Things to do in Cartagena
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Top 10 attractions in Cartagena
San Felipe de Barajas Fort
San Felipe de Barajas Fort stands on San Lázaro Hill, east of the old city of Cartagena, and is a military fortress built during the Spanish colonial period to defend against pirates and foreign enemies. Its prototype dates back to the 16th century, and the grand scale seen today was mainly formed by continuous expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries, built primarily by African slave labor under the supervision of the Spanish. The entire fortress was built along the mountain with layered defenses. The zigzag ramps were designed specifically to disrupt the pace of attackers, the walls are wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, and the various cannon emplacements cover each other. Don't miss the crisscrossing tunnels when visiting: the main passage extends along the perimeter of the fortress, winding and deep, with footsteps echoing clearly against the stone walls. Back then, the defenders used the tunnels to quietly mobilize troops and ambush the enemy, and some dark chambers were even designed as detonatable traps to block enemies climbing over the walls. In front of the entrance stands a statue of the one-eyed, one-armed, and one-legged Spanish Admiral Blas de Lezo—in 1741, he defended Cartagena by relying on this fortress with far fewer men than the British fleet. Climb the ramp to the top battery for a wide-open view, where you can take in the colorful rooftops of the old city, the Getsemaní neighborhood, and the Caribbean Sea in the distance. The soft light in the evening is especially suitable for taking photos.Cartagena · 1.2km from downtown
Rosario Islands
Rosario Islands are scattered across the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Cartagena. They consist of 27 small coral islands and sandbars and are part of the Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo National Natural Park. The main part of the park is underwater: the seabed, ranging from a few m to tens of m deep, is covered with vast coral reefs, home to hundreds of species of fish and dozens of types of coral. Because of this, snorkeling and scuba diving are the main activities in the archipelago. Put on a mask and snorkel and head into the water, where schools of tropical fish swim right by your feet, with colorful coral right before your eyes. The main island in the archipelago, Isla Grande, is crisscrossed with coconut groves and mangroves, where you can kayak through mangrove waterways. After dark, you can see lagoons that glow with a faint blue light, as the bioluminescent plankton in the water light up when disturbed. The island also has an aquarium that exhibits marine animals such as sharks, sea turtles, and dolphins. Travel between the islands is entirely by boat. You can take a round-trip island-hopping tour from Cartagena in a single day, or stay overnight on the island. Meals on the island are primarily Caribbean-style.Cartagena · 34.6km from downtown
Walls of Cartagena
The Walls of Cartagena is one of the most historically and culturally interesting places to visit in Colombia. Located on the Caribbean coast, the city is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and rich historical background. Surrounded by sturdy stone walls, the walled city was originally built to protect against pirates and hostile forces. Today, these ancient walls are not only a testament to history, but also a great place for tourists to stroll and enjoy panoramic views of the city. In the Walls of Cartagena, visitors can explore colorful streets lined with well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings. A must-see is the Castillo de San Felipe, whose complex fortifications and underground tunnels show the military engineering wisdom of the time. In addition, tourists can also visit the Cartagena Cathedral and the Church of San Pedro Claver, which are religious buildings that are not only of historical significance but also show beautiful architectural art. The Walls of Cartagena is mainly pedestrian-only, and visitors can easily navigate the narrow streets. The restaurants and cafes here serve authentic Caribbean cuisine and are a good place to experience the local flavor.Cartagena · 2.2km from downtown
Monumento Torre del Reloj
Monumento Torre del Reloj is one of the landmarks of Cartagena, located in the Bolivar Department of Colombia. This bell tower is the main entrance to the historic center of Cartagena and has important historical and cultural significance. The unique architectural style, which incorporates colonial design elements, attracts many tourists to visit. The yellow exterior walls and towering spire of the bell tower are particularly eye-catching in the sun, making it a popular spot for taking pictures. Visitors can stroll around the bell tower, admire the surrounding ancient buildings and lively street scenes, and feel the unique charm of Cartagena. The surrounding square is a vibrant place, with street performers and vendors selling local specialties, providing tourists with a rich cultural experience. Monumento Torre del Reloj is not only a historical landmark, but also a starting point for understanding the rich history and culture of Cartagena.Cartagena · 2km from downtown
Santo Domingo Square
Santo Domingo Square is very suitable for rest. It is surrounded by alleys and there are many tables and chairs on the square. Tourists can sit here and quietly appreciate the vendors, dancers, and horse riders on the square. At the same time, it is a very pleasant thing to appreciate the surrounding buildings and feel the historical atmosphere here.Cartagena · 2.3km from downtown
Las Bóvedas de Santa Clara
Cartagena · 2.3km from downtown
Playa de Bocagrande
Cartagena · 2.8km from downtown
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is located in the suburbs of Cartagena in Bolivar Department, Colombia. It is a natural and pristine seaside destination on the Caribbean coastline. This crescent-shaped beach with soft white sand and gradient blue-green waters forms a typical tropical landscape. The shallow water area extends gently, which is suitable for leisurely swimming. Simple wooden hut restaurants and hammock areas are distributed along the coast, serving local seafood and coconut drinks. Traditional massage services can be experienced in some areas. As a popular day trip extension point in Cartagena, the beach can be reached by land or boat, and the main beach area is often used as a yacht mooring station. Visitors can try snorkeling to observe the near-shore coral reef ecology, or take a transparent bottom boat to explore the surrounding waters. In the afternoon, fishermen often sell freshly caught seafood, and craftsmen demonstrate straw and shell jewelry. This undeveloped beach provides travelers with a Caribbean coast experience away from the hustle and bustle with its pristine ecology and leisurely pace.Cartagena · 23.3km from downtown
EL BALUARTE SAN FRANCISCO JAVIER
Cartagena · 2.3km from downtown
Playa Castillo Grande
Cartagena · 3.1km from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Cartagena
Featured Food & drink in Cartagena
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Free things to do in Cartagena
San Felipe de Barajas Fort
Cartagena · 1.2km from downtownRosario Islands
Cartagena · 34.6km from downtownWalls of Cartagena
Cartagena · 2.2km from downtownMonumento Torre del Reloj
Cartagena · 2km from downtownSanto Domingo Square
Cartagena · 2.3km from downtownLas Bóvedas de Santa Clara
Cartagena · 2.3km from downtownPlaya de Bocagrande
Cartagena · 2.8km from downtownPlaya Blanca
Cartagena · 23.3km from downtownEL BALUARTE SAN FRANCISCO JAVIER
Cartagena · 2.3km from downtownPlaya Castillo Grande
Cartagena · 3.1km from downtown
More ways to travel from Cartagena
Cartagena Cruises
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What travellers say about Cartagena
青岛老韩8 October 2026
4.0
There wasn't anything particularly memorable, except for the dungeon. The dungeon was low, gloomy, damp, and oppressive, allowing one to empathize with the helplessness and terror of the slaves locked inside.
San Felipe de Barajas Fort
くろすけくん22 February 2023
5.0
The Rosario Islands are about an hour away from Cartagena by small boat.
The boat runs at high speed so I was worried about getting seasick, but it was no problem at all 🙆♀️
Unlike the area around Cartagena, the beaches are as beautiful as you would expect from the Caribbean Sea!
At the aquarium, the sharks have gotten used to it and are performing tricks?!
You can also experience SUP, kayaking, diving, and more.
Be careful of the salt water in the showers and pools! ️
There are also banana boats, jet skis, and other activities to enjoy.
Rosario Islands
还不曾去过倒悬山！2 April 2025
4.0
Colombians are generally the best in appearance and temperament among the Westerners I have ever met. This is due to their special mixed race and the country's superior natural and social environment. Therefore, many of the winners of Miss World and Miss Universe are Colombians, and Colombia has also been labeled as a country of beauties. In fact, if you stay in Medellin for a long time, you don't have to worry about having nothing to do. The simplest and most pleasant way to travel is to find a large shopping mall or park and sit there for a day, just looking at the beauties passing by.
Walls of Cartagena
Sarah Hs15 March 2021
5.0
The Bell Tower Monument continues the surrounding city walls, separating the old city and the new city of Cartagena. The middle city gate is like a time travel gate. On one side is Independence Square and on the other side is the port. It is always full from sunrise to sunset. Tourists, remember the feelings of history.
Monumento Torre del Reloj
sculptor8 May 2020
4.0
Plaza Santo Domingo in Cartagena's downtown old town is a bustling square with outdoor restaurants and bars, street performers, vendors and sculptures by Botero.
Santo Domingo Square
