Are you looking for ideas of things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias ? Below we are going to tell you about our experience in this beautiful colonial city in the Colombian Caribbean. Without a doubt, it was one of the places that surprised us the most on our trip through Colombia , and an unmissable stop to understand part of the culture and history of the country.
Introduction
Historically, Cartagena was one of the most important ports for controlling and exploiting the new lands conquered by the Spanish on the other side of the Atlantic. The city was founded by Pedro de Heredia in 1533 , although technically this area was already inhabited by the indigenous Calamarí people . Many buildings and monuments, both civil and military, still remain from the colonial period, which is the main reason why Cartagena is, for us, the most beautiful city in Colombia. Later, it achieved its independence in 1811, and advanced to become the most visited city in Colombia.
The historic centre , or the Walled City, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and is a true colonial gem. This is where Cartagena's main attractions are located, although our advice is to walk around without paying too much attention to the map. It's the best way to find unknown and charming corners. Here's what you can't miss on a trip to Cartagena.
25 things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias
We left the big prize for the end of our trip through Colombia : Cartagena de Indias . It is one of the cities that every traveler dreams of discovering at some point in their life. And we are used to reading about it in novels like the Martín Ojo de Plata trilogy by Matilde Asensi , studying it in history classes (this was a few years ago now), and seeing it on travel blogs and Instagram accounts.
We were really looking forward to visiting Cartagena , and we were finally able to fulfill another of our travel dreams. If it's also on your list, we're going to tell you the best 25 things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias.
1. What was once the only gate to the city, today we find the Clock Tower , one of the symbols of Cartagena. You will have to cross it to begin your tour of the heart of the historic center.
→ To start getting to know the city and its anecdotes better, a good idea is to join a free tour. Here we tell you which are the best free tours of Cartagena de Indias . And if you only have one day of time, take a look at this complete tour of Cartagena .
2. The space that opens up behind the tower is the Plaza de los Coches , where the statue of Pedro de Heredia stands out in the centre, surrounded by impressive colonial-era palaces. If you love desserts, don't forget to stop by the Portal de los Dulces , a porticoed street on one side of the square with shops specialising in typical local sweets. Be careful, if they offer you a taste, they may charge you later!
3. If you continue south, you will reach another square, the Plaza de la Aduana , one of the largest and most beautiful in the city. The name refers to the Casa de la Aduana, which occupied the enormous building where the town hall is today. You will be welcomed by the statue of Christopher Columbus, together with a woman of indigenous origin.
4. Although you will find them all over the city, this area is a perfect opportunity to discover the famous palanqueras . They are women who represent the first free slaves in all of America who escaped to the town of San Basilio de Palenque . You will see them dressed in wonderful colorful outfits and selling fruit, although the best souvenir is a photo with them.
However, keep in mind that they may ask you for a tip. It is best to buy some of the fruit they sell, and they will gladly allow you to take a photo. If you are interested in learning more about their history, you can take a day tour to San Basilio de Palenque from Cartagena .
5. One of our favourite spots in Cartagena is the Plaza de San Pedro Claver . Both the square and the adjoining church are dedicated to this Catalan missionary who put all his efforts into protecting and helping the black slaves who passed through the port. His enormous altruistic work led to his beatification in 1850. There is a statue of this admirable figure in the square, and his remains rest on the main altar of the Church. Also, don't miss the curious metal sculptures between the two squares.
6. In the historic centre of Cartagena you can visit several interesting museums. The most famous are the Museo Naval del Caribe , which displays the history of the city and navigation in an imposing building, the Museo del Oro with objects from the pre-Columbian era or the Museo Histórico de Cartagena, located in the building that was the seat of the Inquisition, built in 1770.
7. Opposite this last museum is the Plaza de Bolívar , a place where those sentenced by the Inquisition were executed in the past, but which today displays the equestrian statue of the revolutionary Simón Bolívar, liberator of Latin America from the Spanish Empire. It is a historical symbol of the city.
8. Another symbol is undoubtedly the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria , which began construction in 1577 and is considered one of the oldest cathedrals in all of America. Entry is free so it is undoubtedly another of the best things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias.
9. From here you can continue north along the pretty street of Don Sancho , with its beautiful colonial houses with colorful facades and impressive balconies. One of them is the House of Sir Francis Drake , where this fearsome pirate (especially fearsome to the Spanish) apparently lived. It seems incredible that the same person can be considered a pirate and hold the title of Sir at the same time… A clear example that history is different, no matter who tells it.
10. This street ends at the Adolfo Mejía Theatre (or Teatro Heredia) , which is over 100 years old. It is beautiful from the outside, but the inside must be amazing, with unique architectural and decorative elements. We are talking about boxes with Carrara marble, a staircase built in Italy and transported by boat, ornaments covered in 22 carat gold, or an impressive mural on the ceiling… not to mention nothing!
11. A little further north is the Las Bóvedas building , apparently the last military construction from the colonial era in the city. The structure of 47 arches and 24 vaults was intended to resist outside attacks and provide shelter. Today it houses a market with typical products and where you can buy a few souvenirs.
12. Cartagena was the most important Spanish port in the New World, and therefore the place most attacked by its enemies and pirates. This fact led to enormous efforts being devoted to building a defence system that could repel all these attacks. We are talking about the walls that surrounded the entire historic centre and its bastions. The excellent news is that they have been kept in very good condition and are one of the main attractions of the city. There are several sections of the wall where you can walk , we leave the line on the map below.
13. The bastions that you cannot miss are the Baluarte de San Francisco Javier , the Baluarte de San Ignacio and of course, the Baluarte de Santo Domingo , which you have to climb to see the sunset. And it is even better if you do it sitting on the terrace of the Café del Mar with a beer in your hand. The backpacker option is to buy a beer from one of the many street vendors and sit on the wall with a wonderful view.
14. But the real bastion to defend the city from enemies was the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas . It is located on a hill on the outskirts of the walled city and represents the largest construction built by the Spanish in the centuries that they occupied the colonies. It is open from 08:00 to 18:00 (Monday to Sunday) and the entrance fee is $25,000. Although the entrance is not cheap, we think it is worth the visit (there is a section of tunnels that is not suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia). In addition, the views from there are very cool.
At the foot of this castle stands the Monument to Blas de Lezo , a Spanish admiral who served as commander general of Cartagena de Indias and who led a heroic defense of the city against the British siege in 1741.
15. Plaza de Santo Domingo is one of the places you should visit at any time of day, thanks above all to its hustle and bustle. If you haven't had the chance to see any of Botero's statues on your trip to Colombia, you're in luck, because the Gorda Gertrudris is planted here , with her unmistakable curves. Touch her most worn parts (you won't have any trouble recognising them) to have good luck.
16. Nearby you can admire one of the most well-kept colonial houses in Cartagena: the Casa del Conde Pestagua , which was owned by this important leader. Today it has been converted into a luxury hotel and spa. If you want to treat yourself to a real treat, you can book one of its 11 suites . And another of the most important mansions from the colonial period is the Casa Del Marqués De Valdehoyos , now publicly owned and now used to accommodate illustrious guests who visit Cartagena.
17. Walk across the Muelle de los Pegasos and the Camellón de los Mártires , a promenade with statues of the heroes who fought and gave their lives to achieve independence and which is considered another of the things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias without fail. And after that, head to our favorite area of Cartagena…
18. The Getsemaní neighborhood is the one we chose to stay in and it won our hearts from the first moment. It is a small tangle of streets, with more modest buildings than those found in the historic center, but with a very particular character and atmosphere. Stroll in search of street art, Cartagena is an explosion of color and creativity, and don't forget to stop by:
- Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad : the heart of the neighborhood, always lively, especially when night falls and it fills with street food stalls, artists and good vibes.
- La Plazuela del Pozo : a charming little corner where you can relax and have a coffee.
- San Juan Street and Callejón Angosto : to feel the true local atmosphere of Cartagena.
- Carrera 10 : a street with lots of backpacker accommodation, cheap restaurants, travel agencies…
→ There is also a free tour of Gethsemane, you can sign up here
19. The most modern and dynamic area of Cartagena has developed south of the historic center: Bocagrande . If you have several days, a good plan is to go to the cinema in the Plaza Bocagrande shopping center and on the way back take a walk along the boardwalk at dusk. It's the best way to work off all the empanadillas, bandejas paisas, arepas and Colombian delicacies you've eaten, plus the views are beautiful.
20. For the best views, climb Cerro de la Popa . The panoramic view of the city from here is breathtaking and you can also visit the beautiful Convento de la Popa at the top. As far as we know, the only way to get there is by taxi.
21. You can take advantage of being in this area to visit the Bazurto Market , where you will find the real Cartagena. There are stalls of all kinds, from clothes to fruit, vegetables, meats... However, if you are not used to the hustle and bustle, the smells and the chaos, it may not be the ideal place for you.
22. Fancy a party? One of the most fun ways to get to know the city is by taking a ride on the chiva rumbera , a kind of party bus where there is a guide, music, drinks and typical fried food. We didn't do it because we're old, but we saw it several times and it seemed like they weren't having a bad time. Price: $20,000/$40,000. There are many vendors to hire on site, although you can also book online here .
23. Colombian gastronomy is delicious, and guess what: in Cartagena you can take a foodie tour that will teach you a lot about the subject and includes tastings. Although at the moment it is only available in English, but you will kill three birds with one stone: you will get to know Cartagena, you will get to know its gastronomy and you will practice your English. It is free, but obviously you will have to leave a good tip. Here you can book the free gastronomic tour of Cartagena de Indias .
24. You can always organize your own food tour. To do so, here are our recommendations of 7 restaurants where to eat in Cartagena de Indias .
25. If you have the chance, go and say hello to the monument to India Catalina , who was Pedro de Heredia's interpreter and confidant. It is a tribute to the first settlers of this area and therefore to her ancestors. You can read more about her history here .
Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination, save yourself trouble and don't take any chances.
Best excursions from Cartagena de Indias
For those who have a few days, these are the recommended excursions from Cartagena :
› Spend a day at Playa Blanca on Barú Island. But don't be fooled by the idyllic photos on the internet... the reality is that this beach is quite crowded, and if you don't like crowds you might get a little overwhelmed (not to mention the vendors). But if you're craving the Caribbean and haven't included a visit to San Andrés or Providencia , it's an interesting option. And an extra reason to go to Barú Island: it's one of the few places in the world where you can see the bioluminescence spectacle. More info and book .
› If you have a few days to relax, you can go to the Rosario Islands , an archipelago of more than 40 islands, each one more beautiful than the last. More information and reservations .
› Or go a little further and reach the island of Cholón , a true paradise. More information and reservations .
› Take a day trip to discover the San Bernardo Archipelago and its Múcura Island , a true paradise. More information and booking . If you want to stay for several days, consider staying at Casa en el Agua , a beautiful eco-hostel located on a tiny islet surrounded by crystal-clear waters.
› Can't get enough of beaches? Here are two more options: Bendita Beach , one of the most beautiful beaches near Cartagena.
› Venture out on a complete excursion to Tayrona National Park , one of the most important in Colombia. More info and reservations .
› An original excursion is to the Totumo volcano where you can take a rejuvenating bath in the mud and to the Laguna Rosa. More information and booking .
Map of Cartagena de Indias and its main attractions
Here is an interactive map with the location of all the things to see and do:
As you can see, we weren't exaggerating when we said that Cartagena de Indias is the most beautiful city in Colombia, and it should definitely be on your itinerary. These are, for us, the best 25 things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias . We hope they help you plan your trip on your own.
