The squares and museums of Casco Antiguo, the Miraflores Locks and the Biomuseo, then the ruins of Panama Viejo and a walk in the city rainforest.
3 days, 20 stopsBalanced paceJan to AprApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Casco Antiguo, the Canal Museum and the Mola Museum
The squares of Casco Antiguo, the Canal and Mola museums, a view from the old wall and dinner among the plazas.
Check the weekday. Panama Canal Museum is closed on Mondays. Mola Museum is closed on Mondays.
1
9:00 AMPlaza de la Independencia and CathedralStart on the main square, the old center of the walled city, before the heat builds. Check the cathedral hours at the door.About 1 hour here
Check opening hours
Walk about 2 min
2
10:00 AMPanama Canal MuseumClosed Mondays; open 9 AM to 6 PM the rest of the week. Allow about 90 min for the galleries on the Canal.About 2 hours 15 min here
Pay at the door, $[fee]
Walk about 12 min
3
12:30 PMPlaza Santa AnaHave lunch around the square where the old-town walk begins, and look in at the Coca-Cola Café.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 12 min
4
2:00 PMMola MuseumFree entry and closed Mondays; open to 4:30 PM Tuesday to Friday. Allow about an hour to see the layered molas.About 1 hour 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 3 min
5
3:30 PMOptionalChurch of San JoséLook for the gold altar inside this church. Hours can change, so check the door before you go in.About 45 min here
Check opening hours
Walk about 8 min
6
4:30 PMPlaza de Francia and Las BóvedasWalk the old wall at Las Bóvedas for views of Panama Bay and the Pacific, then read the French Canal monuments.About 1 hour 45 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 8 min
7
6:30 PMPlaza HerreraPick one of the restaurants around the square for dinner; Casco Antiguo is also known for rooftop bars at sunset.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Plan around MondaysThe Canal and Mola museums, the Biomuseo, Panama Viejo and the Museum of Contemporary Art are closed on Mondays.
Check the ship scheduleShips pass through the Miraflores Locks at set times, so check the schedule on the Canal Authority site before you go.
Use a MiBus cardBuy a MiBus card at the airport or an official sales point for buses and the Metro, and use ride-hailing apps in the city.
Wear light clothes and a hatDays are hot and humid, especially between May and December, so carry water and sunscreen.
Use official taxisUse ride-hailing apps, pre-booked taxis or those from your hotel, and avoid unofficial taxis, where travelers have been robbed.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in or near Casco Antiguo to walk to day 1, or along the Cinta Costera for taxis to the locks and Panama Viejo.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
