Best Things To Do in Panama City

Panama City is a destination with a great historical legacy and a wide cultural offer, which attracts tourists from all over the world. The Panamanian capital is a place of great contrasts: the beautiful old town with its picturesque houses, the financial district with its modern skyscrapers, the Panama Canal and a series of natural lungs.

During your stay in this city you won't have time to waste, as you will find plenty of things to see and do. You can take a bike ride around the city, visit the Biomuseo, taste the local gastronomy at the Seafood Market, go to the Miraflores Visitor Centre to see the Panama Canal, see the archaeological remains of Panama la Vieja, among many other things.

Embark on a cycling adventure through the streets of Panama City's Casco Viejo is one of the things you can do during your stay. You'll do some sport while discovering along the way a series of historical sites, the beautiful skyscrapers of the financial district and the amazing views of the Cinta Costera.

Along this route, you'll be able to see many of the emblematic places of the Panamanian capital, some of them being the following:

• The San Francisco de Asis Church, which dates back to the 18th century and stands out for its baroque architectural style.
• The Seafood Market, present in the city since 1995.
• The Cathedral Basilica Santa María la Antigua, a temple of Catholic worship inaugurated in 1510, representative of Renaissance architecture.
• The Maritime Section of the Coastal Belt of the city, from where you will observe a different perspective of the old city, the Bridge of the Americas and the entrance to the Panama Canal.
• The Plaza Francia, whose first stone was laid on July 14, 1919.

This bicycle tour of Panama City, although you can do it on your own, you also have the option of doing it in the company of a guide. This way, you don't have to worry about renting equipment or wasting time not knowing how to get around the city.

Another of the things to see and do in Panama City is to discover its wide gastronomic offer at the Seafood Market. You will be able to delight your palate with the exotic and tropical flavours of traditional Panamanian cuisine, at the same time as you get to know the local culture.

This market is usually one of the must-visit destinations on any gastronomic tour of Panama City. When you arrive at the market you will find dozens of stalls with a wide variety of seafood, fish and other marine delicacies for you to buy. You will also see how the local fishermen unload their catch, which will give you a glimpse of local life in the market.

You will also find restaurants and food stalls where you can try some Panamanian dishes prepared on the spot and with fresh ingredients. For example, the famous Panamanian ceviche (seafood marinated in lemon juice), sancocho (thick soup with a variety of meats and vegetables), fried fish with patacones (fried plantains), among other recipes.

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: the market area is open daily from 5:00 to 17:00 hours.

During your visit to Panama City, you can't miss the opportunity to see the Panama Canal. Go to the Miraflores Visitor Centre and get an up-close look at this impressive work of engineering, responsible for the inter-oceanic link between the waters of the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Once at the Miraflores Visitor Centre, you can go to the viewing platforms to discover how the canal operates. You will see the manoeuvres of the tugboats and cable boats, the large vessels transiting this important waterway and the Miraflores Locks powered by gravity. In addition, this visit to the Panama Canal will also give you access to the museum area.

Without a doubt, this is a very popular destination among tourists and locals alike, and you will be able to go on your own without any inconvenience. You will also find a wide range of tours that include this emblematic place in their itinerary. For example, the guided tour of Panama City and the Panama Canal.

Useful information

• Price: around 20€ per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Another of the must-do things to do in Panama City is to take a stroll along Balboa Avenue. This is a very busy place, considered a true landmark of the city worldwide. You will enjoy a lively atmosphere, a breathtaking view of the ocean, shops, restaurants and more.

When you get to this area of the city you will have many options to explore and have fun. For example, some of them are:

• The Cinta Costera, with a series of palm-lined walkways, skating rink, basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court, yoga area and playground for children.
• The shopping malls, with fashionable window displays, shops specialising in jewellery, perfumes and other products, bars, cafes, food courts, children's areas and entertainment for all ages. A very popular one is the Balboa Boutiques Panama Strip Mall.
• Restaurants with local and international food, such as Filomena Cucina di Mare, the Balboa Boulevard, among many others.

This avenue stretches along the bay and is just a few steps away from the financial district with its impressive skyscrapers, offering you a contrast between the urban and the natural. You can walk it on your own or even join a guided activity that incorporates this destination. There are short tours, private stopover tours in Panama City, among others.

Information of interest

• Price: this type of guided activity has a cost of 78€ per person (Approx.).
• Duration: the tour could last around 5 hours.

Cerro Ancon is a must-see destination on your itinerary, whether you plan to be in Panama City for 1 to 7 days or even longer. You will have a breathtaking view of the old town, the so-called modern city and the Panama Canal, enjoying the stunning contrasts between them.

This hill is part of the Bosque Húmedo nature reserve and is considered a National Historical Heritage Site. It is the highest point in the city, located approximately 199 metres above sea level. When you get to the top, the first thing you will see is a huge Panamanian flag flying.

You will also find a couple of viewpoints from where you will get a 360º view of the city. You'll see the Bay of Panama, the financial district with its skyscrapers and the old town with its large number of colonial buildings. You will also see the Bridge of the Americas, the emblematic Panama Canal and the famous Miraflores Locks.

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: daily from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Another interesting place to visit during your trip is the Archaeological Park of the city, also known as Panama Viejo. It is a place of great historical and cultural importance, where the city was first settled in 1519. There, you will live a unique experience in which you will discover the colonial heritage of the city.

Among the main attractions of this city destroyed in 1671, and declared a Historic Monumental Site in 1976, there are a series of ruins that highlight the architectural richness of the place. Such is the case of the Hospital de San Juan de Dios, the tower of the church of San José, the cathedral with its viewpoint, the house of the Royal Customs House, among others.

You will also find some paths with green areas. You can take a walk to relax and connect with nature. At the viewpoint you will have the opportunity to contemplate a panoramic view of a part of Panama City. And, if you want to buy some handicrafts, you can go to the souvenir shop of the archaeological park.

Useful information

• Price: approximately 15€ per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

A great way to explore Panama City is aboard the double-decker tourist bus. You'll take a panoramic tour of the entire Panamanian capital, getting a different perspective of the streets, buildings and the environment in general. Besides, you will be able to get off and on as many times as you wish to discover the destinations of your interest.

To board the bus (red line) you will have to go to the Multicentro shopping centre, located in the heart of Panama City. Throughout the city, you will find around 13 stops where you can also get on the bus. Some of them are:

• Urraca Park, considered one of the oldest in the city. It is located on Balboa Avenue.
• The Miraflores Locks, at the Panama Canal Visitors Centre. An emblematic and very popular destination in the city.
• The Biomuseo, an innovative museum that combines biodiversity and Panamanian culture.
• Flamenco Island, which offers an incredible view of the ocean and the ships that navigate it.

This experience will not only allow you to see the impressive contrast between Panama City's past and present: the colonial houses of the old town and the skyscrapers of the financial district. You will also enjoy recorded commentary, giving you an insight into the historical background of the main attractions.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance to the Panama City sightseeing bus starts at about 30€ per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9.30am to 3.15pm.

The Calzada de Amador boardwalk is a very popular place in the city, where you can enjoy sports activities, delicious local cuisine, breathtaking panoramic views of the Panama Canal, among other things. You will spend a different and very fun day outdoors.

This boardwalk is located right at the entrance of the Panama Canal and connects four Pacific islands: Flamenco, Naos, Culebra and Perico. Upon arrival, you'll be mesmerised by the view of the Panamanian capital's skyline, the blue waters of the ocean and the boats sailing through the city's iconic canal. You won't be able to avoid taking some pictures.

You can rent a bike or segway and take a ride along the boardwalk. You'll explore the place while you do some sport. And, if you want to take a break to delight your palate, you will find a number of restaurants in the surrounding area with local (grill, seafood, ceviche) and international dishes.

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Opening hours: Calzada de Amador is open all day. However, the restaurants and shops do have set opening hours, which can start from 9:00 am until late in the evening.

The Old Town is a picturesque and lively neighbourhood that has been home to an important part of the Panamanian capital's history since its founding in 1673, after the destruction of Panama la Vieja. You'll feel like you've travelled back in time as you take a look around its narrow, cobblestone streets, lined with colonial buildings, vibrant plazas, religious precincts, etc.

Some of the most emblematic destinations you'll discover in the Old Town are the following:

• The Presidential Palace, a representative building of Spanish colonial architecture, inaugurated in 1673.
• The Felipe Neri Oratory, declared a National Historic Monument in 1980. The building has undergone several reconstructions but still retains the original floor and the roof has been restored.
• The Canal Museum, with exhibits, models, photographs and everything related to the history of the Panama Canal.
• The Plaza Bolivar, which honours the liberator Simon Bolivar. This is a space with trees, palm trees and benches to rest.

In the old town you will find several bars and restaurants where you can stop, have a drink and taste the Panamanian gastronomy. You will also find shops selling fashion, handicrafts, souvenirs and more. Without a doubt, this is an unmissable activity that you can incorporate into your itinerary along with the best day trips from Panama City

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and connect with nature without leaving Panama City, then you should visit the Metropolitan Nature Park In this forest reserve, you will have the opportunity to discover important wildlife species, you will get privileged panoramic views of the Panamanian capital, among other things.

In the park you will have the opportunity to live several experiences. For example:

• Walk a series of trails at your own pace. You will enjoy different panoramic views of the city and the Panama Canal.
• Visit the Visitor Centre, which offers a series of educational activities focused on informing about the biodiversity of the park. Ideal if you are in Panama City with children.
• Bird and wildlife watching. You'll see agoutis, howler monkeys, sloths, butterflies, toucans, birds, coatis, turtles and much more.

After recharging your batteries in this wonderful natural lung, you can continue exploring the Panamanian capital. Perhaps join one of the best tours of Panama City or discover it on your own.

Useful information

• Price: the average price is 1€ (locals) and about 4€ (tourists).
• Opening hours: The park is open to the public every day from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

If you are interested in natural history, then you must visit the Biomuseo during your visit to Panama City. Here you will not only learn about the wide variety of living creatures in Panama, but you will also enjoy the ingenious architectural concept of the building, designed by Frank Gehry.

When you arrive, you will be amazed by the appearance of the Biomuseo: a series of geometric blocks of vibrant colours that intertwine and give way to the different spaces of the building. Inside, you will find around 8 galleries with interesting exhibitions on the Isthmus of Panama and the biodiversity of this Central American country.

You will also have access to some audiovisual projections and interactive exhibits. There are also educational activities adapted to all ages and access to the botanical garden area , where you will see some of Panama's native flora and fauna.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee starts at €18 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00.