How many days · Cartagena · Colombia
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Cartagena, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers the walled city, Getsemaní, Castillo San Felipe and one island day trip. Five days adds La Popa, the mud volcano or a night on Barú or the Rosario Islands and lets you slow down in the midday heat.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 11.5 h (Dec) to 12.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | The walled city, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, City walls and bastions and Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad |
| 2 days | Rushed | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad, Plaza Santo Domingo and Palace of the Inquisition |
| 3 days | Good | Museo del Oro Zenú, Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver and Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Rosario Islands |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca, Barú |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Cartagena add up to roughly 14–16 hours of visiting time — about 2 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are The walled city (Half a day or more), Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (1.5–2 hours) and City walls and bastions (1–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| The walled city | Half a day or more | El Centro |
| Castillo San Felipe de Barajas | 1.5–2 hours | Getsemaní |
| City walls and bastions | 1–2 hours | El Centro |
| Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad | 2 hours | Getsemaní |
| Plaza Santo Domingo | 30 minutes | El Centro |
| Palace of the Inquisition | 1 hour | El Centro |
| Museo del Oro Zenú | 45 minutes | El Centro |
| Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver | 1 hour | El Centro |
| Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría | 30 minutes | El Centro |
| Las Bóvedas | 45 minutes | San Diego |
| Convento de la Popa | 1 hour | Cerro de la Popa |
| Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena | 45 minutes | El Centro |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on The walled city and Castillo San Felipe de Barajas |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Castillo San Felipe de Barajas |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca, Barú |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 11.5 hours of daylight) than in June (about 12.7 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Cartagena with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Cartagena?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days covers the walled city, Getsemaní, Castillo San Felipe and one island day trip. Five days adds La Popa, the mud volcano or a night on Barú or the Rosario Islands and lets you slow down in the midday heat.
+Is a week too long in Cartagena?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Rosario Islands and Playa Blanca, Barú.