Panama City, whose full name is Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá, is located on the Pacific Ocean side of the Panama Canal. The capital of the country of the same name, this city is the economic and cultural hub of the nation and is constantly expanding.
It now has a population of almost 900,000 inhabitants and shows itself to visitors in two guises: its colonial side, a souvenir of bygone eras, and its modern side.
Its unmistakable cityscape is one of the most distinctive in Central America. Here are the 10 must-see attractions in Panama City, in this city that has a lot to offer and is not easily forgotten!
1 - Locks of Miraflores
The Panama Canal is a mammoth hydraulic work that crosses the isthmus and connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. At 81 km long, it was a revolution, allowing ships transiting the two oceans to avoid circumnavigating South America.
The Miraflores Locks are one of two installations that regulate water levels in the canal to allow ships to transit between the two sides of the isthmus. Head to the Miraflores Visitor Centre just outside Panama to enjoy its large interactive museum on four floors, its viewing platforms, 3D cinema and restaurant with a view. Be sure to see at least one large boat pass through the locks: you will be fascinated. The best times to admire the big ships are from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00, when the crossings are most frequent.
How to get there: by metro L1-V2 to Albrook (€0.32), then bus C970 or F030 direction Paraíso or Gamboa (€0.23) stopping at"Miraflores Locks", then about 10 minutes to the centre; alternatively car/taxi (€7.00 approx.) in 30 minutes - Get directions
Hours: 9am-5pm
Ticket price: $8, approx. €7.20
Recommended cards, tickets and tours : Panama City: Miraflores Small Group Lock and City Tour
2 - Panama La Vieja
Photo by Magela Cabrera Arias. Panama does not have just one bewitching soul, it has three: Colonial Panama, Modern Panama and Panama la Vieja. The latter is the oldest site in Panama City.
The ruins of the first European settlement on the Pacific coast dating back to 1519, founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Ávila, can still be seen and visited.
For 150 years the city flourished thanks to the export of gold and silver to Europe, but in the 17th century its fate changed. The attempted looting perpetrated by Captain Henry Morgan in 1671 was prevented by a tragic move: the explosion of the local gunpowder stores, which caused a huge fire and totally destroyed the city. An inexorable decline that makes the remains of former glory all that remains today of early Panama. An attraction not to be missed.
How to get there: by car or taxi (€4.50) from the centre of Panama in about 15 minutes, or by bus in 45 minutes on the C641/C642/C640 lines to the Ave 7 1/2 Sur-R stop (€0.23). Then about 10 minutes on foot - Get directions
Hours: 08:30 - 16:30, Tuesday to Sunday
Ticket price: $15, approximately €14.00
Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Panama City: Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour
3 - Casco Viejo, Colonial Panama
The historic centre of Casco Viejo has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. For years used as the base of the Spanish petty bourgeoisie, this little gem is now an open-air masterpiece of the colonial era.
The centre unites very different aspects, presenting itself as an eclectic mix with a lively and relaxing atmosphere at the same time. It has a personality all its own, and within its streets time seems to stand still. Outdoor dining venues and restaurants with typical Panamanian flavours combine here with street performers and green spaces bordering the ocean.
Among its points of interest: the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco de Asis (free), the Plaza de la Catedral with the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Antigua de Panama (free), the Plaza de Francia, the paseo de Las Bovedas.
Getting there: by car or taxi (€3.60 approx.) in about 10 minutes. Buses S510/S520/S480/S420 take you from the centre towards Casco Viejo in about 40 minutes (€0.23), by metro L1-V2 (€0.32). Calculate then about 15 minutes on foot - Get directions
Hours: always accessible. Convent hours 09:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday. Hours 08:30-15:30 Monday to Sunday
Ticket price: free
Card, tickets and recommended tours: 1 Day Tour in Panama City
4 - Calzada de Amador
Also called the Amador Causeway is the road that joins the mainland to the Amador Islands: Naos Island, Perico Island and Flamenco Island.
From being a simple connecting strip of land, the Causeway has become popular with Panamanians and tourists alike, who like to walk, cycle or run along it to enjoy a wonderful view of the Panama Canal and the city skyline.
On the islands there are numerous small shops selling local products and restaurants where you can enjoy local or international dishes.
Named after Manuel Amador Guerrero, Panama's first president, its recent renovations have made it a must-see on a visit to Panama City.
Getting there: take lines V440/V500/V560/V480 (€0.23), change at Policia Nacional and continue with the C850 (€0.23) to the Biomuseo or Isla Perico stop. By car/taxi (€7.50 approx.) from the centre it takes 30 minutes - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: free
Recommended cards, tickets and tours : Panama City: private tour of the most beautiful places
5 - Biomuseum
Without a doubt one of the most beautiful museums in the city, celebrating the extraordinary biodiversity of the Panama area.
Located in Amador, not far from the Calzada de Amador, it was designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry and is housed in a curious building with an unusual architecture reminiscent of a paper origami.
Its eight galleries explore the origins of the Panamanian isthmus and the evolution of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and explore the impact of human presence and the importance of the Panamanian area for the planet's biodiversity, with a view to the interconnectedness of all species.
How to get there: about 15 minutes from the centre by taxi (€5.50 approx.) or car. By bus: lines V440/V500/V560/V480 (€0.23), changing at Policia Nacional and continuing with the C850 (€0.23) to the Biomuseo stop - Get directions
Hours: 10am-4pm Tuesday to Friday / 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Ticket price: $18, approximately €16.20
Recommended cards, tickets and tours: 6-Hour Ship Cruise on the Panama Canal
6 - Puente de las Americas
This isa road bridge that spans the entrance to the Panama Canal and connects Panama City to the Mirador area, where there is a Chinese memorial, installed in memory of the Chinese community that moved to Panama in the late 1800s to help build the railway.
The bridge was inaugurated in 1962 as the Thatcher Ferry Bridge, and from then on it was for 42 years the only permanent bridge linking the two Americas until 2004, when the Centennial Bridge was inaugurated.
An impressive piece of engineering that deserves to be added to the list of things to see in Panama City.
Getting there: Take the V440/V500/V560/V480 or S480 (€0.23) to Policia Nacional, then the C850 (€0.23) to the Entrada Amador stop. Then calculate about 1.5 km to walk. Alternatively by car/taxi (€7.26) from the centre in 20 minutes - Get directions
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: free
Recommended cards, tickets and tours : Panama City: half-day tour of the Canal Railway and Gatun Locks
7 - Cerro Ancon Hill
This hill allows you to admire Panama City from a decidedly privileged vantage point. Also called Ancon Hill, it is a lush mountain visible from almost every point in Panama City and is considered one of the area's most valuable natural havens.
Far from urbanisation, the hill's trails provide opportunities for nature hikes and exciting wildlife sightings. In addition, from the top of Cerro Ancón there is the most beautiful view of the whole of Panama City.
At the foot of the hill it is possible to relive the ambience and atmosphere of Panamanian life in the small village of Mi Pueblito. Within the centre are reconstructions of schools, churches, houses and shops dating back to the era of the conquistadors. Mi Pueblito is also an artisan market where you can buy replicas of typical Panamanian and Caribbean products, and take a dip in local handicrafts.
How to get there: by car or taxi (€4.50 approx.) in 15 minutes from the centre. By bus with the V500/V440/V480/V180/V560 lines to the El Limite Calidonia stop, or the S420 to Maranon (€0.23). From there you can walk about 1.3 km - Get directions
Hours: Cerro Ancon always open, Mi Pueblito: 08:00-16:00 daily
Ticket price: Cerro Ancon Hill free, Mi Pueblito free
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Panama Canal and walking tour of the city with a local
8 - Local Markets
Markets are always a great way to get in touch with a country's culture.
The fish market, for example, is a picturesque insight into the lives of local fishermen: fresh fish, restaurants serving cheap seafood and boats coming to the harbour to unload the day's catch.
The mercado de abastos is the city's fruit and vegetable market, where farmers and customers haggle in characteristic chaos. Throwing yourself between its stalls will make you feel part of the integral of the place.
The national handicrafts market, Mercado Nacional de Artesanías, in Panama Viejo, is ideal for buying traditional souvenirs: Panama hats or Panamanian handicrafts of pre-Columbian and pre-Hispanic origin.
The market on Avenida 5 de Mayo, on the other hand, is the best place to buy molas, the traditional handmade textiles created by the Guna, the natives of San Blas. Colourful and flamboyant, their textile artefacts will be the perfect souvenir of your sparkling Panamanian adventure.
Getting there: Fish market, Mercado de abastos and Avenida 5 de Mayo can be reached by metro L1-V2 (€0.32), Estacion 5 de Mayo, or by car/taxi (€3.60 approx.). For the handicraft market: C641/C642 (€0.23) to Ave 7 1/2 Sur-R, or car/taxi (€4.50 approx.)
Hours: always accessible
Ticket price: free
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Isla Monos: tour of the island and an Indian village
9 - Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
Photo by Aalvarado63. Also known as the M.A.C., this contemporary art museum is a showcase displaying Panama's most modern artists.
It is located in an old converted building on a green hillside and houses several paintings and works of art from a variety of genres, the fruit of local creativity. It also houses a collection of film posters, true collector's items that are very interesting to browse through.
Getting there: take the L1-V2 to Estaciòn 5 de Mayo (€0.32), or the V440/V180/V480/V500 (€0.23) to El Limite Calidonia, or the S480/S420/C640/S500 (€0.23) to Maranon. By car/taxi (€3.60 approx.), 10 minutes west of the centre - Get directions
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00, closed Mondays
Ticket price: free donation
Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Panama City Jungle Experience full day tour
10 - Metropolitan National Park
Every self-respecting metropolis has its green lung. Here, the Metropolitan Natural Park is an oasis of oxygen and nature in the heart of the City.
A wildlife refuge where you can take long walks on well-maintained green lanes and learn more about Panama's flora and fauna.
In its 232 hectares of land, the park is home to some 280 types of trees, 250 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians and 45 species of mammals: a true paradise for wildlife lovers and nature photography.
It is thus possible even in the heart of Panama City to take a dip in the forest and breathe in the diversity of the ecosystem of these beautiful areas of the planet.
How to get there: by car/taxi (€3.60 approx.): 15 minutes to the north of the city. By public transport: the V531, V201/C64/V541 (€0.23) with Domo stop - get directions
Hours: 07:00-17:30 Monday to Friday / 08:00- 13:00 on Saturdays
Ticket price: $2, approximately €1.80
Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Panama Canal, Colón Forest and Fort San Lorenzo
Plan your stay in Panama City:
Panama is a generally safe country. The health situation is quite satisfactory and preventive vaccinations are not recommended.
TheTocumen International Airport is about 20 km from Panama City and can be reached in about 45 minutes by taxi, spending around $30/€27.00; the metrobus costs $1.25/€1.13, alternatively the bus to'Corredor Sur' takes about half an hour, $2/€1.81.
When choosing accommodation, aim for characteristic and central areas such as Casco Viejo to breathe in all its charm. Areas such as Downtown, enclosed by the neighbourhoods of El Cangrejo and Punta Paitilla offer modernity, shopping centres but also green areas and waterfront promenades. While for romantics on the go, we recommend the Amador Causeway district, with its breathtaking views.
In the city, the most convenient way of getting around is by taxi: they do not have a meter and their fare starts at $1.25 for a short trip and $5-10 for a longer journey within the city. Alternatively, there are buses or a metro. The fare for a ride is $0.25/€0.23 for buses and $0.35/€0.34 for the metro.
Cheap flights: from €450.00 - see offers
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €25.00 per room - see deals
Card, tickets and recommended tours: Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour Panama City: Miraflores small group locks and Colon city tour : Panama Canal, Railway and Monkey Island tours
