Things to do in Panamá for self travelers
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This self-guided audio walking tour explores the colonial heart of Panama City, making it ideal for first-time visitors who enjoy history, architecture, churches, plazas, and seaside views. You follow the route at your own pace while the narration points out what to notice in the streets, facades, and public squares around you. The walk begins at the National Theatre, where an elegant 1908 performance hall introduces the refined side of old Panama. From there, you move through the compact lanes of Casco Viejo to Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Casa Arias, Casa Góngora, Plaza Simón Bolívar, and the Parish of San Felipe de Neri. The route then leads along Paseo Esteban Huertas and into the civic and religious center of the district, including Independence Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient, the Church of the Mercy, Plaza Herrera, Church of Saint Joseph, the ruins of the Church of the Society of Jesus, and the Museum of Religious Art. The tour finishes near Plaza de Francia, the Panama Canal Monument, and the waterfront stretch of Paseo Esteban Huertas, ending at the Government Ministry. Along the way, the most memorable moments include seeing twin cathedral towers rise above the square, standing before weathered stone ruins, admiring the famous golden altar of Saint Joseph, and looking out from the old sea wall toward the bay.
About Panamá
The best tours to do in Panamá with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Panamá for a first visit are:
The best indoor tours in Panamá for rainy days are:
The best walking tours to do in Panamá are:
The best tours in Panamá are:
Insider tips for visiting Panamá
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When I visit Panamá, I usually mix Uber, the Metro, and a bit of walking. In Panamá City, the Metro is clean, cheap, and especially useful for avoiding rush-hour traffic between Albrook, El Cangrejo, and San Miguelito. I recommend Uber over street taxis since fares are clearer and pickups are easier in busy areas like Casco Viejo. If you plan to visit Panamá beyond the capital, renting a car helps on routes to El Valle or the Caribbean side, but I avoid driving in the city itself. In my travel guide Panamá tip list, smart transport planning is one of the best things to do in Panamá before you visit Panamá.
When I visit Panamá, I shop by neighborhood instead of heading straight to the biggest mall. For local design, I like Casco Viejo—small boutiques around Calle 11a and Avenida Central carry linen, jewelry, and beautifully made molas from Guna artisans. For a more everyday Panamá feel, I recommend San Francisco, especially along Calle 50’s side streets and the area near Parque Omar, where you’ll find independent shops and good coffee stops between errands. If you want serious mall shopping, Punta Pacífica is the polished option. In my travel guide Panamá notes, browsing these areas is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Panamá when you visit Panamá.
When I’m in Panamá solo, my favorite plan is to spend a slow afternoon walking from Casco Viejo to the Cinta Costera near sunset. It’s one of the best things to do in Panamá because I can move at my own pace, stop for a coffee in a shaded plaza, then watch locals jogging with the skyline opening up across the bay. If I want easy conversation, I join small food-focused tours in Panamá around Casco, where it feels natural to meet people without pressure. For me, these street-level moments are better than rushing through attractions in Panamá or checking off what to see in Panamá.
When I’m choosing where to spend time in Panamá, I usually split my days between Casco Viejo, El Cangrejo, and San Francisco. Casco Viejo has some of my favorite attractions in Panamá, but I go early, before the heat and crowds, to enjoy the plazas and quiet side streets around San José Church. El Cangrejo feels more local, with bookstores, casual cafés, and a walkable stretch along Vía Argentina. For food and a modern neighborhood rhythm, I recommend San Francisco near Parque Omar. These areas also make a smart base for figuring out what to see in Panamá, even if you skip formal tours in Panamá.
When I visit Panamá, I think 4 to 6 days is the sweet spot. That gives me time for two full days in Panamá City—one for Casco Viejo and the Cinta Costera, another for the Canal and a long lunch in San Francisco—plus a couple of nights outside the capital. I usually suggest El Valle if you want cooler air and easy hiking, or Taboga if you prefer a quick island break. In my travel guide Panamá notes, anything shorter feels rushed, especially with traffic and afternoon heat. To really enjoy the best things to do in Panamá, I’d give yourself enough time to slow down when you visit Panamá.
When I visit Panamá, I usually eat my way through Casco Viejo, San Francisco, and El Cangrejo. Casco Viejo is where I go for creative Panamanian cooking, especially on the quieter streets behind Plaza Bolívar, where dinner feels less rushed than near the main squares. San Francisco has a more everyday Panamá flavor—good ceviche spots, bakeries, and casual restaurants around Via Porras and near Parque Omar. El Cangrejo is great when I want late-night noodles, coffee, or a relaxed breakfast. In my travel guide Panamá notes, eating across these neighborhoods is one of the best things to do in Panamá when you visit Panamá.
When I bring first-time friends to Panamá, I always start with one full day split between the Canal and Casco Viejo. Watching ships pass at Miraflores helps everything in Panamá make sense, then I head to Casco in the late afternoon when the streets cool down and the plazas fill with locals. Another day, I like walking the Cinta Costera early and eating seafood in the fish market area before lunch crowds build. For me, these are the core things to do in Panamá before chasing farther trips. They also frame what to see in Panamá better than rushing through attractions in Panamá or booking too many tours in Panamá.
When I want quieter attractions in Panamá, I slip away to Punta Culebra on the Amador Causeway, where I can watch sloths and marine life without the heavier crowds found elsewhere in Panamá City. I also love the Iglesia del Carmen area just after rain, when the Gothic facade glows and nearby cafés fill with locals instead of tour groups. For a different side of what to see in Panamá, I recommend the old seawall edge near Plaza Francia at dusk, when the breeze picks up and Casco feels unhurried. These spots give me more than most standard tours in Panamá because they show everyday Panamá at its best.