Panamá Viejo: A Visitor’s Guide to the Ruins of Old Panama City

Long before the skyscrapers and the Canal, Panama City stood a few kilometres east of today’s downtown. Panamá Viejo — the ruins of that first city — is one of the most rewarding half-day visits in the capital: stone towers, convents and a seaside setting with views of the modern skyline. This guide explains its history, what to see and how to plan your visit.

A short history of Panamá Viejo

Panama City was founded in 1519 by the Spanish governor Pedro Arias Dávila, making it the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. For more than 150 years it was a key link in the route that carried silver and goods from South America across the isthmus to the Caribbean and on to Spain.

In 1671 the city was attacked by the privateer Henry Morgan and destroyed by fire. Instead of rebuilding on the same spot, the colonial authorities moved the city to a more defensible peninsula to the west — today’s Casco Viejo, founded in 1673. The old site was left in ruins.

The Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and the Historic District of Panama (Casco Viejo) are together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see at the ruins

The Cathedral tower

The square stone bell tower of the old cathedral is the symbol of Panamá Viejo. It has been restored so visitors can climb it, and the view from the top takes in the ruins, the Pacific and the towers of modern Panama City.

Plaza Mayor

The main square of the colonial city, next to the cathedral. It helps you picture how the town was organized around its church and government buildings.

Convents and churches

Walls and arches of several religious buildings survive across the site, including the convent of the nuns of La Concepción, the Jesuit church and college (La Compañía de Jesús) and the convents of San José, San Francisco and Santo Domingo. Information panels explain each one.

Casas Reales and the old city layout

The remains of the royal houses — the seat of colonial government — and the foundations of homes and streets show how large and busy the city once was.

The visitor centre and museum

Start or finish at the visitor centre, where a museum displays objects found during excavations, scale models of the old city and the story of the Indigenous peoples who lived in the area before the Spanish arrived.

King’s Bridge (Puente del Rey)

A short distance from the main ruins stands the colonial stone bridge that marked the start of the overland road across the isthmus to the Caribbean coast.

A suggested route

1. Visitor centre and museum — get the context first.
2. Walk along the main path past the convents and the Jesuit church.
3. Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral tower — climb it for the view.
4. Casas Reales and the waterfront area.
5. If you have time, the King’s Bridge.

Two to three hours is enough for an unhurried visit.

How to get there

• Taxi or ride-hailing: the easiest option from downtown, Casco Viejo or the hotel areas; the site lies along the coastal road east of the city centre.
• Guided tour: many city tours combine Panamá Viejo, Casco Viejo and the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks in one day.
• Bus: local buses run along the main avenue near the site; ask your hotel for the current route.

Tips for your visit

• Go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the strongest heat and sun.
• Bring water, a hat and sunscreen; much of the site is open-air with little shade.
• Wear comfortable shoes — paths are long and some areas are uneven.
• In the rainy season, carry a light rain jacket or umbrella for afternoon showers.
• Hire a local guide if you want the full story behind each building.

Opening hours, ticket options and access to the tower can change. Check the official Panamá Viejo website or ask your tour operator before you go. We do not list prices or schedules in this guide.

Combine it with Casco Viejo

Panamá Viejo and Casco Viejo tell two halves of the same story: the city that was destroyed in 1671 and the walled city that replaced it. Visit the ruins in the morning and spend the afternoon and evening walking the plazas of Casco Viejo — see our Casco Viejo walking guide. For more ideas, read our 7 best day trips from Panama City and how to visit the Panama Canal, or browse places in Panama.

Panamá Viejo FAQ