[Top] 87 Calle de la Fortaleza (Fortaleza Street), San Juan

Calle de la Fortaleza (Fortaleza Street), San Juan (must see)

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 really stands out above the rest due to the display of umbrellas 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.

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 really stands out above the rest due to the display of umbrellas 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.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Juan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app “GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Calle de la Fortaleza (Fortaleza Street) on Map

Sight Name: Calle de la Fortaleza (Fortaleza Street)
Sight Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (See walking tours in San Juan)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Sight Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico (See walking tours in San Juan)

Sight Type: Shopping

Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Create Your Own Walk in San Juan

Creating your own self-guided walk in San Juan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Old San Juan Squares

A distinctive feature of Old San Juan is the number of quaint historic squares. Many of them are adorned with beautiful fountains, prominent monuments and intricate sculptures recounting rich history of this amazing city. Check out San Juan’s most popular squares on this self-guided walking tour!
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)

Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Old San Juan Walking Tour

Founded by Spanish colonists in 1509, at a site then known as “Puerto Rico” (which means Rich Port in Spanish), San Juan is the third oldest capital in the Americas established by Europeans. In 1521, the words “San Juan” were added to its official name, thus making it “San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico”. This was in keeping with the custom of christening the town with… view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)

Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

Souvenir Shopping

Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493. Among the crafts that followed the Spanish to the island was mundillo, a kind of decorative lace made of wooden bobbins. Over the next few centuries, the mundillo craft flourished on the island and today is one of the most popular local products sought after by visitors.
Being Caribbean, the country also… view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles

Being Caribbean, the country also… view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)

Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles

San Juan Historical Buildings

San Juan was founded by the Spanish in 1521, which makes it the third oldest European-established capital city on the American continent. Owning to its long history, the old town of San Juan is filled to the brim with heritage colonial buildings.
Chief among them, La Fortaleza is the longest-standing executive mansion in continuous use in America, whereas the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is… view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

Chief among them, La Fortaleza is the longest-standing executive mansion in continuous use in America, whereas the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista is… view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)

Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

13 Distinctively Puerto Rican Goods to Bring Home from San Juan

The uniqueness of Puerto Rico is partially associated with its political status – part of the United States yet with a Latin twist. Other than their widely-acknowledged musical talents, e.g. Carlos Santana and Ricky Martin, Puerto Rico is just as rich in many other good things. When you’re in…