If you’re looking for a vacation that easily combines adventure, history, culture, and the beach, then set a course for Cartagena, Colombia. This incredible city has become an increasingly popular destination in the past few years, and it’s no wonder why. It has everything you’re looking for in a stellar vacation.
Cartagena has everything including fortress walls dating back 500 years, Insta-ready cityscapes, picture perfect beaches, and street food worth traveling for.
Honestly, this place has it all, so it may be a bit overwhelming to plan the perfect trip. This list has the 15 best things to do in Cartagena Colombia to help you out.
Walk the City Walls
The thing you must do in Cartagena is walk the city walls.
Built over the course of 200 years beginning in the 1500s, it was designed to protect the city from invaders and pirates. As the city was a major port it was a key target.
Today, walking the city walls is one of the best things to do in Cartagena.
Making its way around the historic district, the full walk is just about seven miles long. But don’t worry if you’re not into doing the whole walk.
From the wall you have breathtaking views including the sunset.
Monumento Torre de Reloj
You can’t help but be drawn to the Monument Torre de Reloj.
As a functioning doorway into the walled city, the tower was the original entrance into the fortified city.
Used as a room to keep arms and a chapel it wasn’t until the 1800s when a clock tower was added to it.
Today, it’s a gorgeous landmark where you can walk through the wall into the Plaza de Los Coches.
Seeing the Monumento Torre de Reloj is definitely one of the best things to do in Cartagena.
Plaza Santo Domingo
Plaza Santo Domingo is one of the most popular places to eat in Cartagena.
Restaurants set in colonial style buildings line the plaza with outdoor seating stretching across nearly the entire square. Grabbing a meal or drink here is one of the relaxing things to do in Cartagena.
Make sure to take a photo with La Gorda Gertrudis, the larger-than-life sculpture by Colombian artist Fernando Botero.
Beaches
Spending time at the beach is hands-down one of the best things to do in Cartagena.
Playa Blanca is located about an hour out of the city, accessible on a group tour or by taxi. It’s one of the prettiest and quietest of the beaches in Cartagena.
Located in the modern section of the city, Playa de Bocagrande and Playa Castillo Grande are the most convenient. Great beaches, but busy with vendors.
Colombian Street Food
Experiencing the real Cartagena by sampling the street food is one of the most amazing things to do in Cartagena.
A pro tip: Join a street food tour early on in your trip.
You’ll be guided through all of the options and make sure not to miss a Colombian specialty like arepas, patacones, or mango biche. You’ll get to meet some of the famous las palenqueras – the colorfully attired fruit vendors in Cartagena.
Then, during the rest of your stay, you’ll know exactly where, when, and how to satisfy your craving for delicious street food.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
One of the coolest things to do in Cartagena is experiencing Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.
This large structure has a presence in the city merely because of its size.
But it’s also integral in the history of Cartagena too. Built in 1536, it was designed to defend the city from both the land and sea.
Today you can explore the Castillo and even walk the tunnels underneath that helped protect the fortress. Trust me, on a hot day it’s great to enjoy the cool air while walking through the tunnels.
Palace of the Inquisition Cartagena Historical Museum
A visit to the Palace of the Inquisition is one of the most interesting things to do in Cartagena.
Here you’ll learn all about this dark, but fascinating past. Take a tour or go at your own pace.
You’ll see the prisons where heretics were held before sentence and punishment and the courtyard where many were sentenced to death for their so called “crimes”.
Teatro Heredia
You may hear it called “Teatro Heredia”, “Teatro Adolfo Mejia”, and even “Teatro Municipal”. All of these names give evidence of its great importance and position in Cartagena.
The interior of the theater is breathtaking with its balconies and ornate decorations.
The ceiling has a beautiful fresco depicting the nine muses of the arts. Take a tour or explore on your own.
Better yet, seeing a performance is one of the beautiful things to do in Cartagena. They often have free performances so ask at the box office.
Monumento India Catalina
The Monumento India Catalina is simple, stoic, and powerful.
Located just outside the walled city, the statue is one of the powerful things to experience in Cartagena.
India Catalina was an indigenous woman who was kidnapped by the Spanish when she was a child. And later she was the translator and concubine of Pedro de Heredia during the Spanish conquest of Colombia.
Her statue stands atop a pillar in the middle of India Catalina Park in honor of pre-Columbian culture.
Replicas of the statue are found throughout the city and for the Cartagena Film Festival.
Museums
With such a long, important history, it’s no wonder there are museums throughout Cartagena.
Museo del Oro and Museo de la Esmeralda both tell the history of these precious materials in Colombia.
Understand Cartagena’s important role as a port and defended itself against pirates at Museo Naval del Caribe.
See contemporary work by Colombian artists at Museo de Arte Moderno.
Some museums don’t have an admission fee, making them some of the best free things to do in Cartagena.
Santuario de San Pedro Claver
The Church of San Pedro Claver is impressive visually and historically. It was initially built in the mid-1500s, destroyed and rebuilt in the early 1600s.
San Pedro Claver was a Jesuit priest who arrived in Cartagena in 1610 from Spain. Here, he dedicated himself to helping slaves, 10,000 of whom were arriving each year.
In the 1800s he was canonized and became the patron saint of slaves. You can also see Claver’s personal home, now a museum.
Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandria
The eye-catching dome seen from nearly every part of the city is that of Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandria.
Just as colorful as most of the city, the outside of the cathedral is bright and joyous. The interior is filled with huge arched columns, high ceilings, and sculptures.
With no admission fee, Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandria is one of the best free things to do in Cartagena.
Las Bovedas Souvenir shops
When looking to bring something home from Cartagena head to La Bovedas.
This super interesting structure dates back to the turn of the 18th century and was once the dungeons for prisoners during the civil war.
It’s said that back then cells filled with water up to their knees at high tide.
Today these vaults serve as stalls where vendors sell classic Colombian souvenirs. Here, you’ll find everything from magnets to hammocks and colorful handmade goods.
Day Trip to Crater of El Totumo Volcano
One of the best things to do in Cartagena is experience the healing properties of El Totumo Volcano.
Located about an hour to the north of the city is the active volcano filled with bubbling thick mud. Once there just climb on in and enjoy.
You can even have a short massage while floating in the magical mud.
Once you’re done you’ll get some assistance to scrub off all the mud so you’re ready for the return trip.
Day Trip to Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands are what come to mind when thinking about the beautiful Caribbean.
Luckily, to get there it’s just a short boat ride making a day trip to Rosario Islands one of the best things to do in Cartagena.
You could take the public boat to the largest of the 27 islands. And you can rent snorkeling gear on this island.
Or tour the islands on a catamaran. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it includes food and fun all day.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, the best of Cartagena Colombia things to do and see. Are you visiting Colombia soon? Then bookmark this article and then come back to it and pick all the things that speak to you so you will enjoy a wonderful time in Cartagena Colombia.
More Things to Do in Colombia
Solo Trips to Medellin Colombia
Museum of Contemporary Art Medellin
Museum of Pedro Nel Gomez – Medellin