Old San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of the most photogenic places i have ever been. It seemed that everywhere you turn, there are photo opportunities. I couldn’t put my camera down! Wandering the streets of Old San Juan, I simply stumbled upon one photo spot after another. Colorful streets, old Castello walls, sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the most photogenic hotel I have ever stayed at, what more could you ask for in a city? Below are the most photo worthy spots in Old San Juan.
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The street of La Fortaleza, leading to the government building is one of the most instagramable streets I have ever come across. This street is an especially photo worthy street in Old San Juan. Colorful buildings line this car-free cobblestone street leading up to La Fortaleza. No cars make for post card perfect photos! In the Spring and Summer, La Fortaleza is decorated with colorful kites and umbrellas making this street even more photo worthy. Umbrellas have decorated this street for the past year, thus La Fortaleza is often referred to as the Umbrella Street San Juan.
La Fortaleza, 63 Calle Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
San Juan National Historic Site
San Juan National Historic Site includes includes Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, most of the city walls, the San Juan Gate and Fort San Juan de la Cruz. It is one of the biggest and most photographed areas of Old San Juan. I walked along the length of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, photographing each rampart along the way. The fort walls make for an especially Instragammable spot in the San Juan National Historic Site.
San Juan, 00926, Puerto Rico
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is the most photogenic cemetery I have ever seen. And this is perhaps the only Instagrammable cemetery in the world. The location in Old San Juan makes Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery such a photo worthy spot. This cemetery is located amid the San Juan National Historic Site, facing the Atlantic Ocean. This cemetery is so eye catching, it’s easy to see why it’s photographed so frequently.
Calle Cementerio, San Juan, 00926, Puerto Rico
Plaza de Armas
The open space, fountain and bright buildings make Plaza de Armas extremely photo worthy. In the center of Old San Juan, this plaza is the perfect spot to stop for coffee and people watch.
0 Calle 9, Guaynabo, San Juan 00969, Puerto Rico
Caleta de as Monjas
There is an array of colorful streets in Old San Juan, yet none as perfectly pastel as this one. This cobblestone street weaves down toward the water taking the most Instagrammable route from Hotel el Convento to Plaza de la Rogativa. While the pastel hues are eye catching, the way the sunlight hits the street is what sets Caleta de as Monjas apart. Caleta de as Monjas is exceptionally beautiful at sunrise when the sun is softly shining parallel to the street.
Caleta de las Monjas, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Plaza de la Rogativa
While there are no shortage of photogenic walls in Old San Juan, my favorite part of the wall is found at the Plaza de la Rogativa. In this Oceanside plaza, there are wonderful views of both the sea and walls. Here, you are able to get the perfect photo of the walls of Old San Juan. Both the walls and the water are visible in photos from the Plaza de la Rogativa, which is unlike other parts of the walls. Additionally, this plaza is located away from the San Juan National Historic Site. The plaza is relatively quiet, making it the perfect spot to photograph.
Caleta de las Monjas, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican Flag Door
This iconic Puerto Rican flag door has been revamped in the past couple years. Initially this door was painted the color of the Puerto Rican flag: red, white and blue. The door has been repainted black to signify Puerto Rico’s financial crisis. While the door is no longer as vibrant as it once was, it still makes for one of the top San Juan photo spots! The flag is painted on the door of an abandoned building in San Juan, next to vibrant buildings, making it an interesting backdrop for a photo.
51 Calle San José, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
The Colorful Streets
There are no shortage of colorful streets in Old San Juan. Simply wandering the streets, you are sure to come across photo worthy spots. Old San Juan is relatively small so you’ll come across most of the photo spots by just walking around. Aside from the specific photo spots, I knew I wanted to photograph an array colorful walls and colonial doors. Some of my favorite finds include a quiet street full of colorful houses and a vibrant orange wall with the Puerto Rican flag.
Calle Imperial, San Juan, 00916, Puerto Rico
Hotel El Convento
One of the most photo worthy spots in Old San Juan is Hotel El Convento. Every corning of this hotel is extremely photogenic. Hotel El Convento is located in the heart of Old San Juan, making it easy to explore and find all the photo spots. Book your stay at Hotel El Convento to experience it for yourself. If you don’t have a chance to stay at this hotel, be sure to stop by on your photo tour of Old San Juan. The alleyway behind Hotel El Convento is perhaps the most photo worthy spot in Old San Juan. Click here to book your stay at Hotel El Convento!
Check out my full review of Hotel El Convento here!
100 Calle del Cristo, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Check out the map below for the Most Photo Worthy Spots in Old San Juan
Looking to take some amazing photos in Puerto Rico? Don’t forget to bring these photography essentials!
SUCH beautiful spots and so much history, too. It really is picture perfect. You picked such lovely locations!