El Morro

Fort San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

What to expect

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, is a large fortress and citadel located in the historic district of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. The fortification was built in 1539 to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay and defend the Spanish colonial port city of San Juan from seaborne enemies. It is a six-leveled edifice with 18 to 25 ft thick walls, rising 140 ft from the Atlantic shoreline. El Morro is a World Heritage Site and one of Puerto Rico's leading tourist attractions, with over two million visitors a year. The fort has a rich history, having been involved in several battles, including the Battle of San Juan in 1595, 1598, 1625, and 1797, as well as the Spanish-American War in 1898. The fort's design and construction were led by several notable engineers and architects, including Juan de Tejada and Juan Bautista Antonelli. Today, El Morro is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views of the San Juan Bay and the city

Plan your family visit to the El Morro with these blog insights 👇

Puerto Rico with Kids | Things to Do in Puerto Rico

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the fort and its tunnels, dungeons, ramps and secret passageways

Highlights: The kids loved the maze-like structure and the views of San Juan Bay ✨

5 Fun and Free Things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico with Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We enjoyed the grounds of El Morro with the kids, flying kites, playing, and having picnics

Highlights: The kids loved playing on the expansive and well maintained green lawn, rolling, running and tumbling ✨

Puerto Rico with Kids: A Stop in El Morro

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the fort, but didn't get to explore it because it was late in the day and our kids didn't want to leave the 'big playground'

Highlights: The kids enjoyed rolling and tumbling in the grass, flying kites and playing hide and seek around the fort's walls and structures ✨