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High-rise buildings beside Panama City’s bay at sunset.

Panama · Panama City

Casco Antiguo on foot

A short loop through the historic quarter's squares, churches and museums. Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas are closed for works for about two years from mid-2026.

6 places

  1. 1

    CultureOpen

    Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter)

    San Felipe district, on the city's southwest point, at the end of the Cinta Costera.2.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Historic district founded after the city moved here in the 17th century. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage property together with Panamá Viejo (inscribed 1997, extended 2003).

    Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá (copia archivada) · 2025 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Streets and squares are free to walk. Museums and churches charge separately (see each entry).
    Booking
    Since 1 July 2026, large tour buses and vehicles over 7 tonnes may not enter. The city set up parking at Puerta Sur (Cinta Costera 3, opposite El Chorrillo), bookable with the Parkea PTY app.
    Time needed
    Half a day on foot for the main sights.

    Tip: Plaza de Francia and Las Bóvedas are closed for restoration since May 2026 (about two years). Canada's travel advice asks for a high degree of caution in the neighbouring districts of Santa Ana and El Chorrillo: stick to busy streets and use a taxi or ride-hailing app at night.

    Nearby: Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.1 km) · Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum (0.1 km) · Mola Museum (MuMo) (0.1 km)

    Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá (copia archivada) · Alcaldía de Panamá – Puerta Sur facilita acceso al Casco Antiguo · TVN – Plaza de Francia cerrará por trabajos de restauración · Government of Canada – Panama travel advice

  2. 2

    CultureOpen

    Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua

    Plaza de la Independencia (Cathedral Square), Casco Antiguo.2.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Last known: Nov 20, 2025
    Hours
    Not confirmed
    Booking
    Not stated

    Stone cathedral begun in 1688 and completed in 1762. It was restored from 2016, and Pope Francis consecrated its altar in 2019.

    Source: Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    According to La Prensa (20 November 2025), ICA announced a tourist entry fee of at least US$2 per person, taking effect at the Cathedral at that time and progressively at the other churches. The announced scheme exempted Mass and prayer. The current fee has not been confirmed: ICA’s home and reservations pages checked in October 2026 do not detail prices.
    Hours
    The churches' visitor centres (one is at the Cathedral) run 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., per La Prensa (Nov 2025). Cathedral tourist hours: not confirmed by an official source.
    Booking
    Guided visits are booked through the email or phone number listed by Iglesias del Casco Antiguo (ICA) at iglesiascascoantiguo.org.

    Nearby: Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) (0.1 km) · Mola Museum (MuMo) (0.1 km) · Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum (0.1 km)

    Sources: Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua · La Prensa – Iglesias del Casco Antiguo empezarán a cobrar por visitas turísticas (20 nov 2025)

  3. 3

    CultureOpen

    Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum

    Cathedral Square, between 5th and 6th streets, Casco Antiguo.2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Tue–Sun 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    Non-profit museum on the history of Panama and its Canal, in a building on Cathedral Square.

    Source: Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá – Inicio · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Non-residents: adults US$15; students US$7.50; children 6–12 US$7.50; seniors US$15. Nationals and residents: adults US$5; students, seniors and children US$2.50. 50% off with a SENADIS certificate.
    Hours
    Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; ticket desk closes 5:30 p.m. Closed Mondays. (The official tourism blog says 10:00 a.m.; the museum's site takes precedence.)
    Booking
    Tickets at the desk or online at museodelcanal.com. Private tours for a US$25 donation (foreign visitors).

    Nearby: Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) (0.1 km) · Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.1 km) · Mola Museum (MuMo) (0.1 km)

    Sources: Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá – Inicio · Museo del Canal – Boletos · Visit Panamá – 11 Museums in Panama City You Should Know (abr. 2026)

  4. 4

    CultureOpen

    San José Church (Golden Altar)

    Avenida A, Casco Antiguo.2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not confirmed
    Hours
    Not confirmed
    Booking
    Not stated

    Augustinian church with an 18th-century Baroque altarpiece of wood covered in gold leaf. The legend that it was painted black to hide it from pirates in 1671 does not match the altarpiece's date.

    Source: Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Iglesia San José · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Current fee at San José: not confirmed. In Nov 2025 La Prensa reported a tourist fee from US$2, automatic at the Cathedral and rolling out progressively across the other Casco churches.
    Hours
    Not confirmed by an official source.

    Nearby: Mola Museum (MuMo) (0.1 km) · Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum (0.1 km) · Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.2 km)

    Sources: Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Iglesia San José · La Prensa – Iglesias del Casco Antiguo empezarán a cobrar por visitas turísticas (20 nov 2025)

  5. 5

    CultureOpen

    Mola Museum (MuMo)

    El Colegio II building, Calle José D. de la Obaldía, Casco Antiguo.2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Tue–Sun from 10:00 a.m.
    Booking
    Not stated

    Museum devoted to the mola, the textile art of the Guna people. It shows more than 200 molas across five exhibitions. Run by the Fundación Alberto Motta.

    Source: Museo de la Mola – Inicio · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free admission.
    Hours
    Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.

    Nearby: San José Church (Golden Altar) (0.1 km) · Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.1 km) · Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum (0.1 km)

    Sources: Museo de la Mola – Inicio · Visit Panamá – 11 Museums in Panama City You Should Know (abr. 2026)

  6. 6

    CultureOpen

    San Francisco de Asís Church and bell-tower viewpoint

    Plaza Bolívar, Casco Antiguo.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not confirmed
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Seafront church remodelled in 1918, with Venetian-style mosaics in the chancel restored in 2015. Its bell tower is the highest point in Casco Antiguo and works as a viewpoint.

    Source: Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Iglesia San Francisco de Asís · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Specific fees for this church and its viewpoint: not confirmed. In Nov 2025 La Prensa reported a tourist fee from US$2, rolling out progressively in churches including San Francisco de Asís, and special activities from US$5 to US$35 depending on the option.
    Booking
    Viewpoint tickets: at the church's visitor centre, according to La Prensa (November 2025), or through the email or phone number listed by Iglesias del Casco Antiguo (ICA) at iglesiascascoantiguo.org.

    Nearby: Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) (0.2 km) · Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum (0.3 km) · Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua (0.3 km)

    Sources: Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Iglesia San Francisco de Asís · Iglesias Casco Antiguo – Inicio (reservas y mirador) · La Prensa – Iglesias del Casco Antiguo empezarán a cobrar por visitas turísticas (20 nov 2025)

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