Top 10 Best Things to Do in Panama
left-leaf
trip-best

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Panama

right-leaf
Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
2026 Global 100
2026 Global 100 image
Innovation Award
Innovation Award image
Contact Us
facebook icon
instagram icon
tiktok icon
󰴉
Theme filters
Theme filters
  • San Felipetop_1
    󰺂8.1
    Panama City.Casco Viejo
    Highlights:
    Panama Canal history & construction
    󰀆Panama Canal history multimedia
    󱨠59% positive reviews
    4.9/5
    WB2021WB2021

    Obviously a must visit if you're in the city. This is the older part of the city and its historical center. It features old colonial houses, albeit many are being restored, so there is a slight gentrification aspect to the district. Nevertheless, walking through the streets lined with pastel colored houses is gorgeous. You could easily spend a morning or afternoon strolling through the districts various streets, while resting in the many open spaces when you're tired. Also a nice place to grab a bit to eat!

  • Panama Canaltop_2
    󰺂7.6
    Corregimiento de Cristobal
    Highlights:
    󱓊Panoramic views of ships passing
    󱨜82-mile canal links Atlantic & Pacific
    󱨠35% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    中西南北东中西南北东

    When discussing the Panama Canal, the Bridge of the Americas is an indispensable attraction. The Bridge of the Americas is not only a milestone in the history of bridge engineering and a symbol of geographical and cultural exchange between North and South America, but also the first bridge to reconnect the land transportation between the two continents. Although its transportation function has been partially replaced by the century-old bridge, its historical value and architectural aesthetics still make it an important landmark in the Panama Canal Zone, attracting numerous tourists. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Panama Canal and the passing ships from the bridge, a position and visual experience far superior to that of the canal locks. However, you cannot stop while driving across the bridge. A quick glance across is all it takes. Pedestrians, on the other hand, face considerable difficulty and some danger when trying to cross the bridge. Firstly, there are no navigation maps or travel guides to help; secondly, even if you venture out to experience the feeling of being connected to both oceans, you might find that there are very narrow pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle lanes on both sides of the bridge, which are not properly integrated with the approach ramps. The approach bridges are all expressways, with no bike lanes. You have to use a long stretch of expressway, with cars whizzing past you, which is quite dangerous. I spent two hours crossing the bridge and only encountered one other person riding a bicycle across it.

  • Plaza de Franciatop_3
    󰺂6.4
    Panama City.Casco Viejo
    Highlights:
    󰀆Panoramic views & Atlantic Ocean
    󱨜Unique dining & specialty shops nearby
    󱨠40% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    中西南北东中西南北东

    This is a tourist attraction in Panama City's Old Town, resembling a former castle. Standing high up, you can see Panama Bay and the city skyline. Looking down, you can see pelicans resting on the rocks. Looking north, you can see the Bridge of the Americas. Locals also choose this spot for wedding photos.

  • Old Panama
    4
    󰺂6.3
    Parque Lefevre.Panama Viejo
    Highlights:
    󰋄Street performances & cultural interactions
    󱓊Fusion of Western & American architecture
    󱨠44% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    中西南北东中西南北东

    Plaza Francia, also known as the French Square, is a scenic spot in Panama City's Old Town. Resembling a former castle, it stands on a high point, offering panoramic views of Panama Bay and the city skyline. Looking down, you can spot pelicans resting on the rocks, and to the north, the Bridge of the Americas. Locals also choose this spot for wedding photos. The square also boasts a towering obelisk, commemorating the French workers who built the canal. Atop it stands a bronze sculpture of the Gallic rooster, a symbol of France (more on this in previous notes and reviews). It seems the cost of the early construction of the Panama Canal was immense.

  • Panama Canal Museum
    5
    󰺂6.3
    Panama City.Casco Viejo
    Highlights:
    󱓊Museum with rich architectural style
    󱨜Watch ships pass the canal
    󱨠36% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    M25***40M25***40

    I was completely new to this museum. I only had one regret: I didn't rent a $5 English radio. The exhibits were all in Spanish and I could only sift through the essentials.

  • Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria the Ancient
    6
    󰺂6.0
    Panama City.Casco Viejo
    Highlights:
    󱨜Where Baroque and Gothic styles blend
    󰋄Admire the exquisite wood carvings in the church
    4.6/5
    M32***23M32***23

    There happened to be a free choir performance on the day we visited the cathedral. The acoustics were wonderful. Very soulful and charming. And there was that big moving indicator hanging high up in the dome pointing to a white page on the floor. This showed that earthquake movement was visible. The architecture and icons were beautiful. It was easy to feel the peace here. It's a beautiful building.

  • Bridge of the Americas
    7
    󰺂5.6
    Veracruz
    Highlights:
    Panama City & Pacific views
    󱓊First bridge over Panama Canal
    4.0/5
    中西南北东中西南北东

    The Panama Canal Bridge is not only a milestone in engineering history and a symbol of geographical and cultural exchange between North and South America, but also the first bridge to reconnect land transportation between the two continents. Although its transportation function has been partially replaced by the Century Bridge, its historical value and architectural aesthetics still make it an important landmark in the Panama Canal Zone, attracting numerous tourists who can enjoy views of the Panama Canal and passing ships from the bridge. However, getting onto the bridge is quite a hassle; there are practically no navigation maps to help you, and no designated pedestrian or non-motorized vehicle lanes.

  • BioMuseo
    8
    󰺂4.6
    Ancon
    Highlights:
    󱓊Vibrant canopy showcases isthmus views
    󱓊14-foot glass wall & photos
    4.7/5
    M25***40M25***40

    Panama's Biodiversity Museum was designed by Frank Gehry, a Pulitzer Prize winner. It is located at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal, overlooking the Bridge of Americas. The colorful roof panels are very Latin-style buildings, and those who are interested in architecture should not miss it.

  • San Jose Church
    9
    󰺂4.5
    Bethania
    Highlights:
    󰋄Unique district with diverse architecture
    󰀆Spanish architecture in Old Town
    4.5/5
    M25***40M25***40

    This church is from the colonial period and it has a gilded altar. It is an example of the Spanish influence in the American colonies. Walking around the old Panama City is a wonderful experience.

  • Soberania National Park
    10
    󰺂4.1
    Ancon
    Highlights:
    󱓊Campers can overnight in nature
    󰋄Wildlife habitats & plantation trails
    4.7/5
    M25***40M25***40

    The pickup for the day went very smoothly. Our guide for the day was Miguel Ibarra, who was very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. With his help, we saw many beautiful birds, frogs, monkeys, sloths, etc. The tour started with a pickup from the hotel, but it was definitely worth it!

What Best Things to Do are there in Panama?
These are all Best Things to Do in Panama:San Felipe, Panama Canal, Plaza de Francia, Old Panama, Panama Canal Museum
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Panama?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Panama include:San Felipe:4.9, Panama Canal:4.7, Plaza de Francia:4.7, Old Panama:4.6, Panama Canal Museum:4.6
At what locations in Panama can Best Things to Do in Panama be found?
The Best Things to Do in Panama are mainly located in:San Felipe:Panama City, Panama Canal:Corregimiento de Cristobal, Plaza de Francia:Panama City, Old Panama:Parque Lefevre, Panama Canal Museum:Panama City
󰴉