cartagena tourist sites

A Local’s Guide to More than 75 Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

Look no further for ideas for things to do in cartagena, colombia after a decade living in cartagena, i’ve got you covered. here i’ll share over 75 things to do in cartagena, split into must dos, should dos, and could dos, including many you won’t read about elsewhere. so, read on to help you decide what to do in cartagena during your visit.

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Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia – Contents

• Must Dos – The Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia You Can’t Miss
• Should Dos – More Great Cartagena Things to Do You Should Try to See
• Could Dos – More Fun Things to Do in Cartagena You Might Want to See

Too long; can’t read it all quick overview

Top 5 Things to See in Cartagena:

• Explore the Historic Walled City – Book a tour
• Visit the Rosario Islands – Book a private boat or a tour boat
• Visit the Castillo San Felipe
• Enjoy the Great Seafood
• Catch Sunset at Café del Mar

Want to take the hassle out of planning your trip? Let the experts at our partner BnB Colombia Tours help you! Fill out this form and they will work with you to design a custom made trip just for you!

Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia Introduction

If you’ve decided to come visit Cartagena, Colombia, congratulations !

If you’re asking yourself what to do, Cartagena has no shortage of fun things to offer!

This slice of Caribbean paradise offers colonial charm and history, beautiful nearby beaches, and a vibrant culture! There are lots of great restaurants, great shopping, and a fun nightlife too. Cartagena is also a perfect gateway to more adventures in Colombia.

So, if you’re wondering what kind of holiday to go on , know you can get a little bit of everything in Cartagena. There’s simply tons of fun things to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

After living in Cartagena for a decade, I’ve hosted friends and family coming to see all the top attractions in Cartagena as well as learning to enjoy the city like a local and getting to know some of the lesser known things to do in Cartagena.

And here I’m going to share them all with you!

To make this list a bit easier to go through, I’ve decided to split it into three sections.

First, you’ll find the must does, the 11 can’t miss things to do in Cartagena, Colombia, at least in my opinion.

Next, I have a list of ought to dos, or things to do in Cartagena you should try your best to fit in your schedule.

Finally, I’ll share my ideas for could dos. These are things you might want to add to your list of what to do in Cartagena, depending on your time and interests.

Before continuing on to this Cartagena things to do list, if you haven’t booked your accommodations yet, do check out my guide to the best areas to stay , or just see my picks for the best luxury hotels , the best boutique hotels , the best beachfront hotels , or the best hostels in Cartagena.

Or, if you just want some quick picks, check out Casona del Colegio for the best high end hotel, Townhouse Boutique for the best midrange, Casa India Catalina for the best cheaper hotel, and Casa Movida for the best hostel.

Now, let’s get to this list of 78 fun things to do in Cartagena, Colombia!

Must Dos – Can’t Miss Things to Do in Cartagena

This first list are my top 11 picks for what you absolutely must do in Cartagena . Consider these the best of the best things to do in Cartagena that you should make sure you plan to include when visiting.

Even if you are only in Cartagena for a few days, you should be able to fit all of these top things to do in Cartagena (although I’d definitely encourage you to add a few more days and enjoy some of the other fun things to do in Cartagena further down too!).

I like to do top 11 lists because, well, every travel blogger has a top 10 things to do in Cartagena list, 11 has a special significance for Cartagena since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and I think you deserve just a bit more.

1. Explore the Historic Colonial Walled City

Hands down, this has to be the top thing to do in Cartagena, Colombia!

Walking around Cartagena’s historic walled city, often times referred to as Old Town, Centro Histórico or the Historic City Center, or just Centro, is a must during your visit to Cartagena.

If you’re wondering what to do in Cartagena, this needs to simply go at the top of your list. It’s also where you’ll find lots of other Cartagena things to do.

There is a wealth of charming colonial architecture to enjoy . The New York Times once compared the Walled City to a Moroccan Medina.

As you walk around, be sure to admire the brightly colored houses, flower covered balconies, and massive wooden doors . As you marvel at those doors, be on the lookout for the elaborate brass animal door knockers .

While you’ll get plenty out of just wandering, some particular highlights include the Calle Cochera del Hobo near the Plaza San Diego (really all the streets in this area are beautiful), the Calle de los Estribos beside the Santo Domingo Church, and the Calle Don Sancho that runs from the wall beside the Teatro Adolfo Mejía (aka Teatro Heredia) and gives gorgeous views of the Cathedral.

For a guided experience consider booking a walking tour or, for the aspiring photographers like me trying to learn how to use their nice camera, consider booking a photography workshop and tour of the Walled City.

There are also free walking tours that meet in front of the Naval Museum with yellow umbrellas.

2. Take a Stroll Along the Wall Itself

Cartagena’s is one of the few places left in the Americas that still boasts nearly its entire city wall.

Once manned by those that guarded the realms of the Spanish colony, most of it was built in the 1600s after the burning of Cartagena by Francis Drake , and the walls themselves have an interesting history .

Today, you can walk along much of the wall, and doing so is another one of the can’t miss Cartagena things to do.

If you’d like to walk the entirety of the walls, head up around the Exito San Diego, not far from the statue of India Catalina near the entrance to Centro.

From there you’ll walk along the Baluartes de Santa Catalina and San Lucas, the second oldest and the tallest sections of the wall, restored after they were heavily damaged during an attack by French Privateer Bernard Desjean aka the Baron of Pointis in 1697.

Then you’ll come to Las Bovedas, the last section of the walls built at the turn of the 19th century, where what were once barracks for the city’s defenders house tourist shops today.

If you continue, you’ll come to the Baluarte Santo Domingo, the first section of the wall built, where the popular Café del Mar sits today (more on it below). This section of the wall has some of the best views of the Caribbean on one side the colonial city on the other and a stop here has to be included on any what to do in Cartagena list.

Continue on and you’ll get some great views of the modern buildings of Bocagrande before coming to the Baluarte San Francisco Javier behind the San Pedro Claver Church, where you’ll find another nice bar atop the walls.

There’s one more short section of walls that can be walked on the other side of the church that gives a good view of the bay.

Finally, be sure to check out the iconic Clocktower.

While the clock was added later, the three archways are original and served, much as they still do today, as the main entrance to the Walled City.

During the colonial era, the promenade in front crossing to Getsemaní was a wooden bridge over a mangrove filled stream, since filled in.

Today, you’ll find the Camellón de los mártires (Walk of the Martyrs), with statues to the 9 Martyrs killed by the Spanish during the wars for independence.

Of course, you could just opt to head up wherever you encounter the wall while exploring the historic city and walk as much as you like. The neatest parts are definitely those that run along the waterfront. If you’re a history buff or just want to know about some neat things to see along the walls, I highly recommend the book The Fortifications of Cartagena de Indias – Strategy and History .

3. See the Sunset from atop the Wall at Café del Mar

Atop a central section of the city’s wall overlooking the sea, Café del Mar is one of Cartagena’s most iconic spots to enjoy a drink .

And the best time to do that is without a doubt at sunset. Doing so is another obligatory inclusion in your plans for what to do in Cartagena.

The sun goes down almost directly out to sea, and the feeling of watching it from atop the wall with Cartagena’s and Colombia’s flags flying overhead is really neat.

Not to mention, the Piña Coladas,Coco Locos,  and  Limonadas de Coco are among the best in the city.

Café del Mar also has decent  picada platters to munch on if you’d like to stick around for a snack or dinner after sunset, although given the fact they are pricey, I’d probably recommend just having a drink or two here then finding somewhere else to eat or have more drinks once you’ve enjoyed the amazing sunset.

The one exception to this is if you see the Fantasía del Mar on the menu, a great platter of seafood in garlic sauce. It’s really good!

I do recommend getting there a bit early, especially on weekends, as the spots with the best views often fill up quick.

*See also:  Top 10 Spots for Sunset Drinks in Cartagena (spoiler: Café del Mar is on the list)

4. Explore Colombia’s Coolest Neighborhood, Getsemaní

Located just outside the Walled City, Getsemaní is the second oldest part of Cartagena.

During the colonial era, it was home to the free black and mulatto artisan working class. For that reason, it is often considered the cradle of Cartagena’s culture. Exploring this unique neighborhood is another required stop amongst the top things to in Cartagena.

The support from the people of Getsemaní and popular artisan leader Pedro Romero for Cartagena’s Declaration of Independence in 1811 was crucial to the bills passage.

Today, this historic neighborhood has become a hip hangout spot, sporting many of the city’s trendiest cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Some highlights include the great brick oven style pizzas at Demente, the pasta at Di Silvio, and the terrific brunch at Caffé Lunático.

There is also lots of great street art . Walking around here and getting lots of photos is without a doubt one of the top things to in Cartagena.

In particular, you’ll want to walk down the Calle San Andrés , famous for its colorful pennant flags hanging overhead a variety of restaurants, hole in the wall cafés, tiny tiendas, and street food. Off of this street, you’ll find the Calle Tripita y Media with its colorful umbrellas overhead.

On the other side of the Calle Media Luna, the street that once was the main colonial entranceway to the Walled City from the countryside, you’ll find the Calle de la Sierpe , a curving street that has some of the most famous street art in Getsemaní with flags from around the world overhead.

Heading towards the Plaza de la Trinidad, you’ll find a number of colorful streets with neat street art, including those on the Calle San Juan across from Café del Mural (on this street you can also find some neat art for sale).

On the other side of the plaza, you’ll find even more tiny streets with colorful art and neat architecture. The most famous is the Callejón Angosto , the first street to start the trend of hanging colorful umbrellas.

However, around every corner here you’ll find cool street art, and some of best photos you can take in Cartagena , so take some time just to wander, and don’t be shy about stopping in for a refreshing juice, cold beer, or even a cup of coffee at one of the many neat cafes. Especially neat is the wooden building of the famous and long standing Tienda de las Tablitas .

Finally, there is another section of wall you can walk along just outside of Getsemaní overlooking an inlet from the bay. Although you usually hear of Centro referred to as the Walled City, in actuality, all of Getsemaní was also protected by a wall, just very little of it remains today.

Undoubtedly, no Cartagena sightseeing trip is complete without also strolling through Getsemaní.

If you’d like a guided experience here, you can book a walking tour through Getsemaní or you could book a walking tour of Centro and Getsemaní . A neat way to see it would also be doing a bike tour that goes through the main sites of Cartagena, including Getsemaní (use discount code ExploreColombia10 to get 10% off these last two tours).

Finally, you can combine a walking tour with rum tasting in a unique tour.

5. Visit South America’s Largest Colonial Fort

It wasn’t only the city wall’s that the Spanish invested in for the defense of Cartagena. Given the constant threat of attack, there were numerous forts built around the city’s bay to fend off any invaders.

The Castillo San Felipe Fortress was built as the last line of defense should an invader actually get past the outer bay defenses, and it’s next on this list of what to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

The fort was built at the top of a hill outside the colonial city in 1657 , and it played a decisive role in the defense of the city from an attack on the city by Edward Vernon in 1741. Beginning in 1761, the fort was repaired and expanded to the massive structure it is today .

The fort was meant to prevent a force that landed from being able to use the hill as a point siege the city. With the renovations in the late 1700s, the entire hill was covered in stone, and an elaborate network of tunnels was built, designed to be blown up to collapse the land around the fort if an attacker ever seriously threatened its walls.

It’s an impressive structure and was the largest fort constructed by the Spanish on mainland South America.

It is also a unique example of colonial fort design as its construction over top of the hill meant it did not follow the the standard perpendicular model of other forts from the time.

At the fort, you can explore on your own or join a tour for an additional fee. It’s really neat to walk along the different sections, and the tunnels between them are cool and a bit eerie.

The views of the bay and the Walled City are really neat from the top, and make sure you get a photo with the giant Colombia flag.

See my visitor’s guide to the fort to learn more about planning a visit. I highly recommend going early in the morning to beat both the heat and the crowds.

For a guided experience, consider booking this half-day tour that includes several of the popular places to visit in Cartagena or this all day private city tour .

If you’d like to learn more about the Castillo San Felipe and Cartagena’s fortifications, I again highly recommend Rodolfo Segovia’s book The Fortifications of Cartagena de Indias.  You can see my review of the book here or check it out on Amazon here .

6. Escape to the Rosario Islands

Ok, this is sixth just because I feel like it fits the best contextually here, but honestly, this might deserve to be higher since I would consider it a Cartagena must see for sure. No list of what to do in Cartagena, Colombia is complete without some time in the nearby islands!

We’ve been talking about all the fortifications built to protect colonial Cartagena from foreign invaders and pirates. Why not visit an area where, according to legend, pirates would sometimes hide out?

The Rosario Islands are a small chain of islands just off the coast of Cartagena and easily reachable by boat in about an hour.

Here you’ll find beautiful crystal clear blue and turquoise waters and some terrific resorts and eco-lodges. Supposedly, somewhere in the waters nearby is also where the treasure ship San Jose was sunk hundreds of years ago.

For those looking for beach excursions in Cartagena, Colombia, this has to be at the top of your list as the islands are just so much prettier than the other beaches in Cartagena .

There are a few options for how to do the islands.

If you can get a group together to make it cost effective or have the budget to do it on your own, a private boat is without a doubt the best way to enjoy the islands and one of the funnest Cartagena activities there is.

If you can’t swing the private, this great day tour on a catamaran that includes snorkeling is one of the best rated Cartagena tours, and there’s also this fun looking option of a tour on a pirate boat .

For those looking to spend some time relaxing on the dry land and beaches in the islands, I recommend Islabela ( read about our experience at Islabela here ). They have great beach bungalows and you can also do a day pass (use the code ExploreColombia 10 for 10% off).

If you have the time to spend a night or two here or at another spot in the islands when visiting Cartagena, I highly recommend it, as it’s perfect to escape it all and live a little slower.

See more suggestions and tips in my complete guide to the islands , or check out my lists of the Best Rosario Island Hotels and the Best Rosario Islands Day Trips .

7. Eat Some Tasty Seafood

The Rosario Islands aren’t just rich in supposed lost treasure.

Their coral reefs also make them great fishing grounds, as do the mangroves around the rest of Cartagena. So it’s not surprising Cartagena has great seafood.

The city’s rich cultural tradition lends itself to a great culinary tradition as well, and the seafood is where it really shines.

You absolutely have to try the traditional fried fish plate, served with coconut rice and  patacones   (mashed fried plantain patties).  It is best enjoyed at the beach and goes great with an icy cold beer.

Other seafood dishes to try include the Cazuela de Mariscos , a seafood stew with coconut milk. Camarones al Ajillo , a shrimp in a garlic sauce that is one of Susana’s favorites (see her recipe for it here), ceviche and shrimp cocktails , any type of arroz de mariscos , or seafood rices, and filete a la marinera , a fish filete smothered in shellfish sauce.

For the land lubbers , some other good traditional dishes from Cartagena and Colombia to try that don’t have seafood are posta negra , a beef roast topped with sweet sauce, arroz con pollo , a mixture of rice, chicken, and vegetables, mote de queso, a cheese soup that can be a bit of an acquired taste but something undoubtedly unique.

As far as for where to eat, here are some of our favorites: La Mulata and Espiritú Santo both have fresh local fare at reasonable prices. La Cevicheria was made famous by Anthony Bourdain and is great for all things seafood. Be sure to try the hot sauce. La Laguna Azul outside the Centro Comercial Getsemaní also has great ceviche is a bit of a hidden gem.

For nice higher end options, check out Alma , Jardín at Santa Clara , and Club de Pesca , located on an old fort with great views of the bay. Marea also has a great deck overlooking the bay. For steaks, check out Quebracho .

The crab nachos at Harry’s at the Santa Teresa are also bomb. Bona Vida Mariquería has nachos with crab and shrimp, not to mention lots of other creative seafood dishes and more traditional favorites to go with a great drink menu. It’s become one of our favorites.

Candé is also really good and serves up nice takes on local traditions. The aforementioned Demente and Di Silvio are two of our favorites for pizza and pasta, respectively, as well. Mistura has a great mix of sushi and Colombian/Peruvian fusion. Cuzco also has a big menu and is a crowd pleaser. And there are tons of other great restaurants.

Learn more about all of these and lots more in my list of 50 Cartagena Restaurants to Try .

For those interested in learning more about Cartagena’s cuisine, check out this cooking class at Café Lunático (which has great food too, include a great breakfast) which I have heard really good things about.

8. And Don’t Forget to Sample an Arepa de Huevo (and other street food)

The  Arepa de Huevo  is Cartagena’s premier street food and snack.

It is also unique to Colombia’s Caribbean coast. With an entire annual festival devoted to it, it is practically an institution!

Made with sweet, yellow corn meal, the  arepa de huevo  is stuffed with an egg and ground beef when it is fried. What comes out is a greasy disc of tastiness that can be enjoyed for breakfast or a snack any time of day. Trying it is another top Cartagena to do!

You can find  arepas de huevo at street fry stalls and vendors all over the city (they are much better fresh, so try to get them from an actual fry stand if you can).

If you want to try some really special ones, check out Donde Magola , located by the Exitó Supermarket in San Diego in Centro. They serve up the traditional egg and ground beef but also a variety of stuffings. My favorite is the one with  chicharrón.

Some of the best stands are also just around the corner and a couple blocks away on the Plaza San Diego.

Donde Magola also serves up some of the best other street foods .

Obviously, you’ll find empanadas but the carimañolas , made with yuca are also particular to the Colombian Caribbean and worth trying.

Hotdogs here and elsewhere in Colombia are unique, topped up with lots of sauces, cheese, and little crunchy shoestring potatoes.

Finally, you could try a patacon con todo , a giant flat patacon topped with a variety of meats and cheese . You’ll find some of the best ones at the Plaza Trinidad in the evening.

If you want to sample several of these, a street food tour can be a neat way to get to know a bit of the city while stopping to munch on some of the best streets foods. Particularly fun might be this night time street food tour .

Or if you prefer to go it alone, check out this full list of other street foods to try at this post on the best street food in Cartagena . Regardless sampling the street food should be on your Cartagena to do list!

9. Enjoy a Night Out on the Town

After the last couple of years putting a damper on nightlife, it’s nice to know you can get your groove on in Cartagena again! Getting your dance on has to be included in your Cartagena what to do list!

Cartagena, like the rest of Colombia and Latin America, has a vibrant nightlife, and going to get your dance on or at least do your best gringo attempt at it is another of the can’t miss things to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

It’s worth noting, Colombians do dress to impress when heading out to the club, so guys make sure you take along a pair of long pants or jeans, nicer shirt, and non-tennis shoes. Some places will let you in wearing more casual clothes but others will turn you away.

Ladies should bring along a nice dress or outfit and not be afraid to show a little skin if they want. Get some ideas for both the guys and gals at my packing list for Cartagena .

As far as for where to go, you’ll find a handful of places in the Walled City like Babar , Tu Candela by the Clocktower, and La Jugada that are all popular.

You’ll also find a number of places on Calle El Arsenal , including Mr. Babilla , probably the most famous Cartagena discoteca. There are also a number of smaller places that can be lots of fun along Calle Media Luna in Getsemaní.

If you’re looking for something more relaxed or too embarrassed in your skills to hit the dance floor, the Clock Pub is a popular watering hole for tourists and expats, Al Químico offers a nice medium between club and lounge bar, Café del Mar has a nightly DJ, Mirador has a great rooftop view, as does the rooftop at Townhouse , Demente has a nice beer garden in the back and plenty of other little bars and restaurants are good spots to hang out and have a drink. Caponera , across from the convention center, has a great local atmosphere and reasonable prices.

See lots more places to go out in Cartagena, including my picks for the best bars and best dance clubs in my Cartagena Nightlife Guide .

10. Learn More About the City’s History at the Naval Museum

The Museo Naval del Caribe is hands down the best of the museums in Cartagena .  That means I have to include it on this list of best Cartagena activities.

For some reason, it tends to be lesser known than some of the other museums, but it is by far the best done and most informative in my opinion. So if you’re only going to visit one, make it this one.

You will get a much better appreciation of the city’s historical importance and why the Spanish invested so much in defending it, as well as the geography and location of the fortifications protecting the city.

Cartagena was attacked numerous times during the colonial era, and the museum has some excellent exhibits with dioramas showing the day by day accounts of the major battles . That includes the attacks by Drake, Pointis, and Vernon. There are also models of the different forts and fortifications around the city.

Upstairs, you will learn about Cartagena’s vital role in Colombian independence and the history of Colombia’s Navy.

There are some cool interactive models of a submarine and warship that make this one of the fun things to do with kids in Cartagena too.

For a guided experience, check out this private walking tour of Old Town that includes a stop at the Naval Museum, one of the must do Cartagena activities for history buffs.

Check out my visitor’s guide to the Naval Museum to learn more about planning a visit on your own.

11. Appreciate the View from atop Hotel Movich

Hotel Movich has the rooftop bar with the best view in the city.

That view can be enjoyed in the afternoon or early evening, and it gives Café del Mar a run for its money as the best sunset spot in Cartagena. Enjoying it yourself has to be on any Cartagena what to do list.

Enjoying this spectacular view rounds out this list of the absolute can’t miss activities in Cartagena, Colombia. Whether you do this your first afternoon to get an idea of the Walled City from a bird’s eye view or you come your last night and reflect on how much fun you’ve had, it doesn’t matter, just make sure you get here.

Of course, you can also come multiple times!

They serve great cocktails and you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the bar.  It is, however, a very nice hotel and if you stay there , you can take advantage of the bar side pool overlooking the city as well.

You can also enjoy a spectacular view of the sunset from atop Movich , making it the more modern answer to the Café del Mar experience atop the wall. You’ll get some of the very best pictures of the city here to go along with your drinks, and there are tasty appetizers on offer if you fancy a snack.

I would suggest getting here a bit before sunset time to take advantage of the view during the day time as well as making sure you get a good spot. It is occasionally closed for private events but is usually open

Must Do Activities in Cartagena, Colombia Wrap Up

You should be able to do all of these must see Cartagena attractions in just 2 or 3 days, and these are really the highlights of what to see in Cartagena.

In 3 days, you might be able to fit in a few more the ideas for your Cartagena what to do list below as well.

However, I’d really suggest planning on 5 or 6 days in Cartagena so you can see all of these plus do all or most of the should sees below as well as even a few of the could do Cartagena attractions that get your attention.

Should Dos – More Things You Should Try to Do in Cartagena

This next section I’m calling the should dos.

These are activities that, in my opinion, you really ought to do while in Cartagena. However, depending on time, you may not be able to fit them all in, so pick the ones that perk your interest the most.

For example, you might want to have another beach day, or even two, or you may decide the islands was enough sun and sand and want to do a day trip to historic Palenque instead.

Or you may just want to hang out and eat, drink, and do some more dancing. If that’s the case, you shouldn’t feel like you totally missed out if you don’t get to all of these.

Also, the truth is there are lots of things to do in Colombia. Cartagena has a lot to offer, but depending on your time, you might want to opt to add another destination to your trip (see the other destinations sections for ideas!).

However, see if you can fit in the ones you want from this list, and if all else fails, well, you’ll just have to plan another trip (or several!).

12 . Visit the San Pedro Claver Church

Now that I’ve showed off the view from atop Movich, it’s time to talk about that beautiful church in the background that helps make it so special.

Follow in Pope Francis’s steps on a visit to the next place on our list.  Named for Saint Peter Claver, the Iglesia San Pedro Claver is Cartagena’s neatest church.

A visit here is another one of the best things to do. Cartagena was the site of the entry for many African slaves during the colonial era.

Claver was known as the “slave to the slaves” and dedicated his life to ministering to the many slaves brought to and sold in Cartagena and advocating for their humane treatment. He was later made a Catholic saint and is considered the patron saint of human rights, and the church where he spent much of his life was renamed in his honor.

Today, the church and its accompanying museum can be toured by visitors.

There you can see the neat 1600s Jesuit architecture, galleries of indigenous, African, and religious art as well as exhibits dedicated to San Pedro Claver , including his humble living quarters.

You can also marvel at the inside of the church itself, including a 19th century organ, its impressive stained glass window, and its massive marble altar . At the base of the altar you can see San Pedro Claver’s remains.

Check out my visitor’s guide to the church to learn more about planning your visit to this Cartagena attraction.

13. Visit Palenque

San Pedro Claver stayed busy, and while estimates vary, at least 200,000 slaves passed through Cartagena during the colonial era.

Although the area around Cartagena never developed large scale plantation agriculture, many slaves were employed as domestic servants in the city, agricultural work in the country, and many more sent to the mines on the Pacific coast and further inland.

Some, however, escaped.

In Colombia and around Latin America, run away slave communities became known as Palenques. Palenque means fortified in Spanish and these communities got that name because the freedmen surrounded their towns with walls to protect themselves from the threat of attack and recapture.

Probably the most famous of these Palenques was San Basilio de Palenque, often referred to simply as Palenque, and it’s next on this list of things to do. Cartagena, or better said, the Spanish troops based there, tried for years to defeat San Basilo.

The community not only successfully defended itself from numerous attempts to destroy it, but also led raids to free slaves in Cartagena. Their success led to the Spanish offering them formal recognition as a free town in exchange for a pledge not to continue to raid Cartagena.

In the town, many African traditions continued to be practiced. Many locals also still speak a creole language, the only recognized African-Spanish creole.

Despite its neglect by the state, recent interest in the town has not only helped to preserve its unique culture but also turn it into a popular day trip from Cartagena and a chance to learn about a lesser known part of Colombia’s history.

Tours to Palenque often include not only a great history lesson and tour but also frequently include music and dance, and, in some cases, even workshops on the making of traditional drums.

There is also an annual music festival held in October as well that is well worth checking out if you can.

You can book a tour to Palenque here (use the code ExploreColombia10 to get 10% off). It is undoubtedly one of the Cartagena, Colombia things to do.

The town is several hours away so plan for this to be a full day trip from Cartagena, and while it is technically possible to arrive on your own, it is a difficult trip, and you’ll get a lot more out of it with a guide.

14. Sample the Fresh Fruits…

Speaking of Palenque, you’ll undoubtedly see the women in pretty, colorful dresses around town. They are known as Palenqueras as traditionally they came from Palenque to sell fruit and represent their culture.

Nowadays, I think they may make more money on tips for posing for pretty pictures than selling fruit, and yes, getting a picture with them is one of the all but an obligatory Cartagena, Colombia things to do, but you can also still buy fruit from them!

Or if not from them, then from any of the many other street vendors selling fresh fruits.

Some favorites to try include what you’d expect like watermelon, banana, pineapple, papaya, cantaloupe (known simply as melón in Spanish), berries, guava, and mango. You can also find lots of avocados.

You can get just about any fruit in juice form, and you’ll find juice stands all over. Some of the best ones by the flower market a few blocks from the Clocktower. Most restaurants and cafes will serve a selection of fresh juices as well.

If they happen to be in season, nispero and zapote are two unique fruits to try as juice (get them in milk). I like guanabana a lot as a juice.

Ciruelas, which are sort of like green plums, you can find in season at stand around town and are tasty with some lime juice and pepper. Another unique fruit to try is mamón, which you’ll see sold on branches and have a sort of sweet and savory flesh inside the little fruit.

As is tamarindo , which has a sweet and bitter flavor and is an interesting juice. Susana’s favorite juice by far is maracuyá , or passion fruit.

Another super traditional Cartagena favorite is corozo juice, which you can get at many restaurants. I’m not sure how best to describe corozo , it is like a mix between dark cherry and berry.

Finally, lulo is a really popular fruit in Colombia, and while not quite as common in Cartagena as in the interior, it can be found as a juice.

15. And Sample a Drink in a Coconut…

Wait, I forgot, coconut!

It is the Caribbean after all, so you’ll see plenty of palms and cocos in Cartagena. You can find vendors around town that will put a hole in a coconut for you to drink the juice from (pro tip: after you finish have them chop it open to eat the meat inside).

However, in my opinion, the best drinks in coconuts have two other special characteristics. They are at the beach and they have rum in them!

When we go to the beach, in addition to the traditional fried fish plate, I pretty much always have to get a coco loco or piña colada for desert. In some places the latter actually comes served in a hollowed out pineapple.

16. And Sample a Limonada de Coco

And, while we are on cocos , I have to mention the limonada de coco , or coconut limeade.

Like corozo juice, this is another local favorite, and trying it is another thing to include on your list for what to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

The best ones are creamy and have a perfect balance between sweet and sour. Some places where we’ve always enjoyed getting them are La Mulata, Crepes and Waffles, Di Silvio, and Café del Mar, but most places are likely to serve a good one.

And of course, regular limonadas are really good too!

17. Get an Even Better Tan at Playa Blanca

Located about 90 minutes outside of the city, Playa Blanca is perhaps Cartagena’s most well known beach.

It used to be a bit of a hidden paradise requiring a boat or combination of bus, ferry, and mototaxi to get there.

However, a bridge and paved road has made it more accessible and also more crowded. It also has a bit of a reputation for pushy vendors and overcharging. This is why I recommend the islands over it, otherwise this would be in the must dos section.

Despite the crowds, it still boasts beautiful, clear blue water. There are also a lot of little cabins and hostels on the beach, and spending the night will allow you to enjoy the gorgeous sunset and the beach after many of the day’s visitors have left.

So if you have the time to do more than one day at the beach, include a visit here on your list of what to do in Cartagena, Colombia. Just make it on a non weekend or holiday and get an even better tan than you got out in the Rosario Islands.

You can reach Playa Blanca in a number of ways.

You can head to the town of Pasacaballos and then getting a collective taxi or mototaxi to the beach. You can get boat transportation. You can hire a private taxi. or you can go on a day tour , a tour that includes snorkeling and a tour of the mangroves , or a tour that stops in the islands, Cholón and Playa Blanca .

See my full guide to Playa Blanca here .

18. Visit the Colombian National Aviary

This is one of the more interesting and unique things to do in Colombia and Cartagena.

Colombia’s National Aviary is located just up the road from Playa Blanca. I haven’t been to many aviaries around the world, but I would find it hard to believe Cartagena’s isn’t among the best. 

Stretching over 7 hectares, depicting several habitats, and with over 135 species and 2,000 birds, the aviary is extremely well done!

The highlights are the condors, the harpy eagle, the flamingo pond, and the twice daily “Birds in Flight” presentation . If you have to time to spend a few hours at the aviary, it is absolutely worth doing.

The aviary is located in Barú just up the road from Playa Blanca.

It can be reached by taking a taxi, by bus and collective taxi from the town of Pasacaballos, or by going with a tour (a better option). For bird and nature lovers, it should absolutely be on the list of places to visit in Cartagena, Colombia.

You can check out my complete visitors guide to the Aviary to help plan your trip.  

For guided experiences, check out this private tour (use ExploreColombia for 10% off) or a tour that includes the Aviary and Playa Blanca .

19. Try a Cocada at the Portal de los Dulces

For a neat local market style experience that isn’t out of the way, include the Portal de los Dulces on your list of places to visit in Cartagena, Colombia and try some of the traditional sweets sold here.

Located under the archways of the buildings across from Cartagena’s Clocktower, Portal de los Dulces features a number of stalls vending traditional sweets and candies typical of Cartagena and is next on this list of the top things to see in Cartagena.

You absolutely have to try one of the  cocadas or coconut patties.

They come in a a number of varieties. My favorites are just the plain coconut and panela (unrefined brown sugarcane) ones, but you can also get them with milk, arequipe  (caramel), pineapple, strawberry, and other flavors.

There are a number of booths, but they all more or less sell the same things.

In addition to  cocadas , you can also try the little babies made from sweetened milk, balls made from the bitter  tamarindo , or my other personal favorite the little bars made from sesame seeds.

All of the sweets should cost you no more than the equivalence of about a dollar, making this one of the cheaper things to do in Cartagena.  Gift packs also make an excellent gift to take to friends and family back home!

20. Have a Beer at Donde Fidel

Possibly Cartagena’s most iconic bar, Donde Fidel has (for Centro) fairly reasonably priced beers.  A salsa joint, the inside gets packed and blares old school salsa songs.

However, I prefer the outside seats .

The tables, located beside the Clocktower are a great place for a beer (or 3). The location outside on the plaza is also sweet and offers some great people watching opportunities as well. A great place to meet friends and have some brews, it is popular with both tourists and locals alike!

21. Get Your Salsa On

Donde Fidel is arguably the most famous salsa spot in town, and if you’re game to dance in the crowds there, you are definitely more confident in your salsa skills than me.

Even if you are pretty bad like me though, you still have to at least try to do a bit of salsa dancing while in Cartagena.

The places I mentioned above for where to go out dancing all play a variety of music, so you’ll be able to get a taste of salsa at any of them.

However, for places that specialize in salsa, check out Cafe Havana , where there is almost always live music and where Hillary Clinton got her groove on, Crazy Salsa in Centro near the Clocktower, Vueltabajero or 1968 , two newer places on the Calle Media Luna.

If you’re like me and need salsa lessons, check out this tour that includes afternoon lessons and a visit. to several spots to show what you’ve learned at night or these lessons on a rooftop in the Walled City.

22. Learn to Dance Champeta

Champeta  is a genre of dance and music that was born in Cartagena’s  barrios.

The music was developed in the neighborhood sound systems known as picós (Spanglish version of pick ups). You may notice the posters with brightly colored lettering around town advertising the  picós .

If you want to have a listen to champeta, check out this song (old school) or this one (new school).

Unfortunately, there used to be a great champeta club named Bazurto Social Club in Getsemaní, but it has closed down. There was another champeta place named Awa Coco on Media Luna that also didn’t make it.

So, for the time being, you’ll have to head to places like Mr. Babilla or the other places listed up above in the night out on the town section where they mix in champeta with other popular music.

23. Enjoy the Evening Atmosphere at Plaza de la Trinidad

You’ll want to come back to Getsemaní in the evening.

The neighborhood houses some of the best nightlife in Cartagena . A must stop is the Plaza de la Trinidad.  This historic church and plaza has long been a local gathering spot, and the growth of tourism has only amplified that.

Grab a cheap beer from the store on the corner and hang out here for a bit. The area attracts a motley crowd of locals and visitors alike , and there are often street performers. It’s also a great place to people watch and mingle before going out dancing elsewhere.

As you wander and/or stumble through Getsemaní, do keep in mind the importance of the neighborhood’s history and the reality that it has been subject to extreme gentrification with the growth of tourism. In other words, enjoy, but also respect the local residents.

24. Or Get Some Fancy Cocktails

If road beers at the plaza aren’t really your thing, then there are more and more places that serve up nice concoctions around Cartagena.

Al Quimico has established itself as one of Cartagena’s trendiest bars. They are known for their unique concoctions with flavor infused rums. El Arsenal bills themselves as a rum bar but has a variety of creative cocktails on offer. Townhouse has some great drinks, and their downstairs bar, Members Only has a neat 1920s prohibition vibe. El Barón is also known for good cocktails, and the El Coro bar at Santa Clara has some interesting concoctions as well.

25. Go Rooftop Hopping

If you want some great spots to have a drink, why not do it at one of Cartagena’s many rooftop bars. Taking in the cool breeze and the views of the city with some friends and drinks is another of the best things to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

I’ve already mentioned Movich as a must do, so make sure you do that one. Another nice rooftop bar is the aforementioned Townhouse . Al Quimico does have a rooftop bar, but there’s not much of a view there. Buena Vida Marisquería mentioned above for where to try seafood also has a very cool rooftop bar with a nice view and great drinks.

El Mirador across from the Clocktower has a gorgeous view. Malagana Café in Getsemaní has a tiny rooftop where they serve nice drinks and food to go with one of the more unique views. Selina Hostel also has a nice rooftop bar that is open to the public.

Boticario is a new rooftop bar at the Santa Clara and looks to have a great view. We tried to go a few times and always either hit it when they had a private event or were full. Its spot near the edge of the wall is a privileged one.

Finally, you can also find some great rooftop bars at the two largest buildings in Cartagena in Bocagrande. At the top of Estelar , you’ll find 51 Sky Bar , on the 51st floor with great views of the Caribbean on one side and the bay on the other.

Next door at the Hyatt Regency, there is also a big rooftop terrace that overlooks the bay. The pools overlook the Caribbean, but there is a little deck below them that has one of the best views of sunset in town.

The Estelar and Hyatt are amongst the newest and best luxury hotels in Cartagena . If you are interested in staying in them and getting access to their great pools, you can check prices at Estelar here or check prices at the Hyatt here .

26. Go on a Sunset or Dinner Cruise

Enjoying the sunset is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Cartagena.

If you want to really go all out, you can do a sunset or dinner cruise on the bay .

We did the Sibarita Express once with our mothers and had a good time seeing the sunset and enjoying the open bar of rum and cokes and rum punch (you can read about our experience here or book your own here ). Sibarita also offers and dinner cruise on the Express and both a sunset cruise and dinner cruise on their larger Sibarita Master boat.

We’ve also done the sunset cruise on the Bona Vida Catamaran and thought it was terrific ( read about it here ). Sailing and the neat netting at the front of the boat makes for a unique way to see sunset and some cool photos. It is not open bar, but you do get 2 complimentary drinks and a nice snack pack of empanadas. Book the sunset cruise on Bona Vida here .

For some more unique ways to do a harbor cruise, you could watch the sunset with an open bar on a pirate ship , take a sailing trip at sunset , take a sunset kayak tour of the bay , or do it from a private boat .

27. Perk Up with Some Great Colombian Coffee

If you’re looking for a warmer drink, you can’t visit Colombia and not sample some of its world famous coffee!

Fortunately, there are a number of great places to sample coffee in Cartagena, and doing so has to be on this list of things to do in Cartagena.

With two locations in Centro, Café Epoca is one of Cartagena’s coolest coffee shops.  They offer awesome quality coffee and a variety of different preparations.  I’m a fan of the French press, but you can also get a drip as well as some truly interesting preparations, like the syphon method, which looks like something out of a chemistry lab. They also do a great brunch, good lunch sandwiches, and even have a full service bar . That means you can stop in at any time for a coffee or anything else you might want.

Some other great places to try Colombian coffee in Cartagena include Cafe del Mural , on Calle San Juan in Getsmaní, although they only open in the afternoon.

La Brioche is a French pastry shop with great single origin coffee as well. Another good brunch spot, and they have terrific burgers to boot! They have locations in Centro and Bocagrande.

Cafe Prispri is a nice coffee and gourmet shop located in the heart of Centro near Plaza Bolivar.  Their empanadas are also money. Isabella’s Coffee is an upscale coffee and sandwich shop has a location in Bocagrande and in Mall Plaza. The Tienda Café Sabor de la Montaña in Centro is also pretty good.

Juan Valdez is sort of like Colombia’s Starbucks (seriously don’t go to a Starbucks in Colombia), Juan Valdez has good coffee in a variety of drinks. There are locations in Centro, Getsemaní and Bocagrande.

You can also book a coffee tasting tour or a coffee workshop .

While there aren’t any coffee farms in Cartagena like you’ll find in places like Salento in the coffee growing region or Minca to the north, you can do this day trip out to a coffee farm a couple hours to the south.

28. Get a Photo with the Mujer Reclinada

Located on the Plaza Santo Domingo, this famous Fernando Botero statue is one of Cartagena’s best known landmarks.  Also known as La Gordita, it’s also one of the best photo ops in the city .

So put on your best pose and take a glamour shot with her.  If you’ll be making it to Bogotá as well, be sure to check out the Botero Museum there.

29. And One with the Zapatos Viejos

Located around the corner from the Castillo San Felipe is a statue of two old shoes, known as the zapatos viejos or sometimes also referred to as the botas viejas or old boots.

The statue commemorates a famous poem written by Luis Carlos López about Cartagena. In the poem ( read it in Spanish here ), López compares his love for the city to the love for an old, well worn pair of shoes.

The statue is a bit of a hidden gem tourist attraction and another nice photo op, especially since you can climb in the shoes if you like and the backdrop of the fort is really neat looking.

30. See the India Catalina Statue

On the edge of Centro by the bridge that crosses to the rest of the city, you’ll find the statue of India Catalina.

She is located in a park built just a few years ago, moving from her old perch in the middle of the road coming into Centro.

India Catalina was an indigenous woman that was kidnapped from around Santa Marta and taken to the Dominican. She was taken on by Pedro de Heredia’s crew as a translator.

Similar to someone like Pocahontas, Doña Marina, or Sacajawea, some see here as a tragic figure, others as perhaps a traitor to her people.

When Cartagena declared its independence from Spain, they adopted the symbol of the indigenous woman to help distinguish and separate themselves while adopting symbols that spoke to the pre-Spanish past. She remains on the seal of the city today and a stop and photo op here is another one of the must see places to visit in Cartagena, Colombia.

The park her statue sits in is very pretty, although it has very little shade, meaning you’ll probably just want to take a photo and enjoy the view of the water and Castillo San Felipe for a few moments.

31. See the Convent and Views of La Popa

The large hill overlooking Cartagena is known as La Popa.

According to legend, a Friar saw a vision of the Virgen of Candelaría (the patron saint of Cartagena) that called on him to build a church on the hill and throw a goat inhabited by a supposed evil spirit off the hill. That’s why you may also hear the cliffside referred to as the Salto del Cabrón.

There were worries that the cliffside may be unstable, and the convent was closed for a while, but it is now reopen. The monastery itself is neat, but the view of the city is even better, making this another one of the nice things to see in Cartagena.

You can hire a taxi to take you up the hill and wait for you while you visit. Stops at La Popa are also part of this city tour that also stops at the Castillo San Felipe, the zapatos viejos , and a tour of the Walled City.

32. Hang Out in the Plazas and Parks

Like most colonial town, you’ll find a number of plazas and parks around Cartagena’s Walled City. Checking them out is another one of the nice things to do in Cartagena.

Perhaps the most famous are the Plaza de los Coches, just inside the Clocktower where you’ll always find lots of people. Adjoining it is the Plaza de la Aduana , which unfortunately houses almost entirely banks.

Beyond it, you’ll find the Plaza San Pedro Claver in front of the church of the same name. There are several places to have a drink here, and you can also get a shaved ice, aka raspao , or feed the pigeons.

A couple blocks away, you’ll find the Plaza de Bolívar . A mainstay in basically every town in the cities he helped liberate, here you’ll find a statue of Bolívar with many devoted pigeons and some benches around the shaded park. If you just want to sit quietly and relax a bit or have a street coffee or tinto , this is the best plaza for it. ou’ll also find the Inquisition Museum and Gold Museum here (more on those below).

Other plazas and parks worth checking out include the Plaza San Diego , where you’ll find some souvenirs for sale and a number of bars and restaurants, the Parque Fernandez de Madrid , where there are some more restaurants with outdoor seating, and the neat nighttime atmosphere Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní mentioned above.

Finally, be sure to check out the Plaza de Santo Domingo , where you’ll find the fat lady statue and be able to take in views of the church. The restaurants here are a bit touristy trappy though.

33. Marvel at the Other Historic Churches

A colonial center of wealth, there are a number of beautiful, colonial era churches in Cartagena. The San Pedro Claver Church is the most impressive and the only one that has a formal entrance and tour. The other churches can be seen from outside and are sometimes open for mass where you can pop your head in respectfully.

The other two most impressive are the Santo Domingo Convent located a few blocks up from San Pedro Claver, and the Cartagena Cathedral or Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría , located by the Plaza de Bolívar.

Some other neat, smaller churches to see include the Iglesia de Santo Toribio , next to the Parque Fernandez de Madrid, the Convent of San Diego , which today houses a fine arts school, the Convent of Santa Clara, across the plaza of San Diego and today the home of a swank hotel . You will find the University of Cartagena housed in the former Convent of San Agustín and the Hotel Charleston in the Convent of Santa Teresa .

Outside of the Walled City, the Plaza de la Trinidad houses the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad . Near the end of Calle Media Luna, you’ll find the neat Iglesia de San Roque .

On the other side of Centro, you can find the uniquely designed Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Mercedes in the Parque Apolo just outside wall in El Cabrero across from the Casa Rafael Nuñez.

34. Enjoy (and/or watch out for) the Street Performers

One of the things I love about Cartagena is sitting outside for drinks or even dinner in the plazas. Particularly good for those are the aforementioned Plaza San Diego, Parque Fernandez de Madrid, and the Plaza de la Trinidad.

You’re likely to encounter both street vendors and street performers when doing so.

Honestly, the vendors can be annoying, and you’ll want to practice your best finger wag and “No, gracias” before coming. If you are interested in buying something, always negotiate, and always be clear on prices.

Some of the street performers can also be a bit frustrating.

This is most often the case with the rappers that cold approach you while walking. However, some are really good. The best are the funny ones.

There is a “ fat Shakira” guy as well as a Michael Jackson impersonator that are absolutely hilarious. Occasionally, you’ll get a really good singer as well. So enjoy those, and do consider giving a bit of change or a small bill tip.

35. Visit the Ábaco Bookstore

There is always something quaint and interesting about visiting book stores, especially in charming historic places like Cartagena.

The neatest bookstore in Cartagena is Ábaco Libros y Café. Located a couple blocks from the Plaza Santo Domingo, it is a neat little store where you can also enjoy a coffee or even a beer or cocktail.

The books stacked to the ceiling between the brick archways are really neat to see even if you’re not looking for a book. You can, of course, find some neat finds here, include a selection of books in English on Cartagena and Colombia’s history and culture.

Also, they sell some really neat art, posters, and maps that make for unique souvenirs. The stuff by Cartagena Gráfica sold here is really neat.

While visiting a book store might sound like one of the more unusual things to do in Cartagena, stopping in here for a drink and some browsing is a nice way to take a break from exploring the Walled City.

36. Get Yourself a Nice Souvenir

No vacation is complete without taking yourself something nice home.

Oh yea, and some stuff for your friends and family too!

While you’ll find lots of street vendors selling things like bracelets, T-shirts, and hats, there are three places I recommend looking for souvenirs.

First, in Las Bovedas , housed in what used to be the colonial barracks, you’ll find a number of tourist shops today. There are lots of good finds here, including art and handmade artisan crafts. You can find some neat stuff here, and likely can take care of all your souvenir shopping in these shops.

Second, there is a store on a corner a block up from the Clocktower, caddy corner the Cathedral named Almacén Un Centavo Menos . Here you’ll find lots of standard souvenirs like shot glasses, some books, and some crafts like ceramics and decorations.

Finally, be on the lookout for pop up crafts markets .

These are seasonal and are often located in the Parque del Centenario (big park diagonal from the Clocktower), around the Clocktower itself, or around the corner from the Naval Museum.

During peak tourist seasons around Easter and New Years, you’ll definitely see some set up. You can often get much better deals on handmade goods here than you’ll get in stores, so if you see one, check it out.

As far as what to get, I think the handmade bags are really neat. You can get lots of different designs made from straw, or get one of the elaborate bags made by the indigenous peoples. The nicer handmade ones will be a bit pricey (expect to pay upwards of $100,000 COP), but are really ornate and last a long time. If you want to get something really unique, get a handmade hammock.

Other things I think are neat are the kitchen utensils and dishes. Often mistaken for coconut, many of these are made from Totumo, a large round fruit that isn’t edible.

A couple things to avoid in tourist shops are the coffee and the Colombia team jerseys, at least if you want a real one.

The coffee is often packed in cool little bags, but it is usually the cheap Sello Rojo brand, which is really bad. If you want to take coffee home for yourself or someone else, head to a supermarket. Some of my favorite brands are Cafe Salento, Cafe Qundio, and 4 Elementos, which sells a great variety pack.

For the Colombia team shirts, what you’ll find in tourist shops are likely to be fakes. Now, I have happily bought fakes, and fakes can be just fine and look nice as they are often very close to the real thing. Just make sure you’re paying fake prices. And, if you want to get an authentic one, do it at an Adidas store in the mall not a souvenir shop.

Ah, and one more great thing to take home as a souvenir is art .

You’ll find some cool art in some of the shops in Las Bovedas. Also, check out the art for sale on the corner outside the Cathedral next to Plaza de Bolívar, and that sold on the street of Calle San Juan in Getsemaní , near Café del Mural.

Finally, if you want something a bit unique, check out the booksellers outside Parque del Centenario .

Ok, so now we have covered the must see things in Cartagena as well as a number of other things to do in Cartagena you really should try to fit in to your visit.

Next up are could dos. These are activities to do in Cartagena that, in my opinion, are going to be appealing to some, and to others not as much, hence the could do moniker.

In other words, don’t consider think of these as less fun things to do or things to see in Cartagena that aren’t really worth you time (and definitely don’t stop reading here!).

More so, c onsider this list things that you might include if they get your attention but are more than ok to leave out if they don’t seem that interesting to you.

Ok, here we go, a lot more fun things to do in Cartagena that you could do if you find them appealing and you have the time!

37. Tour the Bazurto Market

I have to be honest, my first year in Colombia back in 2011, I never would have imagined this becoming one of the popular activities in Cartagena, and would have most certainly considered it one of the most unusual things do in Cartagena as a tourist.

The Bazurto Market is the somewhat chaotic, pretty, umm, interesting smelling city market, located about 20 minutes down the Avenida Heredia (commonly just called Avenida). There you can find all sorts of stuff, including fresh seafood and produce.

I used to walk by here most Sundays on my to catch the bus back out to the town I volunteered in my first year in Colombia, and I even ventured in to buy some stuff every now and then.

However, the last few years have seen this place increasingly become a sort of off the beaten path attraction in Cartagena.

There’s no doubt you can get fresh seafood at incredibly cheap prices here . In fact, Susana would sometimes go and get fish or shrimp or lobster here.

I would say that unless you have a pretty good handle on Spanish and getting around Cartagena, I would not come here on your own as it can still be a big dodgy.

But, you are in luck, because there are a variety of tours that visit the market now!

I think the neatest ones are where you go to the market to source ingredients to have a cooking class . Although, a tour that includes lunch at the market itself would also be pretty interesting. Also, I highly recommend this combination Getsemaní and Bazurto private tour offered by our partners BnB Colombia.

If you do feel comfortable with your Spanish, I would still encourage you to go here with a local you trust, but the market can be reached easily by taxi or bus.

38. Party on a Chiva

If you want a unique dance and party experience , hop on a Chiva party bus.

You’re sure to see, and definitely hear these go by in the evening. Open air, brightly colored buses, Chivas used to be the principal means of public transportation in much of Colombia.

Now, they combine nostalgia and Colombians’ love of a good party to be party buses. It is possible to do a day time tour on a Chiva as well, but the funnest way to do it is a night time party bus tour. Most include all you can drink rum, make a few stops, and include entry to a disco at the end.

There are some newer ones that have an open dance floor in the center and chairs around the edges, while the more traditional have rows of seats with a band in the back. Regardless, expect to shake your booty a bit.

The truth is, Chivas really depend on the crowd . I’ve been on some that have been a lot of fun and some that have been pretty meh.

So, if you can, try to go with a group or group up with some fellow travelers and make sure it’s a fun time.

39. Get an Even Better Tan and Bum it at the Beaches of Tierra Bomba

If you don’t want to make the trip all the way to Playa Blanca or the Rosario Islands, the beaches of Tierra Bomba are closer to the city (a 10 minute boat ride) .

Tierra Bomba is an island at the entrance to Cartagena’s bay, and there are a few nice beaches located on the island.

The easiest to reach is Punta Arena . There you can get a good fish lunch, lounge chairs, and drinks.  You can get boats there from the behind the hospital in Bocagrande.

However, I think the best way to do this is by booking a day pass or even an overnight stay at one of the beach clubs here.

Our favorite is Palmarito Beach , which has its own private beach area and is the best value in my opinion. You can check prices for an overnight stay at Palmarito here or book a day pass here .

Other nice spots include Fenix Beach for a higher end experience( check prices for overnight stays here ) and Namaste Beach Club ( check prices for bungalows here ).

Finally, if you’re willing to go a bit further, check out Blue Apple Beach Club on the far side of the island past Bocachica ( read about our visit here ). A former vacation home turned lodge and beach club, they have a nice pool and quiet beach area to go with nice drinks and food. Check prices for a day pass at Blue Apple here .

40. Visit the Lesser Known Forts of Bocachica

If you do head all the way out to Blue Apple, or even if you don’t and you’re a history buff, you should include a visit to the forts nearby on your list of things to see in Cartagena.

At the far end of Tierra Bomba is a narrow channel that is the entrance to Cartagena’s bay known as Bocachica (literally little mouth) . Defending that entrance was key to the city’s defenses during colonial times.

There are 3 forts in Bocachica , 2 on the island itself, and one on the other side of the channel.  They are all open to the public with free admission.  They are also very well preserved and are great examples of late 18th century fortifications. Lightly visited, they really are one of the hidden gems in Cartagena and a can’t miss for history buffs.

You can easily get water taxis out to Bocachica from the docks by Centro (go in through gate 3 to get the cheaper boats locals take).

After visiting the forts, you can hang out at the beach for a bit and enjoy lunch or a beer. It is best to know some Spanish and feel comfortable getting around if you go on your own, which you can read more about in my full visitors guide .

For a guided experience and a unique activity in Cartagena, consider doing this bike tour around Tierra Bomba that goes to the forts .

41. Get Your Exfoliation on at a Mud Volcano

Located about 45 minutes outside of Cartagena, you’ll find the Volcán del Totumo . An active mud volcano, El Totumo rises about 50 feet (15 m) in the air, and its crater is filled with thick mud that is supposedly very good for your skin.

After climbing up the staircase, you can spend some time chilling in the mud (don’t worry, the thickness of the mud makes it impossible to sink below about shoulder height).

If you like, the locals will give you a massage for a tip, and there are always guys on hand willing to snap a few photos with your phone or camera as well.

When you get out, you can wash the mud off in a small lagoon nearby. There you can also optionally have some ladies wash you for a tip. It’s entirely up to you if you want to or not, but do be aware they can be a bit forward.

The truth is, this is one of the more weird things to do in Cartagena.

The question is do you think it sounds like fun weird or I want to avoid that weird. If it’s the former, go, if it’s the latter, skip it.

While it is theoretically possible to go here on your own via some combination of bus and mototaxi, or paying a lot for a taxi, it’s best to go with a tour to the Mud Volcano . If you prefer to go at your own pace, consider booking a private tour to the Mud Volcano (use the code ExploreColombia10 for 10% off!).

Learn more about the Mud Volcano in my complete guide to it .

42. Marvel at the Pink Sea of Galerazamba

Located near the Mud Volcano is the pink sea of the salt mines in the town of Galerazamba , also about 45 minutes north of Cartagena.

This is a relatively recent attraction, and it’s quickly become popular. You’ve almost certainly seen photos of it on Instagram.

One thing to keep in mind is that the phenomenon of the pink sea is due to a species of micro-algae that interacts with the high salt content of the sea .

The natural cycle of the algae dying off once the salt is harvested along with the onset of rains causes the sea to return to its normal color.

There are differing reports on the season to see the pink sea. Many sources say it’s best to go from December to April or in August or September as those are months when it usually doesn’t rain much, so you should see plenty of pink.

That being said, we went in July and saw lots of pink!

Supposedly sunny, windy days are best. Since it has become an attraction, they also appear to rotate the sections they harvest. For example, when we went, there was a large area they had just harvested and wasn’t pink.

So, my best advice is to ask around if you go outside those times listed above and if it hasn’t rained for a few days, you should be able to see the pink sea.

See my complete guide to the pink sea to learn more.

43. Explore the Mangroves Outside the City

The mangroves ( manglares  in Spanish) that grow around the inlet known as the Ciénaga de la Virgen just north of Cartagena are a vital part of the ecosystem .

Not only do they help prevent erosion but their dense root systems serve as nurseries for fish, making them incredibly important for local fisherman.

Doing a tour of the mangroves outside of the community of La Boquilla is one of the neat off the beaten path things to do in Cartagena. All will take you on a canoe ride through the mangroves, where you’ll pass from the dense forests out into wide lagoons.

It’s a neat experience, and many of these tours also include a chance to learn a lot about the of history of the community and often times fishing or music workshops.

You can book a tour of the mangrove that includes lunch or combine it with the Mud Volcano in a shared tour or private tour .

44. Go Hiking in the Montes de María

If you want to get out even further into nature, then consider including this hike on your list of Cartagena, Colombia things to do.

Located about 3 hours south of Cartagena, the Montes de María was an area where run away slaves settled and created walled communities like San Basilo del Palenque.

There, their African culture blended with that of the indigenous peoples there.  That rich cultural tradition has led to the area being a center for music, folklore, and artisan goods.

A neat way to experience this area is by going on a hike with Taroa Adventures on their “Jaguar’s Footprint” tour.

You’ll spend the morning hiking through the forest along a creek bed before reaching some ancient indigenous petroglyphs. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy lunch and a presentation of Gaita music in the nearby town of San Jacinto. This music is unique to the region and combines indigenous and Aftrican influences. You’ll even get a mini lesson in playing the instruments yourself!

We did this tour and enjoyed it ( see a write up here ). You should expect to get wet, and if you go in the rainy months of October-December you will probably get muddy as well.

Check out Taroa Adventure’s website to learn more about the tour.

45. Rent Bicycles and Cycle the Walled City

This is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon and another of the best outdoor activities in Cartagena, Colombia.

There are a number of places that rent bikes inside the Walled City , usually for fairly cheap prices . You can also do a half-day bike tour of much of the city . There’s also a free bike tour of the Old City .

Only word of advice I’d give is cars are not always the most accommodating to bikes so do make sure you watch out for any passing cars.

And definitely do cycle up on top of the wall itself!

46. Or Ride Around on the Hop on Hop Off Tourist Bus

I know, I know, a big red double decker bus, what could be more touristy?

Actually, the Hop on Hop Off Red Bus is a great value .  That means I had to include it on this list activities in Cartagena.

The bus makes a big loop around the main tourist areas of Cartagena , including Bocagrande, Centro, and Manga. It makes 14 stops in total , and the bus runs every 45 minutes between 9 am and 7:30 pm .

It stops at a number of the tourist attractions in Cartagena, Colombia on this list, including the Castillo San Felipe, Rafael Nuñez Museum, and Fort of San Sebastián del Pastelito where there is a great restaurant. The bus also stops at several entrances and exits to Centro as well as at the Hilton , and Hotel Caribe .

Just on taxis alone, you can save some pesos taking the bus around town, especially since the ticket is good for 2 days.

You can prebook the bus here or pick up tickets at McDonalds in Bocagrande.

47. Take Home Some Great Memories with a Photo Session

With all the beautiful and colorful sights in Cartagena, you’ll get plenty of great photos!

If you want some really special ones though, consider doing a photo session with a professional photographer.

I have to be honest, after buying a nice camera myself and starting to dabble in touching photos up in post production, I have a new found respect for professionals. Not only getting the photos right when snapping them but then touching them up to be perfect is a real skill, and it’s remarkable what a talented person can do.

I recommend doing your session with Marina Maldonado, aka Your Local Photographer in Cartagena . We did a session with her a while back and she was terrific ( read about it and see some photos here ). Check out her website here .

48. Visit the Inquisition Museum

A beautiful colonial building that was the seat of the Spanish Inquisition during the colonial era, the  Palacio de la Inquisición doubles as a historical museum and museum of the Inquisition .

Located just off the Plaza Bolívar, it makes for another one of the best things to do around Cartagena for history buffs.

Upstairs, you’ll learn about the history of Cartagena.

Downstairs, you’ll learn about the Spanish Inquisition and see some freaky torture devices and a model of a guillotine and gallows outside in the courtyard.

More well known than the Naval Museum, I think there’s less to be learned here, but it’s still a neat way to spend an hour or two.

Note that admission is free the last Sunday of every month .

See my visitors guide to learn more about planning a visit.

49. Visit the Gold Museum

Cartagena’s Museo del Oro displays some neat examples of the expert gold work of the Zenú indigenous people .

Looting of their gold helped build Cartagena’s early colonial prosperity. Luckily, some of it still survives today so we can see it on display at the museum. There are also exhibits on the Zenú’s culture and history at the museum.

While it isn’t as impressive as the larger Gold Museum in Bogotá , Cartagena’s is a nice way to spend an hour or so.

Best of all, it’s always free!

See my complete visitors guide to the museum to plan your visit.

50. Visit the Modern Art Museum

While we are on museums on this list of Cartagena what to dos, the Cartagena Modern Art Museum is also a good way to spend a bit of time. The museum is located in a neat old colonial building just across from the San Pedro Claver Church.

In the museum, visitors can see works by artists from Cartagena, Colombia, and the world.

There are some neat pieces on display here and for those who enjoy art, it should absolutely be included on their list of things to do in Cartagena.

51. Visit the Casa Rafael Nuñez Museum

One last museum for this list of places to see in Cartagena.

Rafael Nuñez is the only Cartagena native to have served as Colombia’s president.  He helped to write a new constitution for the country and his presidency brought much needed infrastructure investments to Cartagena.

His home just outside the wall in Cabrero is a museum today. It is located across from the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.

It also has free admission , and visitors can enjoy the neat architecture and furniture on display in the home.

See my complete visitors guide to the museum to help you plan your visit.

52. Try a Kola Roman

Speaking of Nuñez, he has a connection to a soda native to Cartagena too.

His wife’s family invented Kola Roman in 1865. It is actually one of the oldest sodas in the world (Coca-Cola wasn’t invented until 21 years later). Her family is also credited with inventing the the local favorite boli popsicles.

You can find Kola Roman with its bright red color in any store and most restaurants in Cartagena. It is very sweet with a taste almost like a vanilla cream soda.

If you want to try to look like a true Cartagena local, drink it with an arepa de huevo !

53. Or Enjoy a Craft Beer

Craft beer has become increasingly popular in Colombia, and there are a number of good Colombian craft beers worth trying, especially if you’re a beer nerd like me.

Beer Lovers in Getsemaní has the best selection of national and international craft beers. Two I’d suggest trying are any of the beers from the brewery Chelarte and the Happy Colibrí Coffee Stout brewed just up the coast in Minca (the Happy Tucán from the Sierra Nevada Cervecería is also good).

You can also try perhaps Colombia’s most well known craft beer at the Bogotá Beer Company in the Serrezuela Mall in Centro . hey have the best IPA in Colombia in my opinion, called the Septimazo.

You can also increasingly find craft beers on menus at restaurants and bars around town ( cerveza artesanal ).

54. Enjoy a Boozy Brunch

If you’re looking to enjoy a nice brunch in Cartagena and are willing to sacrifice half a day to eating and drinking, check out the Boozy Brunch at Townhouse . They have it on Saturdays and Sundays and the price includes all you can drink and all you can eat. If you have a few drinks and 2 or 3 plates (they are tapa sized), it’s actually a pretty good deal, and well, you are on a rooftop in Cartagena.

Other good brunch spots in Cartagena include the aforementioned Cafe Epoca , Caffe Lunatico , which has a bottomless mimosas option, and El Barón .

Sibarita has also started to sometimes offer a brunch on the bay that has all you can drink mimosas, beers, and all you can eat tapas. The picture below is from the Sibarita brunch.

55. Smoke a Cigar

If you’re looking to enjoy a stogie while on vacation, you can find some decent cigars in Cartagena, including Cubans.

You’ll see vendors selling them on the street, but I would avoid those if you want something authentic (of course if you don’t care, they smoke fine, but are probably fakes).

My favorite place to go for a smoke is Tabaco y Ron by the Parque Fernandez de Madrid. They usually have a pretty decent selection of Cubans as well as some Colombian cigars that are a decent deal. They have tables outside, but I like to go to the comfortable plush chairs upstairs. There’s also frequently live music in the evening here.

Other spots to try a cigar include Mr. Cigar in Centro and the Cava del Puro, where you can buy some to take home. You can usually negotiate prices in all of these places, especially if you’re buying multiple cigars and/or will have a couple drinks with them.

56. Enjoy an Authentic Brat at Leon de Baviera

German food on a Cartagena what to do list?

Maybe, I’m just trying to include one of my favorite places, but if you’re looking for a nice chill bar where you can hear rock music, including occasional live music, check out Leon de Baviera near the end of Calle El Arsenal in Getsemaní.

The brats here are great and you can also get Paulaner on tap. This is also a great place to go for Colombian or Champions League matches as well as if you happen to be in town during a World Cup or big match.

57. Perfect Your Tan at the Beaches in Town

While Cartagena is well known for its beaches, I’ve got the beaches in town proper so far down on this list because they just don’t compare to the 3 beach areas mentioned above.

They are, of course, more convenient than those others out of town.

So if you just want to spend a couple hours on the beach, or spend a 4th day and get a truly impressive tan, you could opt to include some time on the beaches in town during your time visiting Cartagena.

I would rank the beaches in town in the following order: Playa Azul aka La Boquilla near the airport, the beach of Castillogrande, the beaches of Bocagrande, the most famous but also crowded, and finally, the beaches of Cabrero and Marbella, which have a more local vibe.

Learn more about these and how they compare to the better beaches in the islands in my complete guide to Cartagena’s beaches .

58 . Make Your Own Chocolates in a Chocolate Workshop

Colombia might be more well known for its coffee, but its chocolate ain’t bad either.

A visit to the ChocoMuseo is one of the more unique things to do in Cartagena.  I honestly had no idea what a cacao tree or pod looked like before going here.

There’s also a great gift shop with tons of tasty treats and unique products made with chocolate like chapstick and even pasta. A great place to get something for yourself or take home to friends and family.

But the real neat attractions are the make your own chocolate workshops. They offer a shorter one as well as a complete bean to bar explanation. You can read about when we took our niece to do it here . It’s definitely a neat activity for all ages. Plus, you get to take some chocolate home!

59. Take a Cooking Class

I mentioned this above, but Caffe Lunatico has a cooking class that I have heard many people rave about.

A true locally run establishment, it’s a nice chance to learn more about Cartagena’s culinary traditions and take home the ability to recreate some of the food you try while here.

Another great option would be doing a tour that combines a visit to the Bazurto Market and cooking class where you source the ingredients to make your meal, a true immersive experience. This 4 course cooking class also would be an interesting choice.

60. Go Emerald Shopping

Colombia is well known for its plentiful emeralds.

In fact, it accounts for as much as 90% of the world’s emeralds. While they still are not exactly a cheap souvenir to take home, you can get emeralds for a much better price in country than abroad. My mom has bought several pieces of emerald jewelry when visiting.

You’ll definitely be approached by salesmen trying to take you into the emerald shops.

Honestly, I’m not sure if there are any places better than the others. My advice would be to take a look in several and compare based on price and which pieces you really want.

Here’s a detailed guide to emerald quality (I guess the detail forgives them for spelling Colombia Columbia!). You can also go on an emerald tour that includes a history lesson as well as a hands on jewelry workshop.

Do note, prices in these shops are very much negotiable , so put on your best haggling poker face or bring someone with you who knows some Spanish.

You will almost always get a better deal if you pay in cash as well (in Colombian pesos; you won’t get as good a deal paying in dollars).

61. And/Or Hit the Boutiques to Shop

Like most vacation destinations, Cartagena has some good shopping.

There are a number of nice boutique shops that offer everything from world renown brands to things made by local designers. The best shops are located around the Walled City and along the Avenida San Martín in Bocagrande .

Especially nice might be this tour that includes a tour to the highlights of the city as well as emerald and boutique shopping or this one that includes stops at several emerald shops as well as souvenir shops.

Guys might enjoy grabbing a cigar or doing a rum tour while their ladies shop, or if they are in the market for a great guayabera, check out Edgar Gomez Estevez aka EGO in the Walled City who has hand made them for many a celebrity including Gabriel García Marquez, Bill Gates, and Colombian presidents. I actually had him make a vest for my wedding. While not cheap, for something hand made and tailored, his prices are fairly reasonable.

62. Learn More About the Life of Gabriel García Marquez

Gabriel García Marques, affectionally called Gabo by many Colombians, is Colombia’s most famous author. While he is most well known for his Nobel Prize winning 100 Years of Solitude , one of his other famous works Love in the Time of Cholera is loosely set in Cartagena, and he always loved Cartagena.

Gabo attended the University of Cartagena for a short time, owned a home here, and is buried here. There’s little doubt that much of his writing was inspired by Cartagena and the rest of Caribbean coastal or costeñol culture.

Today, you can learn more about Gabo as well as his personal and the literary connections to Cartagena in his books on an afternoon guided tour . You can also do a self-guided audio tour .

63. Improve Your Spanish with Some Classes

If you will be in Cartagena for more than just a few days and want to truly immerse yourself, you’ll want to have a good handle on Spanish.

The Spanish spoken in Cartagena is distinct from most of the rest of Colombia as people speak quickly and use lots of slang. It is closer to the Spanish you might hear in Cuba and Puerto Rico than Bogotá.

If you’re looking for Spanish classes, I recommend Gustavo Valiente at Letra Caribe , who also offer online classes if you’d like to brush up before coming. You can also look into taking classes on Lingoda or Rocket Languages before coming.

64. See the Bioluminescent Plankton

If you’re looking for one of the unique things to do in Cartagena in nature, consider going to see the bioluminescent plankton.

It’s a neat natural phenomenon. According to this explanation , these tiny animals light up as a defense mechanism, using the light to distract or frighten predators or attract even larger predators of the predators.

You can see the plankton off the coast of Barú not far from Playa Blanca. It’s possible to arrange a plankton tour or if you plan to spend the night on the beach, arrange it there.

You can also book an all day tour that includes the beach, mangroves, snorkeling, and the plankton. We have not actually done this in Cartagena, but we did do it in the San Bernardo Islands. It’s best to move around a lot, kicking and splashing to get them to light up more.

65. Go Kayaking in the Bay

These next few things to do in Cartagena are all water sports that would be fun for those interested as well as make some of the best outdoor activities in Cartagena.

First up is going kayaking in the bay. The views of the Walled City, the Castillo San Felipe, and the modern port and Bocagrande are all really neat from the bay. It’s possible to do a kayak tour of the Walled City to see the areas along the water and get a unique perspective of the city. It’s also possible to go kayaking at sunset .

66. Or Paddle Boarding

Like standing when paddling over the water? You can also do a paddle board tour on the bay . Especially neat is the boards have LED lights so you can do it during the day or around sunset time.

67. Go Surfing

While not super well known for its waves, there is a small community of surfers in Cartagena, and the more moderate waves actually make it a good spot to learn if you’ve never surfed before. You can do a surf lesson on the beaches of Laguito in Bocgrande.

If you enjoy surfing, you can also give eSurfboarding a go, commonly known as eFoiling . I’m not aware of any providers for this in Cartagena yet, but maybe there’ll be some down the road.

I have seen wing foiling, which is sort of a happy medium between surfing and the next thing on this list of things to do in Cartagena.

68. Or Get Extreme and Go Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing has become more popular everywhere and is a pretty neat and growing extreme sport. While there are better waves for this up around Cabo de la Vela or in San Andres , it’s becoming increasingly popular in Cartagena.

You can do a kitesurfing lesson in the Laguito area and there are also some kitesurfing schools and rental houses around La Boquilla just north of town as well.

69. Or Paratriking

For an even more unique extreme water sport, you could try paratriking over the beach .

It’s a neat alternative to hang gliding, sky diving, or the paragliding you can do near a place like Barichara . Plus, the views you get of the city and beach must be pretty amazing.

70. Go Diving

As mentioned above, the Rosario Islands and Barú are gorgeous, and they make for a good place to go diving.

Particularly for those that have never been diving before, doing it here with a mini-course can be considerably cheaper than doing it elsewhere.

For those who already have some experience, you can also complete a PADI Certification or even an Advanced PADI Open Water course while in Cartagena, again at considerably better prices than you’ll find in many other places.

71. Go for a Cruise on the Chambaculeras

Modeled after the boats of Mexico City’s Xochimilco, the Chambaculeras are a fairly new and neat community run attraction in Cartagena. They take you out on the bay and mangroves, giving you a unique view of Cartagena.

You can choose whether to include food or drinks too. This is one of the things on my need to do in Cartagena list.

Learn more about them at their Instagram .

72. Go Beach Horseback Riding

Want to do something fun on the beach that doesn’t involve flying high above it, riding on boards, or going below the water?

You could also opt to go horseback riding. There’s not much more romantic or charming than a ride down the beach.

You can go horseback riding in Manzanillo north of town, an experience that includes some learning about horse breeds and lunch at the beach.

73. Munch on Chicharrón in Turbaco

If you’re looking for something off the beaten path in Cartagena, consider going out to try the Chicharrones de Turbaco.

Located about 15 minutes outside of the edge of Cartagena (about an hour outside of the city center), Turbaco is a small town.

At the edge of town, you’l find the Chicharrones de Turbaco.

This is a popular spot for locals to go for a late weekend breakfast. It reminds me of the little barbecue pork spots you can find around the rural areas of my home state of South Carolina.

If you have a half day of downtime and want to sample some of the most famous chicharrón (and great yuca to boot!) in Colombia, head out here with an empty stomach.

74. Visit the Botanical Gardens in Turbaco

If you do make it out to Turbaco, you could consider visiting the Botanical Garden.

It’s not the most amazing or largest, but it’s a nice place for a stroll or a little picnic. In fact, this was one of our first dates.

If you find yourself with some free time and want to get out of the city and be in nature but not go too far, you could opt to head out here. Keep your eye out and you might catch a glimpse of monkeys or sloths.

75. Visit the Sunflower Farm in San Jacinto

This is one of the newer and neater attractions in Colombia’s Caribbean.

The town of San Jacinto in the Montes de María is well known for artisan crafts like hammocks and furniture.

Just outside of town, you’ll find a sunflower farm that was established fairly recently. It’s become a bit of a popular Instagram spot as you can get some really pretty photos.

But better than getting some nice Insta shots, a visit here also supports a local, sustainable business in an area that was one of the worst conflict zones for a long time.

Places like this provide a potential future that replaces the violence and drug trade of Colombia’s past with neat attractions that leverage its biodiversity.

San Jacinto is located a few hours south of Cartagena. There are not many organized tours that go here for the time being, but it is possible to reach San Jacinto by bus from the bus terminal in Cartagena. You could also likely negotiate a day trip with a taxi.

76. Party it Up During the November Independence Festival

If you’re even considering visiting Cartagena later during the year, then try to plan your trip around the week long  fiestas   preceding November 11, the anniversary of Cartagena’s Declaration of Independence .

With a massive parade, and lots of free concerts and dancing in the streets , the November festival is a lot of fun in my opinion.

However, they are not for everyone , and if you don’t like big crowds, then you may want to avoid them. See this guide to the parties to have an idea of what to expect.

If you do want to party with the locals , and can swing timing your trip to coincide, then add this to your list of things to do in Cartagena!

77. Enjoy the Christmas Lights and New Years Fireworks

If you are considering coming to Cartagena during the end of year holidays, you’re in luck. Colombia is one of the best places to travel in December .

The city always has nice Christmas lights up, and usually lights them around the time of the Noche de las Velitas on December 7.

Especially seeing the walls lit up and different light decorations around town are really pretty. You will usually find the best decorations around the Clocktower.

The lights stay up through New Years, which is also a lot of fun.

For both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, many restaurants in the Walled City set up tables in the streets and offer fancy dinners. These can be pricey and need to be reserved in advance.

If you don’t want to shell out for one of those dinners, just head to the wall a bit before midnight, where you can see the fireworks, which are always spectacular.

And of course, there’s plenty of places to go out and get your dance on well into the early hours of the new year!

Do note that this is one of the most crowded times of year, so make reservations early and expect crowds.

78. Use it as a Gateway to Explore More of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

If you can spend more than 7 days on vacation, I highly recommend including some other places along Colombia’s Caribbean coast in your trip. There are some great destinations for beach lovers and nature lovers.

South of Cartagena, you’ll find the gorgeous beaches of the San Bernardo Islands , which make a great stop if you plan to bus to Medellín from Cartagena and can also be reached by speed boat from Cartagena.

You can also stop in to the lazy beach town of Rincón del Mar for an escape from the beaten track in Colombia, and it also offers easy access to the San Bernardos.

However, north of Cartagena, you’ll find even more nice destinations.

Around the city of Santa Marta, you’ll find some of Colombia’s neatest natural areas, including the famous Tayrona National Park and its unspoiled beaches and beautiful scenery of mountains running into the sea. You’ll also find the pretty mountain town of Minca where you can hike to waterfalls and enjoy some of the best coffee grown in Colombia.

A bit further north there are fun beach hangouts spots at Costeño Beach and the town of Palomino . If you’re looking for a real adventure, consider heading to the desert covered Guajira Peninsula and the town of Cabo de la Vela or to the very most northern point of South America at Punta Gallinas .

Or, you could head to the island of San Andres farther north if the beaches of the coast aren’t enough for you.

79. Or as an Entry or Exit Point to Exploring Colombia’s Interior

One of the things I’ve found so fascinating about living in Colombia is its varied regions.

Going to other parts of the country can feel like an entirely different county, with everything from culture, accent, food, and weather varying greatly. As one of its top destinations, Cartagena makes a good entry or exit point for a trek through the rest of Colombia.

Some of our favorite places in the interior include the gorgeous town of Barichara , Salento in the coffee region, the Amazon , the sprawling capital of Bogotá , the nearby gorgeous town of Villa de Leyva , and Medellín.

For the truly adventurous, whale watching on the Pacific coast is an unforgettable experience. We also recently had the chance to travel to Guaviare, great for nature lovers and fairly newly opened to tourism as well as the famous multicolored river of Caño Cristales .

You could also opt to see the fascinating landscape of the Tatacoa Desert or the neat archaeology and pretty countryside in San Agustín . Or visit the Las Lajas Sanctuary , on the border with Ecuador, that looks like it belongs in the Lord of the Rings.

Finally, you could go on a safari in Casanare, which instantly became one of my favorite places in Colombia when we went!

There really is a wealth of places to visit in Colombia, so be sure to check out the other destinations section to learn which ones you might want to visit whether it be during your first trip or your seventh!

Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia Conclusion

There you have it, 79 things to do in Cartagena! You should have no shortage of fun experiences to fill your time on a trip, and even for many return trips now!

I hope they helped you plan your visit to Cartagena and that you absolutely enjoy any and all of them you do!

Cheers and Happy Exploring!

8 thoughts on “A Local’s Guide to More than 75 Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia”

Hello. Nice informative site. I’ve just opened a new place on Bocachica. See http://www.bocachicabeachclub.com . We are making promotions to attract tourism there and to discover all the interesting historic monuments and culture. I’d like to invite you gratis to see it for yourself. My name is Henry Brady and my local partner there is German Castro. Cheers Henry

Hi Henry. Thanks for the kind words! We were actually out in Bocachica a couple months ago, and I think we saw your place, although it may not have been open yet. I would definitely be interested in checking it out. Send me an email at [email protected] so we can arrange a visit. Cheers!

Hi, our group is spending only a week there, and so I was wondering – which day(s) of the week of best for visiting Cholon? Also, what’s the current covid experience on the beaches?

Hi Jason. I think it’s best on a weekday so there will be less crowds. Technically, you are still supposed to make a reservation for beaches in town but it’s not really being enforced. On the beach, you can take masks off and at places like Cholón or elsewhere in the islands there are food and drinks.

Hi, I read a lot of your articles and all the articles are very informative. I too would like to contribute an article on your web page. I have been writing a lot of articles and would like to publish them on your website. Hope to get a positive response from you. Thanks

Any ideas of what you might like to write about? Feel free to email me some ideas at [email protected] .

Your info was truly fabulous !!!! Cannot wait for my visit there for a month mid January 2022. Just love your could do’s !! Makes me want to start at bottom of the list !!!! Thank you so much !! Anne from Ontario, Canada.

Hi Anne! Thank you so much. You are going to love Cartagena, and I hope you fit in lots and lots of could dos!

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19 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

Written by Lana Law Updated Mar 20, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Like walking through the pages of a history book, this fabulous city on Colombia's Caribbean coast brings to life another era. Unlike many historic cities, which offer only a glimpse of faded glory, Cartagena's walled city has been fabulously restored.

Cartagena is a city full of unexpected delights for first-time visitors, where you can find exceptional dining experiences along with unique attractions and things to do by day and night. Plazas bustle with activity; horse-drawn carriages add to the atmosphere; and historical sites, like the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and the Convento La Popa de la Galera, make for interesting sightseeing.

Beyond the old city, Cartagena has many exceptional places to visit, including Barrio Getsemani , where you can step away from some of the tourist scene of the walled city to enjoy a more local vibe, try some street food, and watch evening entertainment in Plaza de la Trinidad.

Cartagena is also a popular destination for kitesurfing , which can be found on the beaches just north of the city. And if you have more than a day or two, consider taking a day trip from Cartagena to see the famous Magic Mud Volcano or to the beautiful beaches of Islas del Rosario .

Explore the attractions and learn more with our list of top things to do in Cartagena.

1. Explore the Walled City

2. take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, 3. wander the streets & plazas of getsemani, 4. cartagena's cathedral: catedral santa catalina de alejandria, 5. dining in cartagena, 6. navigate the tunnels of castillo san felipe de barajas, 7. watch street performances at torre del reloj & plaza de los coches, 8. relax at plaza bolivar, 9. try street food & experience plaza de la trinidad at night, 10. soak up the atmosphere at plaza santo domingo, 11. sanctuary of st. peter claver, 12. convento de la popa, 13. museo del oro zenu, 14. magic mud volcano (el totumo), 15. day trip to playa blanca and islas del rosario, 16. kitesurf at playa manzanillo & playa boquilla, 17. palace of the inquision / museo de historico de cartagena de indias, 18. museo naval del caribe, 19. mercado bazurto, map of attractions & things to do in cartagena, colombia, cartagena, colombia - climate chart.

Cartegana's charming walled city is Colombia's shining star. The stunning architecture, most of it meticulously restored, covers an extensive area in the historical center of the city. Narrow streets open onto restaurant-lined squares and inviting open spaces. Music fills the air in the evenings, as small bands set up in restaurants and roaming musicians take to the plazas like a scene from a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel.

Since the early 2010s, the city has undergone extensive restoration of the historic buildings in the walled city, many of which previously sat empty. Restaurants and boutique hotels have been transformed into architectural masterpieces, with creative and inviting designs, where you can relax in quiet courtyards tucked away from the bustling streets, or dine in the open-air below huge palm trees. The result is a historic city transformed through its revitalization efforts into a destination that makes travelers want to linger.

If you are looking for things to do at night in the walled city, begin by watching the sunset over the ocean from the top of the walls. Afterwards, wander through Barrio San Diego and stop at Plaza San Diego , and make your way to Plaza de los Coches to watch the street performers in front of the Torre del Reloj .

Many travelers ask about the safety of Cartagena. The walled city is regarded as one of the safest areas of Colombia, and you are unlikely to experience any problems wandering around here in the day or even late into the evening. The streets have a relaxed feel, and police can be seen around this area of the city keeping an eye on activities.

The walled city is also the most popular place to stay, and you can find some incredibly beautiful luxury hotels in this area of Cartagena.

Although it may seem cliché, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the colonial walled city is one of the most popular things to do in Cartagena. Horses seem to outnumber cars in the old city, and the clip-clock sound of horse hooves can be heard as you walk down almost any street.

Although empty carriages will stop for you anywhere in the city, the best place to start a tour is from Plaza de los Coches in front of the Torre del Reloj, which is the main gate with the iconic yellow clocktower. Horse carriages line up along one side of the square, and touts are quick to sell you a tour.

You can negotiate a price, but your negotiating will generally only save you about 15 to 20 percent off the starting price. Tours operate in the day and late into the evening, and run down all the most beautiful streets.

Just outside the walled city is the pleasant neighborhood of Getsemani. Like the walled city, this area is old and has similar characteristics, including the impressive architecture, wood balconies, and narrow streets and alleys. But Getsemani is more residential in nature, feels less touristy, and has a much more authentic Colombian feel. Some streets offer quiet retreats, while others are known for nightlife.

At Plaza de la Trinidad, the most popular square in Getsemani , you can find street vendors selling a variety of good foods, street performers, and tourists sitting on the steps of Iglesia de la Trinidad. This area comes to life after about 6pm. Surrounding the square are a number of small, casual restaurants with indoor and outdoor dining, although most are open-air.

Wander back from the square to see flag-covered streets, huge murals and graffiti covered walls, an umbrella covered alley, and people dragging their chairs out to the sidewalk to enjoy the warm evenings. Nearby is Plazuela del Pozo , where you can find a table in the evenings in the square and listen to a musician or small band.

Across the street from the waterfront, along Calle del Arsenal in Getsemani is where you will find music venues and more action later in the evening. Chiva buses, the colorfully painted, open-air tour buses playing music, which you can frequently see plying the streets, end their tours along here.

On the opposite side of the street, along the waterfront, is a lovely area with tables and chairs looking out over the water to the old city on the opposite shore. Food trucks set up here selling a full array of offerings, from pizza to sushi. This is another popular area in the evenings, where people come to relax.

The Catedral Santa Catalina de Alejandria is one of the most photographed buildings in the old town of Cartagena, particularly at night, when the impressive spire is lit up like a scene from a fairy tale. You can see it from throughout the old city as you wander along the streets.

The building dates from 1612 and has recently been completely restored. If you are able to sneak a peak inside, you'll find towering arches supported by massive columns.

The cathedral is across the street from the shady Plaza Bolivar. During the day, artists selling their works are often set up in the vicinity of the cathedral.

Dining in the historic city center is, as a general rule, outstanding, and chefs make the meals here memorable. The restaurant designs and dining spaces are an attraction themselves, ranging from sophisticated to quirky. The assortment of restaurants is also impressive, featuring international cuisine from around the world and great Colombian food as well.

For tourists, one of the most popular things to do when it comes to dining in Cartagena is to eat at a restaurant on the city's historic wall , looking out to sea. Two locations offer this experience. On the ramparts across from the lavish Charleston Santa Teresa Hotel is El Baluarte, serving mainly tapas and appetizers. Tourists enjoy coming here for sunset. Later on, a band sets up in the early evening hours.

From here, if you continue walking along the wall, crossing over a small pedestrian bridge, which offers a fabulous view back over the city, you will eventually come to Café del Mar , another restaurant on the wall with extensive outdoor seating. This place has a hipper vibe and a more extensive menu. It's usually quite busy in the evenings.

For a more traditional Colombian experience , head to Mardeleva Restaurant , not to be confused with the Pizzeria Mar de Leva. All the food at Mardeleva is sourced from Colombia, and, while you can get a full range of dishes here, their main focus is on dishes from the sea. The restaurant has a beautiful open-air courtyard with a wonderful atmosphere, as well as a lovely indoor eating area with air conditioning. A local band plays in the courtyard most nights.

Mistura is another restaurant where you can expect exceptional food, and the restaurant itself is beautiful. This is a large restaurant but divided up into different areas, so each section feels intimate. They serve a wide selection of dishes.

Many restaurants don't open for the evening meal until 7pm and dining generally begins at 7:30. Reservations are a good idea, especially between Thursdays and Sundays. Swing by in the afternoon to reserve a table.

Sitting on a hilltop just a short drive from the walls of the city, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is regarded as one of the greatest forts the Spanish ever built in the new world. It's complex tunnel system and overall design, triangular in shape, made it unique among Spanish forts.

The most impressive feature of the fort is the tunnel system. The design of the tunnels took into consideration acoustics, which allowed the Spanish to hear even the slightest noise created by anyone trying to approach. It also allowed for easy communication, with sound traveling great distances along the tunnels.

They are confusing to navigate, but you can access them at several points, meaning they do not feel particularly claustrophobic unless you choose to go deeper, into areas that have no exits. They also offer a cool break from the heat and pounding sun.

Many people will arrive at the walled city through the Torre del Reloj , also referred to as the Puerta del Reloj or Boca del Puente , the grand gate to the old city. It's easy to identify by the huge yellow clocktower , which rises from the top of the gate. In front of the clocktower, particularly in the evenings, trinket sellers, musicians, mimes, and other performers set up here.

Just inside the wall, Plaza de los Coches is a large, triangular-shaped square, frequently filled with people milling about with no real purpose except to admire the centuries-old buildings and the line of horse-drawn carriages waiting to take tourists on a tour of the city. You can also get a taxi here if you are looking to go somewhere inside the gate. Along the main arcade behind the horses, vendors are set up selling an assortment of sweets and behind them are a few restaurants.

A statue of Don Pedro Heredia stands at one end of Plaza de los Coches. At the opposite end, yellow tables are set up each evening along the wall, which quickly fill with tourists. Restaurants along the square offer service to these tables. In the evenings, small bands of musicians wander the square with their percussion instruments and accordions, and will strike up a song for tourists who want to make a donation.

If you are visiting during the day, you may want to wander into the lush Parque del Centario across the street from the Torre del Reloj . Sloths live in the trees and often come down for a closer look at tourists, and you can also see monkeys, iguanas, squirrels, and a variety of birds. The park is free.

Cartagena is a hot, humid place, and a bit of shade is always a welcome relief. One of the best places to find this elusive luxury in the old city is in Plaza Bolivar, located in front of the Palacio de la Inquisicion (Palace of the Inquisition). Park benches surround an equestrian statue of Simon Bolivar and huge trees provide relief from the sun.

People come here to sit and enjoy a few minutes of quiet or feed the pigeons. It's not a busy park, but touts on the edge of the park try to sell tours to tourists passing by. Grab a cold drink or ice cream from one of the mobile vendors and catch your breath.

Even if you don't have time to fully explore Getsemani, it's worth walking by the Plaza de la Trinidad in the evening. For reasons that may seem incomprehensible at first, this square in front of the church is a magnet for locals and tourists.

The church steps fill with people, and the plaza becomes a buzz of activity in the early evening. On any given night here, you might be able to spontaneously participate in a dance lesson, see fire twirlers or jugglers, or come across a unique act, like you won't see in other areas of the city.

One of the key attractions on the square is the street food. Vendors all around the plaza make mouth-watering food while you watch. You may want to check out all the options before deciding on what to eat. If you actually don't find something here to suit your taste, don't fear. Restaurants surround the square and line the roads leading off the plaza.

Plaza de la Trinidad is less than a 10-minute walk from the main gate of the walled city.

Emerging onto this open space after navigating narrow streets is a welcome retreat. The Iglesia de Santo Domingo dominates one side of Plaza Santa Domingo, but one the most famous features of the square is the reclining female statue by Colombian sculptor, Fernando Botero. It's a tradition to rub the statue for good luck.

Opposite the church are tables where you can always grab a meal and enjoy some shade. Street sellers approach travelers offering hats, jewelry, and tours but are easily dissuaded if you do not want to buy.

The Sanctuary of St. Peter Claver is a wonderfully preserved church dating from 1580, housing the bones of Saint Peter Claver. The church is a cool and quiet escape from the daytime heat of Cartagena. In the evening, the square in front is transforms into a lively spot.

Small metal sculptures are spread around the square, and restaurants set up tables here after sunset. This area also offers a good view of the cathedral spire, and one of the most common photos of the cathedral, which you will frequently see online and in brochures, is taken from the edge of this square.

The church houses a small museum and a shady courtyard and garden. On display inside the church is an impressive collection of religious artwork.

Visible from almost everywhere in Cartagena and lit up at night, Convento de la Popa is perched on a 150-meter hill known as Mt. Popa, high above the city. Built in the early 1600s as a convent, it has been used for several purposes over the years, including army barracks. Simon Bolivar even set up here for a while. Today the Convento de la Popa is a religious museum.

It's worth a visit to see the stunning views out over Cartagena and the Caribbean Sea. Its wonderful patio is filled with colorful plants and several unique statues. Inside the convent is a beautiful rendering of La Virgen de la Candelaria, the patron saint of Cartagena. There is a small fee to enter the building.

The Museo del Oro Zenu is a free attraction in Cartagena and easy to find, just off the famous Plaza Bolivar. This is more than just a museum dedicated to this lustrous mineral; it also provides a fascinating look into the history of the indigenous Zenu people and the importance of gold in their lives.

Inside, you'll find over 500 gold pieces carved into fascinating shapes, including a golden jaguar and filigree butterfly. Other highlights include displays on body painting and textiles, and an exhibit focusing on the engineering expertise of the Zenu and how they built the vast network of canals over 2,500 years ago.

You can visit Colombia's famous mud volcano on a day trip from Cartagena. It's almost a right of passage for travelers to take a dip in the warm mud of this otherwise unassuming little mound.

After walking up a long set of stairs to the top of the so-called volcano, you can then drop into a pool of mud, usually filled wall to wall with other bathers. You will be completely covered head to toe in mud, but once you get out, locals are on hand to help scrub you down with water and towels to try to get the mud off, which is not an easy task! You will need to pay for the clean up service.

You can expect to smell the mud on you for the rest of the day, and your swimsuit may not be the same afterwards, so you may want to select one of your least favorite suits for this excursion. Most visitors take an organized half-day trip from Cartagena to the Mud Volcano , which includes a quick stop at Manzanillo Beach. The mud volcano is about an hour drive from Cartagena, depending on traffic.

Visiting the nearby islands and beaches is another popular thing to do when visiting Cartagena. The Islas del Rosario are home to beautiful beaches, including the most famous, Playa Blanca . This incredible white-sand beach lapped by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea is the postcard perfect beach. A couple of rustic restaurants line the beach.

Most people visit the islands and beaches as part of a day trip, which includes multiple stops, but you can also catch a boat shuttle and spend the day at Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca is accessible by road, and a bus tour is another option if you aren't up for a 45-minute boat ride. One of the most popular options is the Playa Blanca and Baru Island Day Trip from Cartagena , which takes about eight hours and includes lunch.

Cartagena's consistent winds and position along the Caribbean make it a popular place for kitesurfing. The main beaches for kiting are Boquilla, and slightly farther out, Playa Manzanillo. Boquilla has a more developed infrastructure, with restaurants and accommodation for people who want to really spend all their time kiting. Playa Manzanillo is much less developed and as a result, sees far fewer kiters. Some people prefer the lack of congestion on the water and make this their base.

Pure Kite is the main kiting school on Manazanillo, and they provide daily shuttles from central Cartagena and offer a place for kitesurfers to store their equipment. They also offer lessons and rent equipment. Several operators can be found on Boquilla.

Cartagena was the main headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition in all of South America. Housed in a beautifully restored series of mansions dating from 1770, the Palace of the Inquision / Museo de Historico de Cartagena de Indias provides a very in-depth overview of the Spanish Inquisition. A numerical system guides you through various rooms and courtyards where the complete story is told in Spanish and English, although not all plaques are translated to English.

Be sure to visit the courtyard to see some of the instruments used during the period, including a guillotine, and various other displays.

The Museo Naval del Caribe is housed in a beautifully restored Jesuit school dating from 1612. Displays detail 500 years of Cartagena's maritime history along with information on the Colombian navy and army. Throughout the two levels are finds from ships sunk in the harbor, including cannons, ship's bells, muskets, and other treasures. The descriptions are all in Spanish, but video guides in English are available.

The museum is located right along the ancient city walls, and Plaza De Santa Teresa is out front. After your tour, walk up the slope to the top of the wall and soak up the view out over the sea.

For a true slice of life in Cartagena, head to the Mercado Bazurto. Here, you'll find locals and vendors going about their daily business in a chaotic environment. The late Anthony Bourdain spent time here eating, shopping, and soaking up the madness.

The market is big, and the best way to explore is to simply wander around. Each corner or aisle brings a fresh assault to your senses and a smile to your face. You'll find the freshest of fresh, be it vegetables, fruit, seafood, or meats. Small restaurants throughout the market serve local fare cooked fresh and fast right in front of you.

The market is easily reachable by a short taxi ride from the old city.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Planning Your Trip to Colombia: There is much more to Colombia than just Cartagena. For a complete overview of the top sites and best places to visit, see our article on the Top Attractions in Colombia .

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Home » Travel Guides » Spain » 15 Best Things to Do in Cartagena (Spain)

15 Best Things to Do in Cartagena (Spain)

With one of the world’s great natural harbours and rich mineral mines, Cartagena has been a prized location for millennia. The Carthaginians played a big role in its evolution as an ancient trading hub in the 3rd century BC before it was conquered by the Romans.

You can purchase a multi-ticket to get access to Cartagena’s numerous Roman sites to understand the complicated ancient history of the city. In the 19th century there was a mining boom, bringing a lot of wealth to Cartagena and transforming the historic centre with art nouveau architecture.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Cartagena :

1. Roman Theatre Museum

Of all the marvellous Roman landmarks in Cartagena, the 2,000 year-old theatre should be your first port of call.

It was discovered as recently as 1988 beneath the ruins of the Old Cathedral, which had been destroyed during shelling in the Spanish Civil War.

About two thirds of the theatre’s building material was still on site, which made possible the very detailed restoration you can see now.

In the museum you’ll study the fantastic artefacts discovered during the excavations, among them an altar to Jupiter, a statue of Apollo, inscribed lintels, plaques and also Islamic ceramics from the middle ages.

2. ARQUA, Marine Archaeology Museum

It’s fitting that this institution should be set in one of the western Mediterranean’s great ancient harbours, where new finds are made almost every year.

ARQUA is a national centre for marine archaeology: A place to can see remarkable historical artefacts from underwater sites, but also a research facility for experts and scholars in the field.

Find out how archaeologists analyse their discoveries at the laboratory area, which has interactive displays for kids.

Among the many artefacts to check out are Carthaginian ivory tusks and the treasure of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a frigate that was sunk in the early 19th century with 14.5 tons of gold and silver coins.

3. Modernist Architecture

In the late-1800s the mining industry made a handful of people very rich, and the most obvious expression of this wealth can be seen in the historic centre of Cartagena and nearby La Unión.

Cartagena’s centre already needed rebuilding in the late-19th century, after a federalist insurrection in 1874 wiped out half the city.

So towards the end of the century some gorgeous art nouveau buildings went up.

You could fit the best ones into a walking tour and they include the Palacio Pedreño, the Casino de Cartagena, the Casa Cervantes, the Palacio de Aguirre and the Gran Hotel.

4. Palacio Consistoria

You can enter one of Cartagena’s most impressive modernist wonders, the 100 year-old town hall on Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

This triangular palace was also a response to the mining boom in the late-19th century, as Cartagena had outgrown its former town hall.

After suffering from structural problems in the 90s the building was restored to its Belle Époque glory days ten years ago.

Take a few minutes to study the facade, composed entirely of white marble and topped with domes that are coated with local zinc.

Get closer and you’ll even see a few bullet holes from the Civil War.

There are English-speaking guided tours, showing you around the marble balustraded stairways and an exhibit of period tapestries.

5. Municipal Archaeology Museum

Furthest north of Cartagena’s ancient sites is a late-Roman necropolis, which was set on the shore of an ancient lagoon that has since disappeared.

It’s an enthralling site, because it contains some of the latest evidence of Roman settlement, dating from 300 to 700AD – a time of transition to Christianity.

The museum has plenty of items excavated from this site, but has also gathered a wealth of artefacts from around Cartagena.

You’ll get a full chronology of the area, from Neanderthal remains, through Phoenician ceramics to the tools discovered in the Roman mines in the mountains on the edge of the city.

6. Calle Mayor

Linking the Plaza de San Sebastián in the north with Cartagena’s town hall is a ravine-like pedestrian street paved with distinctive blue marble tiles.

It’s a typically Spanish “Paseo”, where families and couples will take a stroll together or meet friends.

The street is kept spotlessly clean and boasts many of Cartagena’s best modernist buildings.

By day you can drop by for a cup of coffee or some high-street shopping, and in the evening you’ll be tempted by the various restaurants and tapas bars in this handsome location.

7. Batería de Castillitos

An eerie time can be had at the tip of Cape Tiñoso, 30 minutes from Cartagena and reached via dirt roads.

At 250 metres you’ll be able to gaze back at the extraordinary mountainous landscape of this natural park.

But also here is an installation that mixes frivolous architecture with meaty and sinister artillery guns.

It was built in the mid-1930s during the rule of Primo de Rivera as part of a series of batteries defending Cartagena’s coast.

Whimsical medieval-style turrets blend with the mountainside and look strange next to the menacing, black Vickers-Armstrong guns.

Use the torch on your phone to investigate the tunnels in the fortified area.

8. Military Museum

Cartagena has had a large military presence for thousands of years, and in modern times a number of Spanish army units have been based in the city.

You can see a great deal of this heritage in one place, and it’s an attraction that will blow your mind if you’re into military hardware.

The museum building was constructed in the late-18th century and in the courtyard you’ll spot an undetonated shell wedged in a wall from the insurrection in 1874. On show are tanks, missiles, field telescopes, light arms, a number of heavy-duty guns and all kinds of other military equipment.

The museum also has the largest collection of hand-made military models in the world, with the Guinness certificate to prove it!

9. Spanish Civil War Museum

The war from 1936-39 was one of the darkest moments in Spain’s history, and Cartagena didn’t escape the destruction.

The city was a Republican military stronghold, and as you may have noticed it was well-defended from sea.

This made it a target of bombing raids by the Nationalist forces (with help from the Nazis) so shelters like this one were built around the city.

Down here you’ll appreciate what people had to do to survive, and will also see original signs, propaganda posters and other artefacts.

There are moving first-hand accounts about the conflict, and you’ll learn of the ingenious ways the city attempted to trick the Nationalist forces into bombing the wrong locations.

10. Casa de la Fortuna

You’ve seen the necropolis, the theatre and the history of the port; now’s your chance to find out how Roman Cartagena’s wealthy citizens lived.

This domus’ name comes from a Latin inscription on its back entrance: “Fortuna Propitia”, meaning “good luck” and it would have greeted all visitors.

It’s easy to get a feel for the site as there’s so much of the walls and decoration remaining, as well as a stretch of the roman road outside.

You can make out the hallway (atrium), bedrooms (cubiculum), dining hall (triclinium) and the owner’s office (tablinum). There are surprising features everywhere, including wall paintings and mosaic floors.

11. Naval Museum

Right on the port is this museum that covers Cartagena’s maritime military past.

It’s in a dignified 18th century waterside building that until recently was a college for marine personnel joining Spain’s navy.

The museum showcases memorabilia, weapons, navigational tools and offers detailed accounts of the turmoil on the 1870s.

An absolute must is the Peral Submarine, the world’s first battery-powered underwater vessel, that was launched in 1888. This prototype was tested for two years but never developed, despite being a great technological step forward and possibly the world’s first “U-boat”.

12. Castillo de la Concepción

Cartagena had long been in decline by the time the Moors arrived in Spain.

And for centuries it was believed that they hadn’t made their mark on the city at all, but excavation of the walls of this fortress in Parque Torres have shown that it was an Alcazaba, an Islamic fortified palace in the middle ages.

Long before that it had been a Roman temple to Asklepio, and the cisterns from that time are still intact.

Most of what remains now is from the 13th century, following the Christian “re-conquest”, with small pointers to this period visible in the carvings of eagles and rosettes.

Catch the lift to the top for supreme panoramas of the harbour and coastal mountains.

13. Playa de Calblanque

For a day of sun and sand you won’t regret going the extra mile to this unspoiled beach half an hour from Cartagena.

Playa de Calblanque is on the road to Cabo de Palos, the headland at the southern end of La Manga.

Take the exit for Calblanque and the road runs south towards the coast through farmland traced by the low arid mountains of the Calblanque Regional Park.

Beyond these peaks is a secluded 300-metre beach with sands the shade of burnt gold.

On quieter days you’ll have the beach almost to yourself, but don’t forget to bring refreshments as there’s hardly a sign of civilisation here.

14. Licor 43 Tour

A grown-up rainy day option is a tour of one of Spain’s most-exported liqueurs, Licor 43, distilled right in Cartagena.

Book ahead and you’ll take a two-hour trip around the facility, picking up loads of factoids from your multi-lingual guide.

For the uninitiated, Licor 43 is a 31% abv spirit, made with 43 different citrus fruits and spices, and goes best with ice and milk.

On the visit you’ll see the production process up close, from mixing to fermentation, ageing and bottling.

Try to avoid being the designated driver, because the tour concludes with cocktails!

15. Local Mines

As with many things in Cartagena mining was introduced to the area by the Romans.

The Sierra Minera is rich with an assortment of metals including silver, copper, zinc, lead, tin, manganese and iron.

Anyone who gets a kick out of industrial heritage will a closer look at the two mining attractions in the area: the La Unión Mining Park and the Las Matildes Mine.

At La Unión the Agrupa Vicenta mine will blow you away; it plunges 80 metres beneath the surface and has huge, navelike spaces and an underwater lake with reddish waters.

At both attractions you’ll see gear and infrastructure like miner’s quarters, compressor rooms, 19th-century derricks and carts for carrying minerals.

15 Best Things to Do in Cartagena (Spain):

• Roman Theatre Museum
• ARQUA, Marine Archaeology Museum
• Modernist Architecture
• Palacio Consistoria
• Municipal Archaeology Museum
• Calle Mayor
• Batería de Castillitos
• Military Museum
• Spanish Civil War Museum
• Casa de la Fortuna
• Naval Museum
• Castillo de la Concepción
• Playa de Calblanque
• Licor 43 Tour
• Local Mines

10 Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Spain

 Eve Livesey / Getty Images

Founded in 227 B.C. by the Carthaginian Hasdrubal the Fair, Cartagena, a vibrant port city on Spain’s southeast Mediterranean coast, has a long history with a plethora of monuments documenting the passing of many civilizations.

Being a rather small city, it’s easy to walk from one site to the other, starting with the remains of the Punic Walls, continuing on to the second largest Roman Theatre of the Iberian Peninsula, enjoying the splendor of Art Deco buildings, and finishing the day with a panoramic view of the city and port on board a harbor cruise. Additionally, lovers of all things maritime will be delighted by the Naval Museum and a model of the world’s first submarine, invented by Cartagena-born Isaac Peral and launched in 1888.

Tour the Roman Theatre

Cartagena presumes of the second largest Roman Theatre on the Iberian Peninsula. Dating back to the first century, it was opened in honor of the visit of Gaius Cesar, grandson of Emperor Augustus.

The theatre could accommodate more than 6,000 people. It’s accessed via a pink building a which also houses the Roman Theatre Museum. Over three floors, the museum has a huge collection of Roman statues and artifacts, then leading via a glass bridge into the theatre itself. Behind it and visible from the theatre’s top tier are the Cathedral of Cartagena and remains of a Byzantine Wall.

Understand Ancient History at the Punic Wall

Cartagena has made a great effort to explain the sometimes complicated history to visitors. The Punic Wall Interpretation Center protects the remains of Cartagena’s oldest part, the Punic Wall, under glass walkways, whilst a video  explains the founding of Cartagena. It’s of particular historical value because there are very few Punic remains Spain. During excavations, the 16th century Hermitage of San Jose was discovered. What remains is the crypt of the monks, with bones and skulls resting in several stories of burial niches and a quite macabre depiction of the Dance of Death. 

Marvel at Casa de la Fortuna

Cartagena lived through its heyday when it was part of the Roman Empire. The wealth of the citizens derived from trade and abundant silver mines in the surrounding countryside.

The Casa de la Fortuna is a well preserved Roman villa dating from the first century. Marvel at the floor mosaics and the colorful wall paintings, among them a swan which is the most famous image of the villa.

Furniture, tools, and mannequins dressed in the clothes of the times evoke a vivid image of how a rich Roman merchant lived. Only discovered in 2000, the villa originally extended to 2,200 square feet. At the rear of the house you can see part of a Roman road with huge stone slabs and remains of their advanced canalization.

Climb the Concepcion Hill

Dominating Cartagena’s skyline is the 13th century Castle of Concepcion on top of the hill of the same name. Before King Alfonso X of Castille conquered Cartagena from the Arabs in 1245, it was the site of a Roman temple and an Arab Alcazar.

Access is from sea level at the King Charles III rampart via a winding path through a landscaped park full of flowers, ponds, statues and peacocks. The castle often features exhibitions, most recently of splendid Renaissance costumes. Make your way down via a footbridge to the outside elevator, illuminated at night.

Discover Art Deco Along Calle Mayor

Calle Mayor is the main pedestrian shopping street of Cartagena and the site of many outstanding Art Deco buildings. At the beginning of the 20th century, the growing mining industry brought wealth to the city and with it richly decorated townhouses and public buildings.

Prime examples are the triangular Town Hall and the casino. Casinos in Spain are not for gambling, but rather they are the seat of a cultural society.

Pass by the former Grand Hotel, now a bank, and the pink and white Casa Aguirre which also houses the Museum of Regional Modern Art. Finally, take a break at  Cartagena’s most traditional bar, La Tartana.

Ride the Waves on a Harbor Cruise

LUNAMARINA / Getty Images

The natural, sheltered port of Cartagena is the main reason why so many civilizations fought over it. Enjoy the best view of the city from the sea with an entertaining harbor cruise. It leads past the cruise ship dock and commercial port into the open sea past two castles that guard the entrance to the port.

There are two options : a catamaran and or a closed boat with a sundeck. Both depart from the quay crossing Paseo Alfonso XII and down the steps. The tour in the boat lasts approximately an hour, while the catamaran trip is three hours and includes a stop at the recently refurbished castle Fuerte de la Navidad.

Learn about Cartagena’s Naval History

It’s not surprising that a city so closely connected to the sea has several venues dedicated to maritime history.

The Naval Museum, located in a fine 18th century building on the waterfront features a vast collection of tall ship models, naval uniforms, medals and the Peral submarine, which was built in the late 19th century by Spanish sailor Isaac Peral for the country's Navy.

Shiver at the Spanish Civil War Museum

The Spanish Civil War, fought from 1936 through 1939, brought suffering and destruction to Cartagena too. Coming down in the lift from Concepcion Hill, turn left and enter the Spanish Civil War Museum, a former shelter for the citizens and a dramatic testimony to the hardship of this dark time in Spanish history.

Become a Moor or a Roman

Visitors in September are in for a treat as they're given the chance to relive history up close and personal. The biggest festival, called Moors and Christians, takes over the city for two weeks with re-enactments of the battles and thousands of "soldiers" and "civilians" in historical costumes taking part in plays and parades. Everybody wears a piece of fancy dress and clinks glasses in the Feria precinct (the football stadium) in one of the many tents.

Explore Underwater Archaeology at ARQUA

Matías Soria / CC BY-SA 3.0

Further along the waterfront stands the modern building of ARQUA, which is the national center for maritime archaeology. A museum as well as a research facility for scientists, ARQUA’s most outstanding exhibit is a treasure of 14.5 tons of gold and silver coins recovered from the fregatte Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes that sunk in the early 19th century.

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34 Things to do in Cartagena, Spain – 3 Day Itinerary

By Author Paulina

Posted on Published: June 3, 2020  - Last updated: July 7, 2023

A travel guide to the best attractions in Cartagena, Southern Spain: the perfect Cartagena Itinerary

Looking for things to do in Cartagena ? Cartagena is one of the most amazing places to visit on the Mediterranean coastline, especially for those interested in ancient history. The city has ample Roman ruins and a rich maritime background.

Nowadays the city in Murcia province is one of the most important harbours in Spain for cruise ships, thus the starting point for many to explore Southern Spain.

Following this 3-day itinerary for Cartagena, Spain will allow you to fully explore this historical gem, and if in a hurry, it’s easy to adjust it by simply skipping a few locations – or just take your time, and enjoy the long holidays in Cartagena!

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Top Things To Do In Cartagena, Murcia Region – Our Cartagena Itinerary For 3 days

• Visiting the Old Town and nearby monuments
• Exploring ancient Roman ruins 
• Trying Andalusian cuisine and tapas
• Relaxing on the best beach in Cartagena
• Discovering wildlife from Southern Spain

Useful Travel Information About Cartagena

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Where is Cartagena?

Cartagena is located right by the Mediterranean coast in the Region of Murcia . You’ll find it only 50 km south-east from Murcia and next to the wildlife resort Sierra de la Muela, Cabo Tiñoso y Roldán.

How to get to Cartagena

How to get from Murcia to Cartagena:

Bus: Take a direct bus from Murcia Central to Cartagena bus station (45min).  Train: Take a direct train from Murcia del Carmen train station (50min).

Get tickets in advance here

How to get from Almeria to Cartagena:

Bus: Take a direct bus from Almeria main bus station (4h).  Train: There are no train connections between Almeria and Cartagena..

How to get from Alicante to Cartagena:

Bus:  Take a direct bus from Alicante main bus station (1:50h).  Train: Take a direct train from Alicante-Termino train station (2:12h).

Day 1: 1 day in Cartagena

Visit cartagena old town.

One of the best things to do around Cartagena city is to visit the old town of Cartagena. It’s one of the richest and full of character places in the city. It was constructed in 223BC, and was Hannibal ‘s capital city on the Iberian Peninsula, making it an area with plenty of historical monuments, squares, and buildings for you to discover!

It’s an amazing example of the beauty of Andalusian architecture, built within grotesque, little streets, lively tapas bars, and the overall Spanish atmosphere and chatter!

Make sure to stop at Plaza Ayuntamiento with the gorgeous town hall for a photo! The square is absolutely breathtaking!

In order to explore all hidden gems, take a guided tour . – Check the best prices here

Discover the Roman theatre and Roman heritage of Cartagena

When walking around the Old Town, you simply cannot skip the Roman theater in Cartagena Spain! Built between the 5th and 1st centuries BC, the theater has been one of the best things to see in Cartagena and is a truly magnificent site to explore! 

A great place for all interested in re-discovering the ancient history of Spain and a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the archeological remains and development of Spanish architecture. 

Check rates for guided Roman tours here

Opening times:

Oct – April: Tues – Sat: 10:00-18:00/ Sunday: 10:00 – 14:00 May – Sept: Tues – Sat: 10:00 – 20:00/ Sunday 10:00 – 14:00

Head over to ARQUA, Marine Archaeology Museum

If you’re looking for museums in Cartagena, Spain, this museum is one of your best options.

Spending at least an hour in the Marine Archaeology Museum is simply a must! Known to be one of the best places to visit in Cartagena, the ARQUA facility is true underwater life and marine history wonderland set in a modern and well-designed building for you to relax and enjoy the tour! 

Great exhibitions about the city’s development and marine life history are here for all travelers to marvel at and discover more about Cartagena, España! You can enter for free if you decide to visit on a Saturday after 2 pm!

Oct – April: Tues – Sat: 10:00-18:00 May – Sept: Tues – Sat: 10:00 – 20:00

Learn about history at the Punic Wall

The Punic Wars between the Carthaginians and the Romans are known to be the most important moments in Cartagena’s history, and it’s a great idea to learn a bit about that period!

The legendary Qart Hadast founded by Hasdrubal in 229 BC and one of the few remaining Carthaginian relics – the wall – is a must-see when visiting Cartagena, Murcia. – Check guided Roman tours here

Lunch in La Catedral

After a busy morning, it’s time to sit down and relax, surrounded by the aromas and flavors of Southern Spain!

For an unforgettable experience head down to La Catedral ( Plaza Condesa de Peralta ) – one of the best restaurants in Cartagena, where you’ll be able to dive into the world of Spanish cuisine. 

Try their delicious Tuna Tartare , Cod, and Baked Sea Bream if you’re seeking for the best quality seafood dishes in town!

Explore the Modernist architecture of Cartagena

Architectural discovery does not only mean visiting museums and ancient ruins of Cartagena. Head down to Calle Mayor to discover the Art Nouveau buildings alongside the best shopping area in Cartagena. 

You’ll find here plenty of local bars and restaurants as well as monumental sites and squares to marvel at! 

There are plenty of hidden gems in Cartagena, that’s why we recommend booking a guided tour . – Check prices here

Visit the military museum of Cartagena

The Museo Militar is a true gem in terms of capturing Cartagena’s military history, and holds the world’s biggest collection of military models!

You’ll find here endless weapon collections and a great representation of the defense tactics of the city during its many years of war and conflicts!

The museum is free of charge and is a must-see when discovering the Murcia coast.

Opening times: Mon – Fri: 10:00 – 13:30

Take a picture at Palacio Consistorial

The City Hall is, without doubt, one of the most outstanding buildings in Cartagena. It was built between 1900-1907 by Tomás Rico and Francisco de Paula Oliver and will definitely catch your attention with its eclectic French style. 

A truly stunning place, not only to enjoy while wandering within its ornamented halls and corridors but also a beauty to marvel at from the outside square, while enjoying a sunny afternoon!

Tues – Fri: 10:30 – 13:30/ 17:00 – 19:00 Sat: 10:30 – 13:30/ 17:00 – 20:00  Sun: 10:00 – 13:30

Marvel at Casa de la Fortuna

Visiting Casa de la Fortuna will take you back in time to the domestic ways of the Roman Cartagena. A great place to learn and discover the traditional household settings from the 1st century, and a very interesting way of presenting a museum within Roman remains.

You’ll find here plenty of personal objects, ancient dishes, murals, mosaics, and more, which will allow you to relive the history of the first settlements in Southern Spain .

Opening times: Tue – Sun: 10:30 – 15:30

Go shopping in Calle Mayor, Cartagena

The main shopping street, Calle Mayor , runs from the Cartagena port area into the center.

Filled with local markets, lively bars, restaurants, and petit cafes, here you’ll be able to enjoy some good old shopping and grab a delicious coffee if you need a break from retail therapy! 

A great place to enjoy the Carthaginian lifestyle and get to know the ways of the locals. – Check guided tours here

Enjoy tapas in Cartagena 

The best way of ending your first day in Cartagena is definitely going out for tapas! Close to Calle Mayor , you’ll find plenty of original and unique places to grab a delicious Tinto de Verano and try some Andalusian delicacies!

In order to find the best tapas in Cartagena, have a look at the guided tapas tours . – Check prices here

Check out one of the best tapas bars in Cartagena and fill your belly with amazing treats:

• La Fortaleza (Calle Canon 7) – best for crispy Spanish croquettes
• Las Termas Del Pincho (Calle Honda 9) – great variety of pinchos
• Tasca Tio Andres (Paseo Alfonso XIII 46) – delicious seafood

Visit Spanish Civil War Museum

Visiting this museum is surely one of the most interesting things to do in Cartagena. The museum is extremely well organized, and will definitely make an impact on your perception of the Civil War while showing the harshness and difficulties of life during the bombardings. 

You’ll be led through a channel of tunnels with audio-visuals and very well restored sets – making it truly an intense learning experience!

Opening times: Tue – Sun: 10:00 – 19:00

Visit Naval Museum

You’ll find the Naval Museum just next to the Puerto de Cartagena . It’s a fascinating place where you can discover the underwater world of the navy, and explore the machinery and weapons of  Carthaginian ships.

The museum is excellently prepared for visitors and holds plenty of large scale models of warships, showing their evolution through the ages.

The general entry is free of charge, but you will be able to leave a donation and support the local museum!

Opening times: Tues – Sun: 10:00 – 14:00

Climb Castillo de la Concepción

For a breathtaking view of the city, make your way up the castle of Cartagena! It’s located on a hill in the city center, where it has served as a Roman temple, a Muslim fortress, a medieval castle, and the watch out point during the Civil War.

Feel free to climb the lengthy staircase, or take the comfortable lift up to the top, and enjoy the incredible panorama of Cartagena and the port.

Opening times: Tue – Sun: 10:00 – 17:30

Lunch in La Alacena de Maria

When visiting the Murcia coastline you must try the delicious and fresh seafood dishes this region has to offer.

La Alacena de Maria (Calle Real 24) is known to be one of the best restaurants in Cartagena for lunch, and will take you on a delicious exploration of fresh and tasty seafood, prepared in the most traditional way! 

Try their Merluza con Parmentier de jamón y crema , and allow the chefs to surprise you with not only flavors but also a gorgeous presentation!

Mon – Sat: 9:00 – 11:00/13:00 – 16:00 Sun: 13:00 -16:00

Explore the town’s only beach: Cala Cortina

If you’re researching Cartagena beaches, there’s actually just one. Beaches in Cartagena are not as common as in other coastal cities, but you’ll find a beautiful little cove located a few minutes outside of the city – Cala Cortina !

A lovely sandy beach with clear water is a perfect spot to rest from the city hustle and bustle, and enjoy some sunbathing or snorkeling.

Right next to Cartagena beaches you’ll also be able to grab some tapas and enjoy a delicious sunset drink, thanks to many bars and restaurants just across the street!

Do a sailing cruise in Cartagena

If you’re looking for a unique and exciting way to spend time in Cartagena why not hoping on a cruise boat to explore the coastline!

Cartagena’s port has many sailing trips and cruises to offer, and it’s a great way to enjoy a magical sunset from the sea waters.

Seeing the Roman city from a distance will definitely become a strong and beautiful memory of your trip to Spain. – Check sailing tours here

Finish the day with a food tour in Cartagena

Taking part in a food tour is one of the best plans for the evening! Spanish cuisine is famous all around the world and with such tours, you’ll be able to discover hidden restaurants and delicious treats of Cartagena.

You’ll be able to try one of the most traditional Cartagenian dishes, such as Mojarra or Cazuela de Mariscos !  

• Street Food Tour of Cartagena
• Cartagena Tapas and Culture

To learn more, please visit our ultimate guide about the best Andalusian food .

Check food tours in Cartagen, Spain here

Enjoy dinner in the best restaurant in Cartagena

La Marquesita is known to be one of Cartagena’s best restaurants, and is a perfect choice for an elegant dinner in a friendly atmosphere!

A lovely interior, together with the very helpful staff and talented chefs will make your evening a memorable and delicious experience.

Try the famous Arroz y Bogavante or Bacalao Encebollado , and don’t forget to order their delicious dessert – Corazon de Mousse de Chocolate Negro ! 

Day 3: 3 days in Cartagena

If you’ve seen all the parts of Cartagena that you’d like to, day 3 can be spent visiting places near Cartagena like Murcia and Mar Menor.

Day trip from Cartagena to Murcia

Murcia is located just 50 km north from Cartagena and is a perfect destination for a day trip, especially if you’d like to change from Cartagena’s Roman-style to a more modern, yet still authentic, Spanish city.

Not to mention the famous Murcian cuisine you’ll be able to discover when rumbling through tapas bars in town!

Best places to see in Murcia:

• Cathedral de Santa Maria
• Jardin de Floridablanca
• Plaza Cardenal Belluga

For more information on Murcia, please visit the following guide with the perfect 3-day itinerary for Murcia . For now, why not try our Murcia salad recipe or even our Puntillitas Fritas recipe .

Day Trip to Mar Menor from Cartagena

Another great idea for a day trip would be visiting the extraordinary areas of Mar Menor – a beautiful saltwater lagoon surrounded by Spanish port towns.

It’s a great place to enjoy the wilderness of the Murcia coast, and explore the beauty and roughness of the Mediterranean cliff sides. Best places to see around Mar Menor:

• Puente de la Risa
• Puerto Deportivo Tomas Maestre
• Cala Del Pino
• Las Charcas Mud Baths

Day Trip to La Magna from Cartagena

La Manga is located a 30-minute drive away from Cartagena. The ALSA – L20i Puebl bus also runs frequently between La Magna and Cartagena and takes 1 hour, 5 minutes.

Also known as La Manga del Mar Menor, the area is a seaside spit of Mar Menor.

The area is famous for its beaches, especially Playa de Paradiso and Playa de La Cala . Playa de Paradiso is one of the best beaches in Southern Spain .

Mar Menor is Mar Menor is the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe and is even known to have therapeutic properties. There are many watersports available to try including sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Also in the area is Calblanque Natural Park , where there are plenty of hiking options and stunning coves for swimming.

If you plan to stay late, the area is famous for its nightlife. The ‘La Magna Strip’ has many bars and restaurants as well as shops open late.

Day Trip from Cartagena to Alicante

Alicante is located 1 hour, 32 minutes drive North of Cartagena. The city is the capital of the Alicante region. It’s best to drive or book a private transfer; otherwise, you will have to travel by bus via Murcia.

Alicante is a beautiful city with ample beaches, a stunning marina and is home to Santa Barbara Castle, which towers over the city. Alicante is also one of the best places in Spain for good-value tapas.

Here are the best things to do in Alicante on a day trip from Cartagena:

• Walk along the Explanada de España
• Visit the MACA Contemporary Art of Picasso
• Walk around the Basilica of St. Mary
• Discover Mercat Central d’Alacant
• Walk along Deportiva del Puerto de Alicante

Go Horseback riding near from Cartagena

Thanks to the incredible beaches and natural resorts all around Cartagena, you can also decide on going on a Horseback riding trip !

Whether you’d like a romantic ride on the beach or relaxing forest retreat, you’ll be able to experience a thrilling and bonding experience with nature and horses. – Check guided rides here

At the beginning of this article, we mentioned how to get from Almeria to Cartagena, but we didn’t mention the things to do in Almeria . Be sure to check it out since it is only a short trip from Cartagena.

Best Hotels in Cartagena, Southern Spain

Below you’ll find the 3 top spots from luxury to cheap accommodation in Cartagena , which will provide you not only with a good night’s sleep, but also great commodities and location.

Hotel Sercotel Alfonso XIII **** – Luxury

One of the best hotels in Cartagena Spain, located close to the Punic Wall, is a great choice for the most demanding travelers.

The rooms are very spacious and well designed, allowing you to really make yourself comfortable and feel at home! 

The Sercotel Alfonso XIII offers additional services such as free wifi, restaurant, bicycle, and car rental, free parking and conference rooms – all to make your stay a pleasant experience! – Check rates & reviews here

Sercotel Carlos III *** – Mid-Range

Located just 500m from the main bus station, and very close to the marina, Sercotel Carlos III is a great place to enjoy your stay! A very friendly, colorful decor and tidy rooms are all that you need to feel good and rested. 

The hotel offers additional services such as free wifi, restaurant, and breakfast buffet, bicycle rental, indoor workout room, and parking. – Check rates & reviews here

Hotel Los Habaneros *** – Budget

Hotel Los Habaneros is located near the Roman Theater and the Port of Cartagena, and is known to be a great choice for budget travelers!

Decorated in a traditional Andalusian style, you’ll find clean and tidy rooms attended by very helpful staff on site. 

The hotel offers additional services such as: free wifi, bar, bicycle rental, paid parking and meeting room. – Check rates & reviews here

Getting Around Cartagena

Biking and walking are definitely the best ways to discover Cartagena! The city is very well connected by cycling and walking paths and it’s a joy to explore it on foot.

Not to mention that the distances between the main tourist attractions are very small, and you’ll be able to reach them in no time!

Best Attractions in Cartagena, Spain Map

A short FAQ about Things to do in Cartagena, Spain

What are things to do in cartagena, spain with family.

Discover the Roman theatre and Roman heritage of Cartagena are great things to do in Cartagena with a family.

What are free things to do in Cartagena, Spain?

Visiting the ARQUA – Marine Archaeology Museum, the military museum of Cartagena, and the Naval Museum are some free things to do in Cartagena, Spain.

What are unusual things to do in Cartagena, Spain?

Doing a sailing cruise in Cartagena is quite an unusual thing to do in Cartagena, Spain.

What is Cartagena, Spain, known for?

Cartagena is renowned for its rich maritime history, impressive Roman Theatre, and Modernist architecture. It is also famous for its natural harbour and beautiful old town.

Is there good nightlife in Cartagena, Spain?

There isn’t a huge nightlife in Cartagena. However, there are plenty of bars open late, some with live music.

is Cartagena Spain worth visiting?

Yes, there are lots of amazing things to do in Cartagena from exploring the old town to discovering more about Murcia’s Roman heritage. Cartagena is also home to Cala Cortina beach!

Where do cruise ships dock in Cartagena, Spain?

Cruise ships dock at Cartegena cruise port which is called Pier Alfonso XII Cruise Terminal. From here you can walk to the city centre. There is also a terminal slightly further away from the Cartagena centre called Muelle de la Curra. From here, there is a shuttle bus to the centre.

Can you walk around Cartagena, Spain?

Yes, Cartagena is a very walkable city. You can walk between all the main attractions. There are also lots of hikes you can do from Cartagena.

Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.

Let’s dive in and explore Southern Spain’s outdoors, food and culture con pasión!

Thursday 8th of June 2023

Thank you for this itinerary! hoping to explore Cartagena next Tuesday, can't believe there's a beach too!

Kim Ratcliff

Monday 12th of October 2020

I have a Silver & Clothing shop in Calle San Fernando called Mystic Sol could I advertise with you ?kind Regards Kim .

Thursday 3rd of December 2020

Hi Kim, I sent you a mail! Can't wait to hear from you!

Must-see attractions in Cartagena

Museo Nacional de Arqueología Subacuática

This excellent, attractive space delves into the depths of the fascinating world of underwater archaeology. It starts off by explaining the work of those…

Museo del Teatro Romano

This impressive complex was designed by top Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. The tour transports visitors from the initial museum on Plaza del Ayuntamiento…

Barrio del Foro Romano

Set alongside the Molinete hill are the evocative remains of a whole town block and street linking the port with the forum, dating from the 1st century BC…

Casa de la Fortuna

The Casa de la Fortuna consists of the fascinating remains of an aristocratic Roman villa dating back to the 1st century BC, complete with some well…

Castillo de la Concepción

For a sweeping panoramic view, stride up to Castillo de la Concepción, or hop on the lift. Within the castle’s gardens, decorated by strutting peacocks,…

Museo Refugio de la Guerra Civil

Cartagena, as base of the Republican fleet and with an important arms industry, was the target of heavy bombing during the Spanish Civil War. This…

Muralla Púnica

The Muralla Púnica, built around a section of the old Punic wall, concentrates on the town’s Carthaginian and Roman legacy. It also contains the…

Museo Arqueológico Municipal

Built above a late-Roman cemetery with a rich display of Carthaginian, Roman, Visigoth and Islamic artefacts. To get here, head northwest of the city…

Parque Arqueológico Molinete

The central Molinete hill has archaeological remains ranging from the Phoenicians to Republicans in the civil war. Strolling over and around it reveals…

Palacio Consistorial

Without too many whimsical flourishes, this Modernista town hall, set back from the waterfront, imposes itself on the heart of town. Drop into the…

Casa Llagostera

The Modernista Casa Llagostera is one of several works in town by the architect Víctor Beltrí. At time of writing the facade was covered while the…

Casa Clares

Among Cartagena's Modernista buildings, the strawberries-and-cream confection of Casa Clares is particularly magnificent. It now holds a cafe and offices,…

Casa Cervantes

Cartagena is rich in Modernista buildings such as Casa Cervantes, which was designed by Víctor Beltrí in the last years of the 19th century. It's now a…

The zinc-domed Modernista Gran Hotel is particularly magnificent. Only the facade remains of this 1917 classic, but it's impressive.

Palacio Aguirre

The splendid Palacio Aguirre is now an exhibition space for modern art (known as Muram).

Lift to Castillo de la Concepción

This lift zips you up to the castle hill, with views.

More destinations you need to see

13 Unmissable Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 12th December 2023

Waking up late after a big night out, you step outside and taste the salty air blowing in from the Caribbean. The day begins with some tropical fruit that you buy from a smiling lady in a vibrant, colorful dress.

A cup of some of the best coffee you’ve ever had follows, fueling you for a day of exploring the cobblestone streets of this historic city. These are just a few of the many things to do in Cartagena, Colombia.

Here’s a closer look at what this city on the coast of Colombia has to offer.

Click to navigate this article:

An intro to Cartagena

Cartagena was the first Spanish colony in the Americas, and its location on the Caribbean Sea made it a vitally important port city.

From here, the conquistadors shipped the treasures they had pillaged from native cultures back to Spain, while at the same time importing slaves from Africa.

In order to defend the city and its wealth of stolen goods from pirates, they built a huge stone fortress.

The city would remain under Spanish rule for around 275 years. Cartagena led the charge for breaking free from Spain, declaring its independence before the rest of the country on November 11, 1811 with the help of the great liberator Simon Bolivar.

If you should find yourself in the city around this time, you can expect a massive fiesta full of parades and street parties.

In 1984, the walled city of Cartagena was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an eminent example of military architecture. That’s not all people come here to see, though.

Cartagena is an unmissable place to visit and Colombia’s most popular city for tourists , thanks not only to the colonial buildings but also to the sandy beaches, mouth-watering cuisine, and raucous nightlife.

If you’re wondering what to do in Cartagena, you’ve come to the right place.

The best things to do in Cartagena

Take a free walking tour

The best way to see the Old City of Cartagena is on one of the free walking tours . With a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll spend a few hours meandering through the city streets while learning about its fascinating history.

For example, you’ll learn why some door handles have lizards while others have a lion. I won’t spoil the surprise – you’ll just have to sign up to find out for yourself.

Tours are typically offered twice a day at 10AM and 4PM in both English and Spanish, and you’ll want to book in advance as they limit the space to keep it more personal.

Looking to dive deeper into Cartagena’s rich heritage?

If you want a deeper, more meaningful dive into the Cartagena region, I highly recommend local tour operator Impulse Travel. They’ve established tours across the area and further afield in Colombia with their focus trips that take you to lesser-known destinations to not only learn more about the local people but ensure that your money benefits them, too. Their eight-day Sounds of Colombia tour is a great example: through it, you’ll learn why Colombia is known as “The Land of a Thousand Rhythms”, meet talented traditional musicians, and visit two stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Mention WORLDLY5 to receive a 5% discount on the tour.

Climb the San Felipe Castle

This is the most famous landmark in Cartagena, and it’s pretty hard to miss. It was built way back in 1657 to protect against pirates looking to make off with the silver and gold that was bound for Europe.

Wait until later in the day to head up here and explore the maze-like tunnels and enjoy the views of the city off to the side.

Wander around Getsemani

At first glance, the Getsemani neighborhood appears a bit rough around the edges, shall we say. While it’s true that the area was once a hub of drugs and prostitution, it has morphed into somewhat of a hipster enclave.

You’ll find some incredible street art around here, as well as plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. The main square here fills up at night with a mixture of backpackers and locals enjoying the finer things in life – street food and cheap booze.

Buy fruit from the palenqueras

Take a walk around Cartagena, and one of the first things you’ll notice is the groups of women dressed in vibrant colors balancing bowls of fruits on their heads.

Known as the palenqueras , these fruit vendors are very much a fixture of the city and an important part of its history.

They originally came from San Bassilo de Palenque, which is a small town just south of Cartagena. This little village was actually one of the first places in the Americas to be freed from slavery.

Be sure to pick up some fresh fruit from one of them, and please leave a little tip if you want to take photos.

Learn about Cartagena’s indigenous people

Gain a unique perspective of Colombia with a sustainable Cartagena city tour led by the Zenú , an indigenous people who have been forced out of their homes through the centuries and now survive selling coffee on the streets of Cartagena.

Few tourists ever even hear about the Zenú. Not only will you see the city in a different light as your guide narrates the story of Cartagena from an indigenous perspective, but you’ll learn about their struggles for justice and exceptional prowess when it comes to craftsmanship.

For the latter, you’ll visit their workshop to see how caña flecha is woven into the famous Colombian hat, the sombrero vueltiao .

Help support sustainable, responsible tourism in Cartagena by booking this Zenú Indigenous Heritage Tour with IMPULSE Travel Colombia and get a 5% discount by using the code WORLDLY5 at checkout.

Go beach bummin’

One of the main Cartagena tourist attractions is its access to sun and sand. The easiest option is visiting the Bocagrande area of the city, but it’s not exactly the picturesque Caribbean beach you were hoping for.

It’s fine for an afternoon of lounging around, drinking cheap beer and eating seafood, but you’ll have to travel a bit further to find the really nice beaches.

Your best bet is Playa Blanca, which can easily be visited on a day tour. Here you’ll find that powdery sand and turquoise water after all. You can even stay overnight if you want to really relax and enjoy it.

Head island hopping

One of the most popular things to do in Cartagena is to take a boat tour around the Rosario Islands. This archipelago is located about 100 km off the coast and is a natural national park.

The park was created in order to protect one of the most important coral reefs in the Caribbean.

It’s not hard to get yourself on a tour to visit the islands, but be aware that many of these tours come with very bad reviews.

It’s best to do your research to find a reputable company, or just get enough people together to rent your own boat and do things your way.

Alternatively, read our guide to the best day tours from Cartagena to learn more about your different options.

Stay in a floating hostel

When researching what to do in Cartagena, we came across a place that bills itself as a floating eco-hostel. Upon seeing a short video for the Casa en el Agua, we knew we had to get there to check it out.

It was actually the first thing we did on a seven-month backpacking trip around South America, and it was an awesome way to start the trip.

Sleep in a hammock over the sea, spend your days SUPing or snorkeling, and enjoy fresh seafood and tropical cocktails with your new friends.

Bookings open up 60 days in advance and the place fills up fast, so make sure to plan accordingly. For more, read our comprehensive guide to staying at the Casa en el Agua .  

Feast on seafood

Thanks to its location, it should come as no surprise that Cartagena is home to some fantastic seafood.

On the budget end, you can easily find a set meal in a local joint where you’ll get some fried fish, coconut rice, patacones (fried plantains) and a salad for just around 12,000-15,000 COP ($3-4 USD).

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, I highly recommend checking out La Cevecheria . The late, great Anthony Bourdain once ate here on an episode of his former show “No Reservations,” and you’ll still see his picture up on the wall.

We’ve got more recommendations for where to eat in the city in our guide to Cartagena’s best restaurants .

Study Spanish

Since Cartagena is located right at the top of South America, it’s the perfect place to start an extended trip around the continent. Of course, you’re going to need to work on that horrible gringo Spanish of yours before doing so.

Studying Spanish is one of the top things to do in Cartagena, as there are numerous schools offering classes at very reasonable prices.

Toucan ‘s Cartagena school is excellent. Colombians pride themselves on their clear and standard Spanish, and I can speak from experience that Colombia is one of the best countries to study the language in.

Put on your dancing shoes

If you’re like me and you’ve got two left feet, learning how to dance is one of the best things to do in Cartagena. Dancing is an integral part of Caribbean culture and a favorite pastime for locals. Salsa is king here, but you can also learn Merengue or Bachata.

Sign up for some lessons first, and then hit the dance floor to show off your newfound moves. If you’re a bit of a wallflower, a couple of rum drinks will surely help to loosen you up!

Cafe Havan is perhaps the most popular place, but it also comes with a long line, pricey drinks, and crowds. A more local spot to boogie to a live band is Bazurto Social Club.

Enjoy sundowners on the wall

For drinks with a view, look no further than Cafe del Mar . Sitting right on top of the historic city wall, this bar is the best place to enjoy a Caribbean sunset with a tropical drink in hand.

Drinks are pricey (around 43,000 COP ($15 USD)), but it’s worth it to have one just for the photo opportunities.

For those of us who prefer ballin’ on a budget, you can simply grab beers from local vendors and hang out on the wall. The view isn’t quite as great, but you’ll still be able to hear the live music from the bar.

Party ‘til the sun comes up

Cartagena likes to party, plain and simple. In addition to the hordes of backpackers and packaged tour groups who come here looking to let loose, the locals enjoy a rowdy night out just as much.

Every night is a good night to go out here, as there’s a wide variety of bars and clubs to satisfy any party style.

Start your night out at the funky KGB Bar , which is decked out in Soviet-era decorations, and see where the cool Caribbean breeze takes you.

If you decide to go hard and stay out all night, you can rest easy knowing that some fresh fruit and strong coffee await you, as does a beach chair.

With its gorgeous Old City, funky neighborhoods, picturesque beaches, and top-notch culinary and nightlife scenes, Cartagena checks all the boxes for that Caribbean vacation you’ve been longing for. It’s also the perfect jump-off point for an epic South American adventure.

If you’re going that route, you might as well stick around for a while and learn how to speak Spanish and dance salsa before hitting the road. Trust me – they’ll both come in handy as you make your way around the continent.

Where to Stay in Cartagena

Cartagena has tons of options for accommodation, ranging from party hostels all the way up to all-inclusive resorts and everything in between. We’ve got a whole guide to the best hotels in Cartagena, with information about the different neighborhoods across the city.

Backpackers tend to stay in the Getsemani area as it’s home to plenty of cheap hostels and budget hotels.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Patio de Getsemani  ($182,000 COP ($62 USD) double room) where you can get a private double room with a/c and a substantial breakfast for a really affordable price.

The owners are super nice and even let us store our bags there when we went out to the Casa en el Agua for a few days.

If you’re looking to stay in the Old City, then the Bourbon St. Boutique Hostel  (58,000 COP ($20 USD) dorm) is an excellent option.

It’s listed as one of the top 10 hostels in all of Colombia and has some pretty amazing views. With a pool, a bar, and a billiards table, it’s a great place to be social.

Those wanting to spend more time on la playa can check out the Madisson Inn Hotel  (224,000 COP ($77 USD) double room) in Bocagrande. You can enjoy a buffet breakfast, walk 100 meters to the beach, and come back to chill by the pool during the hottest time of the day.

Alternatively, if you want to splash some cash – and enjoy the pool – Sofitel Legend Santa Clara  ($1,450,000 COP ($382 USD) double) is a converted monastery and hospital, with rooms that overlook the Caribbean Sea and others facing the tree-lined swimming pool – the biggest one in town.

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Saturday 11th of February 2023

Need a reliable round tripp transport arrangement between the cruise port and Old Town

We are healthy seniors with no problem walking 5 km at a stretch depending on ground and heat conditions and shady rest opportunities. How can we get from the NCL cruise termnal in the morning at 10 am to the OLD TOWN and back in the afternoon by 2 pm We also need a walking tour map to start after the transfer from the cruise terminal and then back to the ship. We will be docked on April 5 and 6 2023 and have to decide on a cruise excursion or doing it on our own and have to deide less in a weeks time.

Steph Dyson

Wednesday 8th of March 2023

Hi Den, sorry for the delay in responding. I hope you got this sorted!

Veronica O'Brien

Sunday 11th of December 2022

Love this extensive review! Have a lot of your ideas on my list for my upcoming trip. Thanks so much and happy travels!

Thursday 15th of December 2022

No problem Veronica! Have a brilliant trip! Steph

Carol Seddon

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

We are coming to your city in January 2023. Was wondering if you could give us any city maps, city tours and local things that are a must see. As well as bus maps. Thanks, Carol

Wednesday 7th of December 2022

@Carol Seddon, hi my name us Wendy I will be in Cartagena from Jan 20 till the end of Feb. I'm from Canada and is looking for the same things loc maps and safest but cheaper side of things. Where are u from?

@Steph Dyson, maybe you could pass my name on to Carol who contacted you as I will be there at the same time I'm from Ontario 🇨🇦 Thank

Wednesday 12th of October 2022

Hi Carol, I don't live in Cartagena and I'm not a tour operator. You should be able to get maps at your hotel when you arrive. Steph

Cartagena   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Enzo Figueres | Getty Images

Why Go To Cartagena

During the Spanish colonial period, Cartagena functioned as a key foothold for the Spanish empire in Colombia and South America. The coastal city's colonial walls (which began construction in 1586) defended against pirates, who were drawn by Cartagena's status as an economic hub. These walls were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, and they are now one of Cartagena's most well-known attractions, drawing history enthusiasts from around the world.  

The city boasts an astounding number of historical attractions in addition to its famous walls. Travelers can wander the streets taking in the architecture, or opt to spend an air-conditioned day in one of the many museums populating Cartagena. Plus, with the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Cartagena Bay to the south, this South American city provides a number of playas for even the most selective sun-seekers.

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• # 7 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America in 2023
• # 18 in Best Places to Visit in Winter
• # 26 in Best Cities in the World to Visit

Best of Cartagena

Best hotels in cartagena.

• in Casa Pestagua Hotel Boutique Spa
• in Hotel Las Americas Torre del Mar
• in Hilton Cartagena

Best Things to Do in Cartagena

• # 1 in Old City Walls
• # 2 in San Felipe de Barajas Castle
• # 3 in Plaza Santo Domingo

Popular Tours

Bora Bora Cartagena Beach Club Full Day Experience

(413 reviews)

from $ 108.11

Cartagena ATV Tour

(683 reviews)

from $ 135.00

Full-Day Rosario Islands Including Barú, Cholon and Playa Blanca

(1434 reviews)

from $ 63.75

Cartagena Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Cartagena is December to April. The city's tropical climate means that, although temperatures tend to stay around the mid-80s year-round, the amount of precipitation each season varies wildly. The dry season, December to April, coincides with Cartagena's summer and is also when the city welcomes the most visitors. Fighting the throngs of tourists turns out to be worthwhile though, as the winter seasons brings near-constant precipitation, accompanied by overbearing humidity, which makes it difficult to take advantage of the outdoors.

Weather in Cartagena

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

• Be wary of street vendors Aggressive street vendors swarm many of the popular attractions . If you're not interested in their services, clearly say no to avoid awkward confrontations.
• Keep cool Average temperatures in Cartagena typically stay between 75 and 89 degrees year-round. Travelers should be prepared to invest in sunscreen and sunglasses before their trip.
• Learn Spanish phrases Although Cartagena caters to tourists, most of its English speakers are concentrated in the most heavily-trafficked areas (such as the walled city). If you plan to venture outside of the tourist areas, plan to learn a few key Spanish phrases. It makes you a better tourist and (hopefully) helps you avoid scams.

How to Save Money in Cartagena

• Try some street food With food stands perched on every corner, travelers can experience a smorgasbord of culinary options without ever setting foot in a restaurant. What's more, street food is generally cheaper than a traditional sit-down eatery.
• Avoid public transit The Cartagena bus system is inconvenient and hard to navigate. What's more, many of the areas are walkable with some rudimentary planning, while hailing a taxi only costs a small premium.
• Budget for small purchases While lodging, flights and excursions are best budgeted out in advance, set aside a small pool of pesos for small purchases from street vendors and the like.

Culture & Customs

Cartagena features a diverse culture, though visitors will primarily notice the Spanish colonial vibes that permeate the city. Consequently, Spanish is the dominant language of Cartagena; though, as a tourist city, most establishments can recognize the relevant English phrases. That said, travelers are more likely to avoid overpaying for services if they know a few simple Spanish words such as hola (“hello”), por favor (“please”), gracias (“thank you”), cuánto cuesta (“how much is it”) and dónde (“where”).

Visitors to Cartagena ought to recognize the roles that different meals traditionally play in Colombian culture. Breakfast and dinner are auxiliary meals, with small dishes accompanied by coffee or water. Meanwhile, the majority of a Colombian's calories are typically consumed around lunchtime. While the role of each meal is more of a guideline, travelers have no reason not to subscribe to the country's dietary habit during their visits.  

After dinner, music-lovers should plan to spend at least one night out dancing to the sounds of the city. Music plays a particularly significant role in Colombian culture, with an eclectic variety of genres like champeta, cumbia and salsa echoing from the city's bars and clubs.

What to Eat

Cartagena's street food provides a cost-effective and delicious option for full meals or snacks. Travelers can purchase an assortment of tropical fruit from las palenqueras , or local women selling fruit from the carefully balanced bowls on the tops of their heads. You'll be able to easily spot them thanks to their colorful dresses. Alternatively, Colombians and tourists alike enjoy feasting every morning on arepa de huevo , a deep-fried breakfast dish that consists of cornmeal dough and eggs.

The city's coastal perch means that fresh seafood is also abundant. Ceviche, a hodge-podge of fresh seafood and vegetables, delights travelers from around the world. La Cevicheria is the most well-known ceviche eatery, in no small part because Anthony Bourdain once visited and praised the restaurant. Other traveler favorites include La Pescaderia Ceviches y Piqueo, Mangata and Porton de San Sebastian.

A culinary trip to Colombia isn't complete without sancocho , a soup that combines local ingredients like seafood, plantains, yucca, corn and cilantro. Soup isn't the only liquid worth trying though, and a variety of bars, like El Arsenal: The Rum Box and Sinko Bar , wowed recent patrons with their expansive menus of custom cocktails.

Following the Colombian government's 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, violent crime in Cartagena has drastically declined. That said, Cartagena is still plagued by many of the same petty crime that you'll find in other major metropolitan areas. Because street crime is the most common threat to tourists, visitors should take common sense precautions: travel with friends, be aware of your valuables at all times, and stay alert for pickpockets and other scams.

Getting Around Cartagena

The best way to get around Cartagena is by taxi. Taxis make it easy to get between distinct points in the city, including Cartagena's Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), while short jaunts ought to be made on foot. According to area hotels, taxi rides from the airport to the central tourist areas cost about $10. Rental cars are available in Cartagena (an international driving permit is required), but the U.S. State Department advises against driving in Colombia due to lax traffic laws and poor infrastructure.

For the same reasons, travelers should avoid taking the busses from nearby cities into Cartagena. Instead, visitors should opt to arrive by air, which is the most common means of arrival in the city. Local buses are also available at the airport and stops throughout Cartagena, but public transit can be challenging to navigate and is not recommended for tourists.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A valid passport is required for entry into Colombia, and tourists from the United States can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. A yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers entering Colombia from Brazil, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website .

The Public Clock Tower is a major attraction in the Old City Walls .

Explore More of Cartagena

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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12 Best Things to do in Cartagena, Colombia

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

Located on Colombia’s Caribbean coastline, Cartagena was founded in 1533. It was one of the main ports from which gold and silver poured back to Spain and at which enslaved Africans arrived in South America. Consequently, there are lots of historic tourist attractions in Cartagena on show. Because Cartagena was vulnerable to pirate attacks, its Old Town is encircled by a protective wall and an impressive fortress looks out over the city.

Blessed with warm weather, Cartagena has some of the best food in Colombia and its lively nightlife scene means you can dance the night away to salsa and champeta at some of the city’s numerous bars and nightclubs.

See also: Where to Stay in Cartagena

Walking around the colorful streets is one of the best things to do city in Cartagena; there is plenty of lovely colonial architecture, in addition to peaceful, leafy plazas and old churches and convents. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that Cartagena is one of the most popular destinations in Colombia.

12. Iglesia de Santo Domingo

A very important religious building and the oldest church in the city, Iglesia de Santo Domingo borders a square of the same name and was founded in 1551.

Its baroque marble facade stands out against the orange wall that surrounds it; two bell towers frame the façade, although only one was ever completed and even that one is a bit wonky.

While the interior is not particularly noteworthy, Iglesia de Santo Domingo is well worth checking out when in Cartagena. The square in front of it is a great place to have a coffee and gaze up at its magnificent facade.

11. Barrio Getsemani

The trendiest neighborhood in Cartagena, Getsemani is a beautiful place to visit. There is amazing street art on display as well as brightly colored buildings and colonial-era architecture.

Its bustling streets are home to a plethora of lively bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and it is the most popular spot in the city when night falls.

Plaza la Trinidad is located within the Barrio and is a great place to head to if you want delicious cuisine, cheap drinks, live music, and salsa dancing.

10. Puerta del Reloj

Meaning ‘Clock Gate’ in English, Puerta del Reloj is the main entrance to the Old Town. It is a very important historical landmark as a drawbridge used to be located in front of it to protect Cartagena from pirate attacks.

Nowadays, Puerta del Reloj links the historic center to the popular Getsemani neighborhood and sees a lot of people pass through it every day.

With wonderful colonial architecture, Puerta del Reloj is an interesting area to visit. You can also climb to the top of the walls bordering it for an amazing view of the city.

9. Museo Naval Del Caribe

Opened in 1992 to commemorate 500 years since Columbus arrived in the Americas, the Museo Naval Del Caribe takes you on a whirlwind journey through Colombia’s maritime history.

With models of ships and various Colombian cities on show, it is an interesting place to walk around; you’ll certainly come away with a greater understanding of the fortresses and ships that defended the cities from pirates.

Located in a wonderful colonial-era building, the museum will open your eyes to how, over the centuries, the country was influenced by the goings on in the Caribbean.

8. Convento de la Popa

Built in 1607, the Convento de la Popa is perched atop a mount overlooking Cartagena; the views from up high are simply stunning.

Once constructed from wood, over the centuries, solid and imposing walls were erected to protect it against pirates. Later, Simon Bolivar would use it as a barracks when he came to liberate Cartagena from Spanish rule.

While the fantastic views are certainly its main attraction, the historic and religious site’s picturesque patio is wonderful to behold, as is La Virgen de la Candelaria – a delightful image located in the convent’s chapel.

7. Plaza Bolivar

Once known as Plaza de La Inquisicion, the square changed names when Colombia gained its independence. A statue of famous revolutionary Simon Bolivar, who inspired the winds of change in South America, lies at its center.

The historic square is lined by beautiful, colonial-era buildings; one of the most impressive is the Palace of the Inquisition. It is here that unlucky souls were tried for blasphemy and witchcraft and punished in the square.

Now a peaceful place, Plaza Bolivar has lots of quiet outdoor cafes if you want a coffee after a morning of sightseeing.

6. Iglesia de la Trinidad

Located on the lively Plaza la Trinidad, the Church of the Trinity’s wonderful yellow facade brightens up the square. The church itself dates to the 1600s.

While the inside is a little gloomy, its yellow walls and bright marble columns lend it some color. It is here that locals congregated in 1811 to march against the Spanish and win Cartagena its independence.

Dripping in history, Iglesia de la Trinidad is a popular tourist attraction. Many people gaze upon it while enjoying a drink at the cafes, bars, and restaurants that line the plaza in front of it.

5. Caribe Jewelry and Emerald Museum

Famous around the world for its beautiful emeralds, for lovers of shiny things, no trip to Cartagena is complete without stopping by the Caribe Jewelry and Emerald Museum.

The museum is fascinating to visit and looks at some of the myths and legends that swirl around gold and emeralds. You’ll also learn a fair bit about how ancient civilizations set gems and what value they placed on them.

As well as the beautiful gemstones on display, the El Dorado Chamber is well worth checking out; it looks at pre-Columbian rituals and ceremonies that involved the precious stones.

4. Plaza Santo Domingo

A lively place to visit, Plaza Santo Domingo has loads of fantastic restaurants; this makes it a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy the delicious cuisine on offer.

The center of the square is crowded with tables, and wonderful street performers play music for the diners’ entertainment while street vendors set up stands selling souvenirs.

As well as the ambiance of the square itself, Plaza Santo Domingo is also home to a number of historic sites, including Iglesia de Santo Domingo and the delightful Reclining Woman sculpture by Fernando Botero – a famous Colombian artist.

3. Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

Built between 1580 and 1654, Iglesia de San Pedro Claver is an interesting church to visit due to the amazing architecture. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Cartagena.

Its wonderful facade is made out of stone that was brought from the Tierra Bomba Island, and its impressive altar – a gift from Pope Leo XIII –houses the remains of Saint Peter Claver, after whom the church is named.

Sanctified for his tireless evangelical work, Saint Peter Claver died in Cartagena; the beautiful church with its distinctive dome lies alongside a cloister that also bears his name.

2. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Looking out over the city, this huge castle is a must-see when in Cartagena: it is the city’s most recognizable and important landmark.

Built in 1536, its strategic location atop San Lazaro hill meant that it could protect the city from any attackers. Wandering around the castle’s battlements and underground passages make for an entertaining and educational day out, as display panels tell you all about its history.

Offering a delightful view of Cartagena down below, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is particularly fantastic to visit at sunset for the glorious, sun-drenched views of the city.

1. Cartagena’s Old Town

Appearing as if out of a fairytale, Cartagena’s photogenic Old Town is a treat to wander around; brightly colored buildings and wonderful colonial architecture are everywhere you look.

The heart of the city is surrounded by sturdy walls that once protected it from pirate attacks, most notably by Sir Francis Drake. A plethora of lively bars and restaurants can be found here as well as picturesque plazas and historic monuments.

Its winding cobbled streets are very charming and atmospheric to amble around. Taking the time to explore the scenic Old Town is a must when visiting Cartagena.

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Region of Murcia

The port of Cartagena, in the Mediterranean's Costa Cálida, has been prized since Carthaginian times. Thanks to its strategic position on the Murcia coast, it has been inhabited by several cultures which have left their mark on its artistic heritage.

A tour of the place and its museums will draw us into the history of a city closely tied to the sea. This maritime enclave was already known to the Carthaginians and Romans, and its name today comes from the Latin, Cartago Nova . Cartagena was under Arab domination until Ferdinand III 'the Saint' reconquered it and incorporated it into the kingdom of Castile. Its port played a key role in the War of Succession and the Peninsular War.

Historic centre

The rich Carthaginian heritage spreads to the shores of its marina. The Muralla del Mar ('Sea Wall'), built by Charles III (18th century), delimits the old quarter. Overlooking the Mediterranean there is an element which is clearly connected with the sea: the prototype of the submarine by the inventor from Cartagena, Isaac Peral. In addition, the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology ARQUA (at Paseo Alfonso XII, 22) houses the National Centre for Underwater Archaeological Research. The findings on display reveal aspects of naval construction, trade and navigation since ancient times. The entrance to the city centre is dominated by the Town Hall, a gem of modernist architecture dating from the early 20th century. The Old Cathedral is located on the Camino del Parque Torres (behind the Muralla del Mar wall). This is the oldest place of worship in CartagenaCartagena (13th century), and stands on the remains of a Roman theatre discovered in 1987. This construction dates from the first century A.D., and together with the theatre in Mérida, is one of the most important in Spain. The items found on this site can be seen in the Museum of the Roman Theatre. Other examples of Roman splendour to be seen in the city are the archaeological site of El Molinete, the Morería Baja colonnade and the Byzantine Wall, which –despite its name– is also Roman. Particularly worth mentioning are the Augusteum and the Decumanus . The first contains the remains of the old forum, whose importance as a public building can be seen from the luxurious marble floors on display at the site. The second can be visited on the site adjoining the Roman Forum quarter, a key centre for visitors to the city, containing the different rooms in the city's Roman baths. The Casa Fortuna , built in the first century B.C. and belonging to a wealthy family, shows what daily life was like at the time of the Roman Empire. The Torres park is the site of the Concepción castle . Standing atop a hill, it served as a fortress to Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Castilians, and now houses the History and Mediaeval Cartagena Visitor Centre. Indeed the city has always had numerous defensive military buildings. A good example is the Navidad Fortress, built in the mid-19th century and today the Visitor Centre for the Defensive Architecture of Cartagena and the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting is the Refuge – Civil War museum , a series of galleries which were used as protection from aerial attack throughout the conflict. (More information at http://www.cartagenapuertodeculturas.com/ ) The best way to learn more about the Modernist architecture of Cartagena is to take a walk along the Calle Mayor, which leads off the Plaza del Ayuntamiento square, and around the surrounding area. Here visitors will find the houses of Cervantes and Llagostera, by the Cartagena architect Victor Beltrí, with their characteristic glassed-in balconies, worked in iron with bronze reliefs of allegorical figures. Other representative buildings of this artistic movement include the Casino, the Gran Hotel, the railway station, and the houses of Maestre and Dorda, all elegant monuments to the bourgeoisie which remain as evidence of the area's economic development, based on mining and industry, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. More aristocratic are the palaces of Aguirre (whose adjoining modernist building is this side of the Regional Modern Art Museum MURAM) and Pedreño, one in the modernist and the other in the neoclassical style. The Punic Wall stands on Monte Aletes, one of the five hills surrounding Cartagena. This is the location of the Visitor Centre for this site, dating from the third century B.C. Adjoining the historic walled centre is the Military Arsenal, whose construction was concluded during the reign of Charles III. The walls here have the only surviving entrance gateway in the city. More interesting items from the history of Cartagena can be seen in the Naval Museum , located in the old Naval Offices in Paseo de Alfonso XII, which contains an exhibition of old maritime navigation instruments, maps and navigation charts, as well as models of ships of all kinds. The fishing quarter of Santa Lucía is also well worth visiting. The city of Cartagena also has a variety of key cultural events each year, such as the world music festival known as the 'La Mar de Músicas' (Sea of Music). Other highlights include the historical festivities of the Carthaginians and the Romans in the second fortnight of September which commemorate the Punic foundation of the city, and the Roman reconquest.

The wide variety of landscapes of the Region of Murcia produces a rich selection of different ingredients from the farmlands, the sea and the interior. In Cartagena , the star dishes are products preserved in brine, fish, rice dishes and paellas. The abundant salt flats of the Mediterranean are used for salt to prepare food in brine (particularly tuna, mackerel and bullet tuna) and fish such as gilthead sea bream baked in salt. The calderos, (casseroles) with grey mullet, monkfish, grouper... consist of rice cooked in fish stock and accompanied by a garlic mayonnaise known as ali-oli. Fig bread is a regional speciality, and Cartagena's typical asiático, made from condensed milk, cognac and cinnamon, is the ideal accompaniment to coffee. To enjoy all the different types of cuisine in Murcia, the best idea is to head for the northwest of the region, in order to visit the Sierra de Moratalla, Caravaca de la Cruz and Calasparra, whose rice is the only one in Spain with its own Designation of Origin . This is definitely the star product in a long list of typical dishes, such as rice with snails, or in a stew with celery and turkey. La Vega del Segura leads to towns and villages such as Cieza, Archena (with a spa centre) and Molina del Segura (with a first-rate golf course), where visitors will find such delicacies as green asparagus, hearty chard soup, and rabbit with chestnuts. The area known as the Altiplano in Murcia (in the north) is home to such monumental towns as Jumilla and Yecla . These towns also have wines with their own Designation of Origin. The typical gazpachos (seasoned unleavened bread crumbs) and pulses are served as accompaniments to game dishes. The area's fertile farmlands produce a wide range of vegetables, which are perfect served with the delicious local sausages and cured meats. The Parador hotel in Puerto Lumbreras, and the towns and villages along the Costa Cálida (Águilas, Mazarrón, San Pedro del Pinatar...) are home to interesting monuments from the area's rich heritage, as well as exceptional facilities for nautical sports, beaches, and a delicious cuisine.

What to visit

Select from the list or hover over the map to find out about points of interest.

Torre Ciega

National Museum of Underwater Archaeology.

Cartagena Roman Theatre Museum

"Enrique Escudero de Castro" Municipal Archaeology Museum

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Shows, festivals, sports...

View some of the most relevant events you will be able to enjoy at the destination.

Carthaginians and Romans Fiesta

15 September 2024 - 24 September 2024

La Mar de Músicas Festival

19 July 2024 - 27 July 2024

Cartagena International Film Festival

23 November 2024 - 30 November 2024

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