Top Rated Attractions in Panama City

Continual renovation projects in Panama Viejo, the original Panama City site which was sacked and destroyed by pirates in 1671, has produced a number of spectacular opportunities to explore eye-catching colonial architecture: the Torre de la Catedral is preeminent among these restored buildings. A recent five-year-long renovation produced a near-intact tower rising tall from its square foundation and ringed with solid bits of crumbling stone walls. A steel staircase has been installed in the interior of the tower so that visitors can climb to new heights for panoramic city views, and a speaker recreates the chiming of bells three times each day; an actual bell replica would be too heavy for the tower to support. The Torre de la Catedral is located across the street from the Panama Viejo Visitors' Center and Museum, where visitors can pay the combined entrance fee to access both attractions. A good handicraft market is located inside the Visitors' Center.

Teatro Bambalinas was created to stage productions for kids, and is located in Paitilla. Check their website for details on upcoming shows.

Travelers who know the tale of the golden altar might expect this miraculously surviving relic to be housed in the grandest church in Panama—that, however, would be an ironic way to honor a treasure famously saved by its humble disguise. The Iglesia de San José is an exact replica of the church of the same name in Panamá Viejo, where a quick-thinking priest saved the genuine gold altar from pirate Henry Morgan by having it painted black—with mud, according to some reports. Fittingly, then, the Iglesia de San José has a modest, white and blue exterior and stained glass windows not apparent from the outside. It was constructed in 1671 through 1677 and remodeled during the 19th century, and travelers should make every effort to visit and take a look at the famed altar.

Considering the crowd of enormous colonial-era churches in Casco Viejo, an unsuspecting tourist could easily stroll past the Iglesia San Felipe Neri every day without realizing they were brushing past a piece of history. Completed in 1688, this is one of the oldest churches anywhere in the city although it now occupies a modest, crowded corner across from Plaza Bolívar. To emphasize the historical significance of this church, it is worth mentioning that the Casco Viejo neighborhood is also known as San Felipe. The structure has seen fires and serious damage, but it was remodeled in the early 20th century and again in 2003. This latter renovation was effected with aid from the governments of China and Taiwan under the then-president of Panama, Mireya Moscosa.

Built in the late 17th century, the San Francisco Church of Casco Viejo was the first Franciscan church in Panama, and probably remains one of the most frequently remodeled. It was destroyed by fires and subsequently rebuilt in both 1737 and 1756, and at times served as a monastery. Beginning in 1918, it was remodeled by Leonardo Villanueva Meyer in the style of European eclecticism, and less drastic restorations took place in both 1761 and 1998. Across from the Plaza Bolívar, the smooth cream-colored exterior rises into a belltower and spires accented in white and roofed with terracotta tiles.

Perhaps the best collection of information about the Panama Canal is appropriately housed in the former headquarters of both the French Canal Company and the United States Isthmian Canal Commission. It was built as the Gran Hotel of the city in 1875, but just six years later became headquarters for the French instead. After many years managing the Canal, it was recommissioned in 1912 to be the main Post Office of Panama instead, and finally took on its current function in 1997. The Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá (Interoceanic Canal Museum) presents a number of excellent exhibits on the Panama Canal, giving historical and political context to the action on the water and the decisions long made inside these walls. There is a small admittance fee, and English-speaking guides and audio tours are available inside.