History · Panama City · Panama
8 historic sites to see in Panama City
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LWY from Pasadena, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Start with Miraflores Locks, Casco Viejo and Panama Canal partial transit. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 14–17 hours across 3 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 14–17 hours
- Areas
- Canal Zone, Casco Viejo and Panamá Viejo
Historic sites in Panama City
Landmark · Canal Zone
1.Miraflores Locks
The visitor centre has viewing terraces right beside the lock chambers, a museum on the canal's construction and ecology, and a film. Watching a container ship squeeze through with tugs and locomotives is the highlight.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- History
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Historic site · Casco Viejo
2.Casco Viejo
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Panamá Viejo, and its plazas, churches and balconies are best seen on foot.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
Experience · Canal Zone
3.Panama Canal partial transit
It takes most of a day and gives a far closer view than the visitor centre.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Views
Landmark · Casco Viejo
4.Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
Las Bóvedas, former vaults in the sea wall, line one side, and the Paseo Esteban Huertas promenade above them gives views of the Bridge of the Americas and the skyline.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Religious site · Casco Viejo
5.Iglesia de San José
Legend says it was saved from the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671 by being painted black and moved from the old city.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Art
Religious site · Casco Viejo
6.Catedral Metropolitana
The plaza in front, where Panama's independence from Colombia was declared in 1903, is surrounded by restored buildings and cafés.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
Museum · Casco Viejo
7.Panama Canal Museum
Housed in the building used as headquarters by the French canal company on the Plaza de la Independencia, this museum tells the story of the isthmus as a crossing point, the failed French attempt, the American construction and the 1999 handover of the canal to Panama.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Historic site · Panamá Viejo
8.Panamá Viejo
It was sacked and burned during Henry Morgan's attack in 1671. You can climb the restored cathedral tower and visit a small museum with models of the colonial city.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Canal Zone | Miraflores Locks and Panama Canal partial transit | 2 hours + 5–6 hours |
| Casco Viejo | Casco Viejo, Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas, Iglesia de San José, Catedral Metropolitana and Panama Canal Museum | Half a day + 45 minutes + 20–30 minutes + 30 minutes + 1–1.5 hours |
| Panamá Viejo | Panamá Viejo | 1.5–2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 4 free, 2 low cost, 1 mid-priced, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Panama Canal partial transit. The longest visit is Panama Canal partial transit; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Panama Canal partial transit: Partial transits run only on some days and fill up; book well ahead, especially in the dry season.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Canal Zone): Miraflores Locks, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Canal Zone): Panama Canal partial transit, at least 5 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Casco Viejo): Casco Viejo → Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Casco Viejo and Panamá Viejo): Iglesia de San José → Catedral Metropolitana → Panama Canal Museum → Panamá Viejo, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- May: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 15 rainy days, quiet crowds. The rainy season begins, with afternoon thunderstorms and greener landscapes.
- June: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 17 rainy days, quiet crowds. Frequent afternoon rain, but mornings are often clear for sightseeing.
- September: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 18 rainy days, quiet crowds. Wet and humid; quiet in tourism, with lower hotel prices.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Casco Viejo — Restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels
- Bella Vista and Avenida Balboa — High-rise seafront along the Cinta Costera park
- Costa del Este — Planned modern district of offices, malls and parks
More of Panama City
All things to do in Panama City · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Panama City?
Miraflores Locks. The closest set of canal locks to the city lifts and lowers ships about 16 metres between the Pacific and Miraflores Lake.
+Which of these are free in Panama City?
Casco Viejo, Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas, Iglesia de San José and Catedral Metropolitana.