Holiday in Cartagena

About Cartagena

Cartagena de Indias is the most enchanting colonial city in South America — an old town surrounded by massive fortress walls on the Caribbean Sea, where pastel-colored colonial palaces, blooming bougainvilleas, and cobblestone streets create an atmosphere that hovers between Spanish colonial heritage, Caribbean joy of life, and magical realism. Gabriel García Márquez paid literary tribute to the city in Love in the Time of Cholera, and indeed, you can feel the magic of his stories at every corner. The Ciudad Amurallada (walled city) and the adjacent neighborhood of Getsemaní together form a UNESCO World Heritage site: magnificent balconies with wrought iron railings, interior patios with fountains, and centuries-old churches like the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver line the streets. Getsemaní has transformed from a former working-class and artists' district into the vibrant heart of the city — colorful street art, salsa music from open doors, and the legendary Plaza de la Trinidad shape the scene. The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the largest Spanish fortress in the New World, towers over the city on the San Lázaro hill. Built in the 17th century, this bastion with its underground tunnels and meter-thick walls withstood several British and French sieges. The view from the ramparts over the old town, the modern district of Bocagrande, and the Caribbean Sea is breathtaking. The Islas del Rosario, an archipelago of 27 coral islands 45 minutes by boat from the coast, offer turquoise waters, snorkeling over coral reefs, and white sandy beaches. In the evening, the old town transforms into an open-air party: salsa sounds from the bars, cumbia dancers in the plaza, and cocktails on the rooftops overlooking the illuminated domes.