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
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Old San Juan
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
511 within 5 kms
Attractions
271 within 10 kms
See what travelers are saying
- Anais S4 contributionsOld San Juan is BeautifulAs a Puerto Rican I enjoyed spending time in Old San Juan the scenery is gorgeous but the service is awful. It really saddened me that my own people were so Rude! No one has any customer service skills they treat you as if your bothering them. I even asked an employee why were they so unwelcoming and he said it's because the business owners don't treat their employees well so people are just over all miserable.Visited December 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten December 11, 2022
- DGoatBath, Michigan565 contributionsGreat walking town...food, bars and shopsGreat place to walk around and enjoy. Many good restraunts and food stands. Plenty of places to drink. Do not try to drive car here...too many small streets.Visited December 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten December 23, 2022
- RANDY ANorcross, Georgia396 contributionsPleasant Town StrollVery nice town, try to visit when the cruise ships are not in, it won't be as busy. Nice shops, and decent restaurants, and the architecture is very pleasing to the eye. A nice breeze through town keeps things cool and makes it a pleasant day out and about.Visited December 2022Written December 25, 2022
- Rene RTrujillo Alto, Puerto Rico11 contributionsThe old cityJyst as they say San Juan is a old city with old spanic architecture and culture. You will find many stores, restaurants and one of two Spanish Forts. You can tour the city by renting some kind of vehicle or you can walk the city.Visited December 2022Traveled with friendsWritten December 31, 2022
- goldendivAuburn, Alabama532 contributionsGreat Walking Area full of CultureVisited on a cruise and only had 5 hours in port so only option was walking Old Town. There were 9 of us age 8 to 77 with 3 teenage athletes. We all had a fun time walking through shops (cigar shop humidor was a highlight). A Christmas festival was going on and that was real fun (dancing, band, arts and crafts). A fun low key cruise stop.Visited December 2022Traveled with familyWritten December 31, 2022
- Prayash BJersey City, New Jersey3 contributionsEvery corner and street is picturesqueI would highly recommend staying in Old San Juan when around, and it has the most chill vibe you would expect. We stayed at an Airbnb on Calle de la Luna, and it was super convenient. They have some of the best food joints, like Mallorca, Cafe Manolin and the best sunset views from Del Morro.Visited December 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten January 4, 2023
- Ina S6 contributionsvery nice butit is beautiful but the parking and going with a car its a nightmare. Lots of parking places that were closed and not available to park, so you end up circling desperately for hours. Definitely go with uber or a bike. Other than that many restaurants and shops around. The view is amazing!Visited December 2022Written January 4, 2023
- GreenMountainGirlsMontpelier, Vermont206 contributionsSlow Down and WanderTake your time and wander the old streets. Wear your comfy shoes. Think about the history. Read the signs. If it's hot, look for shade. If it rains, don't worry, it will stop soon. Enjoy the street cats and the pigeons in the parks. Check out the lookouts. Say hi. Explore the shops and art galleries. Try a local bar or restaurant. Well worth it!Visited December 2022Written January 10, 2023
- Jude RBay Shore, New York151 contributionsHistory & more!We just spent 4 nights in Old San Juan over the Christmas break. The town is wonderful, with it's architecture, shopping, restaurants, and activities. We spent a full day hiking the waterfront trail, the Paseo del Morro Trail. The views from this trail are spectacular and it is only about a mile long. We were lucky enough to see several iguanas on the path. We ended at El Morro and spent time touring the castle and the grounds. Such a cool park, with the kites flyers and picnickers on the grounds. We walked back to the Eastern park of town and just walked up and down the streets, stopping in shops, cafes and restaurants.Visited December 2022Written January 12, 2023
- kattriprevusNorthbrook, Illinois437 contributionsFun & history town touringMy daughter & I had a great time spending an afternoon exploring Old San Juan on our own. It was beautiful with historic sights, views, architecture and fun with food and local life, including street cats in residential areas. There are shops & restaurants but exploring the local streets, churches, plazas, and the El Morro fort gave us a great look at history & current local life. Highly recommend eating local cuisine & walking residential streets for the architecture & design. Wear good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets & bring or get bottled water. Hope to be back again someday.Visited January 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 18, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
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MB3
Litchfield Park, AZ16 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Super cool experience! Walking through the streets of Old Town San Juan was neat. The buildings are tall and colorful and the shops in between are great. We drove a rental car and although the streets were super tiny, we were able to find a parking spot. Great place to drive or walk through as a family.
Written 12 November 2023
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.
okichewy1
Kimberly, ID48 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This was my second trip here in 2023. My wife came this time and loved the entire area. What great historical places to visit and walk through.
Written 8 November 2023
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.
Trip801677
4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Don't do it! Don't try to take a car into Old San Juan!!!
You will absolutely ruin your day, likely your car and maybe even your marriage.
Seriously people, this place is impossible to navigate by car!
GPS is useless in general. Google Maps basically told us to drive into buildings, the ocean, streets blocked with restaurant tables countless times.
We never got it off the car because there is nowhere to park.
The City of San Juan needs to block off this entire district to individual car traffic and set up a trolley system!!!
We've been to OSJ a couple times over the last 15 years and it gets worse every time.
I highly recommend the forts for history enthusiasts but tell you now... take a taxi and be prepared to walk A LOT. That's the only way to get there.
If anyone from the National Park Service reads this.... Please, Please, Please work with the City of San Juan to make OSJ safety and more accessible to visitors.
You will absolutely ruin your day, likely your car and maybe even your marriage.
Seriously people, this place is impossible to navigate by car!
GPS is useless in general. Google Maps basically told us to drive into buildings, the ocean, streets blocked with restaurant tables countless times.
We never got it off the car because there is nowhere to park.
The City of San Juan needs to block off this entire district to individual car traffic and set up a trolley system!!!
We've been to OSJ a couple times over the last 15 years and it gets worse every time.
I highly recommend the forts for history enthusiasts but tell you now... take a taxi and be prepared to walk A LOT. That's the only way to get there.
If anyone from the National Park Service reads this.... Please, Please, Please work with the City of San Juan to make OSJ safety and more accessible to visitors.
Written 21 October 2023
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.
Eve S
Columbia, MD7 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Old San Juan is one of a kind, in a good way! There is a lot of history, colorful structures and cobblestone streets. Plenty of outdoor sites to visit. There are two large castles from the Spanish ear that are considered historic sites and recognized by UNESCO. Near Old San Juan are Santurce, Condado and Isla Verde with modern buildings and exquisite restaurants and nightlife
Written 30 September 2023
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.
szar101
Bridgeport, MI188 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
It was beautiful. Went with my mom because we were waiting for a cruise. Glad we went. Everyone was so friendly. The prices on stuff was good.
Written 3 September 2023
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.
Helen B
Amsterdam, The Netherlands34 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Beautiful old center with interesting sight seeing and museum and restaurants. Better than the new center where it’s very noisy. They love to play their reggeaton music very loud from cars.
Written 3 September 2023
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.
Gladys grace A
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The guide was very knowledgable and very nice. The tour was long but the guide provided rest and bathroom brake. The tour is full of history and we learned so much.
Written 1 September 2023
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.
Tanja C.
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The best idea was to discover Old San Juan by bicycle! The cars were all stucked in those small streets and we could pass easily and continue our sightseeing
Written 26 August 2023
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.
aliciammyers29
5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The fort in Old San Juan is a great historicalsite. It does require walking so wear good walking shoes. After visiting the Fort grab a delicious Pina Colada, Virgin or Alcoholic, both are great and then head to the shopping area near the cruise ship entry area.
Written 24 August 2023
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.
Sylvia G
Cedar Hill, TX873 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Plenty of shops, food and alcohol. We walked the shops for a few hours one day and half of our day the next and we are still not done. Ferry is also here and fun to do. I’m amazed at how friendly everyone is. Some shops are closed but still plenty to do. I was told that weekends are busier and most places close on Mondays. I felt like I was in Mexico but way safer. You can walk around like nothing. Traffic is not crazy and everything hs been so peaceful. We will definitely plan another trip.
Written 23 August 2023
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.
how much would an uber cost coming from isla verde to old san juan
cwal
Tennessee109 contributions
It depends on the time of day. It could range anywhere from $12 to $30. Less in off rush hours and more during rush hours.
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!
Se necesita visa de Colombia a puerto rico?
bgerber948
Miami Beach, FL376 contributions
Puerto Rico es los EEUU. por eso lo mismo reglas
Nancy W
2 contributions
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.
shelly p
Chesapeake, VA100 contributions
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.
It the trolleys in service at this time? Taking a cruise in February.
Anthony D
Eugene, OR565 contributions
I did not need to use the trolly so I do not know if it was operating
It the trolleys in service at this time? Taking a cruise in February.
bgerber948
Miami Beach, FL376 contributions
there are no trolleys in Old San Juan
Tom H
Fernandina Beach, FL56 contributions
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?
PR Vagabond
San Juan, Puerto Rico269 contributions
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.
epet
9 contributions
Travel guidelines say only tourists staying “in the area” of Old San Juan can enter the area… what does that mean? If I stay at a resort on the beach, will I be forbidden to enter the OSJ neighborhood? Are they checking your hotel key or something?
Arhanover182
Louisville, KY24 contributions
We walked right in. I’ve been there 3 different times. There’s no checkpoint or anything like that. Just wear a mask in stores and restaurants.
Grace W.
Rockford, IL7 contributions
We've never been to San Juan Puerto Rico and we are going there next month. Any suggestions on places to eat and places to see? How about transportation? Do they have uber or lyft? Is it cheaper to use the taxi going to the Marriot hotel or the take the shuttle bus?
Jurnee G
Aurora, CO17 contributions
There are activities here on trip advisor you can plan. I suggest snorkeling, LED kayaking was so much fun at night! OLD SAN JUAN IS A MUST VISIT! While out there eat and drink at Cinema Bar or something like that. But you wont miss it!! So good!! They have uber for sure they will take you anywhere you have to go. If your hotel have shuttle take that!! Other call a uber fast amd convenient!! Have a good trip!!
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Claim your listingOLD SAN JUAN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Old San Juan
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Old San Juan:
- Old San Juan Walking Tour (From ₱2,158.75)
- Flavors of San Juan Food Tour (From ₱8,136.83)
- Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall Adventure (From ₱4,704.97)
- Old San Juan Deluxe Walking Tour (From ₱3,934.46)
- Puerto Rico Craft Cocktail Walk (From ₱3,597.37)
- Hotels near Old San Juan:
- (0.03 km) El Palacete Luxury Hotel
- (0.03 km) Decanter Hotel
- (0.04 km) Modern Living In Old Town - Calle Luna OSJ
- (0.05 km) Casa Arana 104 San José
- (0.06 km) Beautiful 1st Floor Apartment with Private Patio
- Restaurants near Old San Juan:
- (0.04 km) Itos Thin & Crispy
- (0.05 km) Suma Mesa + Barra
- (0.06 km) Cafe 4 Estaciones
- (0.16 km) Chocobar Cortés (Viejo San Juan)
- (0.13 km) Tropical Taste
- Attractions near Old San Juan:
- (0.03 km) Museum of our African Roots (Museo de Nuestra Raiz Africana)
- (0.05 km) Coqui Island Adventures
- (0.05 km) Adventure Mermaid
- (0.09 km) The Spoon Experience
- (0.12 km) The Poet's Passage