Best Things To Do in Cartagena

The city of Cartagena de Indias is one of the must-see destinations in the Caribbean, not only for the exuberant natural environment that surrounds it, but also for its historical, cultural, gastronomic and artistic richness. In its charming Walled City, as its historic centre is known, you will find buildings considered World Heritage Sites, and a 400-year-old wall, which is one of the best preserved in the Americas.

In this article I'll tell you about the best things to see and do in Cartagena de Indias, which you can include in your next visit to the city. From ancient buildings to lively markets and culture, bohemian neighbourhoods to heavenly beaches, Cartagena is a Caribbean gem you'll want to return to.

The gateway to the Walled City, as the historic centre of Cartagena de las Indias is known, is the Clock Tower, one of the most emblematic buildings in the city. That is why all tours of the city begin at this tower, which was built between 1673 and 1682. It is about 30 metres high.

There used to be a moat guarding the entrance to the fortified city and a drawbridge, both of which no longer exist. This is why the Clock Tower was also known as the Bridge Gate or Bridge Mouth. The clock was added in the 18th century.

About 300 years old, the Torre del Reloj is located between the squares of La Paz and Los Coches, two traditional squares in the city. It is one of the most photographed sites in Cartagena, and is usually included in all tourist tours of the city which can be on foot, by bicycle or even by tourist bus.

One of the places not to be missed in Cartagena de Indias is its historic centre, known as the Walled City. As many of its colonial buildings have been preserved, this part of the city has a very special charm and is considered a World Heritage Site.

The historic centre is so named because of its 11 km of preserved colonial walls. Within the walls you can see colonial buildings in pastel shades, bougainvillea-filled balconies, food stalls, old churches and squares where you can be transported back in time.

Here are the must-see attractions in the old town that are often included in the best Cartagena tours.

What to see in the Walled City

• The Clock Tower: it is the entrance to the Walled City and one of the most beautiful buildings in Cartagena de las Indias.
• The Plaza de los Coches: it is located after the entrance to the Walled City, past the Clock Tower. There you can see the statue of the founder of Cartagena and the Portal de los Dulces, where you can try some of the city's delicacies such as cocadas and tamarind balls.
• The Plaza de la Aduana, the oldest square in the city, where the City Hall is located.
• The church of San Pedro Claver, which was built in the first half of the 17th century. San Pedro Claver was the first to be canonised on the continent. It houses an important collection of Cartagena's religious art.
• Cathedral of Cartagena de Indias, which was built between 1577 and 1612. It is located in the Plaza de la Proclamación.
• Bolivar Park, which has gardens and is surrounded by beautiful mansions.
• The Palace of the Inquisition or Historical Museum of the city, which was the seat of the Inquisition tribunal. To the left of the palace, on Calle 33, there is a window where the crimes of the Inquisition were denounced.
• The Plaza de Santo Domingo, where you will find the church of the same name, which is the oldest in the city (16th century), and the famous sculpture of Gertrudis. It is believed that if you touch the statue, you will return to Cartagena.
• The Plaza de las Bóvedas, where today there are shops and markets of all kinds. The vaults used to be 35 dungeons and were later used as prisons.

The Castle of San Felipe is one of the most emblematic constructions of Cartagena which, like the Walled City and other fortifications of the city, is considered a World Heritage Site. It is located on the hill of San Lázaro and was built in 1657. It is also known as Fort San Felipe de Barajas.

The castle is very close to the Walled City, so you can include it in your day tour of Cartagena. The tour can take between 1 and 3 hours, as you can explore every corner of the castle, such as the artillery posts and the underground tunnels, which were designed as a labyrinth and a trap for enemies.

Another striking detail is the construction of its walls, which are inclined inwards, instead of being perpendicular as in other fortifications. They are wider at the base and narrower at the top. Don't forget to stop by the Old Shoes monument, which is located behind the castle and is a cultural emblem of Cartagena.

For more information

• Location: Barrio Pie del Cerro, Avenida Antonio de Arévalo. Carrera 17., Cl. 32 #17-85, Cartagena de Indias.
• Opening hours: daily from 7 am to 6 pm.
• Entry fee: about 7 EUR per person.

Getsemaní is a neighbourhood to stroll through and get to know the art and culture that abounds in its narrow streets, art galleries, open-air murals, large houses, graffiti, cafés, souvenir shops and squares. It is also one of the most popular neighbourhoods for its nightlife.

Declared Historical Heritage in 1984, the neighbourhood stands out for its exceptional street art, which turns it into an authentic open-air museum. That is why one of the best things to do in Cartagena is to take a guided tour of Getsemaní, where you can get to know its history, culture and art in depth. The main streets to see this art are La Sierpe and San Juan, as well as Plaza de la Trinidad and Calle del Espíritu Santo.

In terms of its history, it was one of the first neighbourhoods in Cartagena where free black people lived during the slavery period, and from where the revolutionary movement for independence began. It is located a few steps away from the Walled City, past the Clock Tower and the Centennial Park, where you will find the famous 29th Street, known as the Street of Flags.

One of the things you can't miss in Cartagena is walking along the city walls, especially at sunset, when you can enjoy a privileged sun set over the Caribbean Sea. You can walk freely along them, although at this time of day they can be more crowded with tourists.

Of the city walls, which began to be built in the 16th century, some 11 km remain today, surrounding the historic centre of the city on the northern side. It took about two centuries to build this defensive wall, which is the best preserved in South America and is considered a World Heritage Site.

To walk along the walls, the tour starts at the Baluarte de San Pedro Mártir and ends in front of the Naval Museum. On the way you can visit the Fortifications Museum, where you can learn about the history of the walls and how they were built.

One of the best tours from Cartagena de Indias is to visit the paradise islands off the Baru peninsula, about 40 km from Cartagena. These are the Rosario Islands or Corales del Rosario, a group of some 28 islands of crystalline waters that form part of the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo, a protected area of great beauty.

The only way to get there is by sea, taking a boat from the Bodeguita pier, which is very close to the Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower). Another option is to stay in one of the hotels on the Rosario Islands and hire a private transfer if you wish to spend several days on one of these dream islands.

On the islands, as well as enjoying the sun and swimming on the beach, you can dive or snorkel to explore the coral reefs or go kayaking. The largest and most touristy island is Isla Grande, famous for its luminescent plankton. Some of the most visited are Pelican Island and Pirate Island, and if you're looking for a quieter destination, you can go to the Virgin Islands or Treasure Island.

A visit to Cartagena is not complete if you don't climb the highest viewpoint in the city, which is located on the Cerro de la Popa. From its 150 metres high, you will be able to appreciate the two Cartagenas, the modern and the old; the bays, the Caribbean Sea and even the island of Tierrabomba.

At the top of the hill is the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa, which you can also take the opportunity to visit. Its construction began in 1610 and it has even had a defensive function at some point in its history, due to its strategic position.

People usually take a taxi or motorbike taxi up to the convent, which is a low-cost alternative. Ideally, you should also hire the descent as well as the ascent. It is possible to walk up a route, but this is not recommended for safety reasons. If you are in Cartagena in February, you can go up with the procession of the Virgen de la Candelaria, in which many locals take part.

More information about the procession

• Location: Cl. 37, Cartagena de Indias.
• Opening hours: daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
• Entry fee: about 3 EUR per person.

The Baru Peninsula or Baru Island is located about 40 km from Cartagena de Indias and is part of the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo. Its 20 paradisiacal beaches are one of the reasons why many people take a transfer from Cartagena airport. Of these, Playa Blanca is the most famous, and it is free of charge. Many of the other beaches are private, so they are less crowded.

The beaches of Baru Island have everything you could ask for from a Caribbean island: crystal clear turquoise waters, white sands, palm trees, lush vegetation. You can reach the peninsula by land or by sea. If you go by sea, you should board a boat at the Bodeguita pier, which is located near the Clock Tower.

At Playa Blanca you can rent an umbrella and sun loungers, enjoy the local cuisine and buy handicrafts. You can also stay on the peninsula and enjoy the charm of the island at night. Another option is to visit the mangrove swamps of the Cholón swamp, which are coastal flood forests.

If you want to learn more about the culture of Cartagena in a traditional and authentic atmosphere, you can go to the Barzuto Market, where you will find a wide variety of local products such as fish, fruits, medicinal herbs, clothes and handicrafts.

It's the ideal place to chat with the locals while tasting typical Colombian food and drinks. If you go at noon, you can try the freshly made dishes in the restaurants, which are prepared with fresh ingredients.

The market is located about 6 km from the Walled City, between 5 neighbourhoods: Pie de la Popa, Barrio Chino, Martinez Martelo, El Prado and La Quinta. It is not to be missed if you want to get to know the typical gastronomy of Cartagena and Colombia, and delight yourself with the most delicious dishes prepared in a traditional way.

In Cartagena de Indias there are some very interesting museums you can visit to learn about the history, art and culture of this Colombian city. Here is a list of some of the most emblematic ones, where you will find a wide variety of proposals:

• Emerald Museum: it contains a vast collection of emeralds and beryls, some of them 30 million years old, from Colombia and other parts of the world, as well as jewellery made with this stone. It is located in the Walled City.
• Zenú Gold Museum: exhibits a large collection of pre-Columbian gold objects from the Zenú culture. It is located in the Walled City.
• Historical Museum or Palace of the Inquisition: it is located where the Inquisition Tribunal used to be. Here you can learn about the history of Cartagena from pre-Hispanic times, as well as the dark times of the Inquisition.
• Museum of Modern Art: it contains collections of Latin American art, especially coastal art.
• Naval Museum: it is located in the port of Cartagena and offers a tour through the naval history of Colombia.

A comfortable way to get around the city is by taking one of Cartagena's tourist buses, which make stops at the city's main tourist attractions. As an extra suggestion, you can visit one of the houses of Gabriel García Márquez, the Nobel Prize winner, which is located in the Walled City.

Bocagrande is the most modern neighbourhood of Cartagena de las Indias, where you will see tall buildings, shopping centres, shops of all kinds and restaurants. It also has an extensive beach with palm trees, the most typical of Cartagena, where you can learn more about the customs of the locals.

Bocagrande beach is not the most touristy or the most paradisiacal, but it is a very beautiful beach on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, where locals and families usually stroll. It is also home to Cartagena's largest shopping centre, which is located in Plaza Bocagrande.

The beach can be visited every day from 8am to 6pm and is free of charge. There are also docks in Bocagrande where cruises depart for sunset cruises along Cartagena's coastline, offering some of the most beautiful views of the city, the Caribbean Sea and the wonderful natural environment that surrounds it.