32 Best Sights in San Juan, Puerto Rico

This huge stone fortress, built between 1634 and 1783, guarded the city from land attacks from the east. The largest Spanish fortification in the New World, San Cristóbal was known in the 17th and 18th centuries as “the Gibraltar of the West Indies.” Five freestanding structures divided by dry moats are connected by tunnels. You're free to explore the gun turrets (with cannon in situ), officers' quarters, re-created 18th-century barracks, and gloomy passageways. Along with El Morro, San Cristóbal is a National Historic Site administered by the U.S. National Park Service; it's a UNESCO World Heritage site as well. Rangers conduct tours in Spanish and English.

This government-run beach has a patch of honey-color sand shaded by coconut palms. An offshore reef generally makes surf gentle, so it's favored by families. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; snorkeling.

According to legend, in 1753 a young horseman named Baltazar Montañez got carried away during festivities in honor of San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), raced down Calle Cristo, and plunged over its steep precipice. Historical records maintain the man died, but legend contends that he lived. (Another version of the story has it that the horse miraculously stopped before plunging over the cliff.) Regardless, this chapel was built partly to prevent further calamities. Inside is a small silver altar dedicated to the Christ of Miracles. Above the altar hang two religious paintings by Puerto Rico's famous painter José Campeche. You can peer in through the wrought-iron gates, which are usually closed.

San Juan's city hall was built between 1602 and 1789. In 1841, extensive alterations made it resemble Madrid's city hall, with arcades, towers, balconies, and an inner courtyard. Renovations have refreshed the facade and some interior rooms, but the architecture remains true to its colonial style. Only the patios are open to public viewings. A municipal tourist information center and an art gallery with rotating exhibits are in the lobby. Call ahead to schedule a free tour.

San Juan's city hall was built between 1602 and 1789. In 1841, extensive alterations made it resemble Madrid's city hall, with arcades, towers, balconies, and an inner courtyard. Renovations have refreshed the facade and some interior rooms, but the architecture remains true to its colonial style. Only the patios are open to public viewings. A municipal tourist information center and an art gallery with rotating exhibits are in the lobby. Call ahead to schedule a free tour.

Exiled from Cuba, the Bacardí family built a small rum distillery here in the 1950s. Today, it's the world's largest, able to produce 100,000 gallons of spirits a day and 21 million cases a year. Book a mixology class or rum tasting tour, both include a welcome cocktail at the pavilion and a trolley ride through the property. If you don't want to drive here, you can take a ferry from Pier 2 for $0.50 and then an Uber.

The original structure here was a wooden house built in 1521 as a home for Ponce de León; he died in Cuba without ever living here. His descendants occupied the house's sturdier replacement, a lovely colonial mansion with tile floors and beamed ceilings, for more than 250 years. It was the home of the U.S. Army commander in Puerto Rico from the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898 to 1966. Several rooms decorated with colonial-era furnishings are open to the public. The lush garden, complete with watchtower, is a quiet place to unwind.

The restored home of 18th-century naval hero Don Ramón Power y Giralt is now the headquarters of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. On-site are several displays highlighting the physical, cultural, and historical importance of land and properties on the island under the trust's aegis. The goal of the trust is to increase the amount of protected lands in Puerto Rico from (currently) 8% to 33% by the year 2033. Displays are in Spanish, but there are note cards in English for the changing exhibitions. A gift shop sells toys, Puerto Rican candies, and eco-friendly souvenirs.

One of Old San Juan's best-kept secrets, this remarkable cemetery provides a peaceful respite from the bustle of the city. Sandwiched between El Morro and La Perla, it offers a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and an enviable resting place for the many notable figures fortunate enough to be buried here. Dating from the early 1800s, the cemetery was originally administered by Carmelite nuns. Today you can stop by the ornate tombs (many of which are topped with graceful marble sculptures) to pay your respects to an illustrious group of Puerto Rican political figures, intellectuals, artists, and revolutionaries, including José Celso Barbosa, José Ferrer, Pedro Albizu Campos, Rafael Hernández, and Ricardo Alegría.

While a robust police presence has made this area bordering La Perla safer than it once was, it's still best to avoid coming after hours or at night.

East of Old San Juan and west of Ocean Park, this long, wide beach is overshadowed by an unbroken string of hotels and apartment buildings. Beach bars, water-sports outfitters, and chair-rental places abound. You can access the beach from several roads off Avenida Ashford, including Calles Cervantes, Vendig, Condado, and Candina. The protected water at the small stretch of beach west of the Condado Plaza Hilton hotel is particularly calm and popular with families; surf elsewhere in Condado can be a bit strong. The stretch of sand near Calle Vendig (behind the Atlantic Beach Hotel) is especially popular with the gay community. If you're driving, street parking is your only option. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers.

The white-marble Capitol, a fine example of Italian Renaissance style, dates from 1929. The grand rotunda, which can be seen from all over San Juan, was completed in the late 1990s. Fronted by eight Corinthian columns, it's a dignified home for the Commonwealth's constitution. Although the Senate and House of Representatives have offices in the more modern buildings on either side, the Capitol is where the legislators meet. Guided tours, which last about an hour and include the rotunda, are by appointment only.

At the eastern tip of Puerta de Tierra, this tiny, 16th-century fort is perched on a hilltop like an afterthought. It was, however, an essential part of San Juan's defense, as it guarded the entrance to the city.

This tiny but fascinating museum honors Felisa Rincón de Gautier, who served as San Juan's mayor from 1946 to 1968. Throughout her life, "Doña Felisa" worked tirelessly on various public causes, including women's voting rights and health care for the poor. Her preschools, known as Escuelas Maternas, were used as the model for the United States' Head Start program. Extremely well connected politically, both on the island and abroad, she was an egalitarian figure who rose to power at a time when women and politics were not mentioned in the same breath. Even if you have no interest in her story, stop by for a peek inside one of Old San Juan's historic houses. Guided tours in English or Spanish are available.

This nonprofit foundation serves many functions: museum; performance space; dance and music school; and archive preserving Puerto Rican contributions to music, dance, television, theater, film, and other aspects of culture. In a 300-year-old building once used by the Spanish as a meteorological lookout, you can view rotating exhibitions, hear live Latin music in the evenings, or take a bomba or plena dance class. A small store sells music by Puerto Ricans in every genre, from classical to salsa. Signed posters from El Gran Combo, Tito Puente, and Willie Colón—as well as Ricky Martin's platinum record—line the walls. Check the website or call ahead for the performance schedule.

With its vaulted ceilings, this little church is a splendid example of 16th-century Spanish Gothic architecture. It was built under the supervision of Dominican friars in 1532, making it the second-oldest church in the western hemisphere. The body of Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer who came to the New World seeking the Fountain of Youth, was buried here for almost three centuries before being moved to the Catedral de San Juan Bautista in 1909.

This 75-acre forest of more than 200 species of tropical and subtropical vegetation is the Universidad de Puerto Rico's main attraction. Gravel footpaths lead to a graceful lotus lagoon and a bamboo promenade, as well as orchid and palm gardens. Not all plants and trees are labeled, so the garden is more of a tranquil retreat than an opportunity to learn about the vegetation. Trail maps are available at the entrance gate; the $5 tour is well worth it.

This Georgian-style structure, once a public school, displays a dynamic range of works by established and up-and-coming Latin American artists. Many works have strong political messages, including pointed commentaries on Puerto Rico's status as a commonwealth. Only part of the permanent collection's more than 900 works is on display at a time, but it might be anything from ceramics to videos.

The Universidad de Puerto Rico's small Museum of History, Anthropology and Art offers rotating exhibitions in three areas. Its archaeological and historical collection covers the Native American influence on the island and the Caribbean, the colonial era, and the history of slavery. There's also a small collection of Egyptian antiquities. Art holdings include a range of Puerto Rican popular, graphic, folk, and fine art; the museum's prize exhibit is the painting El Velorio (The Wake), by the 19th-century artist Francisco Oller. If you're looking to see something in particular, call before you go, as only a small portion of the collection is on display at a time. Guided tours in English are available; call for reservations.

A bustling marketplace in 1857, this handsome building now houses the small San Juan Museum. You'll find rotating exhibits of Puerto Rican art, plus tableaux and audiovisual shows that present the island's history. Concerts and other cultural events take place in the huge interior courtyard.

Dedicated to the artistry of the printed word, this museum counts among its holdings approximately 400 books printed before the 15th century—one of the larger such collections in the western hemisphere. It also owns two royal decrees from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that date from 1493, the year Columbus first reached Puerto Rico. Because the museum is in a temporary location while long-term restorations to the permanent building are underway, only a small portion of the 6,000-piece collection is on display. Highlights include a page from the Gutenberg Bible and a 12th-century lunar-cycle calendar. The gift shop has a terrific collection of posters that draws customers from all over the world.

Built in the mid-19th century to honor the Spanish princess of Asturias, this street has a broad pedestrian walkway and is spruced up with flowers, trees, benches, and streetlamps. Unfurling westward from Plaza del Inmigrante along the base of the fortified city walls, it leads to the Fuente Raíces, a striking fountain depicting the various ethnic groups of Puerto Rico. Take a seat, and watch boats zip across the water. Beyond the fountain is the beginning of Paseo del Morro, a well-paved shoreline path that hugs Old San Juan's walls, leading past the city gate at Calle San Juan and continuing to the tip of the headland, beneath El Morro.

This beach at the end of the Isla Verde strip is a great spot to take a surfing lesson. The sandy bottom and waves are perfect for beginners. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best For: surfing; swimming.

The residential neighborhood east of Condado and west of Isla Verde is home to this 1½-km-long (1-mile-long) stretch of golden sand. The waters are often choppy but still swimmable—take care, however, as there are no lifeguards on duty. Windsurfers say the conditions here are nearly perfect. The tranquil beach is popular with young people as well as gay men—particularly on weekends. Parking is a bit difficult, as many of the streets are gated and restricted to residents. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers; windsurfing.

A statue of Christopher Columbus stands atop a soaring column and fountain in this bustling Old San Juan square, catercorner to Castillo San Cristóbal. Once called St. James Square, it was renamed in 1893 to honor the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in Puerto Rico; bronze plaques on the statue's base relate episodes in his life. Local artisans often line the plaza, so it's a good place to hunt for souvenirs. Cool off with a fresh fruit frappé or smoothie at the kiosk.

The Old City's original main square was once used as military drilling grounds. Bordered by Calles San Francisco, Rafael Cordero, San José, and Cruz, it has a fountain with 19th-century statues representing the four seasons as well as a bandstand, a small café, and a kiosk selling snacks and fruit frappés. The Alcaldía commands the north side. This is a popular, bustling meeting place, often filled with artists sketching caricatures, pedestrians in line at the food stands, and hundreds of pigeons waiting for handouts.

Though often overlooked by tourists, charming La Placita (as it's known by locals) is one of San Juan's liveliest spots. At its center is a market hall (circa 1910) where you—perhaps alongside chefs from the city's top restaurants—can shop for fruits and vegetables, including exotic options like guanábana and caimito. The many restaurants and bars facing the central square are quiet during the day but busy in the evening, especially on weekends. Nearby are Santaella, a stellar restaurant by renowned chef Jose Santaella, and Junglebird, known for its craft and tiki cocktails. The area also has many botánicas—small shops that sell herbs, candles, and religious items. The square is between the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, making it a good place to stop for dinner and drinks after a day of museum-hopping.

According to legend, the British, while laying siege to the city in 1797, mistook the flaming torches of a rogativa (religious procession) for Spanish reinforcements and beat a hasty retreat. In this little plaza, a monument of a bishop and three women commemorates the legend. The striking contemporary statue was created in 1971 by the artist Lindsay Daen to mark the Old City's 450th anniversary. The fine view of La Fortaleza and the harbor is a bonus.

Dating from 1520, this was one of the five original entrances to the city and is the only one still in its original state. The massive gate, painted a brilliant shade of red, gave access from the port and welcomed diplomats into the city. It resembles a tunnel because it passes through La Muralla, the 20-foot-thick city walls.