Things to do in Cartagena
A real day-by-day plan, the places travellers rate highest, and one button to make it your own.
Cartagena, known since the imperial era as Cartagena de Indias, is a city and one of the major ports on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region, along the Caribbean Sea. Cartagena's past role as a link in the route to the West Indies provides it with important historical value for world exploration and preservation of heritage from the great commercial maritime routes. As a former Spanish colony, it was a key port for the export of Bolivian silver to Spain and for the import of enslaved Africans under the asiento system. It was defensible against pirate attacks in the Caribbean. The city's strategic location between the Magdalena and Sinú rivers also gave it easy access to the interior of New Granada and made it a main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire, establishing its importance by the early 1540s.
Source: Wikipedia (Cartagena, Colombia), CC BY-SA
Highlights travellers rate highest
Free Walking Tour Cartagena Beyond Colombia
4.9(18K)Free Walking Tour Cartagena Beyond Colombia
4.9(18K)
Plaza de Santo Domingo
4.6(11K)The plaza de Santo Domingo is a public square in the city of Madrid, Spain.
Mirador Gastro Bar
4.6(5.1K)
Day 2 on the tripLas Bóvedas
4.5(8.6K)Las Bóvedas are a structure in the Old City of Cartagena in Colombia, attached to the walls. The Caribbean Sea is visible from the top of the structure. They were built as dungeons. They are located between the forts of Santa Clara and Santa Catalina.
Museum of Cartagena de Indias
4.2(4.7K)
via Google
Book links may earn Tomo a commission — you never pay extra.
7 days in Cartagena, planned day by day
Built from real, bookable activities — flights, stays and experiences included at around €951.
- 1
Arrival & first steps in the walled city
Settle into the Old Town and ease in with a sunset stroll along the ramparts.
- 2
Historic Center deep dive
A full day exploring the colourful colonial core at a relaxed pace.
- 3
Fortress morning & hilltop views
Beat the heat with an early fort visit, then climb for the city's best panorama.
- 4
Rosario Islands boat day
Full-day escape to turquoise Caribbean waters.
