Sight guide · Panama City · Panama
Visiting Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
At the tip of the old town peninsula, the Plaza de Francia has an obelisk and busts honouring the French engineers and workers who attempted to build the canal in the 1880s.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas is a landmark in Casco Viejo, Panama City. Allow 45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Casco Viejo
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, views, history and couples
- Best months
- April–May and July
About Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
At the tip of the old town peninsula, the Plaza de Francia has an obelisk and busts honouring the French engineers and workers who attempted to build the canal in the 1880s. 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.
Tip: Walk the bougainvillea-covered promenade at sunset for views across the bay to the towers.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Casco Viejo, restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels.
Best time to visit Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 15 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- July: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 15 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-May the sun sets at about 18:30 local time (calculated for Panama City).
When to visit Panama City has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Panama City itinerary visits Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas on day 2, together with Casco Viejo and Mercado de Mariscos.
- No. 5 of the 15 sights in our Panama City things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Panama City.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Panama City.
Near Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
Also in Casco Viejo, so you can walk between them:
- Casco Viejo — half a day, free
- Iglesia de San José — 20–30 minutes, free
- Catedral Metropolitana — 30 minutes, free
If you like Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
- Miraflores Locks — Canal Zone, 2 hours
- Panama Canal partial transit — Canal Zone, 5–6 hours
- Panamá Viejo — Panamá Viejo, 1.5–2 hours
- Amador Causeway — Amador, 2–3 hours
Staying near Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas
Stay in Casco Viejo ($$$) to walk here: restored colonial streets, rooftop bars and boutique hotels. All areas to stay in Panama City.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas?
Plan 45 minutes. With Casco Viejo nearby, it fits a half-day in Casco Viejo.
+Is Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas?
April–May and July, the quietest of the good months. Walk the bougainvillea-covered promenade at sunset for views across the bay to the towers.
+Do I need to book Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.