Panama Viejo Ruins: Explore Historic Cathedral Tower

Explore the iconic ruins of Panama La Vieja and visit the cathedral tower with a skip-the-line ticket. Discover the national symbols and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Panama La Vieja - Visiting the Panama Viejo Historical Monument Complex is an opportunity to discover the history of the first city founded by the Spanish on the Pacific coast of the American continent as well as the remains of its Pre-Hispanic inhabitants. Below we provide some advice for you to plan your visit.
    The circuit around the Panama…
What's Included
  • Admission Ticket included
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to/from attractions
Additional Information

One of the key emblems of the nation is the ruins of Panama Viejo, particularly its cathedral tower. This location serves as a primary tourist spot in Panama City and a leisurely walking area for both locals and international tourists. It is the focus of one of the country’s most extensive research and preservation efforts dedicated to a historical…

Location
Panama La Vieja
Via Cinquantenaire,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(38 Ratings)
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Companion20992012302
Jan 4, 2026
It was a relaxing day, Exploring the ruins of old Panama and learning about the people who shaped Panama. - A relaxing day learning about the people and the history that shaped Panama. They do have a tram which will take you around if you don’t want to walk.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donna_k
Dec 19, 2025
we did a self tour but we... - we did a self tour but we were able to read the history and take pictures. we were there four 3 hours
Review provided by Viator
857geoffh
Nov 28, 2025
A must see experience - This is a must see experience in Panama City. You walk through the ruins of Panama's early settlement and then you immerse yourself in the exhibits and displays in the Museo de la Plaza Mayor. There's no problem with the exhibits in the museum because they are explained in both Spanish and English. There's a particularly interesting section on the "pirate" attacks on the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dagoramos_
Oct 22, 2025
Panama La Vieja 🇵🇦 - A historic and impressive site that tells the history of the old Panama City. It is easy to get to, they offer transportation services from the ticket office to the ruins and you can travel it freely. The views are very beautiful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geraldeve_l
Sep 19, 2025
Old Panamá - A nice history lesson. Perfect for a stroll back in time. I think this area is a good place for a photo shoot.
Review provided by Viator
Marilyn_c
Feb 8, 2026
Interesting site - I went there on a cloudy day and there was a little breeze. It was the perfect temperature to walk around the site and climb in the tower. Up there, the view of the city is incredible.
Review provided by Viator
Agm9
Jan 2, 2026
Ruins of the First City - It remains the ruins of what was Panama City's very first city, dating from 1519 and destroyed in 1671 by the Welsh pirate Henry Morgan. The city was certainly rebuilt by the Spanish, but in a more favorable place. These episodes are very well explained at the Museo de la Plaza Mayor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_y
Sep 3, 2025
Interesting history of... - Interesting history of the old settlement before Casco Viejo. The ruins were cool to look at and the viewpoint from the top of the tower was beautiful
Review provided by Viator
Cedric
May 5, 2025
A bit overpriced. - Historical site, definitely enjoyable, you can have a nice view of the city from the top of the tower. It’s a bit of walk inside but they provide transportation from the entrance to the center. Although, for the price they charge, 17usd, there isn’t much more than just ruins of stone buildings. The museum is decent but not extraordinary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rudyszymon
Mar 11, 2025
The original Panama City - The city was destroyed by Cpt. Morgan in the 1600s and never rebuilt. Not too many buildings left. The small museum explains the history of this settlement.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $15
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).