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All 87 Panama City Attractions »

The Old City (Casco Viejo)

Avenida Central, Panama
As featured in 3 days in Panama City
Ranked #11 of 42 attractions in Panama City
4.0 of 5 stars 504 Reviews
Type: Historic Walking Areas, Historic Sites, Neighborhoods
Activities: City walk sightseeing, Walking
Fee: No
Description: This charming old community’s churches, pedestrian walkways and historical plazas and palaces make it a must-see on any tour.
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504 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    196
    77
    20
    5
Date Rating
Warren, Massachusetts
Top Contributor
524 reviews 524 reviews
Reviews in 180 cities Reviews in 180 cities
1,568 helpful votes 1,568 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

I visited only a small portion of the Old City of Panama while on a Collette Vacations tour, but found the area interesting and worthy of a visit. Our group was dropped off with our guide at Plaza Herrera, a small park with flowering trees surrounding a bronze equestrian statue. It was Sunday and a few people were spending time... More

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Birmingham
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

I loved the old Spanish buildings, and quality gift shops and street markets. Very different to downtown in architecture.Unfortunately, much of it was under construction when I was there. More

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calgary,alberta
Top Contributor
55 reviews 55 reviews
Reviews in 29 cities Reviews in 29 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2012 NEW

nice to spend an afternoon walking around lots of old buildings undergoing renovations also the Presidents residence and office. Nicknamed the white house. Great restaurants and lots of parks and rest areas More

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Malaysia
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012 NEW

I like the architecture, clobbered street and history. I dislike all the rennovations and construction going on. It is taking a toll on the beauty of the place and the business of the residents. More

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Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

what a great afternoon. Started at the iner oceanic museum in the heart of casco viejo and then ventured out on foot to explore the great little streets surrounding the main square.As we left the museum we Fell into a great little beer and pizza spot of all things just to the right down a small street. Nice size pizza... More

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Dallas, Texas
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

Went to Panama Viejo to see the ruins. It's right outside a poor section of Panama City, and not too safe. There are placards outside some of the larger structures, but no guides, no visitor center, curio shops. Seems like they could do a lot more with a tourist attraction More

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San Antonio, Texas
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 16, 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

This is a beautiful area to go at sunset. It is a great place to walk around, but I would advise against it at night. We had a driver that would always drive us around town. He took us down one evening, we walked around a bit, but he stayed very close to ensure our safety. It a very seedy... More

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Eden Prairie, Minnesota
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2012

Great restraunts with amazing views of the city.... More

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Torekov, Sweden
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2012

We stayed in the modern part of Panama city (Calle Uruguay) and it was soo nice to get to the old part, to breathe out. Enjoy good food and a good coffee, didn't find any good shopping though.. If you have been out travelling for a long time you will love Gourmet Super a mini market/café with all you can... More

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Two Rivers Wi
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 13, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Much information is available in the Tour Center. The old church tower has a viewing area at the top of it, which has a nice view of the Pacific, and of part of Panama City. More

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