El Salvador · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in El Salvador
These are the places worth your time in El Salvador, from pupuserías and museums in San Salvador and surf beaches at El Tunco and El Zonte to coffee towns on the Ruta de las Flores, the Santa Ana volcano and colonial Suchitoto. Classics sit beside lesser-known corners, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in San Salvador
Arts and Culture
- Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador (Centro Histórico)
The cathedral holds the tomb of Saint Óscar Romero in its crypt and a bright Fernando Llort facade story. - Palacio Nacional (Centro Histórico)
A grand early twentieth century palace of state rooms, open to visitors on the main square. - Teatro Nacional de El Salvador (Centro Histórico)
A beautifully restored French style theatre with a painted ceiling and regular performances. - Iglesia El Rosario (Centro Histórico)
A concrete arch from outside, a cathedral of rainbow stained glass light inside. - Museo Nacional de Antropología David J. Guzmán (Colonia San Benito)
The best introduction to the country's Maya, Lenca and Pipil past and its everyday traditions. - MARTE Museo de Arte de El Salvador (Colonia San Benito)
The national art museum, with Salvadoran painting from the nineteenth century to today. - Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen (Colonia Miramonte)
A small museum and archive keeping the memory of the civil war, including clandestine Radio Venceremos. - Hospitalito Divina Providencia (Colonia Miramonte)
The modest chapel where Óscar Romero was killed in 1980, with his simple home next door. - Monumento a la Memoria y la Verdad (Parque Cuscatlán)
A long black granite wall carrying the names of civilians killed and disappeared during the civil war. - Joya de Cerén (San Juan Opico)
A Maya farming village buried by volcanic ash fourteen centuries ago, now a UNESCO site. - San Andrés Archaeological Site (Ciudad Arce)
A ceremonial Maya centre with a pyramid and a small museum, close to Joya de Cerén. - Panchimalco (Panchimalco)
A hillside town with indigenous roots, a colonial church and a strong craft tradition.
Nature and Outdoors
- Parque Nacional El Boquerón (San Salvador Volcano)
An easy, cool walk to the rim of the San Salvador volcano crater above the city. - Puerta del Diablo (Los Planes de Renderos)
Two huge rock pillars with sweeping views over the city, Lake Ilopango and the coast. - Lago de Ilopango (Ilopango)
A huge volcanic crater lake east of the city, with lakeside restaurants and boat trips. - Cerro Verde National Park day trip (Santa Ana Volcano complex)
An easy day trip from the capital to cloud forest and the volcano trailhead.
Restaurants
- Pupuserías de Los Planes de Renderos (Los Planes de Renderos)
A hillside strip of pupusa stalls where families come for evening pupusas and the view. - Paseo El Carmen (Santa Tecla)
A weekend street of food stalls, bars and live music in neighbouring Santa Tecla. - Típicos Margoth (Colonia Escalón)
A long-running local chain for pupusas, tamales and traditional breakfasts.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Nacional de Artesanías (Colonia Flor Blanca)
The easiest place in the capital to browse crafts from every region under one roof. - Mercado Central de San Salvador (Centro Histórico)
The noisy, colourful heart of the old city for fruit, cheap eats and everyday life.
Things to Do
- Biblioteca Nacional de El Salvador (Centro Histórico)
The striking new national library is open late, with a children's floor, games and city views. - Parque Bicentenario (Antiguo Cuscatlán)
A large wooded city park with trails, cycling and playgrounds on the edge of the city.
Bars and Nightlife
- Zona Rosa (Colonia San Benito)
The capital's long-established strip of bars, restaurants and clubs.
Cafés
- The Coffee Cup (Colonia Escalón)
A homegrown café chain serving Salvadoran single origin coffee in comfortable, quiet rooms.
Events
- Fiestas Agostinas (San Salvador)
The capital's August festival for the Divine Saviour of the World, with parades and fairs. - Bolas de Fuego in Nejapa (Nejapa)
Each August 31 locals throw flaming balls in the streets to remember a volcanic eruption. - Festival de las Flores y las Palmas (Panchimalco)
Each May, Panchimalco's streets fill with processions carrying palms decorated with flowers.
Places to Visit in El Tunco
Nature and Outdoors
- Playa El Tunco (Beachfront)
A black sand surf beach with the famous rock formation and some of the coast's best sunsets. - Playa El Sunzal (El Sunzal)
A long right hand point break that suits both learners on the inside and experienced surfers. - Punta Roca (Puerto de La Libertad)
One of the most famous right hand breaks in Central America, for experienced surfers only. - Playa El Palmarcito (El Palmarcito)
A small, quiet cove beach and gentle beginner break west of El Tunco. - Playa San Diego (La Libertad)
A long, open stretch of sand east of the port, popular with local families at weekends. - Tamanique Waterfalls (Tamanique)
A guided hike from the hills above the coast to a chain of waterfalls and swimming pools.
Things to Do
- Surf lessons at El Tunco (Beachfront)
Local surf schools teach beginners on the gentler waves at Playa El Sunzal next door. - Malecón de La Libertad (Puerto de La Libertad)
The rebuilt seafront at the old port, with a pier, fish market and family friendly promenade. - Surf City coastal road drive (Carretera del Litoral)
The coastal highway west of La Libertad passes cliffs, tunnels and surf beaches.
Restaurants
- Muelle de La Libertad fish market (Puerto de La Libertad)
Fishermen sell the morning's catch on the pier, and stalls cook it fresh.
Bars and Nightlife
- Mopelia (El Tunco)
A long-running El Tunco bar and hostel known for live music and weekend parties.
Stays
- Hotel Mopelia (El Tunco)
A relaxed hotel with a pool, garden rooms and a short walk to the beach. - Palo Verde Hotel (El Tunco)
A small hotel close to the beach with a pool and a calm feel. - Casa de Mar Hotel and Villas (El Sunzal)
A boutique hotel above El Sunzal with ocean views and a well known restaurant.
Places to Visit in El Zonte
Nature and Outdoors
- Playa El Zonte (Beachfront)
A rocky, laid-back surf beach with a consistent point break and a quieter feel than El Tunco. - Playa Mizata (Mizata)
A wide black sand bay further west with a powerful break and few people.
Things to Do
- Bitcoin Beach (El Zonte)
The village where El Salvador's bitcoin experiment began, with a community project still running.
Stays
- Esencia Nativa (El Zonte)
A long-established surf hostel and hotel with a pool and a surf school.
Restaurants
- Esencia Nativa restaurant (El Zonte)
A relaxed restaurant beside the beach for seafood, smoothies and sunset dinners.
Places to Visit in Concepción de Ataco
Arts and Culture
- Ataco murals (Town centre)
Almost every wall in town is painted with bright murals of flowers, coffee and local life. - Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción (Parque Central)
The white colonial church on the main square anchors weekend life in town.
Shopping and Markets
- Diconte Artesanías (Town centre)
A workshop and shop where you can watch backstrap weaving and buy handmade textiles.
Cafés
- Café Albania (Ataco)
A coffee farm café with a viewpoint, gardens and adventure activities for families.
Things to Do
- Coffee farm tour on the Ruta de las Flores (Ataco)
Local fincas show how coffee goes from cherry to cup on the slopes above town. - Apaneca canopy and coffee lands (Apaneca)
Zip lines and buggy rides run through the cloud forest above the next town on the route.
Restaurants
- Ataco weekend food stalls (Parque Central)
At weekends the square fills with stalls selling pupusas, panes con pollo and atol.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mirador La Cruz (Ataco)
A short walk up to a cross above town for a view over the rooftops and coffee hills. - Laguna Verde de Apaneca (Apaneca)
A misty crater lake reached on a short walk through forest and farmland.
Places to Visit in Juayúa
Events
- Feria Gastronómica de Juayúa (Parque Central)
Every weekend the square fills with food stalls serving grilled meats, frogs, soups and sweets.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ruta de las Siete Cascadas (Juayúa)
A guided hike through coffee farms to a chain of waterfalls, including one you can climb. - Los Chorros de la Calera (Juayúa)
Waterfalls spilling from the rock into cool pools, a short walk from town.
Arts and Culture
- Iglesia del Cristo Negro (Parque Central)
A pilgrimage church famous for its dark wooden Christ figure.
Things to Do
- Salcoatitán (Salcoatitán)
A small village between Juayúa and Ataco with art galleries and a colourful square.
Places to Visit in Santa Ana
Nature and Outdoors
- Santa Ana Volcano (Ilamatepec) (Parque Nacional Los Volcanes)
The country's highest volcano, with a guided hike to a steaming turquoise crater lake. - Izalco Volcano (Parque Nacional Los Volcanes)
A steep black cinder cone once called the Lighthouse of the Pacific, climbed with a guide. - Lago de Coatepeque (Coatepeque)
A bright blue crater lake with swimming docks, kayaks and lakeside restaurants. - Lago de Güija (Metapán)
A quiet border lake with islands holding ancient rock carvings. - Parque Nacional Montecristo (Metapán)
Cloud forest where El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras meet, with mossy oaks and orchids.
Arts and Culture
- Catedral de Santa Ana (Parque Libertad)
A gleaming white Gothic cathedral that dominates the city's main square. - Teatro de Santa Ana (Parque Libertad)
An elegant early twentieth century theatre that hosts concerts and shows. - Tazumal (Chalchuapa)
The best known Maya site in the country, with a large stepped pyramid and museum. - Casa Blanca Archaeological Park (Chalchuapa)
Maya mounds and an indigo dyeing workshop where you can colour your own cloth.
Restaurants
- Mercado Central de Santa Ana (Centro)
An authentic city market for cheap meals, fruit and everyday goods.
Stays
- Lake Coatepeque lakeside hotels (Coatepeque)
Several small hotels sit right on the water with docks for swimming at dawn.
Things to Do
- Cerro Verde cloud forest trails (Cerro Verde)
Short trails through cloud forest with orchids, birds and volcano views.
Events
- Fiestas Julias (Santa Ana)
The city's patron saint festival each July, with parades, fairs and music.
Places to Visit in Suchitoto
Arts and Culture
- Iglesia Santa Lucía (Parque Central)
A gleaming white colonial church at the heart of one of the country's best preserved towns. - Centro Arte para la Paz (Barrio San José)
A former convent turned arts centre and museum about the town's history and the war. - Casa Museo de Alejandro Cotto (Suchitoto)
The home of a Salvadoran film director, filled with art, antiques and lake views.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lago Suchitlán boat trip (Puerto San Juan)
Boat rides on the reservoir pass bird islands and fishing villages. - Cascada Los Tercios (Suchitoto)
A small waterfall over unusual hexagonal basalt columns, best after rain.
Stays
- Los Almendros de San Lorenzo (Suchitoto)
A boutique hotel in a colonial house with a garden pool and refined restaurant. - El Tejado (Suchitoto)
A friendly hotel with a pool and some of the best lake views in town.
Restaurants
- Suchitoto weekend food market (Parque Central)
Weekend stalls on the square sell pupusas, yuca frita and sweet treats.
Things to Do
- Ruta de la Paz to Cinquera (Cinquera)
A drive to a former war zone forest park where former guerrillas guide visitors.
Places to Visit in Perquín
Arts and Culture
- Museo de la Revolución Salvadoreña (Perquín)
A museum in the mountains of Morazán telling the story of the civil war from the guerrilla side. - El Mozote memorial (Meanguera)
A quiet memorial to the 1981 massacre, one of the most important sites of memory in the Americas.
Nature and Outdoors
- Río Sapo (Arambala)
Clear river pools and pine forests for swimming and camping in Morazán.
Places to Visit in La Palma
Arts and Culture
- La Palma painted town (La Palma)
The town where Fernando Llort's naïf art style began, with painted walls and workshops.
Nature and Outdoors
- Cerro El Pital (San Ignacio)
The highest point in the country, with cool pine forest and camping.
Places to Visit in Playa El Cuco
Nature and Outdoors
- Playa El Cuco (San Miguel)
A long, quiet eastern beach loved by Salvadoran families. - Bahía de Jiquilisco (Usulután)
A huge mangrove bay and biosphere reserve with sea turtle projects and boat tours. - Playa Las Flores (San Miguel)
An eastern beach with a long point break and a growing surf scene.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Las Cofradías (Colonia Escalón, San Salvador)
A smart restaurant serving traditional Salvadoran dishes with a modern touch. - Dale Dale Café (El Tunco, El Tunco)
A friendly café for coffee, breakfast and fresh pastries before a surf. - Pupusería on the El Tunco main street (El Tunco, El Tunco)
Small family stalls on the village lane serve pupusas to surfers in the evening. - El Zonte village cafés (El Zonte, El Zonte)
Simple cafés in the village serve good coffee and smoothie bowls after an early surf. - Yoga in El Zonte (El Zonte, El Zonte)
Several surf hotels run drop in yoga classes overlooking the waves. - Playa El Zunganera (El Zonte, El Zonte)
A short walk along the shore to a quieter stretch of rocky beach and tide pools. - Playa Km 59 (Carretera del Litoral, El Zonte)
One of the coast's quieter beaches, good for a calm swim when the sea is gentle. - Mizata Point Resort (Mizata, El Zonte)
A remote surf resort set above one of the quietest breaks on the coast. - Turtle releases on the La Libertad coast (Playas de La Libertad, El Zonte)
Local hatcheries release baby sea turtles in season; ask locally about community projects. - El Zonte sunset beach bars (El Zonte, El Zonte)
A handful of small bars face the point for a cold drink as the sun sets. - Hotel Casa Degraciela (Town centre, Concepción de Ataco)
A colonial style guesthouse with rooms around a courtyard in the heart of town. - Apaneca craft market (Apaneca, Concepción de Ataco)
A small market of woven goods, wooden toys and local sweets. - Hotel Anáhuac (Juayúa, Juayúa)
A long-running guesthouse and hostel known for good local advice. - Casa Verde Hostel (Centro, Santa Ana)
A highly regarded hostel with a pool, kitchen and helpful volcano advice. - Rancho Alegre (Coatepeque, Santa Ana)
A lakeside restaurant with a swimming deck and views across the crater. - Simmer Down (Centro, Santa Ana)
A Santa Ana favourite for wood fired pizza beside the cathedral. - Arte Añil (Suchitoto, Suchitoto)
An indigo workshop where you can dye your own scarf with natural blue. - Posada Blanca Luna (Suchitoto, Suchitoto)
A simple, welcoming guesthouse a short walk from the main square. - Festival Permanente de Arte y Cultura (Suchitoto, Suchitoto)
Weekend concerts, theatre and exhibitions bring the old town to life through the year. - Volcán de Guazapa trails (Guazapa, Suchitoto)
A former guerrilla stronghold now explored on guided historical hikes.