By horse-drawn carriage, bicycle, segway, or on foot — any means of transport is perfect to marvel at the colorful flower-filled balconies of the Historic Center of Cartagena, its sunsets outlining the silhouettes of watchtowers and fortresses, and its walls where lovers sit to gaze at the sea.
The city enchants with its architecture, which spans colonial, republican, and modern styles. This is a vibrant destination that invites you to adventure — to explore a city both ancient and modern at the same time — transporting visitors through its scents, flavors, and atmosphere to a timeless setting filled with magic, beauty, and strength.
Historic Center of Cartagena
The Historic Center of Cartagena de Indias is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by an eight-kilometer-long wall built in several stages between 1586 and 1796.
Stone by stone, this fortress was constructed in a time when modern machinery did not exist, and just by looking at its monumentality, you can sense the story of architecture sustained by craftsmanship. This is the story of a warrior city — a successful trading port through which goods, enslaved people, pirates, and invaders once passed.
Within its walls lies “old” Cartagena, a fascinating city to which most visitors return several times in their lives, often running the risk of wanting to stay for good. It’s a place where boredom simply isn’t possible — there are too many places to discover, things to do, and people to talk to.
The tourist attractions of the walled city include narrow streets perfect for leisurely walks, houses with colonial architecture, squares with notable monuments, parks, museums, and beautiful churches from the colonial era.
Luxurious boutique hotels and charming rental homes, as well as more modest accommodations, await travelers to make their stay in Cartagena’s Historic Center truly unforgettable.
To explore the historic center, you’ll need at least two hours; however, you could easily spend several days discovering fantastic places where you’ll want to linger for entire afternoons and evenings.
Key Places to Visit in Cartagena’s Historic Center
The following is a list of must-see tourist sites.
Cathedral Basilica Metropolitan of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
This impressive architectural masterpiece, whose construction began in 1577, is located in Plaza de la Proclamación, east of Bolívar Park. With its Renaissance-style façade, it houses beautiful neoclassical altars decorated with gold leaf. The main altar is an invaluable altarpiece worth discovering.
Gold Museum
A place where you can explore Zenú culture and other pre-Columbian civilizations through a collection of 538 gold artifacts and 61 ceramic pieces.
Bolívar Park
This iconic city park is surrounded by landmarks such as the Palace of the Inquisition, the Palace of the Proclamation, and the Cathedral. At its center stands a bronze statue by Eloy Palacios of the Liberator Simón Bolívar on horseback.
Today it’s a lush green space that every visitor must see — where artistic groups sing and dance with contagious joy.
Historical Museum of Cartagena de Indias – Palace of the Inquisition
Founded in 1924, this museum, housed in an 18th-century colonial building, preserves the memory of the Inquisition Tribunal and its impact on the city’s history.
It also offers a space to learn about the different stages of Cartagena’s social development in relation to the Caribbean and the rest of the country.
Church of Santo Domingo
This is the oldest church in the city, believed to have been started around 1550. With its striking golden-yellow façade, it stands beside the square of the same name.
Inside, you’ll find a sculpture of the Christ of Atonement, a large monument surrounded by a beautiful legend, as well as a representation of the Virgin Mary crowned with a tiara made of gold and emeralds.
Santo Domingo Square
The liveliest square in the walled city, this popular spot has hosted world-famous celebrities, athletes, and even European royalty — especially on New Year’s Eve. Surrounded by terrace restaurants and enlivened at night by singers and dancers, it features a sculpture by Master Fernando Botero called “Gertrudis,” a favorite subject of countless social media photos.
Church of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo
Located in Fernández de Madrid Square in the old San Diego neighborhood, this was the last church built during the colonial period, in 1666. It dazzles with mural paintings and a baroque altar, the only religious piece of its kind in the city. Because of its beauty, it’s one of the most sought-after churches for weddings.
Church of San Pedro Claver
This church is a sanctuary, where the remains of the Patron Saint — known as the “slave of the slaves” — of Cartagena rest beneath the altar. Located in Plaza de la Aduana next to the San Pedro Claver Museum, it was built between 1580 and 1654 and is a National Monument of great beauty, ideal for reflection and peace.
San Pedro Claver Museum
Known as the Headquarters of Human Rights, this museum honors the memory of Pedro Claver, a Jesuit priest who dedicated his life to protecting thousands of enslaved Africans living under inhumane conditions.
Caribbean Naval Museum
Located near Santa Teresa Square, this museum opened its doors to commemorate 500 years since the discovery of America. It preserves valuable artifacts of Colombia’s naval and military history.
Santa Teresa Square
This square is home to the Hotel Charleston, which livens up many of its evenings. Located in front of the Naval Museum, it’s one of the busiest plazas in the walled city and one of its main entrances. Its nightlife is vibrant, with vallenato groups performing under the moonlight.
From here, you can take horse-drawn carriage rides — a very romantic experience that lets you admire the city’s beautiful balconies.
Clock Tower Monument
This beautiful tower, a National Monument, stands at the main entrance to the walled city and dates back to the early 18th century. Its façade is a replica of the San Francisco Convent in Santo Domingo.
Portal of Sweets
A place where traditional Colombian sweets create a melody of colors and flavors made from the Caribbean’s exotic fruits.
Experience the “Old City” in Cartagena’s Historic Center
Don’t miss the chance to walk along the city walls, stopping at each bastion to admire the views and take photos. In Cartagena’s Historic Center, you can also visit La Serrezuela Mall, a fascinating place built around a restored wooden bullring, featuring a gourmet food court and Cartagena’s best shops.
The restaurants in the old city are renowned for their originality, offering a blend of international cuisine infused with Cartagena’s heart and flavor.
You’ll find menus for every budget — from street food to fine-dining restaurants whose culinary experiences rival those of the world’s most sophisticated cities.
Come to Cartagena!
The Historic Center of Cartagena is a destination of immeasurable cultural, artistic, and historical wealth, where interculturality meets the charm of a bohemian, joyful, and welcoming people.
A place filled with serenades, street artists, palenqueras, and endless fun — this multifaceted city will captivate you and leave an unforgettable mark on your heart.
Come to Cartagena and enjoy a tour through the old city. Get lost in its streets, and you’ll always find an architectural, cultural, or gastronomic treasure you’ll never forget!
