The Fort San Felipe del Morro, or simply El Morro, is a 16th-century citadel on the northwestern tip of the San Juan islet, named in honor of King Philip II of Spain. It was the second military installation, after La Fortaleza, built in what is now known as the Old Town.

The construction began in 1539, authorized by King Charles V, and was finished in 1790. During that period, El Morro had been transformed from a promontory mounted with a cannon to a six-level fortress designed to guard the entrance to the bay of San Juan from seaborne invaders. Many more structures were added to the complex over the next 400 years; the outer walls, built initially 6 feet (1.8 m) thick, were augmented to 18 feet (5.5 m) by the end of the 18th century.

Thanks to El Morro, the Spanish were able to defend Puerto Rico from invasions by the British and the Dutch, as well as pirates. In 1898, following the Spanish-American War, the island changed hands from Spain to the United States. El Morro was actively used as a military installation during the First and Second World Wars.

In 1961, the US Army retired El Morro, passing it on to the National Park Service to use it as a museum. In 1983, El Morro and the walled city of Old San Juan were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tips:
A ticket to El Morro allows entry to the Castillo San Cristóbal (and vice versa) for a single fee.

Built in the late 1700s, the San Juan Gate is a giant (40 feet high) structure, the last remaining of the original five gates carved into the three-mile wall that once surrounded the city. Today, the wall wraps around Old San Juan, from the cruise ship piers on San Juan Harbor to the capitol on the Atlantic.

Originally, each gate had a designated function. The red gate of San Juan played a symbolic role, serving as the main entrance to the city, and was named in honor of Saint John the Baptist. The first thing you notice approaching it is the inscription of The Sanctus ("Holy") hymn from the Catholic liturgy.

The city wall is the most enduring symbol of Puerto Rico and was built by the Spanish between 1539 and 1782. Made of sandstone, rubble, and mortar blocks – 20 feet thick, the wall measures 45 feet wide and 40 feet high in some parts and was meant to protect San Juan from invaders, notably the English, the Dutch, and the Americans. Its iconic sentry boxes now symbolize the island's Spanish heritage and resilience in an ever-changing world.

Nearly impenetrable to foreign attack, the city wall proved defenseless, nonetheless, against modern automobile traffic, pollution, and misguided attempts to preserve it that have seriously endangered the wall, leaving it crumbling in some places.

Currently a National Historic Site, the city wall is maintained by the National Park Service which attempts to recreate the magic mixture of sand, water, and limestone that was once used to stucco the wall. Along with the adjoining fortresses of El Morro and San Cristóbal, the city wall attracts 1.2 million visitors each year.

Tip:
As you walk through the gate, just pause for a second and notice how thick the walls really are. Also, check out the street vendors outside, on the corner, offering refreshments including Puerto Ricans' favorite, piragua.

No trip to San Juan is complete without a stroll along the beautiful Princess Promenade, a carefully restored historic landmark, one of the most visited in the capital. Built in 1853, this esplanade skirts the curved city walls on the southern side of Old San Juan and is quite picture-perfect, with the San Juan Bay on the one side and the impressive fortification walls on the other.

The Promenade is equally suited for both walking and people-watching. It is also a great place to visit for families with children – easily accessible and traffic-free. The abundance of trees here provides plenty of shade, and there are lots of artisan stalls and street vendors selling local food. The area also often hosts festivals and fairs on weekends.

From here, you can make a slight detour to the narrow path, known as Paseo El Morro, leading to the historic El Morro Fort and the nearby San Juan Gate, which is the only city gate remaining from the colonial period.

Princess Promenade gets its name from an old 1837 building, located here, known as La Princesa. Originally, this building served as a municipal prison, although presently it houses the headquarters of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and an art gallery.

In San Juan, ordering up a cup of coffee or a “cafecito” is a part of just about everyone’s day. People gather at almost any hour at one of the old city’s outdoor plazas sipping a coffee engaged in lively conversation with friends. Coffee was once one of Puerto Rico’s top exports until a decline in production forced most of the smaller coffee plantations to close. Recently, there has been a resurgence of small family farms producing coffee and a handful of micro-roasteries and coffeehouses have opened, serving single-origin coffee grown in the island’s interior mountains.

One of the newest to open in San Juan’s historical old city is Cuatro Sombras – which means Four Shades (or shadows) and refers to the four different trees that provide shade to their coffee beans while they grow. The Santa Clara coffee farm had closed its doors like many others in Puerto Rico in the mid 1950’s. Fortunately, descendants of the original family decided to dedicate themselves to reviving the farm. As a result, Cuatro Sombras, certified for making specialty coffee, now offers their crisp, clean tasting coffee to local coffee lovers and visitors alike.

An 8-ounce latte costs $2.09. Price: 8 oz. bag of coffee beans $11.77 including tax.

What to buy here: Puerto Rican Coffee.

Standing guard at the eastern gate, north of Columbus Square, is an imposing 18th-century fortress, called San Cristóbal. Contrary to her sister, El Morro, which was designed to protect from attacks by sea, the San Cristóbal Fort guarded the city against the enemy approaching by land, for which purpose it created a crossfire with El Morro over the bay. The citadel construction began in 1634 and was meant to strengthen the Spanish position in the face of imminent English and Dutch invasion.

The fort was named San Cristóbal in celebration of the Spanish victories which enabled ejecting of the English and Dutch interlopers from the island of the same name in the Lesser Antilles, which was then part of the insular territorial glacis of Puerto Rico.

When finished in 1783, the Fort San Cristóbal covered nearly 27 acres of land and practically wrapped around the whole of San Juan, with the entry to the city sealed by the San Cristóbal's double gates. After almost 100 years of relative peace, about a third of the fortification was demolished, in 1897, to help ease the flow of traffic in and out of the walled city.

The Fort San Cristóbal is now a listed National Historic Site. It is particularly worth visiting as the largest fortification ever built by the Spanish in the New World, where the first shots of the Spanish-American War were fired. If you're a keen photographer, San Cristobal is a goldmine of panoramic views of the coast, from Old San Juan to Condado and beyond.

Tip:
Guided tours by local rangers visit the extensive tunnel system connecting various sections of the fort. There is an exhibition of military clothing. Be sure to visit the overlook for the Devil's Sentry Box ("Garita del Diablo"), from which, according to legends, soldiers mysteriously disappeared. Tickets to San Cristobal or El Morro can be used to enter either of the forts.

Proudly presiding over the bay of San Juan is the imposing La Fortaleza (Fortress), formally known as the Palace of Santa Catalina, the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The narrow road leading to the building, called Fortaleza Street, is the main artery of San Juan's historic quarter, cutting through most of it, and is also the oldest street in the area. It starts from Columbus Square and for the whole of its duration is lined with governmental buildings, hotels, perfumeries, craft shops, jewelry stores, and restaurants, gradually transforming into Avenue Juan Ponce de León in the east.

Just like many other colorful cobblestone streets in Old San Juan, each one more photogenic than the other, this thoroughfare is an important tourist attraction, in large part due to its historical and cultural significance. Visiting Fortaleza Street should be an integral part of every Old San Juan itinerary.

While the walled-in Old City has no shortage of vibrant photo spots, Fortaleza Street stands out above the rest due to the display of umbrellas – at the end of the street, near La Fortaleza itself – creating an overhead canopy that makes it particularly recognizable. These umbrellas tend to change colors during the year, from rainbow to all pink. Before the umbrellas, La Fortaleza Street was adorned with colorful kites.

Art is everywhere in San Juan and art and crafts shops can be found throughout the narrow, winding cobblestone streets of the old city. Many of the artists have been schooled at one of the local art institutes while some are simply self-taught.

Ceramics are one specialty that you will see in many different shops and galleries but at Puerto Rico Art & Crafts artisans have a unique opportunity to show off their creations. The store allows artists to have their own shelf or wall to display their work. Located in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rican Arts and Crafts will surprise you with its outstanding collection of oil and acrylic paintings, great watercolors, beautiful sculptures, fine ceramics, traditional hand-carved figures, handmade jewelry and other excellent items.

The ceramics really stand out here with larger items like colorful plates and bowls to smaller objects such as cups and vases. The shop is located in a restored Spanish colonial building in the heart of Old San Juan and artists from around the island are featured here at different times during the year. Price: $6-$900.

The Butterfly People Gallery located on the premises is dedicated to magnificent butterfly artwork and a wonderful place to shop. Visitors can admire the art collection and buy exotic butterflies encased in acrylic, which is an excellent and inventive gift for any occasion.

When you first walk into The Butterfly People shop in San Juan’s old city, you feel as if you just walked into an exotic butterfly garden. You are surrounded by Lucite encasements of butterflies of a variety of different species and in every color you can imagine. The shop has a beautiful garden in the back and the light makes everything in the store sparkle. The butterflies glow and shine through their plexiglass boxes which are small enough to fit in your bag or large enough to cover a wall. The butterflies look as though they might fly right out at you.

Of course, they won’t, they’re not alive, but they are preserved carefully in artful settings by Resat Revan and his wife Cirene, who buy butterflies from native sellers in tropical locations around the world. On top of their shop is their studio where Resat designs and produces these beautiful and vivid displays. A piece of butterfly art features anywhere from two to one hundred butterflies. Price: $30-$3,000.

What to buy here: Puerto Rican Ceramics, Butterfly Art.

Music is definitely a key part of Puerto Rican culture and the island is known for several instruments and their unique musical sounds. Today, Puerto Rico is often associated with its popular reggaeton and also salsa. But the island’s more traditional music includes Bomba, Plena and Danza, all very distinct musical styles that have evolved to some degree, but have long histories. Bomba and Plena come from West African musical traditions, and often tell a story through words and the music.

One of the instruments you will most likely find accompanying Bomba or a Plena or any Puerto Rican folk music for that matter is the Guiro. The Guiro is believed to have originated with the indigenous Taino Indians. This percussion instrument is made from a hollowed-out gourd with parallel grooves carved into its surface and makes a rasping sound when stroked up and down with a scraper.

The straighter and more consistent the grooves of the Guiro, the better the quality of the instrument. The Guiro, often played by a singer, comes in several different sizes. Price: $8-$16.

What to buy here: Guiro.

Hammock weaving has long been a specialty in the Puerto Rican town of San Sebastian, located in northwest corner of the island. The town even hosts a hammock festival in July. Legend has it that hammock weaving, like so many of the arts and craft making in Puerto Rico, has been handed down from the Taino Indians. Even the word “hammock” was most likely derived from the Taino word for this comfortable lounging chair, “hamaca.”

While most hammocks are designed and made in small towns across the island by individual craftspeople, you can find these authentic and durable hammocks being sold in a handful of places in the city of San Juan. The hammocks are made from cotton and cord and are sometimes dyed in bright colors. They come in a variety of sizes, like a chair for one person, or a double for two people. Some hammocks can even hold up to 450 pounds. Price: $50-$200.

What to buy here: Puerto Rican Hammocks.

Arms Square is the de-facto central square of San Juan. Over the years, it has changed several names relative to the functions it served. Initially, in 1521, it was called Vegetables Square. Then, during the 17th-19th centuries, it was known as Arms Square, for being the grounds for military drills. After that, in the early 20th century, it turned back to being called Vegetables Square once again, serving as a marketplace, before it finally re-assumed the Arms Square title.

The plaza is modeled on the classic squares of Madrid and Mexico City. Although it factually existed for centuries, it was not until 1840 that the city council approved its proper development, which started in 1851. It was at that time that the four bronze statues, oil-coated to simulate marble, representing Commerce, Industry, Science, and the Arts, arrived here (there were a total of eight statues to be installed, but the other four were lost). In 1872, the original statues were replaced with the new marble ones, representing the Four Seasons, put in the four corners of the square.

In 1955, two circular fountains and two lampposts in the center were added. The four statues were then configured in a circular fountain outside the Palacio de la Real Intendencia, which is the seat of the Department of State of Puerto Rico, on the western side of the square.

A highlight of the northern side is the Casa Alcaldía – home of the San Juan City Hall. Built in 1789, this Spanish colonial-style edifice with twin turrets resembles its sister building in Madrid. The tinkling of the fountain, the comfortable seating in the shade of the trees, and the presence of several old-style coffee booths selling snacks have long attracted tourists as a good spot for a sightseeing break when you can stretch out your feet and soak up some of the everyday comings and goings.

The laid-back atmosphere of the place also made it a popular gathering venue with locals, offering a chance to buy kids some traditional treats (like sesame-seed lollipops or coconut candies), watch shows, play dominoes, or chit-chat with friends.

The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is the Roman Catholic temple and the seat of the Archdiocese of San Juan de Puerto Rico. This is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan and the second-oldest operational church in the Americas. Traditionally, travelers entering San Juan Gate would make this cathedral their first stop in the city to thank God for their safe journey.

It sits on the site of a grammar school, established in 1513 by Bishop Alonso Manso. This was the first school in Puerto Rico (and the oldest school in the United States after Puerto Rico became a US territory). Here, the Latin language, literature, history, science, art, philosophy, and theology were taught free of charge.

The very first, wooden, church on this spot was built in 1521. It was destroyed by a hurricane, and the current temple of stone was built in its place, in 1540. The church was remodeled several times over the course of centuries, most recently in 1917.

The cathedral contains the tomb of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. It also houses a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago, the first Puerto Rican and the first Caribbean-born layperson (much as the first layperson in the history of the United States) to be beatified.

The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is also unique as a rare example of medieval Spanish architecture in the New World.

Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside the walls of Fort San Felipe del Morro fortress, one of the island's most famous landmarks.

It was named in honor of Saint Maria Magdalena de Pazzi. The location of the cemetery is central to the Puerto Rican belief in the separation of death and life. The colonial Spanish government at the time the construction of the cemetery commenced, viewed death with fear because it was a mystery. Therefore, they decided to build the cemetery to overlook the Atlantic Ocean to symbolize the spirit's journey to cross over to the afterlife.