If you're headed to Viejo San Juan, know this: First, I am insanely jealous of you – and second, you are going to have a fantastic time. Between the history and the nightlife and the beaches and the landmarks, the Island of Enchantment's capital city is one of the coolest places out there to visit. But with so many things to choose from, it can be hard to know which things are the best things to do in Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.
So if you're headed to Viejo San Juan and in need of some direction, I got you, boo. Because in this post, we are diving into the best things to in Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This post is all about the best things to Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Best Things To Do in Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico
1. Explore the city by foot.
San Juan is the kind of city best explored by foot, so don't bother renting a car. (That – and driving in San Juan is nuts. I do not recommend renting a car!) On your walking tour, be sure to check out these landmarks/attractions:
2. Visit the castle ruins.
There are two castles in San Juan – El Castillo San Felipe del Morro ("El Morro") and El Castillo San Cristóbal – and each is worth a visit. To tour the actual castles, you'll need to purchase tickets. But you're more than welcome to wander the grounds. (And because the castles are cliffside, the grounds are super breezy, which makes for a nice reprieve from the beating sun.) Fun fact: El Castillo San Cristóbal is actually the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World.
credit: Mohan Nannapaneni
3. Play with the wild street cats.
There are a ton of wild cats running around Viejo San Juan, and they seem to congregate at El Parque de Los Gatos, which literally translates to "Cats Park." If you're a cat person, you will love this little park. But even if you normally aren't a friend of the felines, you'll still enjoy the sweet kittens running up to you for pets (and snacks).
4. Feed the literal hordes of pigeons at Parque de las Palomas.
In addition to throngs of wild cats, you'll find literal hordes of pigeons in Viejo San Juan. More specifically, you'll find this pigeon army assembled at El Parque de las Palomas – which literally translates to "Pigeons Park." And for good reason.
5. Go to the beach!
Of course, a trip to San Juan wouldn't be complete without a trip to the ocean. (Duh!) However, if you aren't staying at a resort, there's only one public-access beach in San Juan: El Escambrón Beach. And while it's a bit of a walk to Escambrón if you're staying in Old Town (about 2 miles), there are plenty of inexpensive taxis available if walking that much isn't your vibe.
6. Check out Plaza Dársena after sundown.
When the sun goes down, I'd recommend heading on to Plaza Dársena. There, you'll find live music, outdoor bars with booze-to-go, and lots and lots of local food trucks to choose from.
7. Treat yourself to a nice meal.
If you're a foodie, you are going to love the food scene in San Juan. (I've never had a bad meal here!) But even if you aren't a foodie, you'll surely find yourself snacking more than normal because the food is just that good. So while in town, pick a restaurant that speaks to you and treat yourself to a nice meal! Here are some of my favs:
8. Drink margaritas
One of the best things about San Juan is that it is perpetually summertime there. Whether you're there in February or June, you can expect warm temperatures and sunny skies: perfect weather for drinking margaritas. And if you're looking for some tasty margs, Nono's Bar is the place to go.
9. Grab a drink at El Batey Bar.
El Batey is this little dive bar that you cannot miss. Known for its tasty rum drinks, low prices (like, $3 for a beer!!), and smoky, cave-like atmosphere, El Batey is the perfect place to grab a drink (or two or six) if you're looking for a low-key place to hang out. (And yes: Trump eres un pendejo. It was true when we took this photo back in 2021, and it's still true today.)
10. Drink your way across the many bars within La Factoría.
La Factoría may be the most famous bar in Viejo San Juan. It's consistently ranked one of the top bars in the world – and for good reason. The La Factoría "complex" is actually comprised of seven different bars, each with its own unique theme and speciality drinks, including a hidden speakeasy. And although the lines for La Factoría can get quite long on weekend nights, this is a must-see when you're in town. It's definitely worth the wait to get inside.
Also, a fun fact: The nightclub scenes in the 'Despacito' music video were filmed at La Factoría within "El Shingaling" – i.e. the Salsa Room!
11. Indulge in the nightlife (i.e. Get out there – and dance!)
The music scene in San Juan is second to none, and the nightlife is... lively. It's definitely not uncommon to see lines of people wrapped around buildings on weekend nights. While La Factoría is my #1 recommendation for a night out, we've had equally-fun nights out at these bars/clubs, too: