Old San Juan, Viejo San Juan in Spanish, is consistently named one of the top places to see in Puerto Rico, and for good reason: this “walled city” holds over 500 years of history packed into a few square miles you can walk in an afternoon (or spend three days exploring and still not see it all).
The Landmarks Worth Your Time
The two forts . El Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal are the anchors of any visit, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites with sweeping ocean views and centuries of Spanish colonial military history. Add La Fortaleza (still the governor’s residence today, making it the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Americas) and Cuartel de Ballajá, and you’ve got a half-day of real history without leaving a few blocks.
Getting Around
Old San Juan is walkable, but the cobblestone streets and hills add up fast in the heat. Free golf carts called Garita Carts run between the major landmarks if you want to cover more ground without wearing yourself out.
Beyond the Forts
The colorful streets are lined with local shops, art galleries, and restaurants serving everything from traditional mofongo to the modern Puerto Rican fine dining the island has become known for. Old San Juan is also where the piña colada was born, and several bars in the old city claim the title, and trying more than one is a perfectly reasonable way to spend an evening.
Best Way to See It All
Because there’s so much packed into a small area, a guided walking tour is usually the most efficient way to actually learn what you’re looking at: which building is 500 years old, which wall survived a pirate siege, and where the locals actually eat.
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