If you only have one day to explore Old San Juan, don’t worry—I’ve got you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through a one-day itinerary based on my most recent trip, with stops for art, architecture, beach time, and authentic bites. Whether you're into history, food, and culture, there are plenty of things to do in Old San Juan, and I'll help you pack them into a single day!
And if you enjoy this post, you'll love my list of things to do in Loíza, Puerto Rico, too!
Jump to:
How to Get There
Old San Juan, aka, Viejo San Juan, is the island's former colonial hub, located on an islet off of the Bay of San Juan and the Atlantic Ocean.
If you're taking your San Juan vacation through the Old San Juan Cruise Port Terminal, you'll be immediately in the mix of the things to do that I've listed below! And it's about a 20-minute drive from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan.
As far as getting around, Old San Juan is very walkable. You can navigate the area by car, but it honestly took longer to drive, in my experience, due to construction, traffic, and police blockades. We did take an Uber to get to the beach and back.
What to do in Old San Juan for a Day
Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour
If you have a half-day or just an hour coming off a cruise ship, start your day early with this mini Old San Juan walking itinerary. This sightseeing jaunt is perfect if you just want to take in some key landmarks quickly.
The heat creeps up quickly, and most shops open around 9:00 AM.
Start at La Fortaleza—the oldest governor’s mansion still in use in the Western Hemisphere. It's located on Fortaleza Street, which also happens to be one of the most photographed spots in historic Old San Juan, thanks to the changing art installations that float above it.
Next, stroll toward Puerta de San Juan, the grand red gate Spanish ships used to enter the city. From here, you can take in views of the bay, then continue along the outer wall to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, one of the city’s most well-known Spanish forts. It's an Old San Juan must-see landmark that offers sweeping ocean views.
Prefer a done-for-you experience? Book a guided tour of Old San Juan with a local expert to get all the details you might miss on your own!
Pro Travel Tip
Wear comfy shoes with grip. The historic blue cobblestones are beautiful—but slippery. These stylish white sneakers are my favorite for exploring with no blisters or foot fatigue!
Look at Local Art
After walking around in the heat, you’ll probably be ready for a break. I recommend you pop into Exodo Caribbean Art Gallery to admire vibrant Afro-Caribbean artwork (no photos allowed inside, so take mental snapshots).
Chocobar Cortés
Now that you've worked up an appetite, make your way to Chocobar Cortés for brunch! This quirky Old San Juan restaurant incorporates chocolate into every dish.
I had the chocolate grilled cheese, chocolate brûlée, and a tamarind mimosa. Service is leisurely, so don’t be in a rush.
Hungry for more? Read my full list of restaurants to check out in San Juan!
Playa Escambrón
It's possible to walk to Escambrón Beach from Old San Juan but I recommend taking a rideshare or driving, especially if you're short on time.
We took an Uber to this local favorite for the clear waters and laid-back feel. Playa Escambrón is more rugged than Isla Verde or Condado, but just as beautiful. Families grill under the palm trees, and it's a popular spot for snorkeling.
Facilities include restrooms, rinse stations, and a small food court. This is a great option if you’re wondering what to do around Old San Juan without straying too far.
Check out my picks for the best beaches around San Juan next!
Eat Authentic Puerto Rican Food
Back in Old San Juan, head to Raíces Restaurant for classic Puerto Rican fare. I had chicken mofongo with creole sauce and a piña colada that put all others to shame.
We loved the taste and presentation of our food and the decor celebrating Puerto Rico's Taíno, West African, and Spanish heritage. Again—don’t expect speedy service. This restaurant also made my list of things to do in San Juan because it's that good!
Enjoy Fine Dining
For a more modern experience, Marmalade Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Old San Juan. It’s ideal for birthdays or romantic nights out, which is why I had my birthday dinner there.
The tasting menu at Marmalade changes seasonally, and the service was amazing. Get one of the creative, cheeky cocktails. I had the "global warming," which is a margarita with an ancho chili ice sphere that gets spicier as it melts.
Read my Puerto Rico packing list, including cute outfit ideas for everything from a fancy dinner to salsa lessons!
See Spanish Colonial Architecture
If you're wondering what to do in Old San Juan for free, simply walking around and admiring the buildings checks the box. You’ll notice roaming cats, pastel buildings, and the occasional live street music. It reminded me a bit of visiting New Orleans.
I highly recommend strolling down random streets and regularly looking up to take in the tiled roofs and colorful stucco exteriors. But look down, too! Another remnant of Spain's colonial occupation is the blue cobblestone streets. They make for a bumpy car ride (ask me how I know!) and are a little slick to walk on but pretty to look at.
Museo Casa Blanca was built in 1521 as the governor's mansion and is the oldest residence in San Juan. Now, it operates as a museum where you can learn about the building's history and architectural changes over the years. If you're into botanical gardens, be sure to check out the grounds, too.
Other buildings I recommend are Castillo de San Cristóbal (the views are gorgeous), Casa Rosa (just from the outside as it's not open to the public), and Plaza de Armas, which is San Juan's official town square and made up of colorful government buildings around a fountain and statues.
Pro Travel Tip
Casa Rosa is a very short walk from Casa Blanca, and from there, you can walk another 10 minutes to Plaza de Armas, and 10-15 minutes to Castillo San Cristóbal.
I highly recommend learning about Puerto Rico's Indigenous and African culture, too, by visiting Loíza, which is just 30 minutes away!
Go Shopping
Shopping in Old San Juan is best for handmade jewelry, art, and souvenirs that support local makers. You can also pick up clothing and accessories here! As a United States territory, USD is accepted everywhere, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Puerto Rico unfortunately experiences electrical grid instability, which can cause outages, so I recommend bringing cash in addition to your credit card. And this is the only travel credit card I recommend.
What time do shops in Old San Juan close? Most close by 6:00 or 7:00 PM, but restaurants and bars stay open much later.
More Old San Juan Activities
If you have more time or want to mix and match with this itinerary, these experiences come highly recommended by fellow travelers!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do it right, one day is just right to see all the highlights. We visited all of the places above, including the beach, between 9am and 9pm in the same day!
More Favorite Puerto Rico Moments
I hope this guide helps you make the most of visiting Old San Juan soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
