Casco Viejo (also called Casco Antiguo) is Panama City’s walkable old town, founded in 1673 on a small peninsula after the pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the first city at Panamá Viejo. Together with Panamá Viejo, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plan at least half a day for the main sights: Plaza de la Independencia and the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Golden Altar in the Iglesia de San José, the Canal Museum, Plaza de Francia and the Paseo Esteban Huertas sea wall. Then stay for dinner and a rooftop bar at sunset.
When I arrived in Panama City in 2010, I wanted to see every attraction in one afternoon. It wasn’t possible. There’s simply too much history packed into these few blocks, and the food and nightlife are worth slowing down for too. This guide covers what to see, a short history, where to eat and drink, shopping, safety and how to get there.
Casco Viejo at a glance
| What it is | Panama City’s colonial old town, founded January 21, 1673 |
| UNESCO status | World Heritage Site since 1997, together with Panamá Viejo |
| Time needed | Half a day for the highlights; a full day or an evening for food and rooftops |
| Best time | Early morning (cooler) or late afternoon into the evening |
| Getting there | Taxi or Uber from most hotels in 10–20 minutes, or walk or bike along the Cinta Costera |
| Cost | Free to walk around. Museums charge entry |
Casco Viejo history in two minutes
On January 28, 1671, the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan and about 1,400 men attacked the original city of Panama, now the ruins of Panamá Viejo. The Spanish governor ordered the gunpowder stores blown up, and the fire that followed destroyed most of the city. Morgan’s men occupied the ruins for about a month and left with 195 mules loaded with loot and prisoners.
The Spanish Crown sent Antonio Fernández de Córdoba to find a safer site. He chose a small rocky peninsula at the foot of Cerro Ancón, surrounded by sea on three sides and easy to wall off. The new Panama City was founded there on January 21, 1673. Starting in 1675, it was surrounded by stone walls up to about 10 feet thick, with bastions, a sea gate (Puerta del Mar) and a land gate (Puerta de Tierra). Inside, the streets followed the classic Spanish colonial grid around a main square.
Fires in 1737, 1756 and 1781 destroyed whole blocks. Several of today’s plazas sit on lots that were never rebuilt. Panama declared independence from Spain here in 1821 and joined Colombia. The gold rush, the Panama Railroad (1855) and the French and American canal projects brought new money and the French- and American-style buildings you see today. Panama separated from Colombia on November 3, 1903.
As the city grew east in the 20th century, Casco Viejo declined. Restoration began in earnest in the 1990s and 2000s, and today it’s a mix of restored mansions, boutique hotels, government buildings, churches and some buildings still waiting for repair.
Top things to see in Casco Viejo
1. Plaza de la Independencia (Plaza Mayor or Plaza Catedral)
The main square of the old city and the place where Panama’s independence from Spain was announced on November 28, 1821, and the separation from Colombia in 1903. Around it are the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Municipal Palace (1910) and the Canal Museum. It got its trees, iron benches and gazebo-style layout during the French canal era in the late 1870s and 1880s.
2. Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana Basílica Santa María la Antigua)
Panama’s main cathedral took more than a century to build, from 1688 to 1796. Its white towers, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, face the main square. The cathedral was fully restored and reopened in 2018 for Pope Francis’s visit for World Youth Day in January 2019.
3. The Golden Altar at Iglesia de San José
This church on Avenida A is famous for its huge baroque altar of carved mahogany covered in gold leaf. The legend says that when Morgan attacked Panamá Viejo in 1671, a priest painted the altar black (some versions say covered it with mud) so the pirates would think it was worthless. Later, the altar was moved to the new city. Historians question parts of the story, but it’s the most popular legend in Casco Viejo. Dress modestly and keep quiet during mass.
4. Panama Canal Museum (Museo del Canal Interoceánico)
The museum fills an 1875 building on Plaza de la Independencia. The building was first the Grand Hotel, then the headquarters of the French canal company and later of the US Isthmian Canal Commission. Its exhibits tell the story of the canal from the Spanish era to the handover. As of 2026, it’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5:30 p.m.). Adult tickets for non-residents cost $15, with lower prices for students, seniors and kids. Check museodelcanal.com for current details. To see how the locks actually work, read how the Panama Canal works.
5. Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
At the tip of the peninsula, Plaza de Francia (1922) honors the French who tried and failed to build the canal. An obelisk topped with a Gallic rooster rises in the center, surrounded by busts of the French engineers and plaques telling the canal story. Under the old sea wall are Las Bóvedas, vaults once used as a prison.
6. Paseo Esteban Huertas
This walkway runs along the top of one of the best-preserved sections of the old sea wall, under a tunnel of bougainvillea. It’s named for the Colombian general who backed Panama’s separation in 1903. From here you can see the Amador Causeway, the Bridge of the Americas and the skyline across the bay. You’ll often find Guna women selling molas along the way.
7. Plaza Bolívar
The square was built on the lot left by the fire of 1756 and named in 1883 for Simón Bolívar, who called the Congress of Panama here in 1826 to try to unite Spanish America. Around it are the Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís, the Palacio Bolívar (now the Foreign Ministry, with the room where the congress met) and the National Theater.
8. National Theater (Teatro Nacional)
Built between 1905 and 1908 by the Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri, the theater has a horseshoe-shaped hall and ceiling paintings by Panamanian artist Roberto Lewis. Check the program for concerts and ballet.
9. Palacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace)
The president’s office and residence is named for the herons (garzas) that live in its courtyard. The building dates to 1673 and was remodeled in the 1920s under President Belisario Porras. The streets around it are closed off by security, so you can only see it from outside.
10. Santo Domingo convent and the Arco Chato
The ruins of this 1678 Dominican convent hold the famous Arco Chato, a nearly flat brick arch that stood for centuries without reinforcement. It’s often said that it helped convince the US that Panama was stable enough (less earthquake-prone than Nicaragua) for the canal. The original collapsed in 2003 and was rebuilt. A small museum of colonial religious art is next door.
11. Iglesia de la Merced
Near the old land gate, this church was built in the 1680s using stones carried from its predecessor in Panamá Viejo, which makes its facade one of the oldest in the city. It’s the only church in Casco Viejo that kept its original roof.
12. Compañía de Jesús ruins
The roofless ruins of the Jesuit church and college, home of the Royal and Pontifical University of San Javier (founded 1749), Panama’s first university. Fires and an 1882 earthquake damaged it, and the state started restoring it after buying it in 1979.
13. Plaza Herrera and Plaza Santa Ana
Plaza Herrera, on the western side, was built on a lot left by the fire of 1781 and once hosted bullfights. It’s named for General Tomás Herrera. Just outside the old walls, Plaza Santa Ana was the heart of the old “arrabal,” the working-class suburb, and is still a lively local square.
More historic buildings to look for
| Building | Why it’s interesting |
|---|---|
| Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís | Rebuilt in 1918 in a mix of Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance styles, on Plaza Bolívar |
| Iglesia San Felipe Neri | Dates from 1688. It served as the cathedral after the 1737 fire |
| Palacio Municipal | Neoclassical city hall (1910), also by Genaro Ruggieri |
| Casa Góngora | Built in 1756, one of the oldest houses with its original architecture |
| Casas Heurtematte | 1877 houses next to the National Theater, where Panama’s 1903 act of independence was drafted |
| La Legación | 1870s home of French canal engineer Jules Dingler, later the first US legation |
| Museo Carlos Endara | The 1910 studio of a pioneering photographer, with what’s said to be the oldest elevator in Central America |
| American Trade Hall | Art Deco former National City Bank of New York building (late 1920s) |
| Casa Boyacá | A ship’s-bow-shaped wooden house from about 1880, badly damaged by fire in 2018 |
A simple walking route
- Start at Plaza de la Independencia and the Cathedral.
- Visit the Canal Museum on the same square.
- Walk to Iglesia de San José and the Golden Altar on Avenida A.
- Continue to the Arco Chato and Plaza Bolívar.
- Walk down to Plaza de Francia and along the Paseo Esteban Huertas.
- Finish at a rooftop bar for sunset over the skyline.
For a detailed route with more stops, see our self-guided Casco Viejo walking tour.
Where to eat in Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo has some of Panama City’s best restaurants, from creative Panamanian cooking to seafood, Italian and simple local fondas, plus excellent coffee shops and ice cream. Prices are higher than in the rest of the city: expect about $15–$35 per main course at sit-down restaurants as of 2026, less at cafés. Reservations help on weekend evenings. Our picks are in where to eat in Casco Viejo.
Rooftop bars and nightlife
Casco Viejo is the city’s main nightlife area. Rooftop bars on top of the boutique hotels have views of the skyline and the bay, and many get busy from sunset on Thursdays to Saturdays. Some have a dress code (no flip-flops or tank tops at night) and a cover charge on weekends. See our guide to Casco Viejo nightlife and rooftop bars.
Shopping: molas, hats and more
- Molas: the colorful layered textile panels made by Guna women. Prices depend on size, layers and detail. A small, simple piece costs much less than a large, finely stitched one. Buying directly from the makers on the Paseo Esteban Huertas or near Plaza de Francia supports them.
- Panama hats: the classic “Panama hat” is actually woven in Ecuador. Panama’s own traditional hat is the sombrero pintao from Coclé, with black-and-white woven bands. Good shops will explain the difference.
- Coffee and chocolate: Panamanian specialty coffee (including Geisha from Boquete) and local chocolate make easy gifts.
- Tagua carvings and Emberá baskets: handmade crafts from Darién.
Where to stay in Casco Viejo
Staying in Casco Viejo means walking to restaurants and bars, colonial architecture and boutique hotels in restored buildings. The downsides: weekend noise and narrow streets for taxis. As of 2026, boutique hotels are typically about $150–$350 a night, and there are a few hostels and many apartment rentals. For a quieter base with more chain hotels, look at the areas covered in where to stay in Panama City.
Is Casco Viejo safe?
The restored core of Casco Viejo is generally safe and well policed day and night, including by Panama’s tourist police. As in any busy area, watch your phone and bag. The neighborhood borders poorer areas, especially El Chorrillo to the west and parts of Santa Ana to the north. If the streets suddenly look rundown or empty, turn back. At night, take a taxi or Uber rather than walking out of the neighborhood. More tips in our guide to staying safe in Panama.
How to get to Casco Viejo
- Taxi or Uber: the easiest way. It takes about 10–20 minutes from the banking district, El Cangrejo or Marbella, depending on traffic, and usually costs a few dollars by app.
- Walk or bike: the Cinta Costera waterfront path runs from Paitilla to Casco Viejo. It’s a pleasant walk in the early morning or evening, about an hour from the Paitilla end.
- Metro: the nearest Line 1 stations are about a 20–25 minute walk away, so most visitors take a short taxi from the station.
- Driving: streets are narrow and parking is limited. There are paid lots near the edges of the neighborhood.
Tips for visiting
- Go early. By 11 a.m. the heat and humidity are intense.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The streets are cobbled and uneven.
- Many museums are closed on Mondays.
- Bring a light layer or scarf for churches.
- Combine Casco Viejo with the nearby Mercado de Mariscos (fish market) for ceviche, and the Amador Causeway. More ideas in our list of things to do in Panama City.
Casco Viejo FAQ
Is Casco Viejo worth visiting?
Yes. It’s the most atmospheric part of Panama City, with colonial churches, restored plazas, great restaurants and the best skyline views in the city.
What’s the difference between Casco Viejo and Panamá Viejo?
Panamá Viejo is the ruins of the first city (founded 1519) destroyed in 1671. Casco Viejo is the second city, founded in 1673 about 8 km (5 miles) to the west, and it’s still lived in today.
How much time do you need in Casco Viejo?
Three to four hours covers the main sights. Add an evening for dinner and a rooftop bar.
Is Casco Viejo the same as Casco Antiguo?
Yes. Both names refer to the same historic district, officially called the Conjunto Monumental Histórico del Casco Antiguo. Panamanians also call it San Felipe, after its main district.