2 days in Cartagena

Day by day

1. Day 1: The walled city and City walls and bastions

   The walled city, City walls and bastions, Plaza Santo Domingo and Palace of the Inquisition, then Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The walled city

      Along with the forts, it forms the UNESCO-listed 'Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments'. Walking the streets between Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de Bolívar and San Diego is the main activity.

   2. Late morning

      City walls and bastions

      You can walk along much of the top, past cannons on bastions such as Santo Domingo and Santa Catalina, with views over the sea and the old town's rooftops.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Arepa de huevo

      Street stands in Getsemaní and around the walled city in the morning and evening; La Boquilla's beach shacks.

   4. Afternoon

      Plaza Santo Domingo

      It is a natural meeting point and fills with diners in the evening.

   5. Late afternoon

      Palace of the Inquisition

      It now houses the Museo Histórico de Cartagena, covering the Inquisition, the colonial era and the city's independence.

   6. Evening

      Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad

      Visit twice: in the morning for photos of the murals and after dark for the scene in Plaza de la Trinidad.

2. Day 2: Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and Museo del Oro Zenú

   Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Museo del Oro Zenú, Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver and Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, then Sunset sail on the bay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

      Visitors climb its ramparts and walk through narrow tunnels designed to carry sound so defenders could hear approaching enemies.

   2. Late morning

      Museo del Oro Zenú

      Entry is free and the galleries are air-conditioned.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Carimañola

      Breakfast stalls, bakeries and street vendors across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver

      His remains lie under the altar, and the cloister museum includes his room, religious art and a courtyard garden.

   5. Late afternoon

      Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría

      The interior is plain compared with the colourful exterior.

   6. Evening

      Sunset sail on the bay

      Choose a smaller sailing boat for a quieter trip than the large party boats.

If it rains

• Swap in Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena (El Centro): A short air-conditioned stop next to the San Pedro Claver church.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–16 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.5 hours in December to 12.7 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Walking. Walking is the only sensible way to explore the old town and Getsemaní; distances are short but the heat makes early mornings and evenings the best times.

More or fewer days

• One day in Cartagena
• 3 days in Cartagena
• 5 days in Cartagena

Questions travellers ask