FREE THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA

  • 1. Walled City of Cartagena – The “Walled City of Cartagena” refers to the historic center of Cartagena, Colombia, which is surrounded by a network of defensive walls built between the 16th and 18th centuries to protect the city from pirate attacks; this walled area is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant culture, where visitors can stroll along the walls, explore cobblestone streets, and admire colorful buildings while experiencing the city’s rich history.
  • 2. Caribe Jewelry Museum & Factory – The Emerald Museum highlights the work in these wonderful mines with replicas, photos, videos and exhibition of tools used by miners.
  • 3. Barrio Getsemani – Getsemaní, just a few minutes’ walk from the historic center, is perfect for a fun and less costly experience in Cartagena. The area is renowned for its impressive street art scene and its festive vibe that starts every night at Plaza Trinidad.
  • 4. Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver – 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.
  • 5. La Serrezuela – La Serrezuela was originally built in 1893 and use to be the central theatre and bull-fighting stadium. They would house bullfights, horse-riding displays, plays and concerts, and boxing tournaments right up until the 1970s. Over time as the building deteriorated and events were no longer held there, the building was abandoned and fell into disrepair. A fire left things pretty bleak indeed, until a visionary group of investors, restoration experts and designers took on the mammoth task of returning the iconic structure to its former glory (and then some!) You will find La Serrezuela on the edge of San Diego, a couple of blocks from the Sofitel Santa Clara and the San Diego Plaza within the Centro “Walled City”.  Inside, there’s a lot to see; starting with the incredibly impressive rebuild of the wooden stadium. From a shopping perspective , you’ll probably want to begin at the bottom. Taking up the majority of the basement level, Malva calls itself an “independent department store”, the brands and items it sells are unique, beautiful, Colombian and highly covetable. Beautiful clothes, jewelry, headpieces, skincare ranges, shoes and homewares: it’s a tight but expertly curated edit of the best of Colombian design.  Then you can work your way up, checking out the different stores. 
  • 6. Plaza Santo Domingo – Bustling plaza featuring outdoor restaurants & bars, buskers, vendors & a sculpture by Botero.
  • 7. Torre del Reloj – The main entrance to the historic walled city of Cartagena is famously known as the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj). This significant landmark, built into the city wall, features a trio of open archways that offer a gateway into the Old City. A stunning clock tower crowns the central arch.
  • 8. Plaza de Bolívar – This colonial plaza is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Palace of the Inquisition and a gold museum.
  • 9. Museo del Oro Zenu – Museo del Oro Zenú is part of the regional network of Museo del Oro, Bogota. It hosts the golden adornments of the Zenú people that lived in the Caribean plains two thousand years ago, and their ceramics, and it states that Zenues still live and preserve their way of living near Cartagena.
  • 10. Centro Historico – This bright, busy & incredibly pretty part of Cartagena sits within the city walls and is one of the oldest parts of town. Bustling with tourists, touts & locals alike, you’ll walk from elegant colonial squares to balustraded convents; along cobbled streets lined with pastel painted tiendas to reach impressive Spanish palaces. Despite the occasional ‘rap-attack’ (groups of teenagers surrounding you & free-style rapping at you for tips), or the occasional overly friendly street seller, it’s a great place to explore & the opportunity to stay in the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site. Worth noting here that rates for accommodation in Centro Historico are higher than elsewhere. 

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