Casco Viejo Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Casco Viejo. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Uncover Hidden Gems

• Half-Day City and Panama Canal Tour

• Half-Day of Panama City and Canal Tour: Shared and Private

• Award-Winning Private Classic VW Safari: Panama City Tours

• The OG Crawl by The Panama Barcrawl - (Panama City, Panama)

It’s free to visit Casco Viejo on your own—but many travelers find that a tour adds to the experience of the area. Tours of the historic neighborhood start at US$37, with options ranging from history-focused walking tours to salsa-dancing classes and multi-site tours across Panama City and beyond.

Yes, Casco Viejo is worth visiting. The UNESCO–listed neighborhood contains some of Panama City's most historic places, with colorful colonial-era architecture and stylish cafés. It has museums to visit, churches to explore, and cobblestone streets that lead to the water's edge—where you'll find some of the city's best sunset views.

Per one customer who booked the Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Uncover Hidden Gems, "Alex was an outstanding guide on the Legends of Casco Viejo Tour—he's genuinely interesting, super engaging, and clearly passionate about his neighborhood in a way that makes you fall in love with it too. He brought the area's rich history to life with the perfect mix of captivating legends, fascinating facts, and personal stories that made every church, colorful facade, and government building feel meaningful and alive."

Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo or Old Quarter, is the historic district of Panama City that was established in 1673. It’s now a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site. Popular landmarks to visit in Casco Viejo include the Plaza de Francia, the Church of San Jose, and the Canal Museum.

Yes, there are multiple guided tours available to explore the history, culture, and sights of Casco Viejo. Some tour providers have physical locations in Old Town, while others arrange tours online and provide transportation from your hotel—both in other parts of Panama City and in nearby cities—to Casco Viejo.

Finca Del Mar is a top-rated restaurant in Casco Viejo near France Square, known for its fresh ceviche and mojitos. La Fishería Seafood is another popular seafood restaurant located in Old Town Plaza Herrera. Diablicos, near Plazoleta Medio Baluarte, is a favorite for traditional Panamanian food.

Casco Viejo is located at the southern tip of Panama City. Bus routes run through the city, and the closest metro station is Estacion 5 de Mayo. The easiest way to visit is either taking a taxi or joining a guided tour of Casco Viejo that has convenient pick-up options from your hotel.

Yes, one of the most popular churches that tourists visit in Casco Viejo is the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient, which was originally built in 1796. Located on Independence Square, the church is open throughout the day and is an active place of worship, so please be courteous.

Yes, Casco Viejo is generally safe for people visiting Panama City’s historic district. Police patrol the area, and it’s well-established as a popular tourist area. As always, be mindful when walking alone or at night, or consider booking a guided tour with transportation if you feel uncomfortable.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Casco Viejo. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Panama City:

• Panama Canal

• Amador Causeway

• Miraflores Locks

• Bridge of the Americas

• Gatún Lake

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Panama City.