Attractions in Panama City

Attractions in Panama City: My Guide to the Must-See Places in the Capital

Panama City is a place where the past meets the present at every corner. One moment you’re standing inside a 17th-century church, and the next you’re looking up at a skyline of glass towers. You can walk along the ocean, explore neighborhoods full of history, climb a hill that feels like a jungle, or watch ships from around the world begin their journey through the Panama Canal. Every part of the city holds something unique, and each visit leaves you with new memories.

In this guide, I want to share the attractions that make Panama City such a lively, surprising, and unforgettable place. These are the landmarks, viewpoints, museums, parks, and cultural highlights that show why our capital feels like a crossroads of worlds. Whether you’re here for a few days or a longer stay, these attractions will help you understand the city’s spirit and beauty.

The Panama Canal: A Wonder of Engineering

Whenever I bring visitors to the Panama Canal, I watch their faces light up as they see the locks in action. No matter how many times I visit, the experience still feels powerful. Standing above the massive gates while ships rise or fall inside the chambers makes you appreciate the scale of what humans built here.

Miraflores Visitor Center

The Miraflores Locks are the easiest place to observe the canal up close. The viewing platforms give you a clear look at the ships moving through the locks. Inside the visitor center, you’ll find exhibits that explain how the canal works and how it shaped Panama’s history.

IMAX Theater

Next to the visitor center, the Panama Canal IMAX theater plays a beautiful film narrated by Morgan Freeman. It’s a great way to learn about the canal’s past and present, especially if you enjoy immersive storytelling.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

The canal is a symbol of connection—between oceans, continents, and cultures. Seeing it in person brings that story to life.

Casco Viejo: The Heart of History and Culture

Casco Viejo is one of the most beloved parts of Panama City. Every time I walk through its narrow streets, I feel surrounded by centuries of stories. This is the city’s historic district, full of plazas, churches, restored buildings, and ocean views.

Plazas and Churches

You can wander through Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza Bolívar, and Plaza Francia, each with its own charm. The Metropolitan Cathedral stands proudly over the main square. The Church of San José, home to the famous golden altar, is another important landmark.

Rooftop Views

Casco’s rooftops offer some of the best views in the city. Watching the sunset from a terrace overlooking the ocean and skyline feels magical.

Museums

You can visit museums like the Museo del Canal and the Museo de la Mola to learn about the canal, Indigenous art, and local culture.

Walking through Casco feels like stepping into a living museum full of energy, music, and flavors.

Cinta Costera: A Waterfront Playground

The Cinta Costera is one of my favorite places to unwind. This long waterfront path stretches along the bay and offers peaceful ocean views, wide walkways, green spaces, and places to sit and watch the world go by.

What You Can Do Here

People come to walk, bike, jog, or simply relax along the water. Kids play in open areas while locals enjoy the sea breeze. On weekends, families gather for picnics or strolls at sunset.

The Best Views

From the Cinta Costera, you can see the entire skyline rising above the curve of the bay. It’s also one of the best spots to photograph the city at dawn or dusk.

The Cinta Costera is where Panama City slows down and enjoys the moment.

Amador Causeway: Ocean Views and Open Air

Whenever I need a breath of fresh air, I head to the Amador Causeway. This scenic road stretches out into the Pacific Ocean and connects the mainland to four small islands. The views of the water, the skyline, and the ships approaching the canal are spectacular.

Walking and Biking

The causeway is perfect for long walks and bike rides. The breeze is constant, and the pathways are wide and smooth.

Biomuseo

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo stands out with its bold, colorful roof. Inside, the exhibits explain Panama’s natural history and the formation of the land bridge that changed the world’s ecosystems.

Waterfront Dining

The causeway has restaurants with open views of the water. Eating here during sunset feels peaceful and relaxing.

Amador is a reminder of how strongly the ocean shapes life in Panama City.

Panama Viejo: Where the City Began

Panama Viejo is the archaeological site of the original Panama City, founded in 1519. When the settlement was attacked and burned in the 1600s, survivors moved to what is now Casco Viejo. Today, the ruins of Panama Viejo offer a quiet, reflective look at our early history.

The Ruins

You can explore old streets, stone walls, convents, and the remains of the old cathedral. The tall bell tower is the most iconic structure, and climbing it gives you a wide view of the surrounding area.

Museum

The on-site museum displays artifacts and tells the story of the original city—its founding, growth, destruction, and the lives of its people.

Visiting Panama Viejo adds depth to your understanding of how Panama City began.

Ancon Hill: Nature Above the City

It’s hard to believe that a hill full of tropical forest sits right next to the capital’s skyscrapers, but Ancon Hill offers exactly that. Climbing it feels like stepping into a different world.

The Hike

The walk to the top is steady but manageable. Along the way, you may spot monkeys, birds, butterflies, and sloths. The path is lined with tall trees that provide shade.

The View

From the top, you can see the skyline, the canal, Casco Viejo, and the curve of the bay. The view helps you understand the layout of the city and its connection to the water.

Why I Love It

Ancon Hill shows how close nature and urban life are in Panama City. It’s one of the best places to feel the soul of the city.

Metropolitan Natural Park: Jungle in the Middle of the City

The Metropolitan Natural Park is one of the only tropical forests located inside a major Latin American capital. It offers quiet trails, wildlife sightings, and peaceful views.

Trails

The trails vary from easy to moderate. The paths take you through lush greenery, where you might see toucans, iguanas, deer, and tropical birds.

Lookout Points

Several lookout points offer views of the city, the ocean, and even parts of the canal.

Why Visit

If you love nature or want a break from the urban energy, this park is a beautiful escape without having to leave Panama City.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

Panama City has museums that help you understand the country’s history, cultural identity, and creative spirit.

Museo del Canal

Located in Casco Viejo, this museum explains the timeline and impact of the Panama Canal. It’s informative and full of engaging exhibits.

Biomuseo

The Biomuseo tells the story of Panama’s geological formation and biodiversity. The building itself is a landmark worth seeing.

Museo de la Mola

This small museum displays traditional Guna textiles known as molas. Each design reflects cultural heritage and artistic techniques passed down through generations.

Contemporary Art

The city has galleries and small museums that highlight modern art from across Latin America. They show how creativity continues to grow and evolve here.

Markets and Local Experiences

If you want a taste of daily life in Panama City, visit its markets.

Mercado de Mariscos

The Seafood Market is one of the liveliest places in the city. Fishermen bring in fresh catch every morning, and you can enjoy fresh ceviche at one of the stalls. The atmosphere is busy, colorful, and full of flavor.

Mercado de Abastos

This large market offers fruits, vegetables, herbs, and local produce. Walking through the aisles feels like exploring a rainbow of ingredients.

Small Craft Markets

Throughout the city, small markets sell handmade crafts, textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs. They offer a chance to support local artisans.

Waterfront Views and Public Spaces

Panama City loves its waterfront, and many attractions celebrate our connection to the sea.

Cinta Costera

The wide path runs along the bay, offering views, green spaces, and places to relax.

Balboa Bout

This area near the bay offers semicircular viewpoints where people gather to watch the sunset. The ocean breeze makes it especially pleasant in the late afternoon.

Plaza Francia

Located at the tip of Casco Viejo, this plaza offers beautiful ocean views and a calm atmosphere.

These spaces show how much the water shapes life in the city.

Churches and Architectural Highlights

Panama City’s architecture blends colonial history with modern design.

Metropolitan Cathedral

This iconic cathedral in Casco Viejo features twin towers with mother-of-pearl inlays.

Iglesia de la Merced

With its stone façade brought from Panama Viejo, this church connects the old and new cities.

Iglesia San José

Famous for its Golden Altar, this church carries stories of pirates and survival.

These landmarks reveal layers of history in the heart of the city.

Nightlife and Evening Highlights

Panama City comes alive at night. You’ll find everything from quiet rooftop bars to lively clubs.

Casco Viejo at Night

Casco looks magical after sunset. The warm lights, soft music, and open terraces make it a romantic place to wander.

Amador Causeway

The causeway is peaceful at night, with cool breezes and calm water. Many restaurants offer outdoor seating perfect for evening dining.

Live Music

Local bands, jazz bars, and salsa clubs bring music to life across the city. The rhythm is contagious, and the energy feels welcoming.

Why I Love Panama City’s Attractions

Panama City holds pieces of the world—historic streets, tropical forest, open ocean, engineering marvels, modern towers, and creative spaces. When you explore these attractions, you start to see how all these elements blend together to create a city full of personality and life.

What I love most is the variety. You can walk from a historic plaza to a modern café in minutes. You can spend the morning watching ships in the canal and the afternoon walking through a rainforest. You can end the day by the water, watching the skyline glow under the evening sky.

Panama City invites you to explore, learn, taste, and feel. I hope these attractions help you discover the places that speak to you. And if you happen to see me wandering through Casco Viejo, enjoying ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos, or watching the sunset from the Amador Causeway, come say hello. I’m always happy to share more about the city I love.