Cartagena

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Top 10 attractions in Cartagena

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San Felipe de Barajas Fort
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Colombia

San Felipe de Barajas Fort

6.1
4.0/5
16 reviews
San Felipe de Barajas Fort stands on San Lázaro Hill, east of the old city of Cartagena, and is a military fortress built during the Spanish colonial period to defend against pirates and foreign enemies. Its prototype dates back to the 16th century, and the grand scale seen today was mainly formed by continuous expansion in the 17th and 18th centuries, built primarily by African slave labor under the supervision of the Spanish. The entire fortress was built along the mountain with layered defenses. The zigzag ramps were designed specifically to disrupt the pace of attackers, the walls are wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, and the various cannon emplacements cover each other. Don't miss the crisscrossing tunnels when visiting: the main passage extends along the perimeter of the fortress, winding and deep, with footsteps echoing clearly against the stone walls. Back then, the defenders used the tunnels to quietly mobilize troops and ambush the enemy, and some dark chambers were even designed as detonatable traps to block enemies climbing over the walls. In front of the entrance stands a statue of the one-eyed, one-armed, and one-legged Spanish Admiral Blas de Lezo—in 1741, he defended Cartagena by relying on this fortress with far fewer men than the British fleet. Climb the ramp to the top battery for a wide-open view, where you can take in the colorful rooftops of the old city, the Getsemaní neighborhood, and the Caribbean Sea in the distance. The soft light in the evening is especially suitable for taking photos.Cartagena · 1.2 km from downtown

Experiences you can't miss in Cartagena

Featured Food & drink in Cartagena

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Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience)
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5.0/5
· 387 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 577.00
Cartagena: Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center
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5.0/5
· 18 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromSEK 392.00
Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City
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4.9/5
· 398 reviews
Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
98.5% of travelers recommend
FromSEK 508.00
Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Tastings in the Walled City
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4.9/5
· 575 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
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100 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 557.00
COMPLETE TOUR WITH LUNCH at ANTHONY BOURDAIN'S FAVORITE SPOT
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4.9/5
· 65 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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98.5% of travelers recommend
FromSEK 733.00
Small-Group Cooking Class in Cartagena with Local Chef
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4.9/5
· 51 reviews
Duration: 3–5 hrs
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96.1% of travelers recommend
FromSEK 791.00
Isla Tierra Bomba beach club: Day Pass with typical food
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Duration: 7 hrs
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FromSEK 1,155.00
Cartagena Tasting Mezcal & Tequila
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Duration: 1 hr
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FromSEK 443.00

Featured Day tours in Cartagena

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Open bar sunset party in the bay sharing with natives
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Duration: 150 mins
English
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FromSEK 293.00
Day Pass at Paraíso Real
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Duration: 24 hrs
English
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FromSEK 1,043.00
Cartagena: 5-Stop Rosario Islands Tour, Lunch, & Beach Clubs
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4.7/5
· 3.1k reviews· 29 booked
Duration: 6.5–7 hrs
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92.5% of travelers recommend
FromSEK 715.00
1-day tour to Totumo Mud Volcano in Cartagena, Colombia (from 1 person)
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FromSEK 568.00
Cartagena, Colombia: five-island hopping tour [lunch + snorkeling + beach club]
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FromSEK 1,462.00
Day Pass at Palmarito Beach Hotel
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Duration: 24 hrs
English
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FromSEK 1,199.00
Private Colombian Rums and Chocolate Tasting in Cartagena
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Duration: 105 mins
English
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FromSEK 1,045.00
Full day in Playa blanca from Cartagena
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4.3/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
English
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FromSEK 586.00

Featured Culture & history in Cartagena

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Top Cartagena: Private guided tour with your mobile
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Duration: 10 mins
English
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FromSEK 55.00
Cartagena Audio Tour: Zeitreise zwischen Römern und Meer
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Duration: 2 hrs
Filipino
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20% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 57.00SEK 72
Cartagena: Historic Center and Getsemaní Shared Walking Tour
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4.9/5
· 1.5k reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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42 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 143.00
Cartagena self-guided audio walking tour (9 stops, approx. 2 hrs)
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Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromSEK 77.00
Cartagena Audio Tour: An Architectural Odyssey
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
Filipino
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20% off
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FromSEK 70.00SEK 88
Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena
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5.0/5
· 8 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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FromSEK 127.00
Cartagena: City Tour Castillo San Felipe & Convento de La Popa
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4.9/5
· 25 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
Free cancellation
FromSEK 528.00
Cartagena: San Felipe de Barajas Castle Shared Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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FromSEK 143.00

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Cartagena cruises

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Cartagena Today's weatherPartly clear 26-32℃
Cartagena weather for the next 2 days11/5: 25-31℃, 11/6: 25-31℃

Free things to do in Cartagena

What travelers say about Cartagena

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青岛老韩October 8, 2026
4.0
There wasn't anything particularly memorable, except for the dungeon. The dungeon was low, gloomy, damp, and oppressive, allowing one to empathize with the helplessness and terror of the slaves locked inside.

San Felipe de Barajas Fort

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くろすけくんFebruary 22, 2023
5.0
The Rosario Islands are about an hour away from Cartagena by small boat. The boat runs at high speed so I was worried about getting seasick, but it was no problem at all 🙆‍♀️ Unlike the area around Cartagena, the beaches are as beautiful as you would expect from the Caribbean Sea! At the aquarium, the sharks have gotten used to it and are performing tricks?! You can also experience SUP, kayaking, diving, and more. Be careful of the salt water in the showers and pools! ️ There are also banana boats, jet skis, and other activities to enjoy.

Rosario Islands

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还不曾去过倒悬山!April 2, 2025
4.0
Colombians are generally the best in appearance and temperament among the Westerners I have ever met. This is due to their special mixed race and the country's superior natural and social environment. Therefore, many of the winners of Miss World and Miss Universe are Colombians, and Colombia has also been labeled as a country of beauties. In fact, if you stay in Medellin for a long time, you don't have to worry about having nothing to do. The simplest and most pleasant way to travel is to find a large shopping mall or park and sit there for a day, just looking at the beauties passing by.

Walls of Cartagena

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sculptorJune 28, 2020
4.0
The city of Cartagena de Indias is a major port founded in 1533 and is located on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean coast region. Next to the old town of Cartagena there is a sculpture monument with a statue of India Catalina, an indigenous woman who was translated by Spanish and was the daughter of a local chief. She played a role in the Spanish conquest of Colombia.

Monumento India Catalina

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Cartagena?

Don't miss these attractions in Cartagena: San Felipe de Barajas Fort, Rosario Islands, and Walls of Cartagena. If you like Food & drink, try Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience). If you enjoy Day tours, try Open bar sunset party in the bay sharing with natives.

You can give Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience) and Cartagena: Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Open bar sunset party in the bay sharing with natives, Day Pass at Paraíso Real, and Cartagena: 5-Stop Rosario Islands Tour, Lunch, & Beach Clubs. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 5, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Cartagena is around SEK 293 – SEK 1,462. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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