Cartagena walking tour & city guide

The walled city

The Clock Tower Gate leads into the old city, where colorful streets open onto plazas like Plaza Santo Domingo, with a Botero sculpture. Walking on the walls at sunset is a highlight. The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is the largest Spanish fortress in the Americas.

Getsemaní and the islands

Getsemaní, just outside the walls, is a lively neighborhood of murals and street life. Boats go to the Rosario Islands for beaches and snorkeling.

A day in Cartagena

Walk through the walled city in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and the heat bearable. The streets are lined with colonial houses with flower-covered balconies, and squares like Plaza Santo Domingo have cafés. Walk along the city walls at sunset.

Visit the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a huge fortress, and spend the evening in Getsemaní, a lively neighborhood of murals and street parties.

Good to know

Cartagena is hot and humid all year. Boat trips go to the Rosario Islands for snorkeling and beaches.

Try fresh fruit from the palenqueras, women in colorful dresses who sell fruit in the streets.