What to do and see in Cartagena, Bolivar Department: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks

May 17, 2022 Janette Largent

Cartagena, a gorgeous fishing village on Colombia's Caribbean coast, has excellent beaches, a historic old town (that's entirely walkable) and beautiful colonial architecture. It's also one of the safest places in the country, so it's no wonder it's a popular port of call for cruise ships. Need a break from exploring the cobblestone streets? Stop at an outdoor cafe for excellent pastries and people-watching.
Restaurants in Cartagena

1. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

Carrera 17, Cartagena 130002 Colombia +57 5 6421293 http://fortificacionescartagena.com/en
Excellent
51%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12,870 reviews

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

Cartagena was always a desirable conquest for pirates and enemies of the Spanish Crown; and for this reason, the defense of the city from these threats was a question of priority for its inhabitants from the first decades of the existence of the city. Once the primitive nucleus of Cartagena and the outlying district of Getsemani were fortified, there was a need to erect a structure on San Lazaro Hill that would prevent an enemy attack from its peak, since the hill dominated the walls and the only entrance to the city, the Media Luna Entrance in Getsemani. In addition, this hill was the intermediate point between the city and the nearby Popa Peak, where some heavy guns and canons were installed between 1769 and 1780 to cross fire with the castle and make an enemy attack more difficult from the large beach of Playon Grande in Pie de la Popa.

Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada

A hilltop fortress (but just a 5-minute-or-so walk up from the bottom) with a "quite sprawling" area above the ramparts, this is really a site for a "high-ground walk" in I would categorize as generally 3 parts: the Central Part with the "national flag" (a good-sized one for a nice photo-op) where there's also a tunnel to go down below which connects with the North Part (a straight walk for just about 5 minutes to the other side but where inside are also some "diverging paths" to wander around a bit); the North Part which is the "most spacious" of the three where there's also like a higher promenade along its one side for some direct views to outside through the openings among the battlements alongside; and the South Part which is actually a 2-level one with its upper level being the "highest part" of the entire fortress (and likely due to that physical position being the "most number" of cannons of the Fortress to be found at that specific location). And yes, to enjoy above apart from spacious grounds are also great views all around especially to the south with just a "pretty phenomenal" view of the city's skyline (generally around the Bocagrande Beach area with really quite a number of modern high-rises spread along an impressive length!) and also to the east with La Popa Hill (a distant-but-clear view of its convent on top with actually also interestingly some of the cannons of this fortress pointed in that direction for some "unique scene" I would say). Just somewhat on the downside though (not personally for me) is that this is a site pretty much "all outdoor" except for some rest shelters, but be sure not to miss the small souvenir shop on the upper level of the South Part (which despite its size has a pretty good collection of a variety of souvenirs). If coming from the "Walled City", after coming out of its east side is just about a half-hour walk pretty much just a straight way (until arriving at the north end of the Fortress which is where to turn right for a further short walk to the ticket entrance), and also to pass by "at about halfway" along the way is the India Catalina statue right beside a big lake (one commemorating the tribal woman who accompanied Conquistador Pedro de Heredia in his quest to establish Cartagena). And actually as for statues, there's also one right at the bottom of this fortress (just to the left after coming back out of the ticket entrance) which is just somewhat of an interesting one featuring a "sword-weilding" commander or such (with my initial impression being one for the Spanish defenders in the 1740's War, but the inscription below mentioning actually being one for the British attackers!).

2. Plaza Santo Domingo

Calle 35, Cartagena 130010 Colombia
Excellent
47%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,902 reviews

Plaza Santo Domingo

Reviewed By tripswithtai - Jamaica, United States

Lots of local artists, sculptors and gem enthusiasts will approach you! Lots of beautiful art in the plaza and a beautiful statue of the plump saint

3. Plaza de San Diego

Calle San Diego, Cartagena Colombia
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,248 reviews

Plaza de San Diego

Reviewed By S3035BAnancym

Wonderful place to see life just happening - great restaurants, historical sights, street food vendors, street vendors, and families and friends just hanging out.

4. Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias

Calle 24 N 8a-344 Getsemani, Cartagena Colombia +57 5 6544000 http://www.cccartagena.com/
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 416 reviews

Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias

5. Casa del Marquez de Valdehoyos

Calle Factoria, Cartagena Colombia http://www.cancilleria.gov.co/casa-marques-valdehoyos
Excellent
57%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Casa del Marquez de Valdehoyos

6. Plaza de San Pedro Claver

Cartagena Colombia
Excellent
44%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 344 reviews

Plaza de San Pedro Claver

Reviewed By belleretraite - Montreal, Canada

This Plaza is characterized by a big number of original sculptures and a lot of street sellers ! Nice place to spend some time after a visit of the San Pedro Claver church !

7. Plaza de La Trinidad

Carrera 10 & Calle 29, Cartagena Colombia
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 459 reviews

Plaza de La Trinidad

Reviewed By NashvilleontheRoad

I walked through here every night to people watch, shop, get dessert, and watch the performers. Plenty of good places to eat and drink in this area. And lots of people love to hangout in this plaza. Definitely take time to hang out and soak up this cool vibe in this great neighborhood.

8. La Gorda Gertrudis

Plaza de Santo Domingo, Cartagena Colombia
Excellent
45%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 530 reviews

La Gorda Gertrudis

Reviewed By X7681RUjayc

It is always an exceptional experience to spend time with a larger than life Botero sculpture. The most important piece of public art in the Centro.

9. Baluarte de San Ignacio

Avenida de Blas de Lezo, Cartagena Colombia
Excellent
60%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Baluarte de San Ignacio

10. Plaza de Bolivar

Cartagena Colombia http://www.cartagenadeindias.travel/info-guia_plaza-de-bolivar-533
Excellent
37%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,743 reviews

Plaza de Bolivar

This colonial plaza is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Palace of the Inquisition and a gold museum.

Reviewed By lala405 - Nanaimo, Canada

Colombian's have lots of history, lots of pride in their story. Nice square that represents. Nice square with lots of buskers and sellers

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