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 will not have time to waste, as you will find many things to see and do. You can take a bike ride through the city, visit the Biomuseum, taste the local cuisine at the Seafood Market, go to the Miraflores Visitor Center to see the Panama Canal, see the archaeological remains of Old Panama, among many other things.

Embark on a cycling adventure through the streets of the Casco Viejo of Panama City is one of the things you can do during your stay. You will do 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 will 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 Catholic temple 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 to do 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 flavors of traditional Panamanian cuisine, at the same time that you will get to know the local culture.

This market is usually one of the must-see destinations in 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 that you can buy. In addition, you will see how local fishermen unload their catch, which will allow you to learn about local life in the market.

You will also find restaurants and food stalls, where you can taste 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 plantain), among other recipes.

Information of interest

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: the market area is open daily from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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

Once at the Miraflores Visitors Center you can go to the viewpoints to discover how the canal operates. You will see the maneuvers of the tugboats and cable ships, 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.

Undoubtedly, this is a very popular destination among tourists and locals, which you can 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.

Information of interest

• Price: around 20€ per person.
• 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 reference of the city worldwide. You will enjoy a lively atmosphere, a breathtaking view of the ocean, stores, 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 the kids.
• The shopping malls, with fashion showcases, stores specializing in jewelry, perfumes and other products, bars, cafeteria, 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 extends along the bay and is just a few steps from the financial district with its impressive skyscrapers, offering 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 contemplate an impressive panoramic view of the old town, the so-called modern city and the Panama Canal, enjoying the imposing contrasts between them.

This hill is part of the natural reserve of Bosque Húmedo and is considered a National Historical Heritage. It is the highest point in the city, located approximately 199 meters above sea level. When you get to the top, the first thing you will come across is a huge Panamanian flag waving.

You will also find a couple of viewpoints from where you will get a 360º view of the city. You will 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.

Information of interest

• Price: free admission.
• 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 Real Aduana, among others.

In addition, you will find some trails 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 store of the archaeological park.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 15€ per person.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A good way to explore Panama City is aboard the double-decker tourist bus. You will take a panoramic tour throughout the Panamanian capital, getting a different perspective of the streets, buildings and the environment in general. In addition, you can get off and on as many times as you wish to discover the destinations of your interest.

To board the bus (red line) you must go to the Multicentro shopping mall, located in the heart of Panama City. Likewise, throughout the city, you will find about 13 stops where you can also get on. 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 Center. 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, which will provide you with the historical background of the main attractions.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance to the Panama City sightseeing bus starts at about 30€ per person.
• Hours: daily from 9:30 am to 3:15 pm.

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 will be fascinated by the view of the Panamanian capital's skyline, the blue waters of the ocean and the boats navigating the city's emblematic canal. You won't be able to avoid taking some pictures.

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

Useful information

• Price: free admission.
• Hours: Calzada de Amador is open all day. However, the restaurants and stores do have established hours, which can start at 9:00 a.m. until late at night.

The old quarter is a picturesque and lively neighborhood that has been home to an important part of the history of the Panamanian capital since its founding in 1673, after the destruction of Panama la Vieja. You will feel like you have traveled back in time as you take a look at its narrow cobblestone streets, lined with colonial buildings, vibrant plazas, religious precincts, etc.

Some of the most emblematic destinations you will 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 honors 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 stores 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 Natural 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 Center, 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 will see agoutis, howler monkeys, sloths, butterflies, toucans, birds, coatis, turtles and much more.

After recharging your energy 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.

Information of interest

• Price: the average price is 1€ (locals) and about 4€ (tourists).
• Hours: the park is open to the public daily from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.

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

Upon arrival, you will be amazed by the appearance of the Biomuseo: a series of geometric blocks of vibrant colors that intertwine and give way to the different spaces of the building. Inside, you will find about 8 galleries with interesting exhibitions of the isthmus of Panama and the biodiversity of this Central American country.

In addition, you will have access to some audiovisual projections and interactive exhibits. Also, educational activities adapted to all ages and access to the botanical garden area , where you will see some species of flora and fauna native to Panama.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee starts at 18€ per person.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.