Top Things to do in Cartagena
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What to do and see in Cartagena, Bolivar Department: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. Walled City of Cartagena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,769 reviews
Reviewed By midwaytoheaven - Midway, United States
A PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM! We loved exploring both the inside and outside of the Old City Walls of Cartagena. It is amazing that these walls still exist and standing after hundreds of years of history. Boy, if these walls could talk what stories they would tell. A MUST SEE when visiting Caratgena. BOTTOM LINE: What a fun place to see so much history in a compact area. You can wall atop many parts of the wall and get a different perspective of the old city, too. We found it fun strolling the old narrow cobblestone streets, seeing the Cartagena Cathedral, San Pedro Church, city hall, customs house square, shops, jewelry stores, historical statues, seeing street vendors, Yellow Clock squared and more. Plan to spend several hours strolling the streets and better appreciate the flavor of this walled old city. MY RATING: 9/10. Most of the old colonial homes have been nicely restored. You'll see some beautiful flowered balconies down every street. A photographers dream location. Photo and selfie stops around every corner!
2. Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,829 reviews
Four hundred years ago jesuits established in Cartagena and founded a school and a church in downtown. During the XVII century a father called Pedro Claver dedicated all his life to the protection of the african slaves and became saint 300 hundred years later. To keep alive his legacy, jesuits came back to the city at the end of XIX century and started to collect pieces for a museum that includes precolombian, religious and african caribbean art and, of course, the chamber and other spaces where the saint lived and died. Nowadays it is the museum with the most complete collection of religious art in Colombian coast, and the building preserves the spirit of Claver, the spirit of Human Rights.
Reviewed By ruthandvern - Wilton, United States
Not only is this a museum, it leads to the sanctuary. Within the exterior walls there is a wondrous courtyard full of plants and calm and quiet. The plants and flowers just light up the buildings. On three floors there are colections of ceramics of the saint's, his cell, the most complete collection of of religious art in the area, African arts and crafts both old and new. Workmen were working on the roof of the sanctuary and brought supplies up the narrow winding staircase from the sanctuary to the choral loft and on up to the bell tower. The tower was not available for viewing.
3. Templo de Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 520 reviews
Reviewed By Visitante_Chileno - Santiago, Chile
Found this nice church, went inside for a quiet moment. Several people praying in the early afternoon; no service at that time. The church is elegant, not ornate.
4. Catedral Santa Catalina de Alejandria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
Reviewed By Kelleygirl2 - Sarasota, United States
Getting my bearings I located the cathedral tower and made my way back toward Bolivar Plaza where I found people preparing for a wedding! As is the practice in Cartagena, THE place for destination weddings, all the churches are open and anyone walking by can come in to photograph, sit or watch someone’s private wedding ceremony. I saw people milling about in front of the golden yellow Cathedral of Cartagena, officially known as the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the oldest episcopal sees in the Americas. Black and white tile cover the floor of the entrance to the beautiful stone church and an enormous red door stood wide open, and invitation for sure. Curious, I stuck my head inside. Tourists were seated in some of the pews. I thought of sitting to watch the ceremony but the real action was in the prelude to these nuptials. The grooms were already waiting in the back of the church and the mother of the bride was giving instructions to the men. Several young boys and girls roughly 4-8 years of age were not so patiently waiting in front of the church. The young boys were attired in a little black suit, bow tie and flip flops, the girls were in beautiful white dresses with flower wreaths in their hair. One young girl caught my eye. Ever the photographer, I had my camera ready photographing some of the celebrants when this young 6 or 7 year-old little girl, in her lovely white dress, ballet slipper shoes and flowers in her hair looked at the massive church door and began to climb it as if it were her very own climbing wall. She held on to several of the protruding knobs on the door to pull herself up. She gained purchase with her feet on other knobs, and she was off! I was quite impressed. She got away with it for a minute or so before she was spotted by the father of the bride who promptly removed her from the wall. Very quickly the mother of the bride said “Did you get that?!” I said “I sure did!” I was invited to photograph more of the family, which I happily did. As the children were ushered inside to their seats I noticed my now favorite rascal of the boys was being pulled off the padded kneeling bench at the altar. I left after the bride, escorted by her father, made their way down the aisle for the nuptials to begin. Leaving the church I began to photograph the cathedral in the warm afternoon light. Suddenly a small taxi pulled up and, like a circus clown car, out popped three women wearing voluminous white dresses with their hair wrapped in white scarves piled high on top of their heads, plus a tall gentleman, also in white, carrying an enormous bongo drum! I have no idea how they got in or out but they did. I followed the women into the Bolivar Plaza and rushed up to photograph them in the lovely backlight. They were going to perform after the wedding, but whose? I imagine it was the one at the cathedral but I didn’t stick around to find out.
5. Plaza Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,902 reviews
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
6. Plaza de San Diego
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,248 reviews
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.
7. Iglesia de la Trinidad
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
Reviewed By alexismday - London, United Kingdom
We accidentally stumbled onto the most gorgeous wedding service taking place in this incredible church. The music moved us to tears it was breathtaking. Architecturally it is stunning. Please do visit, maybe takr in a church service if you can (we did a few days later) and was marvellous. Wow.
8. Choco Museo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 885 reviews
ChocoMuseo is the cocoa and chocolate museum, we're only in Cartagena. Th entrance is for free and you can learn with us a lot about cocoa and chocolate in Colombia and the world, also you can visit our artisanal chocolate factory where the magic happens and enjoy all our chocolate products that are prepared on site. Also we have chocolate workshops for all ages, for kids, family, old people, everyone!! if you are staying in Cartagena, if you are local or tourist, don't forget to visit us and ask for your custom WorkShops and have a really nice an unique experience.
Reviewed By dandd6
Definitely a great place to visit if you love chocolate...lots of free samples and knowledgeable staff.
9. Centro Historico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By TandTSwitzerland - Zurich, Switzerland
The historic center of Cartagena is one of the prettiest in the Americas, lots of beautiful houses, streets and squares. You need to share this experience with many tourists but it is worth it!
10. Plaza de San Pedro Claver
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
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 !
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