Cartagena de Indias, between colonial history and Caribbean charm

Overlooking the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena de Indias is one of the most fascinating cities in all of South America . The city boasts a long and rich past, with the perfectly preserved Ciudad Amurallada and the port, a hub of maritime trade, testifying to centuries of Spanish rule and trade routes between Europe and the Americas. With its cobbled streets and wooden balconies, sunny plazas and baroque churches, Cartagena tells its soul with a harmonious mix of colonial history, urban art, Caribbean rhythms and traditions that have resisted over time.

In this article we discover together what to see in Cartagena de Indias , from the iconic places of the colonial period to the most modern and vibrant neighborhoods. A city to be discovered at a slow pace, letting yourself be guided by its thousand colors and the warm rhythms that cross it.

Where is Cartagena de Indias located?

Cartagena de Indias is located on the northern coast of Colombia . Capital of the department of Bolivar, one of the administrative subdivisions of the country, it is a city rich in history and culture , but also beautiful beaches and a lively nightlife . Since 1984 it has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

To reach it from Italy it is best to take a flight with a stopover – usually in Madrid or Amsterdam – to the Rafael Nuñez International Airport. The journey lasts on average from 14 to 18 hours.

Cartagena de Indias: 11 things to see

Cartagena's historic center is a concentration of squares, churches, colonial architecture and photogenic views: its small size makes it easy to explore on foot and it doesn't take much to get in tune with the city's atmosphere. Here are 11 things to see in Cartagena , from the most beloved places to the lesser-known stops that still deserve a place on your itinerary.

1. The Walled City

La Ciudad Amurallada is Cartagena’s historic center: a maze of cobbled streets, brightly colored colonial-style houses, shaded plazas, and baroque religious architecture. Walking within its walls, built to defend against pirate attacks, is the best way to get to know the city. Many of Cartagena’s most interesting attractions are concentrated within it.

2. The Clock Tower

The Torre del Reloj ( Clock Tower ) is the symbol par excellence of Cartagena : it is located next to the Plaza de los Coches , where the slave market was once held, and is the main entrance to the walled city. Today the square is animated by stalls, street artists and carriages offering tourist tours, while the clock ideally marks the border between the two souls of Cartagena: the ancient and the modern.

3. Aduana Square

Plaza de la Aduana , named after the old customs house now occupied by the City Hall , is a large and elegant square that, in addition to the Palace of the Inquisition , houses a statue of Christopher Columbus depicted next to a kneeling indigenous woman, a controversial emblem of the city's colonial past. Often the site of cultural events, it is one of the things to see in Cartagena de Indias.

4. Plaza Bolivar

Another notable place in the Ciudad Amurallada is Plaza Bolivar , dedicated to the hero of South American independence Simón Bolivar . Surrounded by historic buildings and shaded by large trees, it houses the Zenú Gold Museum which exhibits a small but interesting collection of pre-Colombian objects made by indigenous peoples. It is the ideal place to stop for a natural juice and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the city.

5. The Castle of San Felipe de Barajas

Built by the Spanish in 1536, the San Felipe de Barajas Castle is one of the best preserved colonial fortifications in the entire continent. It stands on a hill that offers a stratospheric view of the city and can be visited inside, among tunnels, towers and bastions. One of the most scenic places in Cartagena de Indias , not to be missed.

6. The Convent of La Popa

Situated on the highest hill in Cartagena, from which it takes its name, the Convento de la Popa dominates the city and takes in the entire bay: on the right the modern skyscrapers of Bocagrande, on the left the romantic profile of the Ciudad Amurallada. Dating back to the 17th century, the complex houses a church with richly decorated interiors and a beautiful flowered cloister , which invites contemplation.

7. Gethsemane

Getsemani is a very picturesque neighborhood , located just outside the Ciudad Amurallada . Once a popular and marginal area, today it is among the most authentic and lively areas of Cartagena.

The beating heart of the neighborhood is Plaza de la Trinidad , animated at all hours by tourists and residents. Around the square there is a network of streets covered with murals and dotted with live music venues, inviting restaurants and creative spaces. Don't miss a walk along Calle de San Juan y Callejón Angosto to capture the most genuine essence of the city.

8. The walls and bastions

Among the most characteristic elements of Cartagena are the ancient walls, built between the 16th and 18th centuries to protect the city from attacks by sea, both by enemy armies and pirates.

9. Boca Grande

Bocagrande , the most modern part of Cartagena, overlooks the sea and with its succession of luxury hotels, skyscrapers, shopping malls and urban beaches, it recalls the large coastal cities of the United States. It does not have the charm of the historic center, but a walk along the seafront is a pleasant way to get a different point of view on the city.

10. The Museum of the Inquisition

Housed in a well-preserved colonial building, the museum tells the story of the Inquisition court in Cartagena through the exhibition of torture instruments and historical documents. An intense but interesting visit for those who want to delve into the darker side of the colonial period.

11. The Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandria

Imposing and luminous, the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandria is one of the oldest in Latin America, as well as one of the most important religious buildings in Colombia. Dating back to the 16th century, it is one of Cartagena's main landmarks: it is striking for its austere façade and the yellow dome that rises above the roofs of the city center.

What to do in Cartagena de Indias

In addition to visiting the most emblematic places, Cartagena lends itself to a series of experiences that allow you to come into contact with local life, native flavors and the Caribbean atmosphere.

Walking at sunset on the walls

The walls of Cartagena de Indias are walkable for long stretches and offer spectacular views of the sea, the city and the port. The best time for a walk on the ramparts is sunset, when the warm light illuminates the stones and the atmosphere becomes even more suggestive.

Take a day trip to the Rosario Islands

About an hour's boat ride from Cartagena are the Rosario Islands , a small archipelago known for its white beaches, crystal-clear sea and seabeds ideal for snorkeling. Excursions depart daily from the city's marina.

Exploring the Bazurto Market

Taking a tour of the Bazurto market means immersing yourself in local daily life . It is a crowded, lively and decidedly chaotic place, where stalls of exotic fruit, fresh fish, spices, medicinal herbs and everyday objects follow one another. An intense experience, recommended for those who want to discover the most authentic Cartagena, far from the tourist routes.

Take a Street Art Tour in Gethsemane

The streets of Getsemani are an open-air museum , with murals that tell stories of resistance, culture and Afro-Colombian identity. You can explore them on your own, letting yourself be guided by the colors and shapes that animate the facades of the houses, but taking a guided tour allows you to grasp meanings and details that would otherwise risk being missed. An experience that deserves to be included among the things to do in Cartagena.

Tasting exotic fruits

Colombia is the kingdom of exotic fruits and Cartagena is no exception. Passion fruit , guanábana , lulo , tamarind , granadilla , pitaya – just to name a few. The city is full of street vendors with their carts loaded with tropical fruits. It is worth trying them, even if only out of curiosity: these are flavors that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Participate in the nightlife

Cartagena de Indias has a very lively nightlife , especially in the neighborhoods of Ciudad Amurallada and Getsemani. You can start with a mojito in a bar with live music and continue in one of the many clubs that liven up the Caribbean nights. In Colombia, salsa is always the protagonist, but in Cartagena you can dance to anything.

Tasting the local gastronomy

With its mix of Caribbean flavors, African influences and Creole tradition , Cartagena's cuisine is one of the tastiest in all of Colombia. Traditional dishes include fried fish served with coconut rice and patacones , fish sancocho , empanadas and a variety of corn and seafood dishes . All accompanied by spicy sauces, jugos naturales or a very cold cerveza . From street food to trattorias, locals and even the most refined restaurants, in Cartagena you can eat well everywhere: the important thing is to abandon prejudices and try even what you don't know.

Cartagena always knows how to surprise you, even when you think you've seen it all!