Old Town & Castillo San Felipe
★★★ Ciudad Amurallada (UNESCO World Heritage)
The old town of Cartagena within the fortress walls is an architectural masterpiece. Every street, every square, every balcony tells a story of 500 years of colonial rule, piracy, slavery, and wealth.
The streets are full of life: Palenqueras — Afro-Colombian women in colorful dresses — balance fruit bowls on their heads. Horse-drawn carriages rattle over the cobblestones. Salsa music drifts from the bars. In the evenings, the Cartageneros stroll on the city wall and watch the sunset over the Caribbean.
The Most Important Squares
- Plaza de los Coches: The former slave market — now a lively square with the Portal de los Dulces (candy stand). The history is bitter, the atmosphere lively.
- Plaza de Santo Domingo: The social meeting point with restaurants, street artists, and Botero's famous "Reclining Woman" sculpture. In the evenings, dancing takes place here.
- Plaza de San Pedro Claver: Named after the Jesuit priest who advocated for the rights of African slaves in the 17th century. The monastery with its beautiful courtyard is now a museum.
- Plaza de la Trinidad (Getsemaní): The heart of Getsemaní. In the evenings, a meeting place for locals, street artists, and spontaneous salsa sessions. The most authentic square in the city.
★★★ City Wall (Las Murallas)
The 11-kilometer-long city wall was built over 200 years (1586–1796) to protect Cartagena from pirates. Today, a walk on the wall is the city's most beautiful experience — especially at sunset, when the Caribbean is bathed in golden light. The section between Café del Mar and the Baluarte de Santo Domingo is particularly photogenic.
★★★ Castillo San Felipe de Barajas
The largest Spanish fortress in the New World and a masterpiece of military architecture. San Lázaro Hill was developed into an apparently impregnable fortress in the 17th century: Tunnels, trapdoors, loopholes, and a sophisticated acoustic system through which defenders could eavesdrop on attackers. In 1741, the fortress withstood the attack of 27,000 British soldiers under Admiral Vernon — one of the greatest defeats of the British Navy.
Explore the underground tunnel systems (bring a flashlight or phone light!) and enjoy the panoramic view over the city from the top.
Cerro San Lázaro. 25,000 COP (6€), with audio guide 30,000 COP. Daily 8:00–18:00. Duration: 1–1.5 hours.
