I was fortunate enough to visit this beautiful city twice and both times were absolutely outrageous — in a fun way. Expect a city where the colors are louder, music spills out of doorways and balconies overflowing with flowers. You’ll find horse carriages roll past Spanish colonial buildings, vendors selling fresh fruit in the vibrant plazas, all while embracing the Caribbean heat as it wraps around you like a very sweaty hug. Cartagena is one of those cities that immediately feels alive. And I am here for it!

Cartagena is by far my favorite city I visited in Colombia and perhaps one of my top destinations I’ve EVER visited. It’s located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and is most famous for its historic Walled City, colorful colonial architecture, lively nightlife, and nearby islands. Its port, fortresses, and group of monuments are recognized by UNESCO and describe Cartagena as having the most extensive fortifications in South America.

It’s beautiful, chaotic, romantic, touristy, gritty, photogenic, and unforgettable all at once. I spent my mornings wandering the historic streets, then chilled out on the beach in the afternoon. By evening I was either watching the sunset from the old city walls with friends or salsa dancing with random locals and tourists in crowded night clubs.

If you want a little spice in your life, then Cartagena is the place to be! I’ll walk you through 5 of the best things to do in Cartagena!

Important safety note: 

Colombia currently has a U.S. State Department travel advisory due to risks in some parts of the country, though those warnings are not specific to Cartagena’s main tourist center. Stick to well-traveled areas, avoid flashing valuables, use official taxis or rideshare apps when possible, and be extra cautious late at night.

The Walled City is the heart of Cartagena and the reason I fell in love with it.

This is the Cartagena you’ve probably seen in photos: bright yellow churches, pastel colonial buildings, flower-covered balconies, cobblestone streets, and plazas filled with music, vendors, and people-watching opportunities.

The historic center is made for wandering with its narrow streets lined by colonial houses that lead you to parks, monuments, museums and churches. You don’t need a strict itinerary here. In fact, part of the experience is getting slightly lost, turning a corner, and suddenly finding a street that appeals to you and before you know it, you’ve spent 2 hours filling up your camera storage. It’s a very photogenic city and the city is entirely different in the daytime versus nighttime. It’s like exploring two cities in one!

• Torre del Reloj – the famous Clock Tower entrance
• Plaza de Bolívar – a tree covered square surrounded by historic buildings
• Cartagena Cathedral – one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks
• Plaza Santo Domingo – a lively area with restaurants and street performers
• Las Bóvedas – former military vaults now used for shops and souvenirs

Go early in the morning if you want quieter streets and better photos. By midday, Cartagena can get hot enough to where you’re sweating balls. Make sure to bring plenty of water with you and sun protection.

I learned very quickly that my favorite thing to do in Cartagena is walk along the old city walls, especially around sunset.

The walls were built to protect Cartagena during the colonial era, and today they’re one of the city’s most iconic features. Cartagena’s preserved wall belt stretches around 11 kilometers and is one of the best-preserved walled city systems in the world.

The best time to visit is late afternoon into sunset. Sometimes it gets a little crowded, but there’s plenty of wall to share. The heat starts to soften, the sky turns golden, and the Caribbean breeze is a welcome touch.

This is also a great time to grab a drink at Café del Mar, one of the most famous sunset spots on the walls. 

Is it touristy? Yes. 

Is it still worth doing once? Also yes.

You don’t have to eat or drink at Café del Mar to enjoy the sunset. You can walk the walls nearby and get similar views for free. Budget travelers: just buy your drinks at a local mart and bring it with you. 

If you only visit one major historical site in Cartagena, make it Castillo San Felipe de Barajas.

This massive fortress sits just outside the Walled City and was built to defend Cartagena from attacks. It is one of the most impressive examples of Spanish military architecture in the Americas, with stone walls, lookout points, tunnels, and panoramic views over the city.

The official Cartagena fortifications site lists Castillo San Felipe as open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a general foreign visitor rate listed at 25,000 COP (~$7 USD), though prices and hours can always change, so check before going.

I’m a history nerd okay, so if you appreciate history, then you’ll value what you’ll learn there. Castillo San Felipe gives you a better understanding of why Cartagena was such a valuable colonial port. Walking through the fortress tunnels and climbing the ramparts makes the city’s history feel much more real than just reading about it.

Also, the views are excellent. Maybe stretch your calves out a bit, but you won’t be disappointed and neither will your camera. 

Go in the morning or late afternoon. There is very little shade, and Cartagena’s heat does not play around.

Fun fact, I stayed in Getsemaní my first time in Cartagena and had no idea how popular it was. I just found a hostel online and quickly realized that this was the best place to stay. 

Located just outside the Walled City, Getsemaní has a more local, artsy, lived-in feeling. It has colorful murals, street art, flags strung across narrow streets, cafes, bars, hostels, music, and a fun nightlife scene.

It’s one of the most popular areas in Cartagena. It still feels less polished than the Walled City, which is exactly why it’s worth exploring.

Again, a lot of great photo opportunities. I see a lot of models and influencers gravitate toward this neighborhood just because of how vibrant it is!

• Plaza de la Trinidad, the neighborhood’s main gathering spot
• Calle de la Sierpe, known for street art
• Umbrella streets and flag streets, yes, very Instagram, but still fun
• Local bars and restaurants
• Street performers and musicians at night

The street art scene in Getsemaní is one of the neighborhood’s biggest draws, with murals often depicting local life, culture, and Colombian figures.

Visit during the day for photos, then return at night for the atmosphere. Plaza de la Trinidad gets especially lively in the evening.

If you want a classic beach day near Cartagena, Playa Blanca on Barú is one of the most famous options.

Barú is known for white sand and clear water, and is a popular day-trip destination from Cartagena with multiple tour options that may include transportation, food, drinks, and beach seating.

That said, Playa Blanca can get very crowded and vendor-heavy, especially during peak season. It can be beautiful, but it is not always the peaceful beach escape people imagine.

If you go to Playa Blanca, consider staying overnight or choosing a beach club farther away from the busiest section. Also, be wary of the seafood dining options especially from beach vendors. My friend Becky had some seafood and ended up getting some nasty parasite that affected her for months!

Did you read the entire article? Then you know my answer is that it’s absolutely worth visiting.

It is one of Colombia’s most iconic destinations for a reason and to this day is probably in my top 5 favorite destinations in the world. The city combines history, Caribbean culture, colorful architecture, food, nightlife, and easy island escapes into one unforgettable trip.

That said, it might not be for you if: 

• You don’t like hot, humid weather
• You hate crowded and touristy places
• You can’t stand heavy vendors in certain areas. 

But if none of that bothers you and you go in with realistic expectations and give yourself time to explore beyond the most obvious photo spots, you’ll fall in love with Cartagena just as much as I did.

Come for the colors. Stay for the food, music, sunsets, and old-city magic.

And bring breathable clothes.

Seriously.

Cartagena is beautiful, but Cartagena is also humid enough that your shirt will be drenched after 5 minutes of walking. 

See you out there!