Explore the Walled CityMust-See SightsThe old walled city is Cartagena's main draw — cobblestone streets, painted balconies, colonial squares. It gets busy, especially midday; early morning or evening is noticeably better.0 Add to listExplore the Walled CityMust-See SightsThe old walled city is Cartagena's main draw — cobblestone streets, painted balconies, colonial squares. It gets busy, especially midday; early morning or evening is noticeably better.0 Add to list
Climb Castillo San FelipeMust-See SightsPaidA large Spanish fort on a hill above the city, with a maze of tunnels beneath it. You can walk the ramparts for good views and it usually requires a paid ticket.0 Add to listClimb Castillo San FelipeMust-See SightsPaidA large Spanish fort on a hill above the city, with a maze of tunnels beneath it. You can walk the ramparts for good views and it usually requires a paid ticket.0 Add to list
Pass Through the Yellow Clock Tower GateMust-See SightsThe yellow clock tower gate (Torre del Reloj) is the main entrance to the old city. It's a classic first-look photo stop and easy to find from anywhere nearby.0 Add to listPass Through the Yellow Clock Tower GateMust-See SightsThe yellow clock tower gate (Torre del Reloj) is the main entrance to the old city. It's a classic first-look photo stop and easy to find from anywhere nearby.0 Add to list
Walk Through GetsemaníMust-See SightsThe neighborhood just outside the walls, known for large street murals and a more lived-in feel than the old city. Worth an evening walk; it gets lively after dark.0 Add to listWalk Through GetsemaníMust-See SightsThe neighborhood just outside the walls, known for large street murals and a more lived-in feel than the old city. Worth an evening walk; it gets lively after dark.0 Add to list
Relax in Plaza Santo DomingoMust-See SightsA good square to stop for a drink, with a church on one side and a Fernando Botero sculpture of a reclining woman in the middle. Usually busy with vendors and cafe tables.0 Add to listRelax in Plaza Santo DomingoMust-See SightsA good square to stop for a drink, with a church on one side and a Fernando Botero sculpture of a reclining woman in the middle. Usually busy with vendors and cafe tables.0 Add to list
Walk the Old Ramparts at SunsetMust-See SightsSummerWalking the old ramparts is one of the classic things to do in Cartagena. The stretch near Baluarte del Reducto catches the sunset over the water; go early evening before the crowds arrive.0 Add to listWalk the Old Ramparts at SunsetMust-See SightsSummerWalking the old ramparts is one of the classic things to do in Cartagena. The stretch near Baluarte del Reducto catches the sunset over the water; go early evening before the crowds arrive.0 Add to list
Order a Drink at the Soviet BarFun Side QuestsA tiny bar in the walled city plastered with Soviet memorabilia — Lenin busts, hammers and sickles. Quick and genuinely funny, especially given it's sitting inside a 500-year-old Spanish colonial building.0 Add to listOrder a Drink at the Soviet BarFun Side QuestsA tiny bar in the walled city plastered with Soviet memorabilia — Lenin busts, hammers and sickles. Quick and genuinely funny, especially given it's sitting inside a 500-year-old Spanish colonial building.0 Add to list
Climb Inside the Giant Old ShoesFun Side QuestsBehind Castillo San Felipe, two oversize bronze shoes sit on a plinth — big enough to climb inside and pose. A quick stop on the way to or from the fort.0 Add to listClimb Inside the Giant Old ShoesFun Side QuestsBehind Castillo San Felipe, two oversize bronze shoes sit on a plinth — big enough to climb inside and pose. A quick stop on the way to or from the fort.0 Add to list
Hunt the Lizard Door KnockerFun Side QuestsOld door knockers (aldabas) in the walled city were symbols of nobility — lizards for certain houses, turtles for others. Worth keeping an eye out as you walk; they're easy to miss.0 Add to listHunt the Lizard Door KnockerFun Side QuestsOld door knockers (aldabas) in the walled city were symbols of nobility — lizards for certain houses, turtles for others. Worth keeping an eye out as you walk; they're easy to miss.0 Add to list
Brave a Bowl of Mote de QuesoLocal FoodMote de queso is a thick coast soup made with salty costeño cheese and name root. It's an acquired taste — worth trying at least a bowl if you're curious about local food.0 Add to listBrave a Bowl of Mote de QuesoLocal FoodMote de queso is a thick coast soup made with salty costeño cheese and name root. It's an acquired taste — worth trying at least a bowl if you're curious about local food.0 Add to list
Drink a Costenita on the Church StepsLocal FoodLocal RitualsAfter 8pm, Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní fills up with locals, cold beer from the corner shop, and often impromptu salsa. One of the more genuine evening spots in the city.0 Add to listDrink a Costenita on the Church StepsLocal FoodLocal RitualsAfter 8pm, Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní fills up with locals, cold beer from the corner shop, and often impromptu salsa. One of the more genuine evening spots in the city.0 Add to list
Hunt the DEXS Mural on Calle de la SierpeFun Side QuestsCalle de la Sierpe in Getsemaní has some of the city's best street murals, including a large piece by artist DEXS. Easy to walk in 20 minutes alongside the neighborhood's other walls.0 Add to listHunt the DEXS Mural on Calle de la SierpeFun Side QuestsCalle de la Sierpe in Getsemaní has some of the city's best street murals, including a large piece by artist DEXS. Easy to walk in 20 minutes alongside the neighborhood's other walls.0 Add to list
Get a Fruit Bowl Balanced on Your HeadFun Side QuestsPalenqueras in bright ruffled dresses sell fruit near the main squares. Most are happy to balance their bowl on your head for a photo if you buy some fruit or tip them a couple of dollars.0 Add to listGet a Fruit Bowl Balanced on Your HeadFun Side QuestsPalenqueras in bright ruffled dresses sell fruit near the main squares. Most are happy to balance their bowl on your head for a photo if you buy some fruit or tip them a couple of dollars.0 Add to list
Find the Fist-Raised BlacksmithFun Side QuestsThe statue of Pedro Romero outside the Trinidad church in Getsemaní shows the revolutionary figure mid-fist-raise alongside a priest and a drummer. Easy photo stop in the square.0 Add to listFind the Fist-Raised BlacksmithFun Side QuestsThe statue of Pedro Romero outside the Trinidad church in Getsemaní shows the revolutionary figure mid-fist-raise alongside a priest and a drummer. Easy photo stop in the square.0 Add to list
Explore Mercado de BazurtoFun Side QuestsMercado de Bazurto is a large, chaotic local market about 4km from the old city — the kind of place that's genuinely local rather than tourist-facing. Best visited with a guide or someone who knows it.0 Add to listExplore Mercado de BazurtoFun Side QuestsMercado de Bazurto is a large, chaotic local market about 4km from the old city — the kind of place that's genuinely local rather than tourist-facing. Best visited with a guide or someone who knows it.0 Add to list
Attempt Salsa at Cafe Havana in GetsemaníFun Side QuestsCafe Havana on the corner of Media Luna in Getsemaní is a small salsa bar that gets going late, with live son cubano and Cuban flags. Go after 9pm; it gets genuinely good past midnight.0 Add to listAttempt Salsa at Cafe Havana in GetsemaníFun Side QuestsCafe Havana on the corner of Media Luna in Getsemaní is a small salsa bar that gets going late, with live son cubano and Cuban flags. Go after 9pm; it gets genuinely good past midnight.0 Add to list
Run the 400-Year-Old Walls at DawnActiveLocal RitualsA jog along the top of Las Murallas before 7am is quiet and cool enough to actually enjoy. You get sea views and clock-tower sightlines before the souvenir sellers set up.0 Add to listRun the 400-Year-Old Walls at DawnActiveLocal RitualsA jog along the top of Las Murallas before 7am is quiet and cool enough to actually enjoy. You get sea views and clock-tower sightlines before the souvenir sellers set up.0 Add to list
Walk the Bocagrande Seafront PromenadeActiveLocal RitualsThe beachfront promenade in Bocagrande is good for an early morning walk or run — breezy, flat and lined with juice carts. It's a local exercise route, not a tourist trail.0 Add to listWalk the Bocagrande Seafront PromenadeActiveLocal RitualsThe beachfront promenade in Bocagrande is good for an early morning walk or run — breezy, flat and lined with juice carts. It's a local exercise route, not a tourist trail.0 Add to list
Find the Sleepy Sloths of Parque del CentenarioFun Side QuestsWith KidsParque del Centenario is a free shaded park between the walls and Getsemaní where wild sloths, monkeys and iguanas live in the trees. Visit after 2pm when they tend to move around; ask the coffee seller to help you spot them.0 Add to listFind the Sleepy Sloths of Parque del CentenarioFun Side QuestsWith KidsParque del Centenario is a free shaded park between the walls and Getsemaní where wild sloths, monkeys and iguanas live in the trees. Visit after 2pm when they tend to move around; ask the coffee seller to help you spot them.0 Add to list
Explore the San Felipe Castle TunnelsActiveWith KidsPaidThe tunnel network under Castillo San Felipe is a highlight of the fort visit — genuinely old, a bit dark, and good fun to explore. Kids usually love it; the entry ticket covers the tunnels and the ramparts.0 Add to listExplore the San Felipe Castle TunnelsActiveWith KidsPaidThe tunnel network under Castillo San Felipe is a highlight of the fort visit — genuinely old, a bit dark, and good fun to explore. Kids usually love it; the entry ticket covers the tunnels and the ramparts.0 Add to list
Hunt Souvenirs in Old Jail Cells at Las BóvedasFun Side QuestsWith KidsLas Bóvedas are 23 vaulted arches built into the city wall, originally used as storage or cells, now full of souvenir stalls. Good for mochilas, hammocks and small Botero replicas.0 Add to listHunt Souvenirs in Old Jail Cells at Las BóvedasFun Side QuestsWith KidsLas Bóvedas are 23 vaulted arches built into the city wall, originally used as storage or cells, now full of souvenir stalls. Good for mochilas, hammocks and small Botero replicas.0 Add to list
