Panama City itinerary: 1 to 3 days
Plans for one to three days in Panama City, day by day: Casco Viejo, the Palacio de las Garzas and Panamá Viejo first, then Ancon Hill, the Causeway Islands, the Biomuseo and the Miraflores Locks, and the Metropolitan Natural Park on day three. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Panama City in 1 day
Day 1
Casco Viejo, Panama
Panama City's colonial old quarter and UNESCO site, with plazas, churches, balconies, restaurants and views of the skyline across the bay.
Palacio de las Garzas
The Herons' Palace, seat of Panama's president, a colonial building with a courtyard where herons roam; visits are limited.
Panamá Viejo
Ruins of the original Spanish city, founded in 1519 and burned by pirates in 1671, with a tall cathedral tower and a museum.
Panama City in 2 days
Day 1
Ancon Hill
A 199-metre hill above the city with a flag at the top, a short trail and wide views of the canal and Casco Viejo.
Casco Viejo, Panama
Panama City's colonial old quarter and UNESCO site, with plazas, churches, balconies, restaurants and views of the skyline across the bay.
Palacio de las Garzas
The Herons' Palace, seat of Panama's president, a colonial building with a courtyard where herons roam; visits are limited.
Panamá Viejo
Ruins of the original Spanish city, founded in 1519 and burned by pirates in 1671, with a tall cathedral tower and a museum.
Day 2
Causeway Islands
Four small islands joined by a causeway at the canal entrance, with a cycle path, restaurants and views of the skyline and ships.
Biomuseo
Museum of biodiversity designed by Frank Gehry on the Amador Causeway, with a colourful roof and galleries on the isthmus's natural history.
Miraflores Locks
Panama Canal locks with a visitor centre, museum and observation decks where ships pass through, best watched in the morning.
Panama City in 3 days
Day 1
Ancon Hill
A 199-metre hill above the city with a flag at the top, a short trail and wide views of the canal and Casco Viejo.
Casco Viejo, Panama
Panama City's colonial old quarter and UNESCO site, with plazas, churches, balconies, restaurants and views of the skyline across the bay.
Palacio de las Garzas
The Herons' Palace, seat of Panama's president, a colonial building with a courtyard where herons roam; visits are limited.
Panamá Viejo
Ruins of the original Spanish city, founded in 1519 and burned by pirates in 1671, with a tall cathedral tower and a museum.
Day 2
Causeway Islands
Four small islands joined by a causeway at the canal entrance, with a cycle path, restaurants and views of the skyline and ships.
Biomuseo
Museum of biodiversity designed by Frank Gehry on the Amador Causeway, with a colourful roof and galleries on the isthmus's natural history.
Miraflores Locks
Panama Canal locks with a visitor centre, museum and observation decks where ships pass through, best watched in the morning.
Day 3
Metropolitan Natural Park
Tropical dry forest reserve inside the city, with short trails, wildlife such as sloths and monkeys, and a lookout over the skyline.
Watch: Panama City
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Panama City
The dry season runs from mid-December to April and is the best time for sights and walking, though it is also the busiest. The wet season from May to November brings afternoon downpours, so plan outdoor stops for the morning. It is warm and humid all year, and Carnival in February or March brings large crowds.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Panama City on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Panama City on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Panama City on GetYourGuide
- From the airport: a private transfer in Panama City with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Panama from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Panama City with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Panama City
- Casco Viejo is best explored on foot, in the morning or late afternoon, since midday is hot and humid.
- Bring photo ID or a passport copy; some government buildings, including the Palacio de las Garzas, check identity at the entrance.
- Metropolitan Natural Park and Ancon Hill have steep, sometimes slippery trails, so wear closed shoes and carry water.
- Panamá Viejo, the Causeway Islands and the Miraflores Locks are spread out; use taxis or ride-hailing and agree the route before you start.
- Many museums and sights are closed on Mondays, so check opening days before fixing the order.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Ancon Hill: Kiam-shim, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Biomuseo: user:ArnoldReinhold, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Casco Viejo, Panama: Garcia.dennis, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Causeway Islands: Editorpana, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Metropolitan Natural Park: LWY from Pasadena, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Miraflores Locks: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Palacio de las Garzas: Anelita Cocoa Celis, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Panamá Viejo: Melpanama, CC BY 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
