What to do in the walled city of Cartagena?

Looking what to do in the walled city of Cartagena? There are many things to do in the walled city of Cartagena! This beautiful sector of the old city of Cartagena is home to a fascinating world where you can find a variety of places to explore, learn about history, and countless attractive cultural activities in its museums and art galleries. Walking through the walled city streets and contemplating its flowered balconies, take us back to other times full of charm. In a unique and comfortable environment, you can enjoy excellent restaurants to eat and drink. Varieties of stores and warehouses offer their merchandise for all tastes and budgets.

If you want a guide to enjoying your visit to the Walled City of Cartagena, these are our favorite ideas:

What to do in the walled city of Cartagena?

1. Walk along the city walls
2. Walk from one plaza to another and parks
3. Visit the churches
4. Go to the historical sites
5. Carriage Ride
6. Eat in the best restaurants
7. Buy your souvenirs at luxury stores and local vendors
8. Taste a good coffee
9. Party in the best clubs or bars

1. Walk along the city walls and explore the old city

The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. The stone walls of the 17th century extend 11 km around Cartagena and have a wide thickness that allows you to walk over them, enjoying the sunset and a beautiful view of the sea and the old city.

2. Walk from one plaza to another and parks

In the walled city, you will find different squares and parks where you can spend a pleasant time. You can sit on a bench and appreciate the day, drink a good coffee, or wine or simply taste the different dishes of the restaurants. There are also cultural shows by the locals such as street dances, human statues, and rappers, among other curiosities. The most popular squares and parks in the walled city are:

• Plaza de San Pedro Claver: An emblematic place with a cathedral and various metal sculptures. Opposite this plaza, are the cloister and the church that bears the same name.
• Plaza de Los Coches: place where previously the trade of black slaves from Africa was made. In the center of the square is the statue of Pedro de Heredia. It presents a tour of the colonial mansions where you can admire the beauty of the lovely colored wooden balconies and colonial architecture.
• Plaza de Santa Teresa: The most photogenic square in Cartagena, especially from the top of the walls.
• Plaza Fernandez Madrid: Less crowded plaza, with some trees and bars.
• Plaza de Santo Domingo: Lively place at night, with singers and restaurants with terraces. La Gorda Gertrudis, the sculpture by Fernando Botero, adorns this space.
• Plaza de la Aduana: Place steeped in history and surrounded by magnificent colonial buildings. This is one of the largest and most elegant squares in Cartagena de Indias and boasts beautiful architecture. In the center is the statue of Christopher Columbus.
• Plaza de San Diego: It is surrounded by colorful colonial houses and trees. In the past, it was a slave auction point.
• Parque Bolívar: Located in the heart of the historic center of Cartagena. Adorned with majestic trees. Local street performers at dusk.
• Plaza de Armas: it is located between Plaza de la Aduana and Plaza San Pedro Claver. In front of this plaza is the Cartagena Museum of Modern Art and a collection of metal sculptures alluding to Cartagena’s daily life.
• Plaza de La Trinidad: It is a small square known for its food vendors; there are colorful buildings and murals around.

3. Tour the churches

• Iglesia San Pedro Claver: Beautiful church built in Spanish colonial style in the 16th century. The Church of San Pedro Claver is a Colombian temple of Catholic worship dedicated to San Pedro Claver, whose remains are found on its main altar. It is located on the corner of Calle 31 and Carrera 4, just in front of Plaza de la Aduana, in the historic sector of the city of Cartagena de Indias. Its surroundings and location make this beautiful church one of the most visited in the walled area.
• Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa Catalina de Alejandría. The Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría is a Colombian cathedral church of Catholic worship under the patronage of Santa Catalina de Alejandría. It is located in the heart of the old part of Cartagena, in front of the Plaza de Bolívar.
• Iglesia de Santa Domingo: Located in front of the square that bears his name. It is the oldest temple in Cartagena. You will be able to appreciate the baroque altar with an image of Christ carved in wood and a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary.
• Iglesia San Toribio de Mogrovejo: It is located in the colonial neighborhood of San Diego, next to the plaza dedicated to Fernández Madrid. It stands out for its baroque architecture and its altar adorned with gold flakes. It is one of the most welcoming and favorite churches to celebrate celebrity marriages. It was the last church to be built during the colonial era.
  

Read churches in Cartagena and their Eucharist schedules

4. Visit the historical sites

• Clock tower: the only entrance that was armored to protect the city from attacks by English and French pirates and corsairs.
• Inquisition Palace: ​Former seat of the court of the inquisition of the Catholic Church. Located around the park of Bolívar. The Inquisition practiced witch hunts in Cartagena for many years. The instruments of torture of the Holy Office are found, among them the stocks and the scale.
• Barracks of the Vaults: Located between the walls of Santa Clara and Santa Catalina, they have 47 arches and 23 vaults. The vaults served to defend the city
• Pedro de Heredia Theater: This Italian-style theater is a true architectural gem located in the historic center of Cartagena de Indias. The stairs and sculptures that decorate the theater are made of Italian marble.
• El Camellón de Los Martires: It is located in front of the current Clock Tower. Endowed with several sculptures.
• Zenu Gold Museum: Located in front of the Plaza de Bolívar. It contains a collection of gold and ceramic pieces from the main pre-Columbian cultures.
• Museum of Modern Art: located in San Pedro Claver square. He specializes in Latin American painters of the 1950s.
• Baluarte de Santo Domingo: A bastion is a fortification work in a pentagonal shape, which protrudes between two canvases or portions of the wall. It is a perfect point of view to enjoy the sunset.
• Naval Museum: inaugurated to highlight the 500 years of the discovery of America. You will learn about the history of Cartagena, from the famous pirate attacks (such as Francis Drake) to the struggles for its independence.

5. Carriage Ride

The traditional carriage ride is one of the activities that you should add to your list if you visit Cartagena. It is an ideal plan for children and adults. In it, you go through the beautiful streets of the heroic city comfortably seated. The coachmen are very friendly and explain the entire history of Cartagena on the tour. The carriages are located in the Plaza de Los Coches.

6. Eat in the best restaurants

Cartagena is one of the most touristic cities in the world, there is no shortage of exquisite gastronomic experiences. The menu offered by the best restaurants in Cartagena is varied, high quality, and served in spaces that invite you to enjoy the best atmosphere. Most are located in the walled city. Below we present some of the most elegant and exclusive restaurants in Cartagena that are sure to delight your taste buds.

• Baruco by Cuzco 
• Lobo de Mar
• Restaurante NIKU
• La Única
• Celele
• Mistura 
• Mar y Zielo 
• Buena Vida Marisquería
• Doña Lola 
• Pascal 
• Don Juan
• Peru Fusión
• Candé

Read more about the best restaurants in the walled city.

7. Buy your souvenirs at luxury stores and local vendors

The walled city has all kinds of commerce. You’ll find high-end designer stores, boutiques, local crafts, and street vendors. Buy clothes, jewelry such as emeralds, handicrafts, and Colombian sweets.

Designers from the coast such as Silvia Tcherassi and Beatriz Camacho have their boutiques in the walled city. In the Los Dulces portal located in front of the Clock Tower, you can find dozens of different Colombian sweets.

8. Taste a good coffee

The delicious Colombian coffee can be one of the attractions of visiting Colombia. For this, you should have a delicious coffee in the old city.

• Época Cafe
• Ábaco Libros y Café
• Cafe San Alberto
• Se Volvió Prisprí Coffee Shop
• Érase un Café Calle De La Tablada
• Café del Mural
• Café San Alberto Plaza Santo Domingo
• Tienda Café Sabor de Montaña

9. Partying in the best clubs and bars

If you want to spend a night in the best clubs and bars in Cartagena to party, here I show you the list of options in the pink zone of the city. Enjoy good music and the joy of the Cartagena atmosphere for a night of music, dance, and fun. Cartagena is synonymous of a good party!

• La Movida
• La Jugada
• Alquimicio
• Bar Tu Candela
• Eivissa
• Crazy Salsa
• Café del Mar

Read more about nightclubs and bars in Cartagena

Did we miss any other plans to do in the walled city in Cartagena? Write us.

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