After traveling around Central America, Panama City is a bit of a surprise. The Panamanian capital seems entirely out of place in this region, famous for its beaches and jungles. Nonetheless, with a quick layover on my travel plan, I was beyond excited to jump in and spend one day in Panama City to experience its modern and historical charms.
And my intuition was right. I absolutely loved my first 24 hours here, from wandering the historic streets of Casco Viejo to witnessing the modern marvel of the country’s namesake canal. In the evening, I couldn’t get enough of soaking up the city’s culinary scene in districts like El Cangrejo and (again) in the historic center.
Ready to carve out your own slice of magic in Panama’s capital? Let me help you plan your trip with our complete 1-day Panama City itinerary, including my recommendations for where to go, what to see & do, and where to stay!
Our tips for where to go in Panama City in 24 hours
Despite sprawling over the coastline, Panama City isn’t as big as it may first seem. If you’re launching your first Panama travel plan, I think the capital is the perfect starting point.
Most of my favorite points of interest in Panama City are located within a relatively small radius. On my two layovers here, I was always able to scoot between the city’s main tourist sites without much fuss.
To make the most of your first 24 hours in Panama City, I recommend traveling by taxi. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t find the public transportation system in Panama City to be at the same standard as I’ve experienced in big European or Asian cities. In my (minimal) experience, it was often crowded and far less convenient than using taxis to get around.
Like most of our one-day city itineraries, I designed this Panama City itinerary to hit up as many of the main attractions as possible. Take it all in stride. If you feel you’re moving around too much, adjust as needed. I’d recommend tailoring the experience to your own personal travel preferences.
See the remains of Panama Viejo
The perfect place to start our day is Panama Viejo (also called Panama La Vieja). Located in the city’s northeast, this site holds a lot of history. It’s where Panama City was originally founded. Today, Panama Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I think it’s a must-see on any first-time visit to the Panamanian capital.
Panama Viejo encompasses what remains of the first European settlement on the Pacific Ocean. The city bloomed in the early 17th century. It thrived with homes, trading posts, and places of worship dotting the landscape.
It was, however, attacked on January 28, 1671, by a group led by a man known as Captain Morgan. (Yep, we’re talkin’ about that same dude who’s got a best-selling rum bearing his name.)
Panama Viejo was set on fire. Many buildings were burnt down, and many people lost their lives in the raid.
Today, the remains of Panama Viejo are one of Panama City’s must-see attractions. The ruins tell fascinating stories of what might have been. Walking through the historical site, I found it well-structured and labeled with large placards, placed strategically to show you exactly where to walk.
In my opinion, the highlight of Panama Viejo is the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The ancient church still stands mostly intact. There’s a museum here, full of fascinating relics and important artifacts, that I’d suggest checking out, too.
When I’ve helped friends plan layovers in Panama City, I always recommend Panama Viejo as the first itinerary stop in the morning. In my experience, there’s little shelter and shade here when the midday sun kicks in. It can get blazing hot here in the afternoon!
PRO TIP: Want to maximize your time in Panama City? I’d suggest joining in on the full-day Panama City Day Tour featuring stops at the Panama Canal, Ancon Hill, Punta Culebra, and Casco Viejo.
Take a walk in Casco Viejo
About a 25-minute ride from Panama Viejo is Casco Viejo. Also called Casco Antiguo or San Felipe, the area is the historic old town where the survivors of Captain Morgan’s attack settled. If I only had time for one stop on an itinerary, this’d be it!
Today, Casco Viejo is recognized as Panama City’s cultural and historical center. Like Panama Viejo, Casco Viejo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling around this pretty part of town, I found plenty to see & do.
Without a doubt, Casco Viejo is the most photogenic area I saw in Panama City. The area is full of colonial homes and stately buildings, many adorned with pastel façades and flowers draped over wrought-iron balconies. I loved walking around the cobblestone streets, tucking into trendy restaurants & bars, hip boutiques, and cool hotels.
From Casco Viejo, I also relished the excellent ocean views. Among the coolest spots I found to enjoy the views was Paseo de Las Bóvedas, located on Plaza de Francia, the original town square.
Leave the plaza via La Calle De los Sombreros, featuring a colorful collection of hats strung across the street. Walking down the street, officially known as Calle 1a Oeste, I also saw plenty of stores to pick up souvenirs from local artisans.
With all that walking, surely we’re getting hungry, no? There’s an abundance of great restaurants and coffee shops in Casco Viejo. Stop for breakfast at one of the many coffeehouses.
Grab waffles and coffee at the French-inspired Dodó Bon Pan Café (C. 1a Oeste) or empanadas and gourmet Geisha coffee at Café Unido Casco Viejo (C. 9a Oeste).
Round out your visit to Casco Viejo by visiting one of Panama’s most impressive buildings, the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient.
Located in Plaza de la Independencia, this stunning cathedral was built in 1796. I thought the church’s exterior was particularly striking, with its centerpiece Baroque façade showing off the original stone between its twin white bell towers. I also suggest heading inside to get a glimpse of its ornately restored altar.
PRO TIP: Interested in getting the low-down about Casco Viejo and the rest of Panama City? See more in less time and learn about the history of the city with an experienced guide on the full-day Panama City Day Tour!
Watch ships roll through the Panama Canal
Now that we’ve got some history (and coffee) under our belts, let’s leave the concrete jungle and early settlements behind. Soon, we’ll be immersed in lush vegetation along the way to the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal.
This world-famous canal is the man-made wonder that put Panama City on the map. My favorite spot to view the Panama Canal is at the Miraflores Locks. In my experience, the locks are about 20 minutes away by car (barring heavy traffic) from Casco Viejo.
Although it might not seem it at first glance, visiting the Panama Canal is an unforgettable experience. The canal is an engineering marvel on its own. And with the beautiful tropical scenery around it, I think it makes for the perfect escape from Panama City’s urban life.
For an entry fee of $15, I got access to the museum and multiple observation decks. Enter the theatre to watch a short video on the canal’s history before exploring the public viewing sites—and wearing out the shutter on your camera!
I’d recommend visiting around 11 am to 2 pm to watch the ships putter along as the locks shift wondrously.
PRO TIP: Want to visit the canal with less hassle? Hop onto the Panama City & Canal Half-Day Tour! The tour includes round-trip transportation to the Miraflores Locks and a guided visit to Casco Viejo.
Chow down on a traditional Panamanian lunch in El Cangrejo
By this time, we’ll have built up quite an appetite. How about grabbing a quick Panamanian lunch to taste all the goodies that Panama has to offer?
If you want to eat like a local, let’s head back into the city towards the central neighbourhood of El Cangrejo. This relatively small business and residential area, centered around Via Argentina, is jam-packed with restaurants, cafés, and small parks.
One of my recommendations in El Cangrejo is El Trapiche (Via Argentina), one of the most popular restaurants in the city. This restaurant serves up all of the Central American classics I’ve come to love on my trips to the region, including ceviche, chorizo croquettes, bandeja, arroz con pollo, and roasted pork.
Best of all? Many of the dishes here are under $10 a serving!
When you’ve finished up, El Trapiche is a few blocks away from the statue of Albert Einstein’s head sculpted by Carlos Arboleda. Check out this beautiful work of art and take a few pictures while in the area.
Not sure what else to eat? Here are a few snacks I’d suggest trying while in Panama City:
- Empanadas: I’ve eaten these all over Central America, and Panama was no exception! Empanadas are a delicious and satisfying snack that’s a must-have. I found these everywhere around Panama—at restaurants, coffee shops, and food stalls. There are several different varieties of empanadas to choose from. Some are baked with doughy shells, lightly fried with flaky shells, or deep-fried with greasy shells. The most popular traditional stuffings include beef and chicken. I think you’ll enjoy this tasty little devil!
- Patacones: Also known as tostones, patacones are twice-fried plantains layered with meat and other toppings. Patacones are often served as a side dish. I find them especially delicious when served sizzling from the fryer.
Shop at exclusive stores in Punta Pacifica
With the sun beating down on the city, escape the heat by adding some glorious air-conditioned shopping to your itinerary. One of the best places I’ve found to shop in Panama City is the ultramodern district of Punta Pacifica.
When we get to the Punta Pacifica area, we’ll find the Multiplaza Pacific Panamá (Avenida Israel). When I popped into this popular shopping mall on my first trip to Panama City—mostly to cool off, if I’m being honest!—I spotted some of the world’s top brands, from Cartier to Zara to Hugo Boss. The mall is just 10 minutes by taxi from El Cangrejo.
Before we leave, let’s walk 20 minutes south from Multiplaza Mall to Parque Paitilla. When I visited this oceanside park, I loved soaking up the views of the city’s impressive modern skyline.
For the finest views, tough out the rock and uneven path to the Mirador del Rompeolas, jutting out into the Pacific.
Cycle on the Amador Causeway
After our shopping spree, it’s time to unwind. And I don’t think there’s any better place in Panama City to do it than the Amador Islands. The islands are just 25 minutes by car from Punta Pacifica. (Which is a pretty cool oceanside ride on its own, if you ask me.)
The Amador Causeway is by far the most relaxing spot I found on my two visits to the city. I loved chilling here to soak in the breathtaking vistas over the sea and the city’s modern skyline.
Gear up for the trip by renting a bike to cycle around or just sit with a cup of ice cream and enjoy the view.
Visit the Biomuseo
Located in Amador is the most renowned museum in Panama City: the Biomuseo. The museum was designed by the world-famous Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. His extraordinary work has turned my head all around the world, and this weird gem in Panama’s capital was no different.
The Biomuseo is made up of eight galleries, focusing on the origins of the Panamanian isthmus and its impact on the planet’s biodiversity. My favorite permanent exhibit here is Panamarama. Through ten projection screens, the exhibit transports us into a Panamanian jungle, revealing its unique flora and fauna.
When you’re done in the museum, let’s take a walk outside along the causeway. Enjoy the peace and the sound of the birds singing. Biomuseo’s relaxing effect makes it perfect as your penultimate stop.
In my opinion, the Amador Causeway is an especially magical place to take in a beautiful sunset across the less urban side of Panama City.
Spend the night in Casco Viejo
After exploring Panama City in one day, there’s no better way to chillax than by hitting up a happy hour back in Casco Viejo. In my experience, the nightlife in Casco Viejo is always lively and bubbling. On my two trips to Panama’s capital, I found a multitude of bars here to try local beers and high-quality Panamanian rum.
One of the coolest places to visit in Central America, Casco Viejo is a wonderful place to enjoy local and international foods like traditional Spanish tapas or even Japanese. Watching the whole spectacle of Casco Viejo coming alive from a rooftop is the perfect way to end your one day in Panama City.
For some Spanish-Argentinian fusion, duck into Restaurante Santa Rita (Av. Eloy Alfaro). Fill your belly with Spanish tapas favorites like croquettes, manchego cheese, patatas bravas, and jamón iberico. Pair off mains like grilled octopus and lobster tagliatelle with selections from their extensive wine list.
Or take to the skies at the Sama Sky Lounge (Oasis Hotel, C. 9a Este). Sip on classic cocktails like margaritas and mojitos to beautiful evening views over the Panama City skyline.
One quick word of warning: Stay aware of your surroundings in Casco Viejo at night. Although the historic area has cleaned up its act in recent years, not all its neighbours can say the same. While researching my trip, I discovered that neighboring districts like El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, and San Miguel are still notorious for their safety concerns.
Where to stay with 24 hours in Panama City
Like in most Central American cities, I found choosing which area to stay in Panama City a bit of a challenge. Although it’s safer than most other urban centres in the region, Panama City has still got its share of seedy areas that I’d recommend staying well away from.
Although Casco Viejo is the most charming area in the city, I don’t believe it’s always the best place for first-time travelers. The surrounding neighborhoods can be rough around the edges. (That said, most tourists won’t experience any problems in Casco Viejo. Don’t rule it out completely.)
Instead, I’d recommend staying near the financial district in Obarrio or El Cangrejo. These neighborhoods are super central, safe, and feature a ton of restaurants that are among the finest in the city. Here are a few of my recommended places to stay…
MARINN PLACE Financial District
I love the central location of this value-laden mid-range hotel, along with its extras, including an outdoor pool and a breakfast buffet for guests. Try to snag one of the spacious rooms with skyline views for the ultimate Panama City accommodations experience.
Global Hotel Panama
The spacious and contemporary rooms of this 4-star hotel are exactly what I look for when visiting Central America. My favorite feature here? The outdoor pool, of course, where we can cool off from the sweltering sun to a backdrop of incredible views over the capital.
W Panama
This 5-star luxury hotel delivers everything I’ve come to expect from the W brand. The rooms here are über-stylish (especially the urban art-filled suites) and push the envelope on comfort. Splurge on one of the massive Fantastic King Rooms to see the city at its finest from your own private balcony.
