Plaza de Colón

San Juan


Tracing its roots back more than a century to the 400-year anniversary of Columbus' first expedition, Plaza de Colón is dominated by its towering statue of Columbus atop a pillar. Ringed with tall trees and outdoor cafes, the plaza sees a lot of action. At this end of Old San Juan, the city wall was torn down in 1897 and the plaza stands on the site of one of the city’s original gated entries, Puerta Santiago.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby San Juan attractions

1. Museo del Mar

0.05 MILES

This small maritime museum is home to an impressive collection of model boats – from 15th-century galleons to modern-day cruise ships – as well as…

2. Iglesia San Francisco de Asís

0.11 MILES

Built in 1756 by Third Order Franciscans, this atmospheric old church is the perfect place to pause in a pew. Note the thickness of the original walls,…

3. Castillo San Cristóbal

0.13 MILES

The city's second major fort is one of the largest Spanish-built military installations in the Americas. In its prime, it covered 27 acres with a maze of…

4. Paseo de la Princesa

0.29 MILES

Conjuring up a distinctly European feel, broad Paseo de la Princesa is a 19th-century esplanade just outside the city walls. Lined with antique…

5. Alcaldía

0.31 MILES

Towering over the Plaza de Armas, the Alcaldía, which dates from 1789, has twin turrets resembling those of its counterpart in Madrid. This building…

6. Plaza de Armas

0.31 MILES

This is the city’s de-facto central square, laid out in the 16th century with the classic look of plazas from Madrid to Mexico. A highlight is the…

7. Casa Ramón Power y Giralt

0.32 MILES

Once the residence of a political reformer and Puerto Rico’s first representative to the Spanish court, this 18th-century house is now the headquarters of…

8. Palacio de la Real Intendencia

0.34 MILES

The imposing Palacio de la Real Intendencia sits on the western edge of the Plaza de Armas. Built in the 19th century, this neoclassical beauty houses the…

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