San Juan Attractions

Top Things to Do in San Juan

Things to Do in San Juan

For shopping, fusion food, and great nightlife, Old San Juan is where it’s at. For more adventure, excursions to nearby El Yunque and other natural wonders have you covered.

Book these experiences for a close-up look at San Juan.


Top Attractions in San Juan

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
Historic Sites
An esplanade greets you as you walk towards the Fort San Felipe del Morro. Surrounded by grassy hills, the stone castle rises majestically from the headland. And while El Morro may be an impressive sight from land, it is a terrifying experience to encounter it head on by sea. And for many attackers, it was the very last thing they saw. This fortress has seen many battles over the centuries, from Sir Francis Drake's attack in 1595 to the 1898 Bombardment of San Juan by the US Navy. In 1539 King Charles I ordered the construction of San Felipe del Morro and other fortifications on the islet of San Juan. Over the years, Spanish, Italian, Irish and American engineers perfected San Juan's defense system, of which el Morro was an essential part. After crossing the stone bridge over the dry moat, you'll walk right into a spacious courtyard that harbor leads you into the castle's more "domestic" areas, such as the kitchen and the chapel. Nevertheless, this is just one of the six levels that form el Morro. On the upper level, you'll find the lighthouse that was restored by the American Coast Guard in 1908. One of the greatest things about this vantage point is that you can see most of San Juan and the bay across from it. Park rangers will guide you throughout the massive fortification, which still houses original cannons, ammunition, and many other objects used by the Spanish militia in Puerto Rico. El Morro was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, and is currently under the administration of the National Park Service.
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From quick jaunts to full-day outings.





*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Nadine C
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Art, history, food, drinks, culture- OSJ has it all! Take some time and see what the US Caribbean is all about. OSJ has something for everyone. Despite the negative reviews- as long as you aren’t seeking trouble, OSJ is about as safe as any other major city. Keep your wits about yourself and be kind. You may actually gain some humility and appreciation for the culture. Plenty of small museums, galleries and shopping to keep everyone happy!
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David
    Canton, MI306 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a great piece of history, it just makes you wonder how this structure was built way back then. This was a stop on our excursion so we only had about 30 minutes to explore the entire Fort. Enjoyed a bit of history of what we could get in. I would recommend at least a 3 hour stay to soak it all in.
    Written 25 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GinnyK
    Choctaw, OK13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Easy walk from cruise ship piers. It is uphill some of the way. We docked early morning do the fort was not open yet but we were able to walk around the grounds. The scenery is lovely. It’s worth the walk to look at the ocean from this historic site.
    Written 9 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kate N
    Worcester, MA9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is definitely a must visit if going to San Juan. The fort itself is massive, and you could spend hours exploring all the different parts. There are a lot of steps and a lot of walking, so anyone considering going should keep that in mind. It offers educational materials as well as beautiful spots for photos. Park staff were very friendly as well.
    Written 4 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GinnyK
    Choctaw, OK13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is easy to find in old San Juan. The fountain is so lovely and full of detail so spend some time looking at it. Very peaceful and not crowded. Continue along the path to see some beautiful scenery!
    Written 9 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • psudino
    Weehawken, NJ4,150 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a great gallery right next to Plaza de Armas. It's got a great layout and the artwork was fun. My favorite painting by far was the interpretation of VSJ, which is attached to this review as one of my photos. You'll only need about 10-20 minutes here, but if you are at the Plaza de Armas, it's worth the visit.
    Written 29 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sylvia G
    Cedar Hill, TX878 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful church. The ceilings are so pretty. You can purcahse a candle to place at one of the santos of your choice. They also take donations at the door but not required. If stairs are a problem. You can go in through the side parking lot. I believe you have two steps.
    Written 23 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marie
    Portland, OR3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the most beautiful museums I’ve ever visited. There was interactive art and moving exhibits, too. The botanical garden was gorgeous, too. I would definitely go back to show it off.
    Written 9 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • psudino
    Weehawken, NJ4,150 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The entire street runs from the east end to the west end of VSJ. The majority of the street is loaded with shops and restaurants. However, what this street is most famous for is west of Calle del Cristo, which is the Los Paraguas de la Fortaleza, aka the Umbrella Path. That is the path that is normally pictured, but it's not always umbrellas. I've seen umbrellas but I've also seen kites. I've been told that they will also hang giant flags during certain times of the year too. Either way if you visit VSJ, you will most likely end up on this street.
    Written 29 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kate N
    Worcester, MA9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The art exhibits were very interesting! They managed to connect history and art together in a creative but informative fashion. Unfortunately there were a few exhibits that were not open (Colonization and the Spanish and Indigenous Peoples of the Americas) that I was looking forward to viewing. Wouldn’t recommend for young kids, but older may be able to engage in what the museum has to offer. Took us about 1.5 hours for the 3 exhibits. Writing/descriptions of the pieces and history were offered in both English and Spanish.
    Written 4 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GeneralShamu
    New York City, NY1,114 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Walked through here as part of a day in Old San Juan. Lot of history and great views of the bay from here. Find a route that makes sense and go from there...
    Written 26 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kate N
    Worcester, MA9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous beach with a good amount of surf. The water was beautiful as well. There were a lot of rocks, so it was important for swimmers to be cautious while in the water. There were people selling food and ice cream, so we didn’t worry about bringing anything but water with us. There are bathrooms, changing areas and a paid parking lot. We spotted lots of cats that live on the beach too!
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Juan