Legends of Casco Viejo Tour in Panama City - Uncover Hidden Gems with Local Guide and Umbrellas
by Panama Vibes
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$74Overview
The Legends of Casco Viejo Tour in Panama City lasts between two and three hours and is led by a licensed local guide. The tour begins at Plaza Tomas Herrera in Casco Viejo, the historic district also known as San Felipe. Participants walk through the cobblestone streets and several alleys, exploring various points of interest while uncovering stories and legends related to Panama's past. The route includes a visit to an artisan market featuring traditional hats, dresses, souvenirs, and murals. The group passes by Iglesia Santa Ana, a church destroyed by fire in 1854 and renovated in the twentieth century, as well as the oldest Panamanian restaurant in town. The tour continues to Iglesia de la Merced, a 17th-century church with its original stone façade brought from Old Panama after the 1671 attack. Other historic churches known for their Golden Altars, baroque masterpieces that survived the 1671 raid, are also included. The guide points out the Government Ministry building and the Old Convent of Santo Domingo, which preserves El Arco Chato, a flat arch important during Panama Canal negotiations. The tour proceeds to Plaza Carlos V and the National Theater, designed in neoclassical style by Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri and inaugurated in 1908, notable for sculptures and medallions honoring famous artists. Next is Paseo de Las Bovedas, the vaulted walls that once served as city defenses around Plaza de Francia. The group sees Palacio de las Garzas, the presidential palace that also houses the Ministry of the Presidency and Institutional Protection Service. Independence Square, or Plaza de la Independencia, is the main public space in Casco Viejo, surrounded by the Cathedral, Municipal Palace, and Panama Canal Museum. Plaza Bolivar, named after Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar, features a sculpture of Bolívar beneath a condor. The final stop is the old Spanish military headquarters, later used by Colombian forces and prisons, now honoring the French contribution to the Panama Canal project. The tour ends along the city walls facing the Pacific Ocean, where participants can shop for handicrafts from local artisans. Umbrellas are provided in case of rain. Entrance fees to churches are not included, and some churches may request a small donation. The tour is offered in a small-group format for a more personal experience. Guests can choose to meet at the starting point or opt for hotel pickup and drop-off within Panama City.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Panama City
You can either start the tour from a meeting point or choose hotel pickup in Panama City Downtown. The guide follows all biosecurity protocols and welcomes you to the tour.
5 min
Casco Viejo
Walk through Panama City’s historic district, also called San Felipe, visiting the main sites while the guide shares the area's history.
5 min
Plaza Tomas Herrera
This plaza serves as the tour’s departure point.
10 min
Artisan Market and Murals
Spend time exploring a market offering artisan products like traditional hats and dresses, plus souvenirs. See some of Panama City’s most notable graffiti murals.
20 min
Iglesia Santa Ana Panama
Pass by this church which was destroyed by fire in 1854 and fully restored during the twentieth century.
Oldest Restaurant in Town
Pass by the oldest restaurant in the city.
Iglesia de la Merced
See this 17th-century church. Its original stone façade was brought from Old Panama after the 1671 attack.
20 min
Drive-by
Pass by notable sites without stopping.
Historic Church with Golden Altar
Pass by a church known for its Golden Altar, a baroque artwork that survived the 1671 raid on Old Panama.
10 min
Historic Church with Golden Altar
Continue passing by the same church famous for its Golden Altar, a baroque piece that remained intact after the 1671 attack.
20 min
Government Ministry
Pass by a government ministry building.
Old Convent of Santo Domingo
View the remains of this convent from the late 18th century which includes EL ARCO CHATO (Flat Arch). This arch was important during Panama Canal negotiations between the United States and France.
10 min
Plaza Carlos V
Pass through this plaza.
National Theater
See the National Theater, designed by Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri in neoclassical style and inaugurated on October 1, 1908. Its facade features sculptures representing the muses of music and lyrics, plus six medallions honoring Wagner, Shakespeare, Moliere, Rossini, Cervantes, and Lope de Vega.
Paseo de Las Bovedas
Visit the set of walls known as Las Bóvedas, forming the defenses around Plaza de Francia. It includes seven vaulted spaces that were part of the city’s fortifications.
15 min
Palacio de las Garzas
See the Palace of Las Garzas, home to the President of Panama, the Ministry of the Presidency, and the Institutional Protection Service.
15 min
Independence Square
Stop at Plaza de la Independencia, the main public space in Old Town. It marks Panama’s independence from Spain and Colombia and is surrounded by landmarks like the Cathedral, Municipal Palace, and Panama Canal Museum. Pink flowers decorate the plaza during summer.
15 min
Plaza Bolivar
This small square, originally called San Francisco, was renamed in 1883 to honor General Simón Bolívar. At its center stands a statue of Bolívar beneath a large condor with an inscription honoring him as liberator.
15 min
Tour End Point
End the tour where the Spanish military headquarters once stood, later used by Colombian forces and prisons. The site honors the French effort in the Panama Canal project. Walk the walls by the sea with views of the Pacific Ocean and browse handicrafts by local artisans. You may choose to return to the starting point, arrange hotel transport, or stay to enjoy local food.
10 min
Meeting point
The meeting point is at monument of Tomas Herrera right in the middle of Herrera Square in Casco Viejo. Just in front of the American Trade Hotel. Your guide will be holding a "PanamaVibes" sign.
End point
The meeting point is at monument of Tomas Herrera right in the middle of Herrera Square in Casco Viejo. Just in front of the American Trade Hotel. Your guide will be holding a "PanamaVibes" sign.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Legends of Casco Viejo Tour in Panama City - Uncover Hidden Gems with Local Guide and Umbrellas
by Panama Vibes
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$74Overview
The Legends of Casco Viejo Tour in Panama City lasts between two and three hours and is led by a licensed local guide. The tour begins at Plaza Tomas Herrera in Casco Viejo, the historic district also known as San Felipe. Participants walk through the cobblestone streets and several alleys, exploring various points of interest while uncovering stories and legends related to Panama's past. The route includes a visit to an artisan market featuring traditional hats, dresses, souvenirs, and murals. The group passes by Iglesia Santa Ana, a church destroyed by fire in 1854 and renovated in the twentieth century, as well as the oldest Panamanian restaurant in town. The tour continues to Iglesia de la Merced, a 17th-century church with its original stone façade brought from Old Panama after the 1671 attack. Other historic churches known for their Golden Altars, baroque masterpieces that survived the 1671 raid, are also included. The guide points out the Government Ministry building and the Old Convent of Santo Domingo, which preserves El Arco Chato, a flat arch important during Panama Canal negotiations. The tour proceeds to Plaza Carlos V and the National Theater, designed in neoclassical style by Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri and inaugurated in 1908, notable for sculptures and medallions honoring famous artists. Next is Paseo de Las Bovedas, the vaulted walls that once served as city defenses around Plaza de Francia. The group sees Palacio de las Garzas, the presidential palace that also houses the Ministry of the Presidency and Institutional Protection Service. Independence Square, or Plaza de la Independencia, is the main public space in Casco Viejo, surrounded by the Cathedral, Municipal Palace, and Panama Canal Museum. Plaza Bolivar, named after Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar, features a sculpture of Bolívar beneath a condor. The final stop is the old Spanish military headquarters, later used by Colombian forces and prisons, now honoring the French contribution to the Panama Canal project. The tour ends along the city walls facing the Pacific Ocean, where participants can shop for handicrafts from local artisans. Umbrellas are provided in case of rain. Entrance fees to churches are not included, and some churches may request a small donation. The tour is offered in a small-group format for a more personal experience. Guests can choose to meet at the starting point or opt for hotel pickup and drop-off within Panama City.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Panama City
You can either start the tour from a meeting point or choose hotel pickup in Panama City Downtown. The guide follows all biosecurity protocols and welcomes you to the tour.
5 min
Casco Viejo
Walk through Panama City’s historic district, also called San Felipe, visiting the main sites while the guide shares the area's history.
5 min
Plaza Tomas Herrera
This plaza serves as the tour’s departure point.
10 min
Artisan Market and Murals
Spend time exploring a market offering artisan products like traditional hats and dresses, plus souvenirs. See some of Panama City’s most notable graffiti murals.
20 min
Iglesia Santa Ana Panama
Pass by this church which was destroyed by fire in 1854 and fully restored during the twentieth century.
Oldest Restaurant in Town
Pass by the oldest restaurant in the city.
Iglesia de la Merced
See this 17th-century church. Its original stone façade was brought from Old Panama after the 1671 attack.
20 min
Drive-by
Pass by notable sites without stopping.
Historic Church with Golden Altar
Pass by a church known for its Golden Altar, a baroque artwork that survived the 1671 raid on Old Panama.
10 min
Historic Church with Golden Altar
Continue passing by the same church famous for its Golden Altar, a baroque piece that remained intact after the 1671 attack.
20 min
Government Ministry
Pass by a government ministry building.
Old Convent of Santo Domingo
View the remains of this convent from the late 18th century which includes EL ARCO CHATO (Flat Arch). This arch was important during Panama Canal negotiations between the United States and France.
10 min
Plaza Carlos V
Pass through this plaza.
National Theater
See the National Theater, designed by Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri in neoclassical style and inaugurated on October 1, 1908. Its facade features sculptures representing the muses of music and lyrics, plus six medallions honoring Wagner, Shakespeare, Moliere, Rossini, Cervantes, and Lope de Vega.
Paseo de Las Bovedas
Visit the set of walls known as Las Bóvedas, forming the defenses around Plaza de Francia. It includes seven vaulted spaces that were part of the city’s fortifications.
15 min
Palacio de las Garzas
See the Palace of Las Garzas, home to the President of Panama, the Ministry of the Presidency, and the Institutional Protection Service.
15 min
Independence Square
Stop at Plaza de la Independencia, the main public space in Old Town. It marks Panama’s independence from Spain and Colombia and is surrounded by landmarks like the Cathedral, Municipal Palace, and Panama Canal Museum. Pink flowers decorate the plaza during summer.
15 min
Plaza Bolivar
This small square, originally called San Francisco, was renamed in 1883 to honor General Simón Bolívar. At its center stands a statue of Bolívar beneath a large condor with an inscription honoring him as liberator.
15 min
Tour End Point
End the tour where the Spanish military headquarters once stood, later used by Colombian forces and prisons. The site honors the French effort in the Panama Canal project. Walk the walls by the sea with views of the Pacific Ocean and browse handicrafts by local artisans. You may choose to return to the starting point, arrange hotel transport, or stay to enjoy local food.
10 min
Meeting point
The meeting point is at monument of Tomas Herrera right in the middle of Herrera Square in Casco Viejo. Just in front of the American Trade Hotel. Your guide will be holding a "PanamaVibes" sign.
End point
The meeting point is at monument of Tomas Herrera right in the middle of Herrera Square in Casco Viejo. Just in front of the American Trade Hotel. Your guide will be holding a "PanamaVibes" sign.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.