shops. Standing in the center is a monument of Christopher Columbus, which was built in 1893 to mark 400 years since the Spanish arrived in Puerto Rico. While you’re there, make sure to look for the Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico!
B. Castillo de San Cristóbal
Standing guard at the eastern gate of Old San Juan is the Castillo de San Cristóbal. Constructed from 1634 until 1765, the fortress was built to protect the city from land-based attacks and is the largest Spanish fortification in the New World. Castillo de San Cristóbal has played a role in many major historical events. It was used for defense against a British invasion of over 7,000 men in 1824. On May 10th, 1898 Puerto Rico entered the Spanish-American war when the USS Yale was fired upon from Castillo de San Cristóbal. It was also utilized during World War II, serving as an active United States military base. The fortress is a part of the San Juan National Historic Site, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The entrance fee is $10, which also covers entrance to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. More information can be found here on the National Park Service website.
C. Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi
Right outside of Castillo San Felipe del Morro is Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi, dating back to 1863. Located along the shores of the Atlantic, the cemetery is the final resting place for many notable Puerto Ricans such as José Ferrer, an actor, and José de Diego, an advocate for Puerto Rico’s independence. The cemetery can be accessed by driving or walking through the tunnel on Calle Tiburcio Reyes.
D. Castillo San Felipe del Morro
The second fortress to visit in Old San Juan is Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the most recognized landmark in Puerto Rico! Constructed from 1539 to 1790, El Morro is an impressive six level fortress that guards the entrance to the Bay of San Juan. Similar to Castillo de San Cristóbal, Castillo San Felipe del Morro has been used for defense many times throughout history, including the Dutch attack of 1625 and the Spanish-American War. The Plaza de Armas and 1539 Tower are some top sites to see inside the fort. Make sure to venture down to the lower levels to get a great view of the water!
E. Iglesia de San José
Iglesia de San José was built in 1532, making it the second oldest church in the Americas. The church was one of the first buildings in Puerto Rico to have a defined style and is one of the earliest surviving pieces of Spanish Gothic architecture in the Western hemisphere. In 2004 Iglesia de San José was listed as one of the most endangered sites in the United States due to its deterioration, prompting the start of a major preservation and restoration project.
F. Casa Blanca
After visiting Iglesia de San José, head on over to Casa Blanca. Built in 1521 to serve as Juan Ponce de León’s residence, the house is the oldest residence in Old San Juan and the oldest continuously occupied residence in the Western hemisphere. Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who served as the first governor of Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, Ponce de León died before being able to live there, but his family was still able to. Today, Casa Blanca is a museum filled with artifacts from the 16th and 17th centuries. Tip: the gardens are free to walk around, so make sure to at least check those out while you’re there!
G. Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista
Next up on the walking tour is Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista. The cathedral is the second oldest church in the Western hemisphere and serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Puerto Rico. There are two main highlights to see inside the cathedral. First, look for the tomb of Juan Ponce de León. Ponce de León was originally buried at the Iglesia de San José and was moved to Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista in 1908. The second highlight to see is the mummy of martyr Saint Pio, whose remains were brought to Puerto Rico in 1862. The cathedral is open daily and no fee is required to enter.
H. Puerta de San Juan
One of the most iconic sites to see in Old San Juan is Puerta de San Juan! Built in 1635 and named in honor of Saint John the Baptist, Puerta de San Juan used to serve as the main entrance to the city. The gate is the only one remaining from the original set of six that were built to defend San Juan. Inscribed on the outer portion is “Benedictus Oui Venit In Nomine Domini,” meaning “Welcome those who come in the name of God.” Make sure to walk through the gate so you can really appreciate the size – it’s 16 feet tall and 20 feet wide!
I. Plaza de Armas
Located in the heart of Old San Juan is Plaza de Armas. As you wander through the square, be on the lookout for the Four Seasons statues as well as a statue of salsa composer Tito Curet Alonso. Located around on the exterior of the plaza are the buildings for the Puerto Rico Department of State and San Juan’s Town Hall. We recommend grabbing some coffee and pastries from Café Cuatro Estaciones while you’re there!
J. Calle de la Fortaleza
To wrap up your Old San Juan Walking Tour, check out Calle de la Fortaleza. Located right outside of La Fortaleza, the governor’s mansion, the street is famous for a colorful display that serves as a great photo op. You’ll find it at the intersection of Calle de la Fortaleza and Calle del Cristo. While you’re in the area, consider stopping at Anita La Mamma del Gelato for some delicious ice cream!
Other Noteworthy Stops
If you still have more time to spend on your Old San Juan Walking Tour, check out these two other stops!
Paseo de la Princesa
Paseo de la Princesa is a beautiful promenade to stroll along while you’re in Old San Juan. The walkway is filled with restaurants, museums, and plenty of sculptures. Paseo de la Princesa is a great stop after seeing Puerto de San Juan.
La Fortaleza
Originally built to be a defense point for Puerto Rico, La Fortaleza now serves as the governor’s mansion. Guided tours of the mansion are available Monday through Friday; more information can be found here.
If you have more time in Puerto Rico…
… check out El Yunque National Forest! Our 2 days in Puerto Rico itinerary has all the details.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited March 2022 | Posted September 2022
[…] out our Old San Juan Walking Tour post for more information about each stop and a helpful […]