Itineraries
Where to stay
The walled city to walk everywhere; Getsemaní for terraces and bars just outside the walls; Bocagrande for the beach and tall hotels.
The areas: Walled city, Getsemaní, Bocagrande.
Where to stay in Cartagena: areas and adviceHotels in CartagenaPlaces to see
All things to do in ColombiaBeachBocagrande BeachThe city beach on the Bocagrande peninsula, minutes from the walled city, with chairs and umbrellas for rent.Entry: Free to visit; chairs extra
FoodCalle del ArsenalA Getsemaní street of cafés, terraces, restaurants and bars facing the Convention Center.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointCity walls at Santo Domingo BastionA stretch of the 11 km of colonial walls, finished in 1796, facing the Caribbean sunset.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointClock Tower GateThe main gate into the walled city, topped by a clock brought from Switzerland.Entry: Free to visit
NeighborhoodCustoms House SquareCartagena's largest square, a former parade ground with a statue of Columbus.Entry: Free to visit
FoodEl LaguitoThe tip of the Bocagrande peninsula, with tall buildings, several restaurants and beach access.Entry: Pay as you go
ViewpointIndia Catalina MonumentEladio Gil's statue of Catalina, the Indigenous interpreter brought to Cartagena in 1533.Entry: Free to visit
ViewpointLa Popa ConventA convent founded in 1606 on La Popa hill, with the widest view over Cartagena.Entry: COP[fee]
MarketLas BóvedasA row of 47 arches built into the walls, the last colonial building in the city, now craft shops.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumPalace of the InquisitionSeat of the Inquisition tribunal from 1610 to 1821, now the city's history museum.Entry: COP[fee]
ViewpointPegasus WharfA waterfront walk by the Convention Center with two Pegasus sculptures, best at sunset.Entry: Free to visit
TransportRafael Núñez AirportCartagena's airport, with direct domestic flights to Medellín.Entry: Free to visit
BeachRosario IslandsCoral islands in a national park, about 90 min by boat from Cartagena, for beaches and snorkeling.Entry: Book a boat from La Bodeguita pier
RuinsSan Felipe de Barajas CastleA fortress finished in 1657 on San Lázaro hill, with tunnels and views over the bay.Entry: COP[fee]
ChurchSan Pedro Claver SanctuaryA 17th-century Jesuit church and cloister where San Pedro Claver lived; his remains lie under the altar.Entry: COP[fee] for the museum
FoodSan Pedro Claver SquareA square in front of the church lined with restaurants and craft shops, and scrap-metal sculptures.Entry: Pay as you go
FoodSanto Domingo SquareThe walled city's busiest evening square, with cafés, restaurants and Botero's Gertrudis sculpture.Entry: Pay as you go
MuseumZenú Gold MuseumA free museum of gold and pottery made by the Zenú people, on Bolívar Park.Entry: Free to visit