Old Town Panama City: Casco Viejo Explained
Why Panama City has an old town and a ruined older one, what to see in Casco Viejo and how to get around it.
Panama City is unusual in having two old towns, and visitors regularly confuse them. Knowing the difference explains most of what you see.
Two old towns, not one
- Panamá Viejo. The original city, founded in 1519 â the first European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It was sacked and burned in 1671 during the raid led by Henry Morgan. What remains are ruins and a stone tower, on the eastern edge of the modern city.
- Casco Antiguo, also called Casco Viejo. The city rebuilt in 1673 on a defensible peninsula, two years after the sacking. This is the walkable historic quarter with the restaurants, the plazas and the rooftops.
Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. When someone says «the old town» in a restaurant context, they mean Casco Antiguo.
What to see in Casco Antiguo
It is roughly ten blocks and crosses in twenty minutes on foot. The essentials: the Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza de la Independencia; the ruins of Santo Domingo with its famous flat arch; Plaza de Francia and the vaulted walkway of Las Bóvedas, which has the best view of the modern skyline across the bay; and the Panama Canal Museum.
Walking is the real attraction. Restored mansions stand next to buildings still awaiting their turn, and the glass towers glitter across the water.
Getting around
Take a taxi or a ride app and walk from there â parking inside the quarter is genuinely difficult. The streets are cobbled, so flat shoes matter. From Tocumen airport it is about 30 minutes outside rush hour, which makes the quarter viable even on a long layover.
When to go
Late afternoon into evening. The quarter is hot and quiet at midday, wakes up around five, and is at its best from seven to eleven. Restaurants book up Thursday to Saturday.
For Panamanian cooking rather than international food, Aya la Vida is in Edificio La Cuadra on Avenida A and Calle 12 Oeste, with an open-air terrace and live music.
Frequently asked questions
Are Casco Viejo and Casco Antiguo the same place?
Yes. Casco Antiguo is the official name; Casco Viejo is what most people say.
Is Panamá Viejo worth visiting?
Yes, if you have time, though it is ruins and a museum rather than a living quarter.
How long do I need in the old town?
An afternoon for the sights; an evening for the reason people go back.
Can I walk between the two old towns?
No. They are on opposite sides of the bay, about twenty minutes apart by car.
Is it safe?
The tourist core is patrolled and busy until late. Stay on the streets with people on them.
Keep reading
- Where to Eat in Panama City: A Local Guide
- Panamanian Food: What to Eat in Panama City
- Raspao panameno: el hielo raspado de las plazas
Aya la Vida is in Edificio La Cuadra, Avenida A and Calle 12 Oeste, Casco Antiguo, Panama City. Menu and opening hours on its official site; book a table here, see the menu, or plan a Copa stopover. You may also like Aya la Vida en Restaurant Panamá.
Reserva tu mesa en Aya la Vida
Cocina panameña de autor en el Casco Antiguo de Ciudad de Panamá, Edificio La Cuadra, Avenida A y Calle 12 Oeste. Terraza al aire libre y música en vivo de jueves a sábado.
