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No journey to Puerto Rico can be full with no go to to Viejo San Juan, a historic district with slender streets, colourful buildings and tree-shaded plazas. Even although it occupies a small space, there are many issues to see and do in Old San Juan, from castles and church buildings to cocktail bars and funky road artwork.
This walled metropolis could be very walkable and quite a few landmarks right here have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, together with La Fortaleza, El Morro and San Cristóbal fort.
Pop your comfortable footwear on and spend a day getting misplaced within the outdated city, then hit the seaside or attempt a pina colada within the place the place it was invented. Here’s a listing of the perfect issues to do in Old San Juan in your go to.
Things to Do in Old San Juan
Parque de Las Palomas
Start your day by taking a stroll by Parque de Las Palomas, a reasonably park with views over the Bay of San Juan. The park’s title interprets as “Pigeon Park” and it will get its title from the numerous pigeons that wander across the grounds. Visitor’s should buy chicken seed and feed the birds from the palm of their palms – it’s a very enjoyable spot for youths and households.
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is the official residence of the governor of Puerto Rico, however previously it has served as a fortress, an arsenal, and even a jail.
The fortress was accomplished in 1540 to assist defend the island, though it fell to the Earl of Cumberland in 1598 and the Dutch Commander Boudewyn Hendrick in 1625. In 1846 it was transformed right into a governor’s home, and over the centuries it has housed over 170 governors of Puerto Rico.
If you’d like to have a look inside, 30-minute guided excursions are often accessible from Monday by Friday between 8:15 am and three:30 pm. In entrance of La Forteleza is a good looking cobblestone road with blue and pink buildings and a Puerto Rican flag hanging overhead. This is likely one of the finest photograph spots in Old San Juan, so have your digicam prepared!
Barrachina
There’s a little bit of a debate over who invented the pina colada, Puerto Rico’s nationwide drink. Some say it was a bartender at Barrachina known as Don Ramon Portas Mingot, whereas others say it was invented by Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, who was commissioned to create a signature cocktail for the Caribe Hilton.
Barrachina is situated in Old San Juan close to La Fortaleza, and shows a plaque inscribed with the phrases “The house where in 1963 the pina colada was created by Don Ramon Portas Mingot”. If you’re feeling within the temper for a refreshing drink, cease by Barrachina to attempt their model of the pina colada and snap some pictures within the restaurant’s lovable courtyard backyard. With a central fountain, pink partitions and tropical vegetation, it’s positively a fantastic spot for Instagram pictures!
Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista
Built in 1521 throughout the Spanish colonization of Puerto Rico, Catedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Batista is the second oldest church within the western hemisphere. It serves because the seat of the Archdiocese of Puerto Rico and has a good looking gothic facade.
The church has been broken by hurricanes over time – the unique constructing was really destroyed in a hurricane and was rebuilt in 1540. A second hurricane in 1615 ripped off the roof and prompted a number of harm, which means it needed to go below renovations. It was additionally closely looted and pillaged over the centuries, most notably in 1598, when troops below the Earl of Cumberland stormed and ransacked the town.
Plaza de la Catedral
One of essentially the most lovely plazas in Old San Juan is Plaza de la Catedral, which options a big tree, benches and quite a lot of bronze sculptures. Located reverse the Cathedral, this picturesque plaza is a stunning place to cease and catch your breath.
Escalinata de Las Monjas
If you’re on the lookout for the right spot to snap Instagram pictures, try Escalinata de Las Monjas, a set of stairs surrounded by lovely pastel coloured buildings. Located instantly off Plaza de la Catedral, that is positively one of many prettiest stairways in Old San Juan!
Plazuela La Rogativa
From Plaza de la Catedral, head in the direction of the water and also you’ll uncover Plazuela La Rogativa. This is likely one of the most scenic spots in San Juan, providing panoramic views of the Bay of San Juan, La Fotaleza, San Juan gate and the town partitions. In the middle of the plaza lies a good looking bronze monument depicting a legend known as “The Procession”, which occurred in 1797 throughout an invasion by the British Army.
According to legend, a Catholic bishop led a procession of girls holding crosses and torches, whereas ringing bells and chanting hymns. The military thought that reinforcements had been flooding the town and figured they had been outnumbered, so that they quickly retreated and deserted their plan of assault.
Casa Rosa
This lovely vivid pink constructing is situated proper by the water and was in-built 1812 as a barrack for the troops assigned to the San Agustin Bastion. It later functioned as an officers quarters for the Spanish military and now operates as a day care heart for the kids of workers of the Government of Puerto Rico.
El Morro
One of essentially the most well-known landmarks in Puerto Rico, Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a big fortification perched on the northwesternmost level of Puerta de Tierra. It was constructed over a interval of round 250 years from 1539 to 1790, and was designed to guard the town from sea-based assaults.
During the interval of Spanish rule, El Morro was used to defend Puerto Rico from invasions by the British, Dutch, and pirates. After the Spanish-American conflict Puerto Rico fell into the palms of the United States and the fortress was designated as a part of Fort Brooke.
It served as a navy outpost throughout the First and Second World Wars, earlier than being handed on to the National Park Service in 1961. The fort was was a museum, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, together with the walled metropolis of Old San Juan.
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Ready to see one of the crucial lovely cemeteries on this planet? Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a surprising cemetery perched proper on the ocean, not removed from El Morro. Dating again to the nineteenth century, this spectacular graveyard is the ultimate resting place of many well-known Puerto Ricans.
The cemetery is crammed with ornate tombs, elegant gravestones and even marble busts of the deceased. In the middle of the graveyard lies a round chapel with a pastel peach dome. The hanging colours contrasting towards the turquoise blue ocean actually add to the great thing about this resting place.
José Celso Barbosa, the founding father of Puerto Rico’s statehood motion, composer Rafael Hernandez and the actor José Ferrer are all buried right here. Its oceanfront location was chosen to represent the start of the journey into the afterlife.
Museo de las Américas
Museo de las Américas is situated contained in the historic Cuartel de Ballajá, a formidable constructing that after served as San Juan’s navy barracks.
The museum accommodates three everlasting collections devoted to the cultural heritage of Puerto Rico and the Americas, together with quite a lot of rotating exhibitions. Entry prices round $6 for adults and there are loos and a espresso store on-site.
Casa Blanca
Casa Blanca is Puerto Rico’s oldest residence, in-built 1521 for Puerto Rico’s first governor, Juan Ponce de Leon. Today it serves as a museum and homes quite a lot of sixteenth and seventeenth century artifacts.
Sadly the governor died earlier than he ever received to occupy it, however his household lived there till across the mid-18th century. After the governor’s moved to La Fortaleza down the road, Casa Blanca was used as a fortification and was occupied by the navy.
Visitors can wander across the tranquil gardens and examine rooms inside the house, together with the eating room the place the governor’s household ate dinner.
Plaza del Quinto Centenario
Situated within the northern a part of the outdated city, Plaza del Quinto Centenario options a big 40 ft tall totem pole often known as El Tótem Telúrico, which is supposed to represent the origin of the New World.
The plaza was in-built 1992 to commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas and its title means “Quincentennial Plaza”.
La Factoria
After evening falls, head on over to La Factoria, an unassuming bar with no signage outdoors. This well-known cocktail bar was ranked #32 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 and is the most effective bar in San Juan if you wish to have time!
On the menu you’ll discover mild bites resembling fried mahi mahi bites, Angus beef sliders and pulled pork empanadas, in addition to a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails. There’s extra to this bar than first meets the attention; head on by to the again and also you’ll uncover a separate wine bar, in addition to a dance flooring that hosts salsa nights.
Museu de San Juan
Museu de San Juan is a free museum housed in a historic constructing that after served as San Juan’s foremost public market. The museum encompasses a everlasting exhibition detailing Puerto Rico’s historical past, in addition to a wing used for non permanent displays.
Callejón de la Puerta Bandera
Want to seize that quintessential Puerto Rico trip shot? Head on over to Callejón de la Puerta Bandera, a colourful road with a doorway painted within the colours of the Puerto Rican flag. This quiet alleyway was featured in a music video for the well-known music “Calma” by Pedro Capó, Alicia Keys and Farruko.
Be ready to line up behind different vacationers to attend your flip for a photograph.
Puerto Rican Flag Door
If you stroll alongside Calle San José you’ll stumble throughout a second Puerto Rican flag door, which is painted on the door of an outdated, deserted constructing. The door is about 10ft tall and is likely one of the most photographed spots in Old San Juan.
It was initially painted in 2012 with the colours of the Puerto Rican flag, however in 2016 the colours had been repainted to black and white. The black and white model was painted by the group Artistas Solidarixs en Resistencia, as a protest towards the PROMESA regulation, which established a Fiscal Control Board in Puerto Rico.
Surrounding the door is a mural depicting numerous male figures.
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is likely one of the largest plazas in Old San Juan and dates again to Spanish colonial occasions. It was designed as the town’s unique foremost city sq. and is flanked by the San Juan City Hall to the north and the Puerto Rico Department of State to the west.
The plaza is modeled on the plazas of Madrid and Mexico City, and has been known as numerous completely different names over time. At one finish of the sq. lies a big fountain, surrounded by 4 marble statues representing “The Four Seasons”.
If you’re feeling like taking a break from sightseeing, seize a espresso and a pastry from one of many small kiosks and watch the world go by.
La Casita de Rones
One of the prettiest spots in San Juan for pictures, La Casita is a vivid pink constructing with a fountain that overlooks the bay of San Juan. The venue homes two bars, a restaurant and a store promoting Puerto Rican rums.
If you’re feeling peckish, cease by the restaurant to attempt La Casita’s signature rum-glazed dishes and pattern quite a lot of rum-based cocktails.
I Love PR Sign
The I Love PR Sign isn’t technically inside the boundaries of Old San Juan, nevertheless it’s shut sufficient. If you wish to snap a photograph that screams “I’m in Puerto Rico”, strike a pose subsequent to this eye-catching signal, which is situated on the waterfront, subsequent to the San Juan Cruise Port Terminal.
La Corazon Steps
La Corazon steps jogged my memory a bit of little bit of the Selaron staircase in Rio de Janeiro, with its vivid colours and attention-grabbing design. This staircase is situated xxx and encompasses a human coronary heart with an arrow by it, together with the phrases “Feistas de la calle San Sebastian 50 anos, Los 500 anos de la ciudad de San Juan”.
Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián is Puerto Rico’s well-known annual road pageant that takes place in Old San Juan. The pageant is a multi-day celebration that includes dwell music, dance performances and events.
Plaza Colon
One of San Juan’s most essential plazas, Plaza Colon stands proper on the entrance to the walled metropolis. The plaza sits on the previous website of the previous easternmost metropolis partitions and foremost metropolis gate, which had been knocked down in 1897.
In the middle of the plaza stands a monument of Christopher Columbus, which commemorates the 4th centenary of the arrival of the Spanish in Puerto Rico. The sq. is a well-liked assembly place and is surrounded by eating places, cafes and outlets.
Castillo San Cristobal
Constructed by the Spanish to guard San Juan from land-based assaults, Castillo San Cristobal is a big fortress constructed on a hill within the japanese facet of the outdated metropolis.
Built between 1634 and 1765, the citadel covers an space of round 27 acres and is the most important fortification constructed by the Spanish within the New World. It is a part of the San Juan National Historic Site, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
It accommodates 5 very massive cisterns (24 ft tall, 17 ft broad and 57 ft lengthy), which had been utilized by the Spanish for the storage of water. They had been additionally used as bomb shelters throughout World War II.
Princesa Restaurant
If you propose on eating in Old San Juan, try Princesa Restaurant, which has a tree out entrance coated in fairy lights. The restaurant has each indoor and out of doors seating, and gives an upscale tackle conventional Puerto Rican delicacies.
On the menu you’ll discover a choice of common Puerto Rican dishes, resembling ropa vieja and may can pork chop, in addition to quite a lot of contemporary fish. Some of the dishes supplied are ready utilizing recipes from six completely different Puerto Rican cookbooks revealed between 1859 and 1950. The ambiance right here is magical, making it the right place for a romantic dinner or special day.
We tried the meat “piononitos”, the chayote and white beans salad, the smoked pork and rooster fried rice, and the mahi mahi. Everything was so scrumptious – positively my favourite meal in San Juan!
A Final Word…
Old San Juan might be simply explored in a day, leaving you with loads of time to discover extra of Puerto Rico. I’d counsel spending round 3-7 days exploring the island – try my 3 day Puerto Rico itinerary for inspiration.
Definitely attempt to embrace a visit to Culebra to go to Flamenco Beach, which is regularly listed as one of many world’s finest seashores. I’ve written a whole information on the right way to do a day journey to Culebra from San Juan, which incorporates info on the right way to get there, in addition to issues to do on the island.