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San Antonio is an old city in Texas with a great heritage and history. Whether your visit is during a week or on the weekend for only a few hours or you plan to stay a bit longer, you wouldn’t want to leave the city without must-see places, such as Alamo, a colorful Riverwalk, and more. No matter if you like more active or passive vacations, you will find many places to go in San Antonio based on your preferences.

 

This is the main reason why I wanted to see San Antonio. Once I saw pictures of the Riverwalk with beautiful colorful umbrellas, I couldn’t stop myself from planning my trip :).

 

I immediately bought tickets to Austin to visit my friend and planned my day trip to San Antonio from there. And here is my guide to San Antonio if you have a limited time to visit this beautiful city!

 

Note*. Most of the sights in San Antonio TX can be discovered for no cost, thanks to San Antonio for the free things to do.

 

A Word About San Antonio’s History

San Antonio is home to five Spanish colonial missions: Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo), Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. These missions were established in the 18th century by Catholic missionaries to spread Christianity among the local Native Americans and serve as a vital part of the community, providing education and a way of life centered around the mission.

 

Together, these missions form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for their cultural significance and contribution to understanding the Spanish colonial history in the Americas. They are an integral part of San Antonio’s rich cultural heritage, attracting visitors from around the world to explore their historic architecture, beautiful church buildings, and the stories they hold of early Texas history.

Traveling to San Antonio Texas, From Austin

A trip to San Antonio, Texas, from Austin, is less than 2 hours (about 80 miles) away if you travel by car or by bus. I’ve decided to travel by bus and bought a round-trip ticket to San Antonio, Texas, online on the Greyhound site. You can find alternative options for purchasing tickets at different prices, so check a few to compare the fares and schedule.

 

You can also plan a day trip from San Antonio to Austin by following the same options. It’s a great experience to check out both cities if you can.

 

PRO-TIP: Try to buy tickets upfront (minimum, a week ahead) as the price gets higher when the date of your trip is closer.

 

The Best Things to Do in San Antonio in 4 Hours

 4 Hours Itinerary in San Antonio 

I suggest you buy an early morning ticket to see all the sights in just 4 hours. The ticket cost should be no more than $29.98 (plus taxes& fees) for a round-trip if you travel by bus from Austin. I departed at 6.50 am and spent all 4 hours exploring.

 

There were only a few options for the ticket back to Austin, and I decided to get the one that departed at 12.45 pm so I could have 4 hours in the city. The trip was so quick for me; I fell asleep right after I boarded the bus and opened my eyes right when we arrived. YOU MIGHT EXPECT SOME DELAYS IN THE BUS SCHEDULE. MAKE SURE YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH A BIT OF EXTRA TIME.

1. Visit Alamo

 

The first place I visited was the most beautiful landmark, the Alamo, which is the most popular San Antonio tourist attraction (do not be surprised to see many tourists if you come late). River Walk and the Alamo are at the top of the list for many who choose this destination. As a matter of fact, “Alamo City” is a popular nickname for San Antonio, Texas.

 

The Alamo is a historic Spanish mission the site of one of the most famous battles in American history. Originally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero, it was founded in the early 18th century as a mission and fortress compound by Roman Catholic missionaries. The Alamo is best known for the Battle of the Alamo, which took place in 1836 during the Texas Revolution against Mexico.

 

It is located just 10 minutes away from the Greyhound bus station, which is perfect as it is a short walk. The building is currently under renovation till 2024 (which is very obvious inside), and lots of artifacts are hidden, but most of them you can observe despite that. So there is not a lot to see inside, and in case you won’t be able to check it, do not worry. You won’t miss much.

 

The admission to Alamo site in Texas is FREE unless you are a big fan of history and want to learn more facts about it. In that case, you can buy an audio tour for $7 or a guided tour for about $20 (1 hour long). There is also a FREE documentary movie you can watch outside. Don’t miss that. You can also explore a small gift shop and museum on-site.

 

Outside of the Alamo, there is a beautiful garden and courtyard with cool statues of the heroes and plants.

Pro-tip: If you want to take excellent pictures and don’t wait in line to get inside, come early to avoid a crowd.

 

The other four missions besides the Alamo, which together make up the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, are also located in San Antonio, Texas. These missions are situated along the San Antonio River and are relatively close to each other, making them accessible for visitors interested in exploring the historical and cultural heritage of the area. Here’s a brief overview of each:

Mission Concepción (Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña): This mission is located approximately 3 miles south of the Alamo and is known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and beautiful frescoes.

 

Mission San José (Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo): Mission San José is often referred to as the “Queen of the Missions” for its size and the extent of its restoration. It features a stunning church with intricate carvings and an iconic rose window known as Rosa’s Window.

 

Mission San Juan (Mission San Juan Capistrano): Located further south of Mission San José, Mission San Juan is noted for its beautiful chapel and historic farmlands. The mission was a vital community center, and its agricultural practices contributed to the self-sufficiency of the community.

 

Mission Espada (Mission San Francisco de la Espada): The southernmost of the missions, Mission Espada features a picturesque chapel, original frescoes, and an operational aqueduct used for irrigation. The mission’s architecture and layout provide insights into the early mission life and community planning.

 

2. Explore  San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral

 

Next, head to San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral (10 min walk), located right in the Main Plaza. It is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. It is purposely located in the city’s center, close to people, and can be easily reached. Because the church was damaged by flood and fire in the early nineteenth century, significant parts were rebuilt.

 

In the evening, there is a beautifully colorful and musical FREE light show of a visual history of the city from the old days till the 21st century. Changing themes on the front facade of the San Fernando Cathedral building looks fantastic. The full show takes about 20-25 minutes and they are performed 4 days per week. Thursdays and Sundays from 7.30 pm till 8.30 pm with 30-minute intervals and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 pm to 10 pm. The more specific information you can find on the Main Plaza website.

 

There is also a small park with benches right by the Cathedral where you can sit and relax while enjoying the lovely view. This is a great San Antonio attraction that you can’t miss.

3. Explore the San Antonio River Walk (Paseo del Rio)

 

Visit the most popular spot in San Antonio, the River Walk, where you will find plenty of things to do and see. When I arrived early, there were just a few people, so I could take nice pictures and observe around. Things to do at San Antonio Riverwalk vary. From great places to eat, relax, or explore around. It is 15 miles long, and many restaurants are on both sides of the water, with a few small shops.

 

If you don’t want to explore on foot, you can take a guided boat tour (about $15 for 25 minutes). You can find it right by the Rivercenter Mall or avoid lines; buy it online upfront.

 

The Riverwalk became my favorite spot because it was a place with such a different atmosphere and vibe. It had so many beautiful things to see, and I felt so good there walking and exploring.

 

If you want to learn more about its history, I suggest you join the combined Riverwalk San Antonio tour.

 

Check out the Texas Hill Country and LBJ Ranch Tour with hotel pickup.

4. Take a Break and Eat

After the long walk, what can be better than eating lunch in a quiet and friendly place? One of the best things in San Antonio, Texas things to do is eat delicious food. You have a great choice from Tex-Mex cuisine to BBQ to farm-to-market nutrition.

 

I ate my lunch at La Villita Cafe. It was a perfect place with reasonable prices, good food, and a friendly owner. It is located right between Alamo and Riverwalk and is easily accessible.

 

There was another trendy place  (La Panaderia bakery) I wanted to check out, but there was a huge line, so I had no time to wait. So, recommend visiting.

 

If you plan to be in the city for longer than a few hours, there is so much of San Antonio sightseeing you should see on top of what I covered here. So, I recommend you check these best places to visit in San Antonio to get to it better.

 

Related post The Best Austin Travel Guide: 3-day Itinerary

 

Final Thoughts

Despite San Antonio offering a lot of things to do every day, the best thing about such a short trip to this vibrant city is that there is enough to do and see in just 4 hours. This makes your visit to this small, but interesting city very easy and stress-free, as you do not have to deal with transportation. You can enjoy Western art

 

This city offers a lot of things to see and do, and in my post, I cover the main sightseeing you shouldn’t miss and have limited time. Be it a half-day trip or a full-day trip, I am sure you will have a great time there.

 

What was your favorite San Antonio sightseeing to see? Feel free to share in the comments below.

 

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