Old San Juan
Old San Juan
4.5
About
This historic area in San Juan exudes old-world charm. Walk along the cobbled streets and past colorful buildings, historic fortresses, and old city walls, some of which date back to the 16th century. You might even chance upon local musicians playing some salsa or jazz tunes. There are also several museums where you can learn more about the history, art, and culture of the area, plus cool cocktail bars and restaurants for a quintessentially Puerto Rican meal. Don't miss all the best sights (and food!) on a walking tour of Old San Juan. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from
€42.04
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Old San Juan
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
490 within 5 kms
Attractions
269 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- James AWindsor, Canada19,884 contributionsThis is where the food and culture our foundIt’s all about culture and the old world in the old Puerto Rico. Parts of it are 500 years old. Most of it is at least a hundred. The shops and restaurants have the standard stuff but it’s great. Really hits the spot between travel culture and tourism. A fine but difficult balance to achieve.Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 5 December 2023
- PelleasPhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania1,116 contributionsGreat day of walking & shoppingYes it is a must do in Puerto Rico. Great day of exploring, walking the hilly streets, doing some tourist shopping and maybe finding a good artisan. The forts are worth the trips as well. If you are off a cruise ship please dress decently and realize you are on someone else’s land.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 23 December 2023
- CaM4 contributionsGo Early to Old San Juan to Enjoy itTips to not ignore 1) Go early!! Forts open at 9am and you should be there by that time. 2) parking is VERY limited. We used the Dona Fela parking garage and it was easy to find at spot at 9am. When we left at 2pm, there were not many spots and a lot of cars trying to find one. Paying for the spot was $6 and easy. A family member used a hotel garage and had a long line and difficult time paying and getting out of that garage. 3) parking in the streets on Old San Juan is difficult. A different family member rented a golf cart thinking it would help them, but it made them get stuck driving circles around the area and not getting to stop at places because there was zero parking for the gold cart. 4). It is worth going to! Just go early so it’s an enjoyable experience.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 December 2023
- Allen BMuskegon, Michigan1,228 contributionsNice city and lovely people.We spent December 20, 2023 in San Juan as a cruise stop. For the most part people are very polite land friendly, except some fellow cruisers; locals are great. Unfortunately, some of the restaurants were closed the day we were in Port which created a longer than usual wait time for seating at other restaurants. Overall, it is a nice city with lots to do.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 January 2024
- carmenrX7733DM4 contributionsGreat time walking the streets of Old San Juan!My daughters and I love coming to Old San Juan. We always make sure to visit Old San Juan when we come to Puerto Rico to visit family. This year we went to Old San Juan on a Tuesday (January 2024) and it was packed! We saw at least three huge cruise ships that had docked and there were many tourists around the area. Nevertheless, we love walking the streets of Old San Juan. Many of the shops are geared towards tourist however, we have some favorites such the Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts store located at 204 Calle Fortaleza. We love everything about this store, particularly that their focus on local artisans; we especially loved the coconut earrings! We also love eating at Old San Juan. We of course make sure to have the local "helado de coco" and love getting "un cortado" (black coffee with milk) at El Meson, right next to La Plaza de Armas. We ate lunch at our favorite, Los Yeyos Restaurant located on Calle San Francisco. The service at this restaurant is hit or miss, this time our waiter provided so-so service, but the food is absolutely delicious! Someone please train your waitstaff! You don't want to loose customers and we would hate for this restaurant to close.!! So please do a better job with customer service! We always also make sure to make a trip to El Parque De Las Palomas...my girls love coming here. I have been bringing them to this park since they were very young; they are now 19yrs and 16 yrs old and they still love coming here to feed the pigeons. Now a few complaints: 1) There is too much traffic in Old San Juan and they should seriously consider limiting traffic, 2) too much trash! Trash cans should be easily available throughout Old San Juan, 3) Please provide MORE public bathrooms please!! I am getting older and find that I must use the bathroom more often; it was annoying having to wait over 20 minutes to use the bathroom at CVS. Old San Juan is a wonderful place visit. I have great childhood memories of this place and I am fortunate to be able to bring my daughters here and share with them this wonderful place. I would love for Puerto Rico to have the foresight to see that they need to make improvements to Old San Juan in a sustainable manner to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy this gem.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 January 2024
- Ifrah K12 contributionsPack Cat food!!!Great historical city, well developed with lots to see and do! We didn’t need any transportation since it was relatively small, we walked throughout and it was very nice. Some historical buildings, fort entrances etc. Very good photo ops. However I would recommend packing or buying cat food as there are lots and lots of stray cats which looked quite malnourished and it is encouraged by the locals to help feed them :))Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 8 January 2024
- MichelleInverness, Florida268 contributionsMi Viejo San JuanOld San Juan is a blast from the past with cobblestone streets, old colorful Spanish style homes and lots of shops. There are several Historic places to visit on tour but you can also use that itinerary and do your own walking tour. If you are on a time crunch don’t try to figure it out. Get a guide and go have fun! If you are spending the day you can walk the forts, eat, walk down Fortaleza St and have fun.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 8 January 2024
- psudinoWeehawken, New Jersey4,423 contributionsSafe, beautiful and full of life!I've been to VSJ twice and I want to go back again. This city is a jewel of the Caribbean with it's beautiful buildings, rich history and wonderful food. At no point day or night did we feel unsafe and the energy of the city is constant. I really enjoy this wonderful place!Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 January 2024
- ParisgalChicagoILThe Villages, Florida739 contributionsVery Viejo Visit!It has been years since we visited Viejo San Juan and we re here now to board a Virgin Cruise. What fun! The weather is perfect and we strolled from our dockside hotel, shopped, ate and drank admiring the waterfront view and the delicious cuisine.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 January 2024
- SaraD3 contributionsOld San Juan, a Must SeeOld San Juan is probably one of most favorite places in the world. It always makes me happy. I miss living in Puerto Rico: the people, the weather, the beaches... It never gets old...no matter how many times I go thereVisited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
16,767 reviews
Excellent
12,282
Very good
3,642
Average
685
Poor
97
Terrible
62
MARK V
Bethel Park, PA52 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We needed a break from the holidays and work so we booked a trip to San Juan. One of our friends recommended that we stay in old San Juan and he was spot on. I can’t imagine going to PuertoRico without staying in old San Juan for a while. The forts were great to visit and the nightlife was very cool. Restaurants have authentic food and good prices. Would recommend staying in old San Juan if you are going. The Airbnb prices are reasonable and you get to stay in some great authentic older homes.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KCLizard
State College, PA587 contributions
Jan 2020
There are plenty of sites to see here, including the castles, museums, the churches, and the governor's mansion, but it also has a great restaurant and bar scene. I would try to avoid it on the days when multiple cruise ships come to port, and it is easy to look up the schedule online. It feels far more genuine and chill when the cruise ships are not there. The trolley is certainly worth it.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThaiBlu
Philadelphia, PA98 contributions
Feb 2020
Old San Juan is a must see in Puerto Rico. We went there for the artist craft festival which was lively, filled with music, food and local artist. We also went several other days to shop , tour, fine dining and another day eat at food trucks. It is a beautiful old city. So many shops and beautiful buildings. The first night I wore kitten heels and was much more comfortable the other days with flats or walking shoes. The side walks are small with a good amount of people walking up and down the cobblestone streets.
On the port which is also a beautiful view. We had amazing weather and enjoyed different aspects each day.
On the port which is also a beautiful view. We had amazing weather and enjoyed different aspects each day.
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLHGRW
Chicago, IL53 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
The architecture and infrastructure in Old San Juan made it worth a visit. The area is quaint, but there weren't as many shops as we expected. With that said, we did find a great art gallery with original works at reasonable prices. We also ate an authentic Puerto Rican meal that really hit the spot after spending so much of the day walking up and down steep streets!
Written 22 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmbia
Iowa283 contributions
Aug 2021
Old San Juan reminded me a lot of the French Quarter in New Orleans. While it is quite touristy, there's a reason the tourists come there. It's historic and also quite beautiful. It's full of restaurants, bars, and gift shops, which gives the place a lively feeling. It's definitely a place every tourist should visit.
One issue with Old San Juan is that it's not easy to get there from elsewhere in the city. I primarily relied on public transit, and the buses in San Juan just aren't very reliable. It's a short ride from Condado to the old city, but the wait for the bus to arrive can be an hour or even more. Taxis were beyond my budget, and had I rented a car I think it would have been a chore to drive to and in the old city--not to mention the difficulty and expense of parking. I walked from Condado to Old San Juan once, but it is a rather long walk (three miles or so). I wish there were reliable public transportation connecting the old city with the rest of San Juan.
One issue with Old San Juan is that it's not easy to get there from elsewhere in the city. I primarily relied on public transit, and the buses in San Juan just aren't very reliable. It's a short ride from Condado to the old city, but the wait for the bus to arrive can be an hour or even more. Taxis were beyond my budget, and had I rented a car I think it would have been a chore to drive to and in the old city--not to mention the difficulty and expense of parking. I walked from Condado to Old San Juan once, but it is a rather long walk (three miles or so). I wish there were reliable public transportation connecting the old city with the rest of San Juan.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura F
3 contributions
Feb 2020
Lots of tourists shops; catering mainly to cruise ships that dock nearby. Some restaurants. We enjoyed rolled ice cream at Himalaya Ice Cream - very good! Don't try to drive in Old San Juan. Easy to walk around (sidewalks are narrow though); use a pickup/dropoff car service to get you to Old San Juan (Recommend dropping off at the Tourist Information Center, right on edge of Old San Juan and easy walking distance from there to everything in Old San Juan). Friendly merchants, etc in the area. The Museum of Latin American Art is worth a visit as well. The Cathedral was lovely - and nice little park across the street.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rammyun
90 contributions
Aug 2021
I went a month ago and they are very empty. Most of people want to go to Hawaii but I would recommend come here to avoid the crowd. People are friendly, lots of great food option. Everyone follow COVID guideline. I highly hope you can come and see the beauty of it.
Written 20 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,212 contributions
Dec 2019
I love wandering around Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan in Spanish). The multicolored buildings, the cobblestone streets, the history, the restaurants and cafés, and most of all the people - there's so much to see here that it's well worth dedicating a few days to this part of San Juan alone (although the rest of San Juan is absolutely worth seeing as well). You're better off walking around on foot so you don't miss anything and so you can wander into a café for strong coffee or to enjoy the sunshine in a plaza. Go to the fort, watch people flying kites, and simply soak in the history and the culture of the city.
Written 24 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanRcruz
65 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
After we toured El Morro, we walked to old San Juan for lunch. There were people on the streets playing guitar, singing etc. and after lunch (a pork special)there was a man selling Piragua which we also got. We looked for the street with the umbrellas but the umbrellas were taken down and now there is a giant Puerto Rican flag. It all looks so beautiful.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon H
Jacksonville, FL10 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
We were blown away by the culture seen in Old San Juan. We walked the day entire sightseeing and eating. We enjoyed the friendly conversations the entire walk.
We visited the fort and we stopped at a restaurant call the parrot of old San Juan and the food was amazing. My party of five order different entrees and everyone was pleased with the flavor of the food.
Walking around Old Juan is a must do!
We visited the fort and we stopped at a restaurant call the parrot of old San Juan and the food was amazing. My party of five order different entrees and everyone was pleased with the flavor of the food.
Walking around Old Juan is a must do!
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heading to PR with family of 4 and renting a car at the airport, any parking tips you can share?
Written 16 July 2024
Hello, I can help with your question! We parked very easily at the "Multipiso Covadonga" which is walking distance to Old San Juan. It is a parking garage on Calle Juan Antonio Coretejas adjacent to the Departamento de Hacienda.
Enjoy! The island is gorgeous and the people are amazing!
Written 5 August 2024
Bonjour, est-ce que les petits commerces dans le old san Juan sont fermés le dimanche?
Written 26 May 2024
Are the sombrillas back up in the Calle de Fortaleza? There were taken down in 2019 after they ousted the governor then, we’ll be there next week!
Written 17 June 2022
Puerto Rico es los EEUU. por eso lo mismo reglas
Written 2 May 2022
Hello- when we travel we like to pick up small original water colors as a remembrence of where we have been. Any suggestions in Old San Juan- street market or other areas where we may find someone who does this? Thanks in advance.
Written 21 January 2022
There is a market with local vendors, similar to a flea market. I can't remember everything there but if you like to pick up local art this is definitely the place to find it.
Written 2 August 2023
It the trolleys in service at this time? Taking a cruise in February.
Written 23 December 2021
there are no trolleys in Old San Juan
Written 23 December 2021
Considering a trip to Old San Juan. Don't, however, was to mobbed by cruise ship hordes. Is one part of Old San Juan better to keep as far away from that as possible?
Written 2 August 2021
Hi, as others already mentioned, cruise ships have not yet returned. However, when international return travel to the US required a negative test starting back in January (a requirement not applicable to US territories), tourism in San Juan skyrocketed. There are now lines for restaurants that have never seen a line before. Last weekend, there were enough tourists walking the streets of Old San Juan that you'd think at least 3 ships were in town, when in fact not a single ship was docked. I believe only one or two docked since Covid, and those may have been trial runs. Old San Juan is small, so whether tourists fly in or come off the ship, there really is no escaping them - unless you walk the few streets that are purely residential. Best bet is to make this your first thing you do after breakfast, which also keeps you out of the mid day sun. But avoiding tourists in any place in San Juan these days is virtually impossible. Good for the businesses, but if you are local without a tourist business, you are hoping for the good old days to return when more folks went to Mexico and the Dominican Republic rather than here.
Written 23 August 2021
…
Showing results 1-10 of 193
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing