I have to admit, before I booked my flight, I hesitated. For decades, the headlines coming out of San Salvador El Salvador were anything but welcoming. But as I sat in a coffee shop back home, scrolling through photos of volcanic craters and rainbow lit churches, I realized the narrative had changed. I wanted to see it for myself.
When I finally landed, the city I found wasn’t a place of danger; it was a place of vibrant resurrection. The streets were alive with energy, families were walking through plazas at sunset, and the smell of corn dough roasting on clay griddles pupusas, of course seemed to be everywhere. If you are looking for places to visit in El Salvador Central America, the capital is no longer just a layover. It is a destination.
During my time exploring the cities in El Salvador, I found that the capital offers a mix of raw nature and deep, often tragic, history that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s gritty, it’s real, and it’s incredibly welcoming.
If you are planning a trip and wondering about the best things to do in El Salvador, here is my personal guide to the 10 experiences in San Salvador that completely stole my heart.
1. Breathing the Cool Air at El Boquerón National Park
My first morning started early. I wanted to escape the city heat before it really set in, so I took a car up the side of the San Salvador Volcano. It’s wild to think that just twenty minutes from the chaotic city center, you can be standing on the edge of a massive volcanic crater.
This spot, known as El Boquerón, is one of the premier El Salvador tourist attractions. As we drove up, the air changed. It went from the humid, tropical warmth of the city to a crisp, pine scented breeze. It actually felt like autumn.
The hike itself wasn’t difficult. I walked along paths lined with hydrangeas and ferns until I reached the viewing platforms. Looking down into that crater is humbling. It’s incredibly deep, and there is actually a smaller crater inside the big one a “little mouth” inside the big mouth. I stood there for a long time, just watching the clouds drift over the rim. If you go, grab a coffee at one of the cafes on the way down. Sipping local coffee while looking out over the sprawling city below was the perfect start to my trip.
2. Getting Lost in the Revitalized Historic Center
After the peace of the volcano, I dove straight into the noise and color of the Historic Center. A few years ago, tourists were told to avoid this area. Now? It’s the heartbeat of San Salvador.
I started at Plaza Libertad. The energy here is infectious. There were musicians playing cumbia, old men playing chess, and kids chasing pigeons. I walked over to the National Palace, and honestly, the architecture blew me away. It reminds you that this city was once incredibly wealthy during the coffee boom.
Walking these streets is one of the essential things to do in San Salvador. You see the layers of history peeling back. You have the grand colonial buildings right next to bustling market stalls. I felt completely safe walking around with my camera, which was a pleasant surprise given the old reputation. It feels like a city that is reclaiming its public spaces, and being part of that energy is special.
3. The Light Show Inside Iglesia El Rosario
I had read about this church, but nothing prepared me for the reality. From the outside, Iglesia El Rosario looks… ugly. I’m sorry, but it does. It looks like a concrete airplane hangar or a bomb shelter. I actually walked past it twice thinking it was a warehouse.
But this is the ultimate lesson in “don’t judge a book by its cover.” I paid the small entry fee and stepped inside. I audibly gasped. The architect, Ruben Martinez, designed the church so that no pillars block the view, and the arched walls are studded with thousands of pieces of colored glass.
I visited around 2:00 PM, which I think is the best time. The afternoon sun hits the glass, and the entire gray concrete interior is washed in rainbows. Deep blues, fiery reds, and bright yellows streak across the floor and the altar. It didn’t feel like a stuffy ancient cathedral; it felt modern and spiritual in a way I hadn’t experienced before. It is easily one of the most photogenic El Salvador attractions.
4. Paying Respects at the metropolitan cathedral
Just a few blocks from El Rosario is the Metropolitan Cathedral. It’s the white, dominating building on Plaza Barrios. While the main floor is beautiful, the real reason to visit is downstairs.
I walked down into the crypt to visit the tomb of Saint Óscar Romero. You can’t understand San Salvador El Salvador without understanding Romero. He was a voice for the poor who was assassinated in 1980, and he is beloved here.
The vibe in the crypt is heavy but peaceful. I saw locals touching his tomb, praying, and leaving flowers. It was a quiet moment of reflection in a busy day. It grounded my trip and reminded me that the smiles I saw on the streets were hard earned. If you want to connect with the soul of the people, this is one of the most important places to visit in El Salvador.
5. Sunset and Wind at Puerta del Diablo
For a bit of adventure, I headed to Puerta del Diablo (The Devil’s Door). The legend says the devil crashed through the mountain to escape capture, leaving two massive rocks split apart.
They recently renovated this area, and it’s fantastic. There are now glass walkways and safe viewing platforms. It’s a bit of a climb, and the wind up there is ferocious hold onto your hat, seriously but the view is unmatched.
I went at sunset. On one side, you see the capital lighting up as dusk falls. On the other side, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Watching the sky turn purple and orange through the gap in the giant rocks was a highlight of my trip. It’s one of those things to do in San Salvador that makes you feel small in the best way possible.
6. Understanding the Past at MUNA (Museum of Anthropology)
I’m a bit of a history nerd, so I couldn’t skip the National Museum of Anthropology, known as MUNA. While the Historic Center gives you the colonial and modern vibes, MUNA takes you back to the Maya and Pipil roots of the country.
The exhibits on the indigenous history are fascinating. It helped me understand that the culture here isn’t just Spanish; it’s a deep mix of traditions. They have artifacts from ancient burials and displays about the daily life of the ancestors.
It’s located in the San Benito neighborhood, which is also a nice area to walk around. If you are comparing cities in El Salvador, San Benito feels very modern and cosmopolitan, distinct from the gritty center.
7. A Day Trip to Joya de Cerén: The Pompeii of the Americas
Okay, this is technically just outside the city limits, but it’s a must do. I took a short drive to Joya de Cerén, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Unlike the grand temples of Tikal or Copan where the kings lived, this was a farming village. It was buried by volcanic ash around 600 AD, just like Pompeii. Because of the ash, everything was frozen in time.
I walked the paths and looked down into the excavation pits. You can see the clay pots still sitting on shelves. You can see the sleeping mats. You can even see the footprints of the people who fled. It was incredibly moving to see the “everyday” life of the Maya preserved so perfectly. It’s undeniably one of the top places to visit in El Salvador.
8. Lunch with a View at Lake Coatepeque
Another essential excursion from the capital is Lake Coatepeque. It’s an hour away, but the drive is easy. This is a crater lake, formed by a catastrophic eruption thousands of years ago.
I went to a restaurant on the edge of the water for lunch. The water is a piercing blue, and sometimes, due to algae shifts, it turns turquoise. Sitting on a wooden deck, eating fresh fish, and looking out at the Santa Ana volcano in the distance was pure relaxation.
Many people rush off to other cities in El Salvador like San Miguel El Salvador for the carnival, or the surf towns, but I think skipping this lake would be a mistake. It’s the perfect palate cleanser after the noise of the city.
9. Finding Zen in the Bicentennial Park
Back in the city, I needed a break from the concrete. I found it at the Bicentennial Park (Parque Bicentenario). It’s a massive green space right in the middle of the urban sprawl.
I spent an afternoon just walking the trails. It’s a favorite spot for locals to jog, bike, and have picnics. It felt good to be surrounded by trees and birdsong without having to leave the city limits. It shows a greener, softer side of San Salvador.
10. The Grand Finale: Pupusas at Los Planes de Renderos
I saved the best for last. You cannot leave this country without eating pupusas, and everyone told me that for the best experience, I had to go to Los Planes de Renderos.
It’s a town up in the mountains overlooking the city. At night, it comes alive. There are “pupusodromes” (yes, that’s a real word) everywhere clusters of restaurants serving the national dish.
I sat at a plastic table with a view of the twinkling city lights below. I ordered a mix: revueltas (pork, beans, and cheese) and loroco (an edible flower). Watching the ladies slap the dough back and forth in their hands is a rhythm you hear all over the country.
When the hot, cheesy discs arrived, topped with curtido (pickled cabbage) and tomato sauce, I was in heaven. It was cheap, delicious, and authentic. It was the perfect ending to my 10 things to do in San Salvador checklist.
Why You Should Go Now
San Salvador surprised me. I came looking for a checklist of El Salvador tourist attractions, but I left with a feeling of deep respect for the resilience of the people. The city is transforming before your eyes.
It’s rare to find a capital city that feels so undiscovered by mass tourism. You don’t feel like a walking wallet here; you feel like a guest. Whether you are hiking a volcano, praying in a rainbow filled church, or stuffing your face with pupusas, the city offers an adventure that feels genuinely yours.
So, ignore the old rumors. The places to visit in El Salvador are waiting, and San Salvador is the perfect place to start your story.
