San Felipe, Panama

San Felipe is a historic district in Panama City that sits on a peninsula with grid-laid streets and numerous colonial buildings. The area preserves sections of defensive walls from the 17th century and contains many restaurants, hotels, and museums within a small compact area.

The district arose in 1673 as a new administrative center after pirate Henry Morgan destroyed the first Panama City in 1671. The grid layout and early buildings reflect a deliberate shift in how the settlement was designed from its predecessor.

The streets and squares show a blend of Spanish colonial design and Caribbean influences that shape how the neighborhood looks today. Walking through the narrow lanes, you notice how residents and visitors use these spaces and how the buildings frame daily life.

The district is compact and easy to explore on foot, whether with guided tours or independently. Most visitors can walk through the area in a few hours while stopping at restaurants and museums along the way.

Many buildings in the district were constructed using stone blocks salvaged from the ruins of the original Panama City and transported here after 1671. These recycled materials literally connect the old and new cities together.