Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Alcázar de Colón

Lubomir Jendrol / Getty Images

Key Info

Calle Las Damas
Zona Colonial
Official Website
Tours & Tickets

Details

Castles/Palaces, Sightseeing Type
1 to 2 hours Time to Spend

4.3

Overall

Scorecard

Value

4.0
Facilities

3.5
Atmosphere

4.5

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

Once the home of Diego Colón, Christopher Columbus' son, this 16th-century viceregal palace (or residence of the governor/viceroy) was the nucleus of the Spanish court for more than 60 years. Inside, you'll find a museum housing an impressive collection of late medieval and Renaissance art. The house itself is also a work of art, featuring Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance touches.

Recent visitors praise this historic property, insisting that a tour of the Alcázar de Colón is a must for anyone who wants to learn more about the city's rich history. And be sure to pick up some headphones to take advantage of the museum's self-guided audio tours. Even though the headphone line can get a bit long on busier days, most travelers note doing this tour is well worth the wait.

Located along Calle Las Damas in the Zona Colonial, Alcázar de Colón is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You'll have to pay 100 Dominican pesos (or $2.21 USD) to enter.

Hotels Nearby

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Antiguo Hotel Europa ...

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3.0-star Hotel Class

Hotel Frances Santo Domingo - MGallery Collection ...

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Hostal Nicolas de Ovando Santo Domingo ...

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#2 Catedral Primada de America Some people refer to this church by its official name, Catedral Santa María La Menor, but it's probably best known as the first cathedral of the Americas. Whatever you ... Read more » Ana Stefanovic / Getty Images

#3 Alcazar de Colon Once the home of Diego Colón, Christopher Columbus' son, this 16th-century viceregal palace (or residence of the governor/viceroy) was the nucleus of the Spanish court for more than 60 ... Read more » Lubomir Jendrol / Getty Images

#4 Malecon This picturesque part of Santo Domingo is where the new overshadows the old: Nowhere in sight is the crumbling cobblestone of the Zona Colonial; in its place are shiny waterfront ... Read more » Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

#5 Fortaleza Ozama The Fortaleza Ozama is the oldest formal standing fort in the Americas — reason alone to swing by for a visit — but travelers also describe it as a great place to ... Read more » czekma13 / Getty Images

#6 Los Tres Ojos For those looking to take a break from the city's rich history, consider exploring Santo Domingo's tranquil Los Tres Ojos (which translates to "The Three Eyes" in English ... Read more » Eaulive / Flickr

#7 Columbus Lighthouse There's a chance that you won't be blown away by the beauty of the Columbus Lighthouse. El Faro a Colón, as the locals call it, is built in ... Read more » Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

#8 Monasterio de San Francisco During the day, this Zona Colonial ruin isn't much to look at. After all, the Monasterio de San Francisco has been steadily crumbling since a 16th-century demolition squad and ... Read more » YOUNGtheHyphenate / Getty Images