10 Best Things to do in Cartagena Colombia

1. Explore the Historic Walled City

At the top of any list of things to do in Cartagena has to be simply strolling the charming historic streets of the Walled City. Known as El Centro Histórico, or simply Centro, in Spanish, this historic district remains the city’s downtown heart.

That means you’ll find streets bustling with people walking to work and vendors selling all sorts of things from street foods to trinkets. Wander off these main thoroughfares though, and you’ll find quiet streets with gorgeous, flower-draped balconies overhead. This is the area where you’ll find most of the lovely best boutique hotels in Cartagena.

Just taking some time to wander here both during the daytime and at night is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Cartagena. You’ll also find several of the other nice attractions in Cartagena mentioned below scattered around the Old Town. And be sure you take some time to walk along the wall and glance out over the Caribbean!

2. Explore the Equally Historic Getsemaní District

Located adjacent to the Walled City, you’ll find the other colonial district, known as Getsemaní. It also was once enclosed by walls, but, unfortunately, most of them have been lost to time.

It’s still got plenty of charm though! The colonial home to the city’s artisan and working class, many of them former slaves, Getsemaní is often considered the birthplace of Cartagena’s unique culture that blends Spanish, indigenous, and African heritages.

Today, you’ll find an eclectic mix of locals who have lived here for generations mixed among many of the city’s up-and-coming restaurants, cafés, and bars. Many of the best bars in Cartagena can be found along the Calle Media Luna and Calle El Arsenal in Getsemaní, and enjoying the people-watching and a road beer at the pretty Plaza de la Trinidad is a can’t miss thing to do in Cartagena.

3. Escape to the Nearby Rosario Islands

There are a number of nice beaches in Cartagena. However, the best are off the coast in the gorgeous Rosario Islands. These coral islands are surrounded by crystal clear waters and make for the perfect idyllic day for Caribbean relaxation.

If you’re looking for a bit more of a party, consider doing a private boat rental for an island-hopping booze cruise. It’s surprisingly affordable to do this, especially if you are traveling in a group or can put one together. Heading to the popular spot of Cholón Island, where you’ll find a massive party of boats is a must-include stop if you do this. Beach clubs like Bora Bora also offer a nice, party atmosphere for a day of sun, sand, and fun.

You can of course, also opt for a more relaxed experience and spend a night (or three!) at one of the best Rosario Island hotels, although for those with less than 5 nights, it’s best to stay in town and enjoy all the other wonderful things to see in Cartagena.

For those with more time and wanting even more islands, it’s also possible to arrange trips to the lesser traveled San Bernardo Islands, the sister chain to the Rosarios further south and highlighted by the beautiful beaches on Mucura and Tintípan islands. It’s best to plan to spend at least a couple of nights here to justify the longer boat trip.

4. Enjoy the Beautiful Sunsets

Of course, no Caribbean vacation is complete without some great sunsets, and catching a few is another one of the best things to do in Cartagena. If you do decide to stay out in the islands, you will get a great view of the sunset there, but there are some great spots in town as well.

The view from the rooftop bar at Hotel Movich is the best in the entire city. You get a terrific view of the old city and the bay framed with the modern skyscrapers of the Bocagrande neighborhood in the background. While occasionally closed for events like weddings, the bar is generally open to the public, but you will want to get here a bit early to get a good table to enjoy the view.

Another must-do in Cartagena is sunset drinks at the Café del Mar, located atop the wall itself. They serve great drinks and a selection of tasty appetizers. The view of the sunset is directly out to sea and is spectacular. If you’re looking for a cheap sunset view, just hang out on the wall nearby and enjoy the music.

Finally, a sunset cruise is a great way to get a unique perspective of the sunset and the pretty historic city lit up just after dark.

5. Sample the Great Food

No vacation anywhere is complete without enjoying some good eating. Cartagena doesn’t disappoint in this area either, and there are some terrific restaurants in Cartagena.

One place you won’t want to miss is the Restaurante Fuerte del Pastellito, which used to be called Club de Pesca. Located atop a colonial-era fort overlooking the bay, the view here is also terrific, and the seafood is among the best in the city. Other highlights include Buena Vida Marisquería, Alma, Carmen Cartagena, and Candé, all serving terrific traditional Cartagena foods with some creative spins.

Dishes you will want to try in Cartagena include the seafood stew known as Cazuela de mariscos, which includes a mix of fresh seafood in a creamy, coconut sauce. Shrimp in the al ajillo garlic sauce is also a must-try. Finally, you have to enjoy the traditional fried fish plate, best served fresh on the beach and including an entire fish fried to a crispy, golden crunch and served with coconut rice and patacones, smashed and fried plantains that are a local favorite.

If you’re looking for something more laid back and on the go, there is great street food in Cartagena too. You’ll find the more common arepas and empanadas typical to all of Colombia, but also some more unique offerings. The arepa de huevo, made from fried corn meal and filled with a fried egg and ground beef is a must try, as are the fried yucca fritters known as carimañoles, a favorite on the Caribbean coast. For a late-night snack, try a patacón con todo, an extra large patacón smothered in meats and cheeses.

While in Cartagena, you also have to sample the delicious and creamy limonada de coco, or coconut limeade, a local favorite. Corozo juice, made from a tart fruit particular to Colombia’s Caribbean coast, is also well worth trying. Piña Coladas or Coco Locos served up in the coconut also go great with the beach!

6. Learn More About the City’s History at the Museums

A historic city, Cartagena has several museums that are worth a visit. The Naval Museum has some great exhibits on the colonial era, including models of the city’s historic forts and dioramas depicting the numerous attacks on the city, including the invasions led by Francis Drake and Edward Vernon. On the upper floor of the museum, you’ll find exhibits on Cartagena’s important role in the fight for Colombia’s independence. There are also exhibits here on the modern Colombian navy, including Colombia’s little-known but important role in the Korean War.

The Palacio de la Inquisición is also worth a visit. This historic building once housed the office of the Spanish Inquisition in Cartagena. Upstairs, you’ll find more exhibits on Cartagena’s history, but downstairs you’ll learn about the Inquisition, including some examples of torture devices. Be sure to head outside to see the model guillotine and gallows!

Finally, the Gold Museum just across the street is always free to enter and has some neat examples of the indigenous people’s precolonial gold work.

In addition to hitting the museums, a can’t miss attraction in Cartagena is the Castillo de San Felipe fortress. This fort was the site of a final last stand during Vernon’s attack in 1741 when Cartagena’s defenders defeated the much larger British force. It’s a massive structure, encasing an entire hill. You can get some great views of the old city here and walking through the tunnels connecting different battlements is eerie and neat.

7. Soak in a Mud Volcano

Perhaps Cartagena’s most unique attraction is the Totumo Mud Volcano, located about an hour north of town. An actual active mud volcano, locals claim the mud have healing effects on the skin and body.

You can easily organize private or group tours to the mud volcano out of Cartagena. The squishy consistency is a bit odd but makes for a unique experience and funny photos. Many tours to the mud volcano also include a visit to the nearby Pink Sea of Galerazamba, which when in season, has a lovely pink hue from microorganisms that thrive in the salty seas of this active salt mine.

8. Visit the Historic Afro-Colombian Town of San Basilo del Palenque

Located a few hours south of Cartagena, San Basilo del Palenque, sometimes simply called Palenque, was a settlement of runaway and freed slaves. The town resisted several attempts by the Spanish to capture and destroy it and even led frequent raids on Cartagena and the surrounding areas to free more slaves. Due to this, the Spanish negotiated a peace agreement with them that included the Spanish crown recognizing it as a free town, the first such town to achieve this status in the Americas.

Isolated, the town’s residents preserved many of their traditions, and today it has special status that includes its own special ancestral justice system. Residents have also worked to preserve the language spoken there, the only known surviving creole language that blends Spanish and African languages. A visit here is a neat way to learn more about some of the lesser-known aspects of Colombia’s Caribbean culture and heritage, and tours often include workshops on music and dance.

9. Tour the San Pedro Claver Church

San Basilo del Palenque’s status is a testament to the history of Cartagena as a major site of entry for African slaves during the colonial period. Much of northern South America’s population of African descent can likely trace their roots to entry via Cartagena.

Pedro Claver was a Jesuit priest in Cartagena who advocated for more humane treatment of slaves and converted many of them to Christianity. He was later made a Catholic saint, is considered the patron saint of human rights, and the church where he spent much of his life working was renamed in his honor.

The church is Cartagena’s prettiest, with a gorgeous stone facade from stone mined on the nearby Tierra Bomba Island. Pope Francis gave a mass here during his visit to Colombia, in which he paid homage to Claver. Inside, you can find a museum of religious relics and exhibits on Pedro Claver’s life and works. Under the altar, you can see the remains of Claver.

10. Enjoy Some More of the Nearby Beaches

Cartagena has several other nice beaches if a trip to the islands isn’t enough to get your beach fix. The beaches in the town itself are nice enough, although they can get crowded and vendors can be pesky and insistent, so you’ll wan’t to practice your best “No, gracias.”

However, you can escape some of the crowds and vendors by heading to the beaches on the island of Tierra Bomba, just across the bay. The area known as Punta Arena has several nice beach clubs like Palmarito Beach, Namaste Beach, and Fenix Beach. On the far side of the island, known as Bocachica, you can find some neat colonial era forts as well as Blue Apple Beach, a nice beach club and resort.

Located a bit further away on the island of Barú, Playa Blanca has long been a favorite for backpackers and locals. The beautiful stretch of beach here can get crowded, so it’s best to go on a weekday, but there are some nice little cabins and bungalows where you can hang out for the day or spend the night cheaply. For something nicer, check out the resorts of Isla del Encanto and Las Islas further down the island peninsula and offering more exclusive experiences.

Things to Do in Cartagena Conclusion

There you have the ten best things to do in Cartagena. A visit to this historic city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast is a great way to spend a vacation that combines history, culture, beach, and fun. There’s great nightlife to be enjoyed as well, and the people are among the friendliest in Colombia or anywhere else.