Santo Domingo
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Santo Domingo - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Sort by:
10 Recommendations
{{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }}
0 Recommendations
Loading...
-
1. Alcázar de Colón
Zona Colonial | Historic HomeThe castle of Don Diego Colón, built in 1517, was the home to generations of the Christopher Columbus family. The Renaissance-style structure...
The castle of Don Diego Colón, built in 1517, was the home to generations of the Christopher Columbus family. The Renaissance-style structure, with its balustrade and double row of arches, has strong Moorish, Gothic, and Isabelline influences. The 22 rooms are furnished in a style to which the viceroy of the island would have been accustomed—right down to the dishes and the vice regal shaving mug. The mansion's 40-inch-thick coral-limestone walls make air-conditioning impossible. Bilingual guides are on hand for tours peppered with fascinating anecdotes, like weddings once-upon-a time. Audio tours (about 25 minutes) are available in English.
Plaza de España, off Calle Emiliano Tejera, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic809-682–4750Sight Details
Rate Includes: RD$100 -
2. Basílica Catedral Menor Santa María de la Encarnación
Zona Colonial | Religious Building/Site/ShrineThe coral-limestone facade of the first cathedral in the New World (Catedral Primada de América) towers over the south side of the Parque Colón...
The coral-limestone facade of the first cathedral in the New World (Catedral Primada de América) towers over the south side of the Parque Colón. Spanish workmen began building the cathedral in 1514, but left to search for gold in Mexico. The church was finally finished in 1540. Its facade is composed of architectural elements from the late Gothic to the lavish Plateresque style. Inside, the high altar is made of hammered silver. A museum houses the cathedral's treasures; it's in the former jail, a yellow building just across the street. Mass times vary, so check before going there the day before.
Calle Arzobispo Meriño, Parque Colon, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic809-682–3848Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
3. Calle Las Damas
Zona Colonial | Neighborhood/StreetThe Ladies Street" was named after the elegant ladies of the court: in the Spanish tradition, they promenaded in the evening. Here you can see...
"The Ladies Street" was named after the elegant ladies of the court: in the Spanish tradition, they promenaded in the evening. Here you can see a sundial dating from 1753 and the Casa de los Jesuitas, which houses a fine research library for colonial history as well as the Institute for Hispanic Culture; admission is free, and it's open weekdays from 8 to 4:30. The boutique Hostal Nicolas de Ovando is on this street, across from the French Embassy. If you follow the street going toward the Malecón, you will pass a picturesque alley, fronted by a wrought-iron gate, where there are perfectly maintained colonial structures owned by the Catholic Church.
Calle las Damas, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10211, Dominican Republic -
4. Iglesia Santa Bárbara
Zona Colonial | Religious Building/Site/ShrineThis combination church and fortress, the only one of its kind in Santo Domingo, was completed in 1562. It is a fine example of colonial Spanish...
This combination church and fortress, the only one of its kind in Santo Domingo, was completed in 1562. It is a fine example of colonial Spanish architecture, and not as touristic as the cathedrals. For Mass times, be sure to check the day before you want to attend.
Av. Mella, between Calle Isabel la Católica and Calle Arzobispo Meriño, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic809-682–3307Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
5. Iglesia y Convento Domínico
Zona Colonial | Religious Building/Site/ShrineFounded in 1510, this graceful building is still a Dominican church and convent. Note the prominent and beautiful rose window. In 1538, Pope...
Founded in 1510, this graceful building is still a Dominican church and convent. Note the prominent and beautiful rose window. In 1538, Pope Paul III visited here and was so impressed with the lectures on theology that he granted the church and convent the title of university, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the New World.
Calle Padre Bellini and Calle Duarte, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic809-682–3780Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
6. Monasterio de San Francisco
Zona Colonial | Religious Building/Site/ShrineConstructed between 1512 and 1544, the St. Francis Monastery contained the church, convent, and hospital of the Franciscan order. Sir Francis...
Constructed between 1512 and 1544, the St. Francis Monastery contained the church, convent, and hospital of the Franciscan order. Sir Francis Drake's demolition squad significantly damaged the building in 1586, and in 1673 an earthquake nearly finished the job, but when it's floodlit at night, the eerie ruins are dramatic indeed. The Spanish government has donated money to turn this into a beautiful cultural center, but we are still waiting. In the meantime, there's music many nights at 7 pm (often live) and on Sunday night from 5 to 10 pm. These performances are by bands with different music genres—merengue, jazz, etc. The scene is like an old-fashioned block party. Zone residents mingle with expats and tourists, who snap pictures of the octogenarians dancing the merengue and the bachata. Others who come are content to just sit in white plastic chairs, swaying and clapping. It's nice.
Calle Hostos at Calle Emiliano, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic -
7. Pantheon Nacional
Zona Colonial | Memorial/Monument/TombThe National Pantheon (circa 1714) was once a Jesuit monastery and later a theater. The real curiosity here is the military guard, who stays...
The National Pantheon (circa 1714) was once a Jesuit monastery and later a theater. The real curiosity here is the military guard, who stays as still as the statues, despite the schoolchildren who try to make him flinch.
Calle Las Damas, near Calle de Las Mercedes, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10211, Dominican Republic809-689–6010Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
8. Parque Colón
Zona Colonial | City ParkThe huge statue of Christopher Columbus in the park named after him dates from 1897 and is the work of sculptor Ernesto Gilbert. At the far...
The huge statue of Christopher Columbus in the park named after him dates from 1897 and is the work of sculptor Ernesto Gilbert. At the far end, the Catedral Primada de América is a landmark and most worthy of a visit. Like all the parks in the Zona Colonial, this one is quite a social gathering place, as is the sidewalk café across from it.
El Conde at Calle Arzobispo Meriño, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10211, Dominican Republic -
9. Plaza de Castro
Zona Colonial | City ParkCalle Las Damas dead-ends as it goes in the direction of the Malecón. Few people ever make it past the junction of Calle Padre Bellini, thinking...
Calle Las Damas dead-ends as it goes in the direction of the Malecón. Few people ever make it past the junction of Calle Padre Bellini, thinking there's nothing to see. If you keep walking past the convent (you may hear the nuns singing in the chapel), just keep going until the street actually stops; make a right turn, and you'll find yourself in this delightful little park. Known almost solely to residents of the Zone, the Plaza de Castro was not named after the Cuban dictator but rather a Dominican poet, Arturo Bautista Pellerano Castro. It's an enchanting green space, peaceful, and usually free of litter.
At south end of Calle Las Damas, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic -
10. Plaza de España
Zona Colonial | Plaza/SquareThis wide esplanade, which goes past the Casas de Reales in front of Don Diego Columbus's former palace, El Alcazar de Colón, is the area in...
This wide esplanade, which goes past the Casas de Reales in front of Don Diego Columbus's former palace, El Alcazar de Colón, is the area in the Zona Colonial where national holidays are celebrated. The annual Coca-Cola–sponsored Christmas tree is here. It's bordered by what once were the ramparts of the original walled city. People enjoy the views of the Ozama River from here, and watch the cruise-ship activity below at the terminal. Lovers stroll by night, sharing a kiss under the gas lamps. When many people talk about the Plaza de España, they are often referring to the half-dozen restaurants in a row, which are on the upper level of these 16th- and 17th-century warehouses. The popular tables are on their outdoor decks. Cultural performances are held on a stage across from the Plaza on certain weekends. Make dinner reservations on those nights and you'll have a special Santo Domingo experience.
Calle La Atarazana, Santo Domingo, Nacional, 10210, Dominican Republic
-
{{ (numCurrentPage-1)*numPageLimit+index+1 }}.
{{ item.neighborhood }} | {{ item.first_keyword }}{{ item.review_snippet }}...
{{ item.review }}
{{ item.address }}{{ item.phone[0] }}{{ item.details.title }} Details
{{ item.details.content }}View Tours and Activities -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
No sights Results
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Sights in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Around the Web
TOP
