Cartagena, Colombia

A colorful Colombian colonial port of walled streets, salsa, beaches, and island escapes.

colombia and cartagena in Cartagena, Colombia

🏛️ Sights & Attractions in Cartagena

  • Convento de la Popa — The convent, cloister and chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de la Popa are located at the top of Mount la Popa, in Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia. It is also called Convento de Santa Cruz de la Popa.
  • Bocagrande — is a neighborhood in the city of Cartagena de Indias in Bolívar, Colombia. It was designed with first-world standards, such as residential areas of restricted access, and a separate plant for processing waste water. It is located atop a peninsula immediately south of t
  • Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — A massive 17th-century Spanish fortress with an intricate network of tunnels and bunkers that successfully repelled British attacks during colonial times.
  • Las Murallas (City Walls) — 11km of stone fortifications built between 1586 and 1796 encircling the historic old town — the most complete colonial defensive system in the Americas.
  • Getsemaní Neighborhood — Once the working-class quarter outside the walls, now famous for colorful street art, plazas, and its role as the birthplace of Colombia’s independence movement.
  • Plaza Santo Domingo — A lively colonial square featuring the orange Santo Domingo Church and Fernando Botero’s bronze sculpture ‘La Gorda Gertrudis’.
  • Las Bóvedas — Built between 1789 and 1798 as dungeons and storage vaults, these 23 arches now house artisan shops with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea.
  • Palace of the Inquisition — Completed in 1770 as the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, this baroque building now serves as the Historical Museum of Cartagena.
  • Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría — Built between 1577 and 1612, the oldest cathedral in Colombia and a prime example of Spanish colonial religious architecture.
  • San Pedro Claver Church — A 17th-century Jesuit church housing the remains of Saint Peter Claver, the patron saint of slaves, with a distinctive 20th-century dome.
  • +3 more sights & attractions

🥾 Trails & Hikes in Cartagena

  • Old Town Wall Walk — Walk atop the 17th-century fortifications for spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the modern skyline from bastions like Santo Domingo.
  • Getsemaní Street Art Walk — Explore the colorful murals and graffiti art that transformed this former working-class neighborhood into Cartagena’s hippest cultural district.
  • Cerro de la Popa Walk — Hike or drive to the summit of Cartagena’s highest hill to visit the 1607 monastery and enjoy panoramic views of the city and bay.
  • Plaza to Plaza Historic Walk — Wander cobblestone streets connecting Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza Bolívar, and Plaza de los Coches to experience colonial Cartagena’s architectural gems.

🏖️ Beaches in Cartagena

  • Playa Bocagrande — A popular urban beach along the modern Bocagrande peninsula with golden sand, calm waters, and hotels and restaurants lining the shore.
  • Playa Blanca (Barú) — On Isla Barú about 45 minutes from Cartagena, a white-sand beach with crystal-clear turquoise water and beach clubs offering day passes.
  • Islas del Rosario — A coral archipelago 20km offshore, part of a national natural park protecting one of Colombia’s most important coral reef systems.
  • Playa Marbella — A quieter alternative to Bocagrande with golden sands and local ambiance along the Caribbean coast near the historic center.
  • Playa El Laguito — At the end of the Bocagrande peninsula, a calm beach surrounded by luxury hotels and popular for water sports.

🍽️ Restaurants in Cartagena

  • La Cevicheria — A tiny corner spot in San Diego made famous by Anthony Bourdain for its fresh ceviche and Caribbean seafood.
  • Carmen — An acclaimed restaurant in a colonial home in San Diego serving contemporary Colombian cuisine highlighting Caribbean ingredients.
  • Restaurante 1621 — Located in the Sofitel Santa Clara hotel, this refined restaurant holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its fine dining.
  • La Mulata — Known for authentic Caribbean cuisine with beautiful presentation and home-cooked flavors, near Castillo San Felipe fortress.
  • La Vitrola — An iconic Old Town restaurant evoking 1940s Havana with ceiling fans, palm fronds, and traditional Colombian and Caribbean dishes.
  • Club de Pesca — Located in the 1741 San Sebastián del Pastelillo fort on Manga Island, offering seafood with bay views and a private dock.
  • Vera — An Italian restaurant in the Mansion Tcherassi hotel featuring an exuberant garden interior and restored colonial walls.
  • Don Juan — A refined restaurant in the historic center specializing in Colombian and Caribbean cuisine with fresh local ingredients.

🍸 Bars & Nightlife in Cartagena

  • Cafe Havana — A legendary Getsemaní salsa bar with live big-band music, Cuban flags, and potent mojitos that transformed the neighborhood’s nightlife.
  • El Baron — An acclaimed cocktail bar on Plaza San Pedro Claver serving craft cocktails in a sophisticated setting, recognized by 50 Best Discovery.
  • Alquímico — A visually stunning cocktail bar in the historic center specializing in infused rums and inventive bar food in a buzzy, sumptuous space.
  • Tu Candela — Located in the Portal de los Dulces near the Clock Tower since 1991, a lively bar with views of the old city and a vibrant atmosphere.
  • Babar — A popular disco bar near Plaza Santa Teresa in the historic center, attracting a young crowd with high-energy music and dancing.

🎯 Activities & Tours in Cartagena

  • Street Food Tour in Cartagena — Cartagena’s street food is a vibrant reflection of its history, colors, and cultural fusion. On this delicious walking tour, savor the rich flavors born from African, Indigenous, Lebanese, and Spanish traditions, all blended with the scent of the Caribbean Sea and the lively stre
  • Private Walking Tour in Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní — Private Walking Tour: Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní. Discover the magic of the Caribbean on a Cartagena private walking tour tailored to your pace! Ideal for your first days, this exclusive experience connects you with the soul of Colombia’s most beautiful city. Enjoy a seaml
  • City Tour in Chiva through the City of Cartagena — With our City tour in chiva you will be able to visit the most emblematic places of Cartagena in the typical Colombian bus. The tour makes a stop at the most important tourist sites of the city such as the Internal Bay of Cartagena, the Letters of Cartagena, the Monument to the O
  • Sunset Cruise in Cartagena — Enjoy the sunset in Cartagena from a different point of view. Admire the spectacular profile of Cartagena on a romantic two-hour cruise at sunset.
  • Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena — Discover the Historic and Gethsemane Center on this tour through the scenes of enslavement, pirates and privateers, battles, Graphitis, Salsa and Champeta and much more as a result of the mixture of indigenous, African and Spanish, migrants from libantes, migrants from libantes.
  • ATV Half-Day Tour in Cartagena — Craven Adventures is a guided ATV's service located on the beautiful island of Tierra Bomba just 10 minutes away from the heart of Cartagena Colombia Where we ride around and explore one of the cities last uncut jewels. A place where the natural trails and ocean meets to create p
  • Cartagena City Tour & Convento de la Popa (AM) — Our Share city tour is the only one in Cartagena that includes a guided visit to Monastery of la Candelaria located in the highest point of trhe city considered a natural balcony of Cartagena"If you come to Cartagena and do not visit Monastery of la Candelaria you can not say tha
  • 5 Islands Tour from Cartagena Including Snorkeling and Lunch — The 5 Premium Islands tour is the most comfortable and fun way to get to know the entire archipelago of the Rosario and Barú Islands. You will receive everything that is offered to you. The guides are very friendly and are willing to fulfill your wishes for fun and segurity.. You
  • Horse Riding in Cartagena — Enjoy a spectacular horse ride during one or approximately an half and hour to shore on the beach of '' la boquilla ''
  • Premium Cruise Tour in Cartagena with Sunset and Open Bar — Embark on a unique experience cruising Cartagena Bay while enjoying an unparalleled view of the Caribbean sunset. On board an exclusive boat, you will feel the sea breeze and witness the sun shine the sky with golden and orange tones, creating a perfect setting for an unforgettab
  • +15 more activities & tours

🏨 Hotels & Stays in Cartagena

  • Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena — Luxury hotel in a 17th-century convent with Sofitel Spa, two restaurants, courtyard pool, and colonial charm in the walled city.
  • Hotel Casa San Agustin — Colonial boutique hotel of three white-washed houses with Aurum Spa, Alma restaurant, pool, and 31 rooms near the Clock Tower.
  • Bastión Luxury Hotel — Luxury hotel in the historic center with rooftop pool, spa, restaurant, and colonial architecture near San Felipe Castle.
  • Hyatt Regency Cartagena — Luxury hotel near Bocagrande Beach with 4 outdoor pools, full-service spa, 4 restaurants, and 380 rooms in the convention district.
  • Sofitel Barú Cartagena — Beachfront luxury resort on Barú Island with 5 pools, private beach, spa, and 187 rooms, a 40-minute boat ride from Cartagena.
  • Viajero Cartagena - Getsemaní Hostel — Adults-only hostel in vibrant Getsemani with rooftop pool, social activities and colonial architecture.
  • Media Luna Hostel Cartagena — Backpacker hostel in Getsemani with outdoor pool, hammocks, garden, complimentary breakfast and terrace views.
  • Getsemani Cartagena Hotel — Historic building in Getsemani with rooftop pool and sun terrace, near Marbella Beach.
  • Voilá Centro Histórico — Central hotel in the walled city with rooftop pool, sun terrace, garden and restaurant, location score 9.5.
  • Alfiz Hotel — 4-star boutique hotel in a restored colonial building, 1 block from Plaza de Bolívar, location score 9.7.
  • +8 more hotels & stays
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