Must-Visit Attractions in San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you’re in Puerto Rico, chances are you’re going to be checking out the beach at some point. Our recommendation is to start with Condado Beach, one of the best-loved public stretches in San Juan – it’s popular with visitors and locals because of its golden sand, warm Caribbean water and the availability of water sports, including paddle boarding and parasailing. The front is also lined with high-rise hotels, restaurants and bars, so it’s a holidaymaker’s dream all around.

Any visit to San Juan will likely include a stroll through Old San Juan. Right in the heart of it, you’ll find Plaza de Armas, which used to be the main square in town. Today, it’s home to Puerto Rico Town Hall and the Department of State, and most people who come here do so to relax on a park bench and watch the world glide by. Grab a coffee or a sweet treat from one of the nearby ice cream shops, and enjoy an afternoon of people-watching.

Here’s another important fortress in the city’s history, standing by the eastern gate of Old San Juan. The complex, which sprawls out over many acres (several hectares), is considered the largest Spanish fortress built in the New World. Guests can sign up for a guided tour, and you’ll want to idle a while for the beautiful views of Old San Juan. It’s open from 9am to 6pm every day, and the small entry fee will also give you admission to Castillio San Felipe del Morro.

Make for the neighborhood of Santurce, where the Museo de Art de Puerto Rico unravels impressively over 18 exhibition halls. Walking through the museum is a great way to spend an afternoon. It contains paintings, photography, ceramics as well as a sculpture garden. Be sure to check out the permanent exhibition called Puerto Rico Plural, which features more than 250 works from no fewer than 150 Puerto Rican artists. The exhibition covers works from the 18th century to the present day, giving you an intimate look at the diversity of island art and culture.

This church in Old San Juan is impressive to behold, and, indeed, its importance lies in its architecture. Dating back to 1532, it’s a vision in icing-white, a fine example of early gothic Spanish architecture, not to mention one of the oldest churches in the Americas. In 2013, the site was included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of the most endangered properties, but it’s recently reopened after an almost two-decades-long restoration that was completed in March 2021.

Another important historic site in San Juan is La Fortaleza, which dates back to 1540. It’s hard to miss the blue-and-white estate, which, since 1846, has served as the governor’s mansion. Down through the decades, it has been the home of more than 170 Puerto Rican governors, and you can sign up for a 30-minute guided tour. These take place from Monday to Friday between 8:15am and 3:30pm, and, along with the mansion grounds, you’ll get to nose around some of the rooms.

Here’s a lively place full of street performers, where you might grab a cold drink or peruse the stalls of crafts. If you’re into shopping and looking for a special souvenir to take home, you’re bound to find something by a local artist. At night, there’s live music, dancing and sometimes even art exhibitions. Because of its location, handily close to the cruise-ship ports, Plaza Dársenas is an ideal stop for guests disembarking to spend an afternoon or day in San Juan.