Things to do · Cartagena · Colombia
16 best things to do in Cartagena
16 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The essential sights in Cartagena are The walled city, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and City walls and bastions. Of the 16 picks below, 7 are free, 4 work on a rainy day and 2 suit children. Allow about 5 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- The walled city
- Free sights
- 7
- Good on a rainy day
- Palace of the Inquisition
- Time to see the highlights
- 5 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The walled city | El Centro | Half a day or more | Free |
| Castillo San Felipe de Barajas | Getsemaní | 1.5–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| City walls and bastions | El Centro | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad | Getsemaní | 2 hours | Free |
| Plaza Santo Domingo | El Centro | 30 minutes | Free |
| Palace of the Inquisition | El Centro | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Museo del Oro Zenú | El Centro | 45 minutes | Free |
| Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver | El Centro | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría | El Centro | 30 minutes | Low cost |
| Las Bóvedas | San Diego | 45 minutes | Free |
| Convento de la Popa | Cerro de la Popa | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena | El Centro | 45 minutes | Low cost |
| Bocagrande beach | Bocagrande | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Mercado de Bazurto | Pie de la Popa | 2 hours | Low cost |
| Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica | Tierra Bomba | Half a day | Low cost |
| Sunset sail on the bay | Bay of Cartagena | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
The 16 best things to do
Historic site · El Centro
1.The walled city
The old town inside the walls is the reason most people come: balconied colonial houses, churches, plazas and convents, entered through the Torre del Reloj gate from Plaza de los Coches. 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.
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
Castle · Getsemaní
2.Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
Built on San Lázaro hill from the 1630s and expanded in the 18th century, this is the largest Spanish fortress in the Americas. Visitors climb its ramparts and walk through narrow tunnels designed to carry sound so defenders could hear approaching enemies.
Go at opening time or late afternoon, carry water and wear a hat; there is almost no shade on the ramparts.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Landmark · El Centro
3.City walls and bastions
About 11 km of walls, built from the late 16th to the 18th century to defend against pirates and rival powers, encircle the old town. 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.
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
4.Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad
Getsemaní's lanes are covered with murals by local artists, flags and hanging umbrellas, especially around Calle de la Sierpe and Callejón Angosto. Plaza de la Trinidad, in front of the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad, fills each evening with street food stands, dancers and families.
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
5.Plaza Santo Domingo
One of the walled city's liveliest squares, in front of the 16th-century Iglesia de Santo Domingo, with café terraces and Fernando Botero's reclining bronze 'Gertrudis'. It is a natural meeting point and fills with diners in the evening.
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
6.Palace of the Inquisition
On Plaza de Bolívar, this 18th-century palace with an elaborate stone doorway was the seat of the Inquisition tribunal. It now houses the Museo Histórico de Cartagena, covering the Inquisition, the colonial era and the city's independence.
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
Museum · El Centro
7.Museo del Oro Zenú
The Banco de la República's small gold museum on Plaza de Bolívar shows gold and ceramic work of the Zenú people, who lived in the plains south of Cartagena and engineered vast drainage canals. Entry is free and the galleries are air-conditioned.
A free, cool half-hour stop between Plaza de Bolívar and the cathedral.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Religious site · El Centro
8.Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver
The church and cloister commemorate the 17th-century Jesuit Pedro Claver, who ministered to enslaved Africans arriving in the port. His remains lie under the altar, and the cloister museum includes his room, religious art and a courtyard garden.
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
1.Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría
Cartagena's cathedral, begun in the 16th century and damaged by Francis Drake's attack in 1586, has a distinctive bell tower that rises above Plaza de Bolívar. The interior is plain compared with the colourful exterior.
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
Market · San Diego
2.Las Bóvedas
Twenty-three vaults built into the walls in the late 18th century, once used as storerooms and later as a prison, now house craft and souvenir shops selling hammocks, mochila bags and Wayuu weavings.
Compare prices between several vaults before buying; quality and prices vary.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- History
- Free
Viewpoint · Cerro de la Popa
3.Convento de la Popa
On the city's highest hill, about 150 metres high, the 17th-century convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa has a flowered courtyard and a lookout over the whole city, the bay and the walled town.
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
4.Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena
Housed in a former customs warehouse on Plaza de San Pedro Claver, the museum shows 20th-century Colombian art, including Cartagena-born painter Alejandro Obregón and Enrique Grau.
A short air-conditioned stop next to the San Pedro Claver church.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Beach · Bocagrande
5.Bocagrande beach
The city's main beach runs along the Bocagrande peninsula in front of the hotel towers. The sand is grey and the water less clear than on the islands, but it is easy to reach and lively with local families at weekends.
Agree prices before accepting chairs, massages or food from beach vendors.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Market · Pie de la Popa
6.Mercado de Bazurto
Cartagena's sprawling, chaotic main market sells fish, meat, fruit and household goods, with cheap lunch stalls cooking fried fish and stews. It shows everyday city life far from the old town.
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
7.Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica
On Tierra Bomba island at the narrow Bocachica entrance to the bay, this 18th-century fort and the San José battery opposite once guarded the main sea approach to the city. Boats from the old town take about 30–45 minutes.
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
Experience · Bay of Cartagena
8.Sunset sail on the bay
Sailboats and catamarans leave the old-town marinas around late afternoon for a cruise round the bay, with views back to the walls, Bocagrande's skyline and the forts as the sun sets.
Choose a smaller sailing boat for a quieter trip than the large party boats.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad, Plaza Santo Domingo, Palace of the Inquisition and Museo del Oro Zenú |
| History | The walled city, City walls and bastions, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and Palace of the Inquisition |
| Views | City walls and bastions, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Convento de la Popa and Fuerte de San Fernando de Bocachica |
| Outdoors and nature | Bocagrande beach |
| Food and markets | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad, Las Bóvedas and Mercado de Bazurto |
| After dark | Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad, Plaza Santo Domingo and Sunset sail on the bay |
| With children | Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and Bocagrande beach |
| On a rainy day | Palace of the Inquisition, Museo del Oro Zenú, Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver and Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Cartagena?
The walled city. The old town inside the walls is the reason most people come: balconied colonial houses, churches, plazas and convents, entered through the Torre del Reloj gate from Plaza de los Coches.
+What can you do for free in Cartagena?
The walled city, City walls and bastions, Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad, Plaza Santo Domingo and Museo del Oro Zenú. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Cartagena when it rains?
Head indoors to Palace of the Inquisition, Museo del Oro Zenú, Church and Cloister of San Pedro Claver and Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena.
+What is there to do in Cartagena at night?
Getsemaní streets and Plaza de la Trinidad, Plaza Santo Domingo and Sunset sail on the bay are best after dark.