Casco Viejo: the ultimate guide

The Casco sits on a small peninsula at the southern end of Panama City, a 10-15 minute Uber ride from downtown (or Metro Line 1 to 5 de Mayo plus a 15-minute walk). The whole neighborhood is walkable: cobblestone streets, plazas, churches and balconies dripping with bougainvillea, with the modern skyline glittering across the bay as a permanent backdrop.

Go early in the morning to beat the midday heat and have the streets to yourself for photos — the Casco at 8 a.m. is a different world from the Casco at 8 p.m., and both are worth seeing.

Plaza de Francia. Start at the southern tip: this seaside plaza honors the French workers who first attempted the Canal in 1880. The views of the Bridge of the Americas and the Canal entrance are spectacular, and the vaults beneath the plaza (Las Bóvedas) house galleries and shops.

The National Theater.Opened in 1908, a neoclassical jewel with a French-baroque interior. If there's an opera or ballet on, it's absolutely worth it.

San José Church & the Golden Altar. This 18th-century church holds the legendary gold-leaf altar that — so the story goes — was saved from pirate Henry Morgan by being painted black.

Plaza de la Independencia.The epicenter of the Casco, where Panama's independence was declared. The restored stone towers of the Metropolitan Cathedral dominate the square, ringed by artisan ice cream shops, cafés and the Panama Canal Museum.

The street art.The Casco is an urban canvas — walk with your eyes open and you'll find murals on almost every corner, especially on the quieter side streets.

Sunset is when the Casco earns its reputation. The neighborhood's rooftops range from the iconic 360° views over old and new city, to creative cocktail bars with weekend DJs, to laid-back hostel rooftops with small pools and cheap drinks. There's also a local craft brewery with an open-air terrace if beer is more your thing. Pick one for golden hour and another for after dinner — they're all within walking distance of each other.

The Casco has quietly become one of Latin America's best food neighborhoods: tasting menus built on local ingredients (one celebrated spot seats only 16 diners and lets the chef decide everything), modern Panamanian cooking, and casual tapas with views of Plaza de Francia. For something more local, the Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market) is a 10-minute walk along the coastal belt — fresh ceviche at local prices, standing up if you have to.

Craving Panamanian classics? Read our guide to entering Panama and explore every restaurant on the PlanPTY interactive map.

The Casco is safe by day, with a visible tourist police presence since 2020. At night, stay on the main lit streets where the action is, skip empty blocks and buildings under construction, and keep valuables discreet. Wear comfortable shoes (cobblestones are unforgiving), carry water, and remember many galleries stay open late on First Fridays with free wine and live music.