There are so many San Juan landmarks worth visiting that you could spend countless hours exploring them alone.
Given it’s one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, and the oldest in Puerto Rico, it’s not surprising there are a ton of historical things to do in San Juan. But, which ones you shouldn’t miss?
I’m a Puerto Rico local who’s been to San Juan, and I’ve put together a list of the 23 essential San Juan landmarks to visit on your next trip.
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23 San Juan Landmarks
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Reminisce the military history of Spanish Puerto Rico at this historical fortress.
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Castillo San Felipe del Morro, simply known as El Morro, is one of the most popular San Juan landmarks.
Located at the heart of Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro is an attraction for history lovers. The fortress was built in the 16th century to protect San Juan Bay from sea attacks.
Exploring el Morro requires just a few hours of your Puerto Rico itinerary. After visiting, you can spend the rest of the day flying kites in El Morro’s esplanade.
La Fortaleza
Admire the mix of architectural styles in this historical executive mansion.
La Fortaleza is one of the oldest structures in Old San Juan. Together with Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal, they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Fortaleza was the first fortress built in San Juan to defend the bay between 1533 and 1540. Due to its poor location and lack of resources, the authorities repurposed the building as the governor’s mansion.
La Fortaleza has been home to over 150 governors. Being the longest active executive mansion on this side of the hemisphere, La Fortaleza is one of the must-see Puerto Rico landmarks for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Check out my Ultimate Guide to La Fortaleza for everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Castillo San Cristóbal
Tour the largest Spanish fortress in the New World.
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Castillo San Cristobal is another fortress that belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Although it’s similar to El Morro, Castillo San Cristobal has its own charm with tunnels, barracks, and canyons.
Castillo San Cristobal’s purpose was to protect the walled city from land attacks and so it covers more land space than El Morro.
This fortress is the largest Spanish fortress in the New World, and it makes a great day trip for families touring the old city.
San Juan Cathedral
Admire the interior of this imposing cathedral as old as San Juan itself.
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The San Juan Cathedral is almost as old as San Juan itself and is worth a visit for both religious and non-religious people.
You can find this beautiful church as soon as you go through the San Juan Gate. Built in 1540, the San Juan Cathedral boasts beautiful stained glass windows, arched roofs, and domes.
Paseo de La Princesa
Stroll through a historical promenade with food kiosks, decorations, and artisans.
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Paseo de La Princesa is a historical promenade where couples and families like to spend a nice Sunday evening.
In Paseo de La Princesa you can find food kiosks, artisans, and even live entertainment during the weekends.
During the holidays, Paseo de La Princesa becomes a hot spot for photographers and influencers taking walking tours and snapping pictures with light decorations.
Raices Fountain
Visit the fountain that celebrates Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage.
The Raices fountain is located at Paseo de La Princesa, overlooking San Juan Bay. This iconic fountain is one of the most photographed places in Old San Juan.
In the fountain, you can see sculptures representing the Taino, Spanish, and African races, paying homage to the ethnic roots of Puerto Ricans.
The sunset is one of the best moments to see and admire this fountain and one of the best moments for photographers to snap great shots.
Puerta de San Juan
Cross the same door that important historical figures used to access San Juan.
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The San Juan gate is the only one left of the doors that provided access to the walled city during the Spanish colonial period. It’s said that through this gate, important visitors from Spain entered the city.
The San Juan Gate stands out for its bright red color and the top inscription “Benedictus Oui Venit In Nomine Domini”, a welcome message to those who arrived on the island in the name of God.
👉 Did you know? This is one of the many religious monuments you’ll find around San Juan linked to Catholicism and Puerto Rican history.
San José Church
Tour the second oldest church on the American continent.
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While the San Juan Cathedral is one of the oldest structures in Old San Juan, San José Church is one of the oldest on the American continent.
The San José Church was built in 1532, so it’s as old as La Fortaleza. A restoration project kept the Spanish Gothic-style church closed for many years.
During that time, workers discovered frescos and murals from the 19th century. History buffs will rave about the architecture, paintings, and statues inside this national treasure.
Casa Blanca
Tour the house of Juan Ponce de Leon in Puerto Rico.
Casa Blanca is the oldest fortification built inside the city walls and it was the house of Juan Ponce de Leon.
Although he couldn’t live in it, his descendants did make use of it. Casa Blanca is nowadays a museum that recreates life in early colonial Puerto Rico.
Even if you’re not into history, you’ll love touring the gardens of the house and admiring the unique view of San Juan.
Capilla del Cristo
Learn the legend behind this small chapel in the middle of a San Juan street.
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Capilla del Cristo is the most unique church in San Juan. Located in the dead end of Calle del Cristo, this small chapel is right in the middle of the street.
Its altar has mostly objects from the 18th century, including paintings by José Campeche.
It’s said the church was built after a man fell with his horse over the walls of the city exactly from the spot where the chapel is located and survived.
La Perla
Explore this beachfront colorful community with hundreds of years of history.
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La Perla is a colorful neighborhood located outside the city walls of Old San Juan. It became renowned after the world-famous music video “Despacito”.
But, La Perla’s history dates back to the 18th century. Back then, slaves, poor people, and workers of a slaughterhouse formed a community outside the walled city.
La Perla was a feared community, considered dangerous for many years. Now, it’s a tourist attraction where you can visit art galleries, surf, stroll along the beachfront boardwalk, and enjoy Puerto Rican food at local kiosks.
Plaza de Armas
Visit the main town square of Old San Juan.
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Plaza de Armas is located across the city hall. Plaza de Armas inherited its name from times when the Spanish military did drills in it.
Despite its military history, Plaza de Armas is now a cultural center. It’s common to see kids feeding pigeons, artists performing, and people taking photos with the sculptures and the fountain.
La Placita de Santurce
Dance and eat all you can in this partying spot in Santurce.
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La Placita de Santurce is one of the best places in San Juan to enjoy Puerto Rican nightlife.
This historical structure is home to a typical market during the day, where you can get local Puerto Rican fruits and vegetables cultivated on the island’s land.
But, at night, locals flood the multiple food kiosks, restaurants, and bars, turning La Placita into a joyous Puerto Rican club. If you want to practice your salsa dancing skills, look no further than La Placita de Santurce.
Luis Muñoz Rivera Park
Enjoy the outdoors with your family in this relaxing park.
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The Luis Muñoz Rivera Park is located right across Escambrom Beach at the entrance of Old San Juan.
This lovely park is ideal for couples and friends who just want to walk, take cool social media pictures, and enjoy a refreshing drink. The park is also ideal for kids who want to run on skates or bicycles.
Sometimes, you’ll find festivals or salsa dancing classes in Pabellón de la Paz, the largest gazebo to the east of the park.
Cuartel de Ballajá
Get lost in this mesmerizing building with a hidden green roof.
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Cuartel Ballajá is one of the most iconic and photographed landmarks in San Juan for its impressive structure.
Once the military barracks, this unique building now hosts Museo de las Americas, a top Puerto Rico museum that celebrates the Taino, Spanish, and African heritage of the American continent.
You will also find Puerto Rican coffee shops,restaurants, and dance schools in this building.
Although it isn’t open to the public yet, Cuartel Ballaja also hides a green roof on its top, perfect for seeing Puerto Rico’s coast and escaping the rush of Old San Juan.
Plaza Las Américas
Shop in the second-largest mall in Latin America.
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Plaza Las Americas is proof that not every landmark in San Juan is historical. This giant shopping mall is home to chain restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Changs, and Chili’s.
It also has popular department stores like Macy’s, JCPenney, Sears, and Marshalls. More than a shopping mall, Plaza Las Americas is an entertainment center with something to do for everyone in the family.
Condado Lagoon
Kayak or paddleboard in a calm lagoon where you can see manatees.
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The Condado Lagoon is the perfect San Juan landmark for watersports enthusiasts. It’s a popular Puerto Rico kayaking and paddleboarding spot. Night kayaking tours are one of the most popular in the area.
Adrenaline seekers can try joining the locals who dive from Dos Hermanos, San Antonio, and Guillermo bridges into the lagoon.
Occasionally it’s possible to see manatees popping out to get some air before going back underwater.
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
This cemetery outside the city walls will make you feel like you’re at an outdoor museum.
While it’s an unusual vacation destination, the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis offers a unique walk through a sculpture garden and a unique perspective of El Morro.
From angels to crying women in veils, the statues boast great detail you would expect to see inside a museum.
Most of Puerto Rico’s famous residents have their final resting place in Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis.
El Capitolio
Tour a palace of laws that faces the coast of the Puerto Rican island.
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El Capitolio, or the capitol, is where most of the politics take place in Puerto Rico. Despite its looks, the Capitol building was built in the 1920s and is young in comparison with everything else in Old San Juan.
Even if politics aren’t your main interest, you’ll find breathtaking mosaics and murals that highlight Puerto Rico’s history inside El Capitolio.
Calle Loiza
Eat, drink, and party at this popular street in San Juan.
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Calle Loíza is a great example of a San Juan landmark that is not as old as El Morro, but that many locals love and visit.
Calle Loiza refers to a street that connects San Juan to Carolina. This street is home to bars, restaurants, food kiosks, stores, and clubs.
If you visit Puerto Rico searching for the best partying spots, Calle Loíza should be part of your itinerary. A block away from Calle Loíza you can also find Ocean Park Beach.
El Convento Hotel
Stay at a historical hotel that was once a convent.
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El Convento is located across from San Juan’s Cathedral, and even if you’re not staying at this San Juan hotel, you should pay a visit to its building for its historical value.
Considered the oldest historic hotel in America, this San Juan landmark was built in 1646. Originally, the building was a Carmelite convent until 1903.
Nowadays the luxury hotel has 58 guest rooms, a pool, and a restaurant, but it still keeps its Spanish Colonial architecture.
The Black Flag
Pose with the iconic Black Puerto Rican flag.
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The black Puerto Rican flag is much younger than most historical Puerto Rico landmarks, but it still represents an important moment in Puerto Rico’s history.
Located in Calle San José, a group of artists from Artistas Solidarixs en Resistencia painted the black flag in 2016.
This flag was in protest against the PROMESA law which established a federal fiscal control board in Puerto Rico. The flag is a popular stop for both Puerto Ricans and tourists.
Escambron Beach
Bathe in the enchanting waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
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Escambron Beach is located at the entrance of Old San Juan’s islet and is one of the best beaches in Puerto Rico. The beach boasts turquoise waters, soft sand, facilities, and wide parking.
Besides swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, Escambron Beach hides artificial reefs and underwater caves that make some great Puerto Rico snorkeling.
FAQs About San Juan Landmarks
What is the most significant historical site in San Juan?
The most significant historical sites in San Juan include Castillo San Felipe del Morro,La Fortaleza,San Cristobal Castle, and San Juan Gate. All of these landmarks are part of the San Juan National Historic Site and some date back to the 16th century.
What is San Juan known for?
San Juan is known for its historical district called Old San Juan. This part of the capital city is home to Spanish colonial houses, churches, palaces, and military fortresses like Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Most of these structures are well-preserved and some are among the oldest structures on the American continent.
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Now you know the best landmarks in San Juan you shouldn’t miss while touring the famous cobblestone streets during your next Puerto Rico visit. Up next, check out my guide to the best activities to do in Puerto Rico.
Have fun exploring San Juan’s historical sites!
