Plazuela de la Puerta del Mar

This tidy, grass-lawned strip beside Avenida Eloy Alfaro, just next to the stretch of guarded road in front of the Palacio Presidencial, has a surprisingly big history and an even bigger vista of the city skyline past the sparkling Bay of Panama. It was originally a terrace atop the city wall that protected the city from sea-borne dangers, such as the pirates who destroyed Panamá Viejo in 1671 and inspired the inhabitants to build the new, better-protected settlement of Casco Viejo. The spot was named for the former Puerta del Mar, or Sea Gate, that was situated nearby and gave access to the city. A row of houses was built over the terrace during the 19th century, but these were demolished between 1994 and 1997 to open the historic spot back up.