Add dates

Things to do in Walled City of Cartagena

Our most recommended things to do in Walled City of Cartagena

Cartagena: Walled City, San Felipe, La Popa Tour & Tastings

1. Cartagena: Walled City, San Felipe, La Popa Tour & Tastings

If you're wanting a complete Cartagena experience with no corners unturned, this private full-day tour is made so you can see the city in the most complete way possible. Taste local foods and visit sights such as San Felipe Castle and the city's main squares. Enjoy optional entry to La Popa Convent. Start the day by meeting your local guide, who will pick you directly up from your hotel or address. Then, head first to the historic San Felipe Castle, the city’s old fortress built by Spaniards (entry tickets included). Walk through the castle and let your guide bring back to life adventure stories of conquerors, treasures, and pirates. Learn more about how Colombia became so mixed due to African, Indigenous, and Spanish roots. Visit afterward the Walled City of Cartagena and stroll around the colonial and colorful houses as you get to know more about the main squares and bastions that traced the city’s path to independence. See Santo Domingo Square, the church, and the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría. It wouldn’t be the perfect tour of Cartagena without tasting Colombia’s flavors, so you’ll get to try typical coconut sweets and, fried arepa with egg, a traditional snack famous on the Caribbean Coast. If choosing the longer tour option with entry tickets to the Convent of La Popa (Convent of the Stern), round off your tour by visiting the convent and a viewpoint located at the top of a hill where the city, its sea, and one of its islands can be seen and photographed. Cartagena is not only the touristic capital of Colombia but one of the most memorable cities that holds Colombia’s history, making it a place for culture, tradition, and diversity, with many historic places and unique corners to discover.

Cartagena: Walled City and Getsemani Shared Walking Tour

2. Cartagena: Walled City and Getsemani Shared Walking Tour

Explore Cartagena on a guided walking tour. Discover the colonial streets of the Walled City and the vibrant neighborhood of Getsemani as you try some local sweets. Meet your guide at La Plaza de la Aduana. See the colorful colonial houses as you learn about main squares and bastions of the city. Visit Santo Domingo Square and see the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandria. Afterward, head to the Getsemani neighborhood which is known for having a bohemian spirit. Walk through its streets and alleys boasting vibrant colors. Stroll around picturesque pieces of street art paintings. Taste a variety of typical Colombian sweets as you explore the city. Enjoy some tropical juice from unique fruits, some of which can only be found in the region.

Cartagena: City, San Peter & San Felipe Castle Guided Tour

3. Cartagena: City, San Peter & San Felipe Castle Guided Tour

Discover the magic of Cartagena – declared a World Heritage Site for its architectural distinction and its history – on this 4-hour, small-group tour. Visit the main sites around the city and learn the rich stories behind its culture. Visit San Peter Claver Church, where you can know the history of the founder of Humans Rights, a priest known as the slave of the slave. From there, explore Fort San Felipe de Barajas, a 16th-century hilltop fortress built by the Spanish to protect against pirates and the English navy. Your guide will accompany you to tell the stories within the fort and explain more of its importance to Cartagena. Make a quick stop at an emblematic symbol of Cartagena – the Old Shoes Monument – and continue into the Walled City. Take a guided walk around the historic center and gain a deep understanding of its culture and architecture before returning to your hotel.

Cartagena: Walled City of Cartagena & Getsemani Private Tour

4. Cartagena: Walled City of Cartagena & Getsemani Private Tour

Explore the Walled City of Cartagena and the neighborhood of Getsemani on a private tour. Travel through Colombia's history as your guide takes you through the city's historic center. Savor Colombian staples with a tasting of traditional snacks in the hip Getsemani. The tour begins in Plaza de Bolívar, also known as Peace Square, by the clock tower. Travel. Enter a different century as you visit the Walled City of Cartegena's historic spots and attractions. Visit San Pedro Claver Square and see the walls and bastions bordering the sea. Hear how these fortifications were important in the 16th and 17th-centuries in defending the territory from enemy troops. While on the square, also admire San Pedro Claver Church and its Spanish Colonial architecture. Stroll through narrow streets and among old colonial heritage houses to then try some Caribbean Colombian food. Have the chance to enjoy 2 traditional snacks, arepa with egg (a fried corn-based tortilla with an egg inside) and raspao (a cup of shaved ice with a fruity syrup). Experience different sides of Cartagena and catch up with the locals in Getsemani. Get to know the city's culture, tradition, and diversity on this walking tour.

Cartagena: Best Street Food with Local Chef

5. Cartagena: Best Street Food with Local Chef

Discover the relaxed spirit of Cartagena with a tour designed for you to taste caribbean cuisine. This tour will allow you to visit and experience places that are not featured on conventional guides. Meet your local guide at the iconic Clock Tower to begin your route of the best local eats, and key sights of the city. During the morning, visit 9 street food spots, usually unnoticed by foreigners but worshiped by locals. Try original recipes while seeing some of the most important sights of the historic center such as the Plaza de la Paz, Plaza de los Autos, and Proclamation Square. Meet and greet the guardians of local culinary treasure and take home their secrets and recipes. You'll have a small-group experience with no more than 10 people on the tour. Benefit from personalized insider tips about what to do next in Cartagena historic center after the tour has finished. This experience is a blend of mouth-watering cuisine and wonderful local people, get ready to share your stories and be part of the conversation.

Cartagena: Private City Tour in an Air-Conditioned Vehicle

6. Cartagena: Private City Tour in an Air-Conditioned Vehicle

Make the most of this private tour to visit the principal sites of interest in the old city of Cartagena — all while traveling in comfort, on board a luxury air-conditioned vehicle. Starting in the downtown area, you will head to the Manga neighborhood, where you can appreciate the beautiful mansions built at the beginning of the 20th century. Continue on to the highest part of the city, where there is a convent dating from the beginning of the 17th century. Visit the San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, considered the most important fortification in South America. From here, you will head to the walled city, with a stop for some shopping. Following a little retail therapy, visit the different squares of the city and admire the old colonial houses. After a journey of historical discovery, fast-forward to the present day and explore the modern part of Cartagena, including the Bohemian neighborhood of Gethsemane. This neighborhood is so authentically charming and on the cusp of a commercial explosion. Immerse yourself in Spanish colonial architecture, dance halls, graffiti art, boutique hotels, food vendors, and stunning public plazas. Then head to the old neighborhood of San Diego, and see the oldest bullring in Colombia, now a shopping center. Discover the square of San Diego with its imposing palaces Convent of San Diego (today a school of fine arts), and Convent of Santa Clara, where the luxurious Sofitel Legend is located today. End with a walking tour of the main churches and squares of the walled city to the Clock Tower.

Cartagena: Bike Tours Around the City

7. Cartagena: Bike Tours Around the City

In a shared or private group and with the expertise of a local guide, get to know the lively and colorful city of Cartagena by bike. Choose whether to begin your tour at the meeting point or upgrade your experience to include hotel pickup. Select between 2 tour routes: Historic Route: Enjoy a dynamic and fun tour of the entire walled city, seeing and discovering its monuments and history. Explore walls, bastions, fortifications, museums, squares, parks, and the Palace of the Inquisition. Visit one of the most emblematic Colonial Old Houses in the historic center, and find out about its history. See a display of an original cannon bullet dating back to the 17th century and go up to the lookout balcony where you can take amazing pictures from above Cartagena and have a complimentary refreshing drink. Also visit the San Felipe Fortress and Getsemaní, the most famous and oldest neighborhood in Cartagena with over 450 years of history (entrances fees are not included). If your tour leaves after 10 AM, you will have time to stop at a local craft beer shop where you will be given a tasting of different beers. Graffiti & Arts Route: Embark on a cultural tour and discover the graffiti and urban street art scenes of Getsemaní. Visit local artists' studios, and learn about the cultural richness of Cartagena and its historical roots. If you wish, you can make your own painting and buy it as a memory.

Cartagena: Walled City Walking Tour

8. Cartagena: Walled City Walking Tour

Start in the Plaza de Santa Teresa, where you can see the contrast between the colonial buildings of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries as well as a beautiful stretch of walls at Baluarte San Francisco Javier. Continue to San Juan De Dios Street until reaching San Pedro Claver church where you will take a guided tour of approximately 30 minutes. Later on, pass through the Aduana Plaza, Coches plaza, and Proclamation Square to visit the Plaza de Bolivar and the palace of the Inquisition. This palace was created in colonial times to punish all those people against the Catholic Church. Enter the palace with your guide to learn more about this infamous site. Continue to the square of the Inquisition, Plaza Santo Domingo and alley of the stirrups where you will reach the Santo Domingo baluarte. From there, visit the Café del Mar restaurant, known as having the best view of the sunset in the city of Cartagena. Continue with a short tour of the wall and visit some other plazas and streets until reaching the Las Bovedas handcrafts market, which is the final point of the tour.

Cartagena: Private Food Tour in Walled City and Getsemani

9. Cartagena: Private Food Tour in Walled City and Getsemani

Whoever the traveler you are, cross tasting typical food of your checklist trip and join us in this tour around Colombian Caribbean identity and culture through its cuisine. Your day will start by meeting our local and friendly tour guide. With him you will be headed to the first stop in the Walled City. As you walk around you will have several stops to try the best of Cartagena and caribbean typical flavors. From fruits to shrimp cocktails, deep-fried snacks, typical sweets and coffee or beer. Some of the things you are going to try are: Arepa with egg: arepa is one of the most traditional Colombian plates. Eaten almost everywhere in the country in lots of different versions. In the Caribbean coast this corn-based tortilla is usually fried and stuffed with a tasty egg. You will also visit local food stands and carimañola: a very typical yucca and cheese finger food. If you’re craving for something sweet, you’ll also have cocadas, a sort of cookie made out of coconut or typical fruits. And of course, try a cup of nice coffee or have cold and refreshing beer before ending the tour. Discover ancient culinary techniques, treasured family recipes, and life stories of all the locals that will make you swing from sweet to salty, from fresh to fried tasty appetizers and from tasteful to delicious snacks. Real samples of diversity of ingredients and customs. This is the most valuable souvenir of the very best side of Cartagena de Indias: tons of food offered to you by joyful and friendly locals. We know there won’t be regrets. You are in for a treat.

Cartagena City Tour: 4-Hour Cruise Excursion

10. Cartagena City Tour: 4-Hour Cruise Excursion

You’ll be met at the pier by a smiling member of the tour operator’s staff, who will be holding a sign with your name on it. The 4-hour tour begins with a drive around the Manga neighborhood to see the Moorish and Republican houses. Stop at San Felipe Fort, one of the most outstanding strongholds built in America during colonial times. Follow this with a visit to Las Bovedas, a handicraft store that is filled with souvenirs of all kinds. Enjoy a walking tour around the old city (approximately 55 minutes in duration). During the walk you’ll stop to visit the Church of St. Peter Claver and the church’s museum (around 30 minutes). Head next to the modern side of the city for a sightseeing tour and for views of the Bay of Cartagena. Your last stop will be at the Emerald Museum, where a professional guide will teach you how to recognize an original Colombian emerald (30-minute visit). After this unique excursion, you’ll be transferred back to the pier.

Available activities

12 activities found
Sort by:

Other Sightseeing Options in Walled City of Cartagena

Want to discover all there is to do in Walled City of Cartagena? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Walled City of Cartagena

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 397 reviews

The walking tour and food were incredible! We learned a lot about the city of Cartagena and tasted so many amazing foods that we never would have tried on our own. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who is visiting Cartagena for the first time!

Our guide was Nelson and he was excellent. His 30 years of experience showed. He knows everyone and is very knowledgeable about Cartagena. We had an individual guided tour. Much better than big bus cruise excursions.

El tour muy lindo y tranquilo, solo éramos 4 personas lo cual estuvo perfecto, te dejan cerca del castillo de San Felipe para que puedas ir a recorrerlo después del tour !

This was super fun! COME HUNGRY! The bites you get from various restaurants/vendors around the city are not small. We had a group of 10 but it still felt very intimate.

Johnny our tour guide was amazing. Full of knowledge and was so nice the entire time. 10/10 would recommend.