Things to do in Cartagena Colombia

Known as the colonial pearl of Colombia, Cartagena is a beautiful port city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Situated on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena will make you fall in love with its colourful streets and colonial charm. In addition to its stunning architecture and great preservation, Cartagena is surrounded by archipelagos and paradisiacal islands. Discover all the things to do in Cartagena Colombia, a city perfectly preserved in time that still retains its original magic.

What are the best places to see in Cartagena de Indias?

1. The Walled City

The main tourist attraction of Cartagena is the old town surrounded by its walls. It includes the neighbourhoods of Centro and San Diego. Here you can stroll through its streets and admire its churches, monasteries and convents, its lively squares, the great variety of colonial buildings and palaces, and its colourful houses with their characteristic balconies with flowers.

2. The Clock Tower

This tower is one of the city’s great icons. It is connects the walled city and the lively neighbourhood of Getsemaní. It is an impressive construction attached to the wall and topped by a bright yellow tower and its clock. Originally called Boca del Puente, it was the main entrance to the walled city. The side arches were originally a chapel and armament room.

We could say that this is the main entrance to the old town. And what an entrance it is, because as soon as you pass through the door of the tower you find yourself in the beautiful Plaza de los Coches. It is one of the most beautiful squares in Cartagena. However we can assure you that it has a lot of competition, as the city’s squares are all very beautiful.

3. Las Bovedas (The Vaults)

The 23 vaults are located between forts Santa Clara and Santa Catalina. They were built between 1792 and 1796 and were used as ammunition depots. During the Republican era the vaults were used as prisons. Nowadays they are a group of warehouses where you can find a variety of handicraft shops. One of the unique things to do in Cartagena Colombia.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

4. Cartagena Cathedral

Visible from almost anywhere in the historic walled centre, the cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría is one of the oldest in the Americas. Its large dome in shades of salmon and yellow is one of the most photogenic sights in the city. It stands out for its marble pulpit and its gilded wooden high altar, which is often compared to Mexico’s cathedral.

Like many cathedrals, this is a basilica, a church made up of three naves or elongated spaces separated by columns in the direction of the altar. It is the work of the master builder Simón González, who based it on some basilicas in Andalusia and the Canary Islands. Construction began in 1577, although it was only finished 84 years later after overcoming incredible adversities.

5. Castle of San Felipe de Bajaras

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a military fortress in the city of Cartagena de Indias built by the Spanish during colonial times. It was the largest of the Spanish fortresses on the American continent. Construction began in 1536 under the name of Castillo de San Lázaro, and was expanded in 1657. It was built on the Hill of San Lazaro and from there it dominated any attempted invasion of the city, whether by land or across the Bay of Cartagena in the Caribbean Sea.

6. Getsemaní Neighbourhood

This district is very close to the city walls and shows a more authentic side of Cartagena. Here colourful houses mingle with amazing murals and small art shops.

Getsemaní is real open-air museum that is a pleasure to visit. A walking tour starting in the Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad is one of the best things to do in Cartagena Colombia. Here some of the most beautiful narrow streets start, such as La Sierpe, San Juan or the Calle del Espíritu Santo.

7. Plaza de la Aduana

The largest and oldest in the city, in colonial times the administrative buildings were located here. Nowadays, the Mayor’s Office is here, in the centre of which stands a statue of Christopher Columbus.

8. Plaza de los Coches

This busy square is at the entrance to the clock tower. At the end of the 20th century it was known as the square of the carriages, because it was used as a parking area for horse-drawn carriages. At the end of the square is the “Portal de los dulces”, a corridor where you can taste the typical sweets of the city.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to do in Cartagena Colombia and its surroundings?

1. Cartagena Beaches

One of the most famous beaches in Cartagena is Playa Blanca, located about 40 minutes from the city and noted for its white sand and crystal clear waters. It is, without a doubt, an authentic Caribbean paradise.

Another great option is the the Bocagrande peninsula, where beaches such as Castillogrande offer a unique space with calm and clear waters. La Boquilla is another of Cartagena’s most famous beaches, as it is one of the closest to the historic centre.

2. Rosario Islands

This is a small and charming archipelago consisting of some 28 islands, which can be reached by boat. The trip takes just under an hour. You will find many companies in Cartagena that offer this service with different tourist plans.

On the Rosario Islands you will find many white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters where you can also explore the wonderful marine life. Incredible fish and corals of every colour will be the reward for those who dive into the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Map and travel itinerary to Cartagena Colombia

Here we leave you our map with the places we recommend to visit in Cartagena so you can organize your trip easily and quickly. You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of the itinerary organization. Using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organized way. You have the option of registering on the website or downloading the app to keep everything centralized and in your pocket.

Things to do in Cartagena Colombia in two days?

Day 1:

• The Walled City
• The Clock Tower
• The Vaults
• Cartagena Cathedral

Day 2:

• Castle of San Felipe de Bajaras
• Getsemaní Neighbourhood
• Plaza de la Aduana
• Plaza de los Coches

Things to do in Cartagena Colombia in three days?

If you have three days in the city of Cartagena de Indias, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit some of its nearby natural spaces. On your third day we recommend visiting:

• Cartagena Beaches
• Rosario Islands

Where to eat in Cartagena Colombia?

The cuisine of Cartagena is a mixture of flavours and products that make it one of the city’s main attractions. Here is a list of some of the best restaurants in Cartagena so that you can properly enjoy Colombian flavours.

• La Cocina de Pepina is a restaurant serving traditional Colombian and Caribbean recipes at a very affordable price of €5 – €19. This is a cosy, family-run place with home cooking and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, all of which are delicious.
• Mar de las Antillas, a seafood and Caribbean restaurant, also offers gluten-free options.  This restaurant serves recipes with fresh and natural products, unique flavours and at a very affordable price. The price range is from €8 – €42.
• Porton de San Sebastian is also a seafood restaurant with local Caribbean cuisine that stands out for its fresh and good quality products. It offers vegetarian and gluten-free options, with a price range of €20-€30.
• Cancha Cevicheria is a cevicheria restaurant serving Caribbean, Peruvian, Latin and healthy food, which also offers gluten-free options. Located in the historic area of Cartagena, this restaurant offers recipes with unique flavours at a very affordable price. The price range is from €5 – €19.

Tips for a trip to Cartagena Colombia

• It is important to take out travel insurance when you travel to Cartagena.
• Try to promote local products when buying food and handicrafts.
• Remember to exercise caution and keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times.
• If you take a taxi, it’s best to use the phone numbers and mobile apps of well-known companies such as Easy Taxi or Taxis Libres or book them directly from the hotel reception.
• Listen to the recommendations of tour guides and staff at your accommodation.

How to organise what to see in Cartagena?

Sign up or download the Passporter app and discover all its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cartagena