Founded by Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th century, this first city of the New World is where Columbus lived and is buried. Today, the entire colonial district, Zona Colonial, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many of the historic buildings house museums, restaurants, and hotels..
This impressive basilica, located on the south side of Parque Colón, was completed in 1540 and was the first cathedral built in the Americas. It is not a ruin but a functioning place of worship that still preserves many of the original features from the 16th century.
The liveliest and most attractive square in the city. Musicians and street artists frequent the square. On the south side of the square is the First Cathedral of America, the first cathedral built in America. Built in the early 16th century and completed in 1540, its actual name is the Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor.
Built in the first half of the 16th century, this impressive structure was originally constructed by orders from Spain and designed to house the most important governmental offices of the New World. In the 1970s, it was converted into a museum to showcase the history and culture of the region.
Plaza España is a very large and open square on the edge of the Colonial Zone, near the Ozama River. Often the site of events and public gatherings, this is not an intimate square where one would go to sit on a bench and have a coffee under a tree.
It's an ideal option for touring the Colonial Zone, visiting the most important historical points of interest.
The ruins of the Monastery of San Francisco are one of the most important historical sites in the Dominican Republic. The first monastery built in the New World, it stands as a symbol of the trials and tribulations that have afflicted this city over the centuries.
Located in a 16th-century building, the Chocolate Museum and Factory is an educational experience and a fun way to learn about the cocoa industry in the Dominican Republic. You can taste chocolate pieces and chocolate drinks or try beauty products made from cocoa.
The best place to visit in Santo Domingo for outdoor dining is El Conde Street. This pedestrian street runs from Independence Square to Columbus Park and a bit further to the Ozama River. The most beautiful section is closest to the river around Columbus Park, where most of the restaurants are located.
At the western end of El Conde Street, Independence Park commemorates Dominican Independence. Entering through the enormous Puerta del Conde (Gate of the Count), the plaza is lined with busts leading to the Altar of the Fatherland (Altar of the Nation), a mausoleum where the founders of the Dominican Republic rest. The names Sánchez, Duarte, and Mella are prominently displayed inside.
It's an amazing place to see good examples of amber and learn about this fossilized resin. Even if you're not interested in visiting museums, it's worth seeing the visually stunning exhibits here..
Old convent from the first half of the 16th century. Established in 1530 under the care of devout women for the seclusion of girls and maidens of all ages, Spaniards and mestizos who are wandering the land. It was the first Dominican Beaterio in Santo Domingo, before its transfer to the Regina Angelorum Convent.
