As I noted before, Old San Juan is very walkable. You'll just about always be able to out walk the cars. Why anyone drives there is beyond me, unless they love gridlock.

Plaza del Quinto Centenario, on the approach to El Morro. The lamb and flag statue is part of the Spanish flag, if I recall rightly...

Many outdoor cafes dot the city. Or, if not outdoors per se, many doors and windows open to the street to bring in the breeze. I'm sure formal restaurants are around, too, although we didn't dine in any of them in OSJ.

Shopping is plentiful, including everything from tourist knick-knacks to local crafts to boutique clothing and art. We bought a couple of souvenirs from a shop that deals with local artists as opposed to the "local" crafts made in China.

Walking Tour

I pulled this from an unattributed article in Que Pasa magazine, one of those magazines you find in the hotel room. You can follow along on the Map of OSJ.

When you depart El Morro, you are heading to La Casita (which, by the way, is downhill). With El Morro at your back, go straight across Norzagaray Street and walk between the Plaza de Ballaji and the Antiguo Asilo de Beneficencia (the first building on your right is the Antiguo Manicomio Insular). As you walk down the street, the Plaza de Beneficencia will be on your left.

A typical street.

At the southwest corner of the plaza (El Morro is northwest of where you are standing) is the entrance to Casa Blanca. This is the original home of the Ponce de Leon family. The entrance to Casa Blanca faces San Sebastian St. Walk down San Sebastian to Cristo St.; the Plaza San Jose is on your left. This plaza is unmistakable with the statue of Ponce de Leon (made from a captured British cannon) set in its center.

The Iglesia San Jose, the Museo, Pablo Casals and the Museo de Nuestra Raiz Africana are part of the plaza. Go back to Cristo St. and walk downhill. At the next corner, on your right, is the Seminario Conciliar. Down the next block, and also on your right, is the El Convento Hotel (originally a Carmelite convent). The hotel faces the beautiful, small, tree-lined Plaza de la Catedral.

In front of this plaza is the historic Catedral de San Juan (construction started in 1540). In 1913 the body of Juan Ponce de Leon was buried in the cathedral. Directly across the plaza from the cathedral is the Museo del Niiio (children's museum).

If you are running out of time, there is a great shortcut from this plaza back to La Casita. Take the street on the south side of the plaza (El Convento is on the north) and walk downhill to the Puerta de San Juan (one of the original gates to the city). The last building on your right, before the gate, is the Museo Felisa Rincon de Gautier. The grounds on your left belong to La Fortaleza. Slightly uphill from the Puerta de San Juan (on your right) is the Plazuela de la Rogativa (with a great view of La Fortaleza).

Once you are through the gate, turning right takes you on a path that ends at the base of El Morro; turning left takes you down the Paseo de La Princesa. At the first open area on the Paseo you will find a beautiful fountain, Raices. Past that fountain on your left is the La Princesa building. Go to the end of the Paseo, and walk to the water on your right. La Casita will be in front of you.

An interesting window on a side street.

For a full tour, from the Plaza de la Catedral, continue down Cristo Street one more block to San Francisco Street and take a left. A block down San Francisco is the Plaza de Armas. This is the original main city square as evidenced by the Casa del Ayuntamiento (City Hall). This has been an important social meeting place for generations.

Retrace your steps to Cristo Street, and turn left. You will find yourself in one of the major shopping areas of Old San Juan (ranging from high-end jewelry to designer outlets). When you reach the part where the street is blocked off, turn right and walk to La Fortaleza. Originally designed as part of San Juan's defenses, La Fortaleza is now the executive mansion for the Governor of Puerto Rico. Tours are available in both English and Spanish.

Go back to Cristo Street and turn right. At the very end of the street is the Capilla del Cristo and (on your right) the Parque de las Palomas. The park is a famous place for families with young children to come and feed the pigeons. It also offers a great view of the cruise ship docks.

As you exit the park, stay to your right. On this street (Tetuan) you will find the Casa de Ramon Power y Giralt on your left. This is the home of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. They have very interesting and informative exhibits about conservation efforts in Puerto Rico. Continue down Tetuan until you reach San Justo street (your 3rd right). Turn right on San Justo and walk to the water. La Casita is on your left. This is only a sample of what there is to see and do in Old San Juan.

Old San Juan San Juan, Puerto Rico

Old San Juan
Cathedral of San Juan
Plaza San Jose
Museums
Parque de las Palomas
Plaza de Armas
Walking Around
Large Map of Old San Juan (slow: 150K)
Jumbo Map of Old San Juan (monstrously slow: 798K)