1 Day Old San Juan Itinerary: Must See Old San Juan
Are you looking for an action-packed itinerary for Old San Juan? Then look no further! This 1 day in Old San Juan itinerary will take you to all the best spots and must sees in just one day. Whether you’re a first time visitor, back for more, or even a local, be sure to add these stops to your bucket list!
Why Visit Old San Juan?
Puerto Rico is the perfect getaway since it’s only 2.5 hours from Miami by plane. Since it’s a U.S. territory, United States’ citizens don’t even need a passport to enter. But there is much more to Puerto Rico than the beautiful beaches you see in travel magazines (although those are amazing, no doubt). If you’re visiting Puerto Rico, you absolutely have to visit Old San Juan, a city steeped in rich history at every turn.
That’s why I’ve created the ultimate Old San Juan itinerary.
Old San Juan is – you guessed it – OLD. It’s actually the second oldest city in the Western Hemisphere. Founded way back in 1521 by Juan Ponce de León (who also happened to be Puerto Rico’s first governor), visiting this ancient city will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.
The second thing to know about Old San Juan is that it’s very small. The entire city is contained within 7 square blocks which include more than 400 carefully restores 16 and 17th century Spanish colonial building. Lucky for us, this means that one day in Old San Juan is usually just enough time to finish everything on our Old San Juan Itinerary. You can definitely stick around for two days if you want to take your time, but one day will be sufficient for all the things you must see in Old San Juan.
Without further ado, here is my complete Old San Juan Itinerary for one fantastic day in this city.
Things To Do in Old San Juan During the Day
Take Instagrammable Photos
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a photoshoot! Wake up early and walk along the vibrant streets of Old San Juan to get some amazing shots of this colorful city before the crowds come out. It’s already pretty bustling by 9am.
Here are some of my favorite photo spots:
- Calle San Justo – The historic buildings and cobblestone streets make for a perfect backdrop.
- Calle De la Cruz – Colorful houses galore!
- Calle de la Luna
- Calle de San Jose
- Calle Norzagaray – More colorful houses and doors. See picture 3 below.
- 63 C. Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico – This street is famous for its ever-changing decor. It’s gone from a Puerto Rican flag to colorful umbrellas to butterflies. No matter what, it always makes for a great photo op!
- Caleta de las Monjas – The street looks down at the ocean with beautiful colored buildings on either side.
- Street next to Hotel El Convento – Just walk around this area; there are TONS of great photo spots.
- Callejon de la Puerta Bandera on Calle Imperial – Here, you’ll find a door that has been painted to look like the Puerto Rican flag. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in Old San Juan. This is the 4th picture down below.
Explore El Castillo San Felipe del Morro
If you love history, then exploring El Castillo San Felipe del Morro should be at the top of your list. This 16th-century fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Puerto Rico.
The views from El Morro are absolutely stunning, so be sure to take your time and walk around the entire property.
It’s open from 9:30am-4:30pm, and admission is $10. If you only have one day in Old San Juan, then I recommend starting your day as early as possible. Hit all the Insta-worthy spots before it gets too busy, then arrive here at the Castillo San Felipe right when it opens at 9:30am.
Castillo San Cristóbal
Castillo San Cristóbal was built by the Spanish in 1783. To date, it’s the largest fortification covering around 27 acres of land. This is another must-see for any history buff, but it’s still really cool and worth visiting even if history isn’t your thing.
Visiting Castilla San Cristóbal takes you back in time 400 year, and it makes you feel like you’re in a different world, a different era. There are several different levels to explore, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time, especially because you’ll want to keep stopping for photo ops. Every angle is great!
It’s where we took our far away pics on a wall. Every angle is great for taking photos.
Admission is $10 and it’s open from 9:30am-4:30pm.
Act Like A Tourist
You can’t miss the I LOVE PR sign and I LOVE SJ signs. It’s super touristy, yes, but nothing screams “I’ve love Puerto Rico” like a photo in front of these signs. The I LOVE PR sign is near where the cruise ships pulls in, and it was much more picturesque than the I LOVE SJ sign, which is in the center of town and had a lovely dumpster right behind it when I was there.
Pet the Friendly Cats at Save a Gato
Are you a cat lover? Then Save a Gato is the place for you! This local cat sanctuary is home many rescued strays from the streets of Old San Juan. Don’t worry, they are very well taken care of, and some are up for adoption. and well taken care of. Some are SUPER friendly while others prefer to keep to themselves.
Save a Gato is free to visit, but donations are always appreciated. Bring treats if you want to make some feline friends!
Things to Do in Old San Juan at Night
Bustling Nightlife
If you enjoyed Old San Juan during the day, just wait until the sun sets. Old San Juan comes alive at night with a vibrant nightlife scene. There are tons of bars and clubs to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that suits your taste. If you’re looking for a party, head to Calle San Sebastian. It’s closed off to traffic and lined with bars, making it the perfect place to bar hop!
As I mentioned earlier, Old San Juan is a very walkable city, making it super easy to bar hop.
You’ll find most of the bars along Calle San Sebastian. You don’t have to worry about driving or taking a taxi from bar to bar because you can just walk. According to reviews, some of the best bars in the area are La Factoría, Nono’s, and The Canon Club.
Must Eat in Old San Juan
I’m a firm believer that the food is one of, if not the best part of traveling and vacations, and Old San Juan is no exception! Here are some of my favorites.
Chococafe
Chococafe is a must for any chocolate lover. They have a wide variety of chocolate-related items, from pancakes to hot chocolate. They also have a small museum and gallery on the second floor where you can learn about the history of the family. The staff is very friendly and makes you feel at home. It’s a short walk from the cruise port, so it’s easy to get to.
Caficultura
Caficultura is the perfect place to go for a leisurely breakfast or lunch. The food is spectacular and delicious, and the service is great. Max got mocha pancakes, I got breakfast burger. The portion sizes are also very generous, so come here if you’re feeling hungry! Seating is fairly limited, but it’s definitely worth the wait.
The Caficultura side street has a pretty cobblestone alley with lots of colorful buildings on either side. It’s a great place to take photos!
Waffle-Era Tea Room
If you’re looking for a place to have a leisurely breakfast with an amazing view, look no further than Waffle-era Tea Room. The creme brûlée waffle is to die for, and the view is simply breathtaking. The downside is that tables are limited, so you may have to wait for a bit. But it’s definitely worth it!
Mofongo
Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made with protein and smashed plantains. This is probably one of the most popular and most common Puerto Rican dishes, so this is a must-try! It’s likely that anywhere you go will have their version of this dish for you to try.
Alcapurria
The alcapurria is a fritter dish from Puerto Rico. It’s made from taro root, green bananas, and often stuffed with meat. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the alcapurria from La Vergüenza. It’s a foot long! Plus, La Vergüenza Puertorrican Chinchorro (try saying that 5x fast) is an ocean-view rooftop bar and restaurant specializing in Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine with fantastic views of La Perla neighborhood and the Atlantic Ocean. Come for the food, and stay for the views!
Señor Paleta
I first became obsessed with palettes back in 2019 when I studied abroad in Spain, so I was thrilled to discover Señor Paleta in Puerto Rico. Señor Paleta is a must visit for any ice cream lover. They have a wide variety of popsicles to choose from, and they’re all incredibly tasty. My personal favorite is the strawberry filled with Nutella then dipped in milk chocolate. The coconut-Nutella was a close second!
Piña Colada
Piña coladas are my all time favorite go to drink, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that piña coladas are the official drink of Puerto Rico! Old San Juan, Puerto Rico claims to have invented the piña colada, specifically the restaurant Barrachina. Trying a piña colada in its birthplace is a MUST.
Day Trips from Old San Juan
Hopefully you’re not visiting the beautiful island of Puerto Rico for just one day! Although you only need one day in Old San Juan, you could easily spend another few days taking various day trips. Here are a few of my favorites.
Enjoy the Beach
Venture outside of Old San Juan to not so Old San Juan (just known as San Juan), and enjoy one of the beautiful beaches. I recommend either Isla Verde or Condado. You can’t go wrong with either if you’re looking for a fun-filled beach day. They’re both great for swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching. Plus, the surrounding areas are filled with great places to eat and shop.
Culebra & the World-Famous Flamenco Beach
Unlike Condado and Isla Verde on the mainland, Culebra is a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico that is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Flamenco beach. It’s known for its clear turquoise waters and fine white sand. You can get here via boat or plane.
For more information, check out my detailed post about my day trip to Culebra.
El Yunque
My favorite thing about Puerto Rico is the vast diversity on such a small island. Not only does it have colorful cities, historic fortresses, bustling nightlife, and beautiful beaches, but it also has El Yunque. El Yunque is a tropical rainforest just 45 minutes from Old San Juan, and it’s a must-visit for any nature lover or adventure seeker! There are several hiking trails to choose from, each with its own unique features. You can swim in natural pools, dive in lagoons, or go bird watching. I even went down a natural waterslide, jumped into a waterfall, and jumped on a rope swing before falling to the refreshing water below. Not only is a day at El Yunque guaranteed fun, but all the scenery here is absolutely breathtaking.
