Last Updated on June 30, 2021 by Nellie Huang

It’s impossible to not fall in love with Cartagena. Get to know the city inside out with my list of fun things to do in Cartagena Colombia.

Colombia’s Caribbean sweetheart is a city of colors and culture, where the energy is impalpable and the heat relenting. Colorfully dressed palenquera ladies saunter alongside pastel-colored colonial houses and churches, while horse-drawn carriages trot along the cobblestoned roads, with upbeat salsa music echoing in the background. 

Yes, Cartagena is touristy — the historical town draws in hordes of travelers and cruise passengers — but if you know where to look in Cartagena, you’ll find quirky corners, fascinating history and an undeniable charm. As a homage to my favorite city to visit in Colombia, I’ve compiled a long list of fun things to do in Cartagena to make sure you fall in love just as I did!

History of Cartagena Colombia

Founded in 1533, Cartagena was first established when Spanish commander Pedro de Heredia took over an abandoned Amerindian Caribbean village and built a settlement of his own. He named it Cartagena de Indias, in reference to the Spanish counterpart.

At this time, Spanish riches were transported through Cartagena, earning the city large sums to build mansions. People from all over the country came here looking to make their fortune. The coastal city has played a major part in the history of Colombia; fending off invasions, and battling pirates lured by the riches in the city.

In 1821, Cartagena was the first city to declare independence from Spain. Today, the walled Old City remains unchanged, with some of the best preserved colonial architecture in Latin America.

 

Things to Do in Cartagena

Poised along the Caribbean coast, Cartagena is a hugely popular place for those traveling in Colombia. There are so many things to do in Cartagena, whether you’re here for history, culture or simply a holiday. The large city is multi-faceted, with each of the districts displaying different flair. Here are the three most interesting areas in Cartagena.

Cartagena Centro is the heart of the city, with an impressive collection of colonial buildings packed into a walled area. The entire walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Getsemaní is located right outside the old colonial walled city. Cartagena’s hippest neighborhood was once plagued by crime and violence. Now it’s been transformed into a hipster enclave brimming with street art, cafes and boutique hotels.

Bocagrande is the most modern part of Cartagena: a strip flanked by fancy hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and art galleries. Bocagrande beaches aren’t anything to write home about, but they do provide a respite from Cartagena’s extremely humid weather.

• Things to Do in Cartagena Walled City
• Things to Do in Getsemaní
• Things to Do Outside of Downtown Cartagena
• Daytrips from Cartagena

Things to Do in Cartagena Walled City

The walled city of Cartagena, or simply known as Centro, is the palpitating heart of the city, and it’s where I recommend staying (scroll down for hotel recommendations). I spent days just wandering through the maze of cobbled alleys, balconies covered in bougainvillea, and massive churches that cast their shadows across leafy plazas, and absolutely loved it.

1. See the Clock Tower

The best place to start your trip in Cartagena is the iconic landmark, the Clock Tower or Puerta del Reloj. This is the original entrance of the fortified city. Dating back to 1601, the tower was built to connect, via drawbridge, Getsemani with old Cartagena. 

Originally referred to as “La Boca del Puente” (The Mouth of the Bridge), it was rebuilt to house a superior Swiss clock which in fact is still in operation today. This is also an excellent spot to snap a photo of the multi-colored row of colonial houses across the square.

2. Visit the Cathedral

You’ll most likely recognize the Cathedral tower from postcards and photos of Cartagena. The most iconic landmark of Cartagena can be seen from most parts of the fortified town.

Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría was designed by master builder Simón González, modeled after basilicas in Spain. Construction began in 1577, replacing a humble cathedral of straw and reeds. 

The Cartagena Cathedral always has its doors wide open, so you can see its interior even if it’s not open for visits. The best photo spot with the Cathedral in the background is on Calle Don Sancho. Walk towards the sea and turn around, for a gorgeous view!

 

3. Visit the Gold Museum

Located around the corner from the Cathedral, the Museo de Oro Zenú is a smaller version of the world-class gold museum in Bogota. If you’re not planning to travel Bogota, then make a pitstop here to have a glance of the gold and pottery of the Zenú (also known as Sinú) people, who inhabited the region before the Spanish conquest. 

It’s free to enter, and the air-con is a refreshing respite from Cartagena’s oppressive humidity. During my visit, the original museum was under renovation but they opened a temporary exhibit around the corner.

4. Hang Out at Parque de Bolivar

Right next to the gold museum is a small park (one of the many in the old town), and it’s dedicated to Simon Bolivar, a name you’ll hear a lot when traveling South America. Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan general and statesman who brought political independence to six present-day nations in South America. 

It’s a great spot to observe local life: street vendors selling fruit, seniors chatting on the benches, and youngsters hanging out. Take a seat on a shaded bench while you take in the sights and sounds around you.

5. Eat Arepas on the Streets

If you’re looking for a morning snack, the street vendors at Parque Bolivar can definitely satisfy your craving. One of the most common street foods you’ll find in Colombia is the arepa, a thick cornmeal tortilla that is grilled or baked. It’s usually served with carne (minced meat), huevo (egg) or queso (cheese). They’re insanely cheap and good: an arepa costs just 2000 – 2500 pesos ($0.50). 

You’ll find arepa street vendors everywhere in Cartagena — but the good ones are those that fry the arepa on demand. Besides the ones at Parque de Bolivar, I also really like the arepa stand parked in front of Townhouse Boutique Hotel on Carrera 7 (only in the evenings).

6. Buy Fruit from Local Vendors

The first thing you’ll notice when you’re in Cartagena is the amount of fresh fruit everywhere! Cartagena is blessed with tropical weather and all kinds of juicy, delicious fruit grow here: from huge mangoes to passionfruit, and more exotic ones like lulo and mangosteen. 

You’ll find men pushing carts brimming with all kinds of fruit and also palenqueras (read next point for more) sashaying with fruit baskets on their heads. They have the best mangoes I’ve ever tried — and they don’t taste anything like the ones at home!

 

7. Get to know the Palenqueras

Everywhere you go in Cartagena’s historical old town, you’ll spot the palenqueras: black women in colorful dresses expertly balancing bowls of tropical fruit on their heads. Over the years, they have become the symbol of not just Cartagena, but of Colombia. 

Today, they make their money posing for photos, but this wasn’t always the case. Originally from San Basilio de Palenque, these ladies are direct descendants of the world’s first free African slaves. They escaped from the colonizers and established a settlement just 1.5 hours from Cartagena.

Back then, the women of Palenque would put on their traditional African dress and make the long journey into Cartagena by foot to sell baskets full of tropical fruit. Today, the Palenqueras instead make their money from posing for curious tourists. And it’s easy to see why: their beautiful smiles and colorful traditional dresses set against Cartagena’s crumbling mustard walls make for a stunning photo.

8. See the San Pedro Claver Church

Another prominent landmark in the old town (especially its cupola) is the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver. Completed in the first half of the 18th century, the church has a beautiful stone facade, and inside there are fine stained-glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble.

Founded by Jesuits, the convent was named after Spanish-born monk Pedro Claver (1580–1654), who lived and died here. Called the ‘Apostle of the Blacks’ or the ‘Slave of the Slaves,’ the monk spent his life helping enslaved people brought from Africa. A series of lucid paintings inside the building relates his life story.

9. Visit the Palace of the Inquisition

Just a few minutes’ walk from San Pedro Claver is the Palace of the Inquisition, one of the city’s prettiest examples of Spanish Colonial architecture. Built in 1770, it features a grandiose entrance built in the Baroque style, long wooden balconies covered with pink bougainvillea, and an ornate cast iron fence.

But this gorgeous building hides a dark secret — it was the notorious torture palace of the Spanish Inquisition. Today, the palace is a museum, displaying the inquisitors’ instruments of torture. The museum also houses pre-Columbian pottery and plots a historical trajectory of the city using armaments, paintings, furniture and even church bells.

10. Join a Free Walking Tour 

The best way to get beneath the surface of Cartagena and meet other travelers is to join a free walking tour. There are quite a few free walking tours in Cartagena these days — just look out for the yellow umbrella for the original one.

My guide Edgar was the first person to start free walking tours in Cartagena. He brings travelers on a 2-hour walk that covers the entire walled city, visiting all the spots I mentioned above. The tours start at 10am and 2pm everyday, departing from Plaza de Santa Teresa.  I definitely learned a lot more from the walk than I expected and highly recommend it. Book here.

11. Try Fresh Seafood at Local Eateries

When it comes to food, Cartagena has no shortage of good eats. But many of the restaurants in the walled city cater to tourists and are overpriced — you do need to dig a little deeper to find authentic Colombian food.

Most local diners serve the menu del dia, a set meal that costs between 8000 to 15000 Pesos (US$2.5 – $4). It usually includes a main dish with coconut rice, patacon (flattened fried plantain), salad, and a thick soup with meat and corn, plus a juice.

In Cartagena, the main dish is often the mojarra fish which is served whole and fried. Once you leave the Caribbean coast, this will be hard to come by, so do try it here. I recommend trying the mojarra at Atahualpa Restaurant — it’s really fresh and cheap.

Other simple local diners worth checking out are:

• Refrequeria La Estrella
• Espiritu Santo
• La Mulata

12. Try Coffee Inspired Cocktails at Epoca Cafe

Colombia has the some of the best coffee in the world — and there’s no shortage of excellent cafes all over Cartagena. If you’re simply looking for a good cuppa, head to Juan Valdez Cafe, a Colombian cafe chain that has become a household name in many countries. It may look like a Starbucks, but even Colombians rave about the quality coffee there.

For those seeking something a little different, I recommend checking out Epoca Espresso Bar, that has gained a following with its creative coffee cocktails. Try the Embajador de la Época, which includes kyoto cold brew, agave and hechicera rum. 

13. Go to Ábaco Libros y Café

A local’s favorite haunt, Ábaco Libros not only serves some of the best coffee in Cartagena — but it’s also a charming bookshop with lots of charisma. It’s not longer a secret, but it still retains its charm with its intimate size and quiet atmosphere. The small cafe is covered wall-to-wall with books in both Spanish and English, and is the perfect oasis to relax.

14. Snap Photos on Calle de la Cochera del Hobo

The streets of Cartagena’s walled city are so incredibly beautiful that you can easily spend days just wandering around and snapping photos at every corner. One of the most photogenic streets in the old town is Calle de Cochera del Hobo, where pink bougainvilleas drape over pastel-colored houses. The doors here are particularly ornate and you’ll often find one or two palenqueras sitting by the street corner here. 

15. Visit Las Bovedas

Right around the corner is Las Bovedas, or the Vaults. The bright yellow complex is actually a series of dungeons built in the 1790s. Originally designed for storage, these vaults were turned into prison cells during the civil war that ripped Colombia apart in the 19th century. The political prisoners faced grueling conditions and were often forced to stand in knee-deep seawater during high tides.

Today Las Bóvedas have taken on a new life as a bustling marketplace with local artisan shops and souvenir stores. Go up to the roof of the vaults for a panoramic view.

16. See Sunset on the Wall

The Old City is surrounded by fortified walls, which can actually be walked on in certain sections. The most popular section of the wall is at Cafe del Mar (click to see on Google Map).

Every blog says Cafe del Mar is the best place to see sunset in Cartagena, but I think it’s overpriced and way too crowded (there were long lines when I was there). You can easily get the same view standing next to the cafe on the wall, for free.

17. Have a Drink on the Movich Hotel’s Rooftop Bar

The best spot in Cartagena for sunset views, in my opinion, is the rooftop bar at Movich Hotel Cartagena. Sip on mojitos by the pool and feast on the sunset views, with San Pedro Claver Church in the backdrop and the modern skyscrapers of Bocagrande in the distance.

Drinks are not cheap (cocktails for 40,000 COP or US$10) though. If you’re looking to splurge, get a day pass for $55 to enjoy the pool all day (half of it can be used for food/drink consumption).

There are plenty of cool rooftop bars in Centro  — another one worth visiting is the Townhouse Rooftop Bar. It’s small, but chic and cosy. It has lots of lounge space, tall palm trees, and electric pink neon signs.

18. Follow Anthony Bourdain’s Footsteps at La Cevichería

Made famous by Anthony Bourdain, La Cevichería is a household name and a fixture in Cartagena’s culinary scene. Its owner Julio Orellano was featured in Bourdain’s No Reservations episode on Colombia, and since then, it has been on the must-go list for many travelers. The seafood-centric menu is simple, and the star of the show is the octopus ceviche. Prices here are similar to other tourist restaurants, but the food is excellent.

19. Enjoy the Nightlife of Cartagena

With the extreme heat during the day, it’s no wonder Cartagena truly comes alive only at night. As the sunsets, you’ll notice more people streaming out to the streets and hanging out at the many alfresco bars. The walled city is packed with pubs full of personality, clubs that rock until the wee hours of the morning, and sexy salsa clubs. 

Alquímico is a top favorite in the walled city, with an art deco cocktail bar on the ground floor and a large rooftop bar upstairs. El Baron is one of the most popular cocktail bars in town, with its exposed brick walls, funky industrial lighting and brilliant live music at weekends. 

Most clubs are only open Thursday through Saturday. You don’t have to dress super fancy for a night out, but leave the flipflops and shorts behind. If you’re looking for some salsa to go with your cocktails, check out  Donde Fidel, which beloved for its salsa music. Mistik Club is extremely popular with locals, but it’s also among the pricier clubs in town. 

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Things to Do in Cartagena’s Getsemaní District

Just a 10-minute walk from the old town is Getsemaní, one of the coolest areas to explore in Cartagena. It’s hip, artsy, laidback and rough around the edges. What used to be a gritty neighborhood drowning in crime and violence, has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor art museum, with its street art everywhere and squares flanked by trendy bars.

20. See Wild Sloths and Iguanas in Parque del Centenario

To get to Getsemaní from the Old Town, you’ll definitely pass through Parque del Centenario. But this isn’t any park — it’s home to several green iguanas and a resident sloth that roam freely in the park. 

The green iguanas are easy to spot as they’re on the ground most times. But to see the sloth, you might need to ask the park caretakers for the perezoso (sloth in Spanish). I was lucky enough to see the sloth on a tall palm tree at the main entrance. 

21. See Street Art on Calle de la Sierpe

The gentrification of Getsemaní brought about an artistic revolution in the community. Wandering through the pastel maze of colonial houses, you’ll find plenty of eye-popping, vibrant street art. 

The first murals appeared on Calle 29, also known as Calle de la Sierpe, a semi-industrial stretch of concrete wall. Local artists saw the opportunity to reclaim the streets with their spray cans and imagination and went to work. Now, a good portion of the street is covered in striking street art.

Keep walking and you’ll see more mural art along Calle de San Juan and the streets flanking Plaza de la Trinidad. In fact, right next to the square, you’ll find my favorite street art: a painting of the Maria Mulata, the official bird of Cartagena. Colombian artist Yurika was inspired to paint this vibrant street mural by a local folk tale.

22. People Watch at Plaza de la Trinidad

The main square in Getsemaní is Plaza de la Trinidad, which is bustling with life regardless of the time of the day. It’s a great spot to watch street performers and enjoy street food from the many stalls that dot the square. 

A good photo op is just across the street, right in front of the colorful and flamboyant Restaurant Palenqueras. I don’t recommend eating here though as it’s overpriced — scroll down for my recommendations on where to eat.

23. See the Umbrellas on Callejón Angosto

Just a 3-minute walk away from the square is a tiny alley decorated with umbrellas, called Callejón Angosto. It’s a photogenic street, worth visiting just got photos. And an even narrower alley that runs parallel to it, Callejón Ancho, is just as photogenic, with floral decorations and a tiny mojito bar right on the street. But be aware that you are traipsing through the alleys where locals live, though most of them are more than happy to see tourists.

24. Eat Local Food on Calle Tripita y Media

One of the best places to try local food in Cartagena is along Calle Tripita y Media, a pedestrianized street lined with colorful flags and flanked with food stalls. It runs perpendicular to the main thoroughfare, Calle 32. 

This is the cheapest place in the city to try local food — almost all of the diners serve menu del dia that includes sancocho (a soup), patacon (fried plantain), coconut rice, beans and a meat or fish.  

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Things to Do Outside of the Walled City

It’s easy to get trapped in the bubble of Cartagen’s old town. Keep in mind there’s more to Cartagena than that and if you’re looking to experience the different sides to the city, then I recommend venturing out to these places.

25. Visit the Castillo de San Felipe

The impressive fort/castle is just a 10-minute drive from the historical center. You can also walk from the old town, but it can be challenging in the heat and humidity of Cartagena. 

Dating back to 1536, the fortress fell to the French in the late 1600s. It was a pivotal location in the war against independence with Spain. The castle was cleaned up and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

The castle is an excellent spot to learn about Cartagena’s history and see both the old and new parts of Cartagena from above. To get there from the old town, catch a taxi and it shouldn’t cost more than 8,000 COP ($2). Entrance is 25,000 COP (US$6.5).

26. Wander around the Bazurto Market

Cartagena’s biggest market is a dizzying mess of food stalls, clothing shops, electronic stores and more. It’s loud, messy, and chaotic — but it’s exactly why I think this is the most fun thing to do in Cartagena! The food section is particularly interesting (though also the grittiest) with all kinds of colorful tropical fruit, fresh fish and root plants on sale. 

Vendors are extremely friendly, especially if you smile and chat with them in Spanish. I asked if I could take photos of the food, but they all wanted to be in the photo! Don’t be put off by the warnings you read online — just be careful of pickpockets, and you’ll be fine. To get there, take a taxi from Castillo de San Felipe (which takes 10 minutes and costs 10,000 COP or $2.70). 

27. Go to the Top of the Cerro de la Popa for a View

On the highest point of Cartagena, stands a convent and viewpoint with sweeping views of the city. The convent’s name literally means the ‘Convent of the Stern,’ after the hill’s similarity to a ship’s back end. Founded by Augustine fathers in 1607, it was initially just a small wooden chapel, but when the hill was fortified two centuries later it was replaced by a stouter construction.

There’s no public transport to get there, so hire an Uber or a trustworthy taxi driver to traverse the zigzagging access road up to the convent. It takes 30 minutes to walk to the top, but it’s not recommended for safety reasons – the road skirts one of Cartagena’s dicier neighborhoods. Take a cab and expect to pay up to COP$60,000 ($15).

28. Swim at the Beaches of Bocagrande 

Although Cartagena’s Old Town is right next to the sea, it’s not the Caribbean of your dreams. The beaches are rocky and not suitable for swimming. 

However, there are plenty of beaches just a 10-minute drive away, such as Marbella and Bocagrande. These are not your typical Caribbean beach — so don’t come expecting powder white sand and turquoise waters. If you do want a pristine beach, then check out the day trips section below.

29. Visit the Mártires Square and the Harbor

If you’re looking for free things to do in Cartagena without going too far, head to the Martires Square in the evening. Just outside the main gate of the old town, Mártires Square is a busy area perfect for people watching. By day, there are lots of small vendor tents selling local goods and handicrafts. When you need a break from the foot traffic, walk over to the harbor and admire the twin Pegasus statues near the water.