San Antonio in 7 days

The River Walk, the Alamo and Tex-Mex soul: Texas history with a laid-back Latino heartbeat. Best time to visit: March-May and October-November. Average daily budget: $130 to $240 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: River Walk (Downtown), The iconic network of shaded canals lined with restaurants, bars and barge tours below street level.

Morning: Feast on Tex-Mex and barbecue. From puffy tacos and breakfast tacos to slow-smoked brisket, San Antonio is a food city.

Afternoon: Explore River Walk (Downtown), The iconic network of shaded canals lined with restaurants, bars and barge tours below street level.

Evening: Stroll and dine along the River Walk. Wander the shaded canals, take a barge tour and eat riverside, lively but essential.

Eat: Puffy tacos and breakfast tacos

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Pearl District, A restored brewery turned buzzing food, market and culinary hub with the city's best restaurants.

Morning: Visit the Alamo. The 18th-century mission and shrine of Texas independence, free to enter in the heart of downtown.

Afternoon: Explore Pearl District, A restored brewery turned buzzing food, market and culinary hub with the city's best restaurants.

Evening: Tour the San Antonio Missions. A UNESCO World Heritage trail of four Spanish colonial missions south of the city, including Mission San José.

Eat: Slow-smoked Texas brisket and barbecue

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: King William, A leafy historic district of grand 19th-century homes, galleries and Southtown's arts scene.

Morning: Eat and graze at the Pearl District. Food halls, the weekend farmers market and acclaimed restaurants in a restored brewery.

Afternoon: Explore King William, A leafy historic district of grand 19th-century homes, galleries and Southtown's arts scene.

Evening: Cycle or walk the Mission Reach trail connecting the missions along the river.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Enchiladas and Tex-Mex combo plates

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Alamo Plaza, The historic heart around the Alamo, surrounded by museums and the start of the River Walk.

Morning: Breakfast tacos at a no-frills local taqueria away from downtown.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Alamo Plaza, The historic heart around the Alamo, surrounded by museums and the start of the River Walk.

Evening: The Japanese Tea Garden and Brackenridge Park, a leafy local escape.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Aguas frescas and Mexican pan dulce

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Southtown, An artsy, walkable neighbourhood of murals, indie cafés, bars and First Friday art crawls.

Morning: First Friday art walk in Southtown for murals, galleries and street food.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Southtown, An artsy, walkable neighbourhood of murals, indie cafés, bars and First Friday art crawls.

Evening: Dinner at Puffy tacos and breakfast tacos, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Southtown.

Eat: Puffy tacos and breakfast tacos

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: River Walk (Downtown), The iconic network of shaded canals lined with restaurants, bars and barge tours below street level.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in River Walk (Downtown), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore River Walk (Downtown), The iconic network of shaded canals lined with restaurants, bars and barge tours below street level.

Evening: Dinner at Slow-smoked Texas brisket and barbecue, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in River Walk (Downtown).

Eat: Slow-smoked Texas brisket and barbecue

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Pearl District, A restored brewery turned buzzing food, market and culinary hub with the city's best restaurants.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Pearl District, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Pearl District, A restored brewery turned buzzing food, market and culinary hub with the city's best restaurants.

Evening: Dinner at Enchiladas and Tex-Mex combo plates, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Pearl District.

Eat: Enchiladas and Tex-Mex combo plates

Hidden gems

Cycle or walk the Mission Reach trail connecting the missions along the river.
Breakfast tacos at a no-frills local taqueria away from downtown.
The Japanese Tea Garden and Brackenridge Park, a leafy local escape.
First Friday art walk in Southtown for murals, galleries and street food.

Getting around

Downtown, the River Walk, the Alamo and the Pearl are walkable or linked by a short rideshare or the river barge and streetcar-style buses. To reach the southern missions, the Mission Reach hike-and-bike trail, rideshare or a rental car works best, as public transit is limited. Most visitors stay central and use Uber/Lyft for the missions and outlying spots rather than renting a car for the whole trip.

Safety

San Antonio's tourist areas, the River Walk, Alamo Plaza and the Pearl, are generally safe and well patrolled, with normal big-city caution advised at night. Watch your step on the River Walk's unfenced edges, stay hydrated in the intense summer heat, and use rideshare rather than walking long distances after dark. Apply standard awareness in areas outside the central districts.

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