The beautiful Colombian city of Cartagena is an unforgettable spot to stay in a venture through South America. While on my way to Bogota for a wedding, I was so glad I took a few extra days to swing by Cartagena.
Cartagena is packed with beautiful buildings, amazing food, and smiling people. My senses were overwhelmed in this colorful city, but in a good way. Just thinking about my time there is making me crave some Colombian sun and cheesy arepas.
After spending about three days in this city, here are my six recommendations for things to do in beautiful Cartagena.
Stroll Old Town
You could honestly spend an entire day out of your trip exploring the history and admiring the buildings in Old Town. This area is definitely the most well known for tourists and is quite safe. I never found it to be distracting (compared to somewhere like Florence, Italy), though, so own that adventure card!
Old Town Cartagena is an Instagram influencer’s paradise. I’m talking vibrant walls, big detailed doors, balconies with cascading flowers…all of it! The architecture is stunning and the streets are lovely. I spent almost an entire day just wandering the streets, grabbing photos and sampling the local cuisine.
Quietly step into the Cathedral to get a glimpse of the naves or hear a musical number or prayer. Buy some fruit from the Palenqueras (the lovely women with colorful dresses and baskets of fruit on their heads). Explore the shops and cute bookshops that you find on all corners.
While there are some sketchy neighborhoods of Cartagena, I never felt unsafe in Old Town. Walk and enjoy to your heart’s content!
San Felipe de Barajas Fort
Being a port city, Cartagena was a main trading site and defense point against pirates for hundreds of years. Today the fort (along with the historic city center) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ramparts and tunnels are fun to explore, not to mention you get a good view of the city.
There is an educational video you can watch and free material handed out with your ticket. I strongly recommend going in the morning to avoid frying on the rocky fortress in the midday heat! Bring water or be ready to pay for a bottle from the sellers outside the fort’s entrance.
Admire the Art in Getsemani
Getsemani is the hippie sibling of Old Town: just as colorful but with a little more wildflower vibes. Some of the more popular boutique hotels are in this neighborhood of Cartagena. Catch street performers and grab an arepa while you admire the massive murals around every corner.
Getsemani is also what will undoubtedly pop up in your Google image searches, due to the streets canopied with umbrellas and flags. Again, an influencer’s paradise, but all just for you without the crowds!
Getsemani is only about a 10 minute walk from Old Town, so it’s easy and safe to jump between the two of them.
Take a Food Tour
Sampling Colombian cuisine while exploring colorful Cartagena? Yes please! Book a tour with a Cartagena local for a chance to sample famous cuisine in hidden spots around the city. If you’re unsure what to try or want to know the story behind the grub, this is why I recommend booking a tour.
Eat like a local and sample the seafood, fruit and fried gloryful goodness the city has to offer. Think arepas, empanadas, panelas, dulces, shrimp, passion fruit…just a little bit of everything to get you thinking about what you want the rest of the day!
Meander through the Markets
There are so many shops and vendors through Old Town and Getsemani that you might miss if you are not paying attention. Admire the tables of typical Colombian food, clothing and souvenirs. In particular, check out the local artwork for sale in Getsemani.
A common sight to see in Cartagena (and most places in Colombia) are jewelry stores displaying emeralds. About 90% of the world’s emeralds come from Colombia, so you are bound to find a variety of stones. Just make sure any emerald you are purchasing does not have bubbles or yellow/brown overtones (indicating it might be a fake).
The street vendors in Cartagena sell everything from fruit to empenadas, but there is NOTHING that will beat a cheesy arepa on a late night walk through the streets.
Cruise to the Rosario Islands
Cartagena is close to several islands, so grab a private or shared boat and do some island-hopping! It takes about an hour and a half just to get to the islands by speedboat, so plan on making island-hopping a whole day trip for you.
On your way to the Rosario Islands, you have options to do some snorkeling or stop off at the aquarium. Once at the islands, feel free to lounge on Playa Blanca or do some paddleboarding. While you do have to pay for the lounge chairs, I was fine just relaxing with my towel on the soft sand. Most excursions offer lunch as well.
While I super enjoyed my day, be warned you might get an adventurous sea captain who will gun your boat forward at high speed! My mom was nervous but my dad had a blast cruising through the waves!
If it’s your first time to Colombia, please make sure Cartagena is on your itinerary. I can almost guarantee you will have an impossible time not falling in love with the colorful streets!
