Free things to do · Cartagena · Colombia
7 free things to do in Cartagena
Cartagena without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Cartagena without paying an entry fee: The walled city, City walls and bastions, Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad and Plaza Santo Domingo are all free. Stay in Getsemaní or Bocagrande for better value than the walled city.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 7
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- May and August–October
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · El Centro
1.The walled city
Explore early in the morning or after 4pm; the midday heat is intense and the light is better for photos.
- Time needed
- Half a day or more
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · El Centro
2.City walls and bastions
Walk the stretch between Baluarte de Santo Domingo and Baluarte de Santa Catalina at sunset, when the sea breeze picks up.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Getsemaní
3.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.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Food
- Photo spot
Landmark · El Centro
4.Plaza Santo Domingo
Have a drink on a terrace after dark, when the church is lit and the heat eases.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Couples
Museum · El Centro
5.Museo del Oro Zenú
A free, cool half-hour stop between Plaza de Bolívar and the cathedral.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Market · San Diego
6.Las Bóvedas
Compare prices between several vaults before buying; quality and prices vary.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Free
Beach · Bocagrande
7.Bocagrande beach
Agree prices before accepting chairs, massages or food from beach vendors.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| El Centro | The walled city, City walls and bastions, Plaza Santo Domingo and Museo del Oro Zenú | Half a day or more + 1–2 hours + 30 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Getsemaní | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad | 2 hours |
| San Diego | Las Bóvedas | 45 minutes |
| Bocagrande | Bocagrande beach | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · El Centro
Palace of the Inquisition
Visit during the midday heat; afterwards rest in the shade of Plaza de Bolívar opposite.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Religious site · El Centro
Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver
Combine it with the modern art museum on the same square, Plaza de San Pedro Claver.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Religious site · El Centro
Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría
The tower is one of the easiest landmarks to navigate by when exploring the walled city.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
Viewpoint · Cerro de la Popa
Convento de la Popa
Go by taxi with an agreed return, rather than walking up through the neighbourhoods below.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Gallery · El Centro
Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena
A short air-conditioned stop next to the San Pedro Claver church.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Market · Pie de la Popa
Mercado de Bazurto
Go in the morning with a guided food tour or a local; it is crowded and easy to get lost in, so carry little.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Photo spot
Castle · Tierra Bomba
Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica
Combine it with a beach afternoon on Tierra Bomba; arrange your return boat time in advance.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
More ways to save
- Stay in Getsemaní or Bocagrande for better value than the walled city.
- Eat the main meal at lunch, when set menus are much cheaper.
- Agree all prices in advance with taxis, beach vendors and boat operators.
- Visit from February to April or in May and September, outside Colombian holiday peaks, for lower room rates.
- Withdraw cash from bank ATMs inside banks or malls and decline dynamic currency conversion on card payments.
- Free sights — the walls, the plazas, the Museo del Oro Zenú and Getsemaní's murals — fill a good part of any visit.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cartagena expensive to visit?
Cartagena is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Cartagena?
The walled city: Explore early in the morning or after 4pm; the midday heat is intense and the light is better for photos.