Use this page as a starting point for planning what to do in Cartagena.
Below you can find short summary list of the top things to do in Cartagena, complete with links to more detailed information on them if you want to learn more about them, some suggestions for guided excursions and tours, and, finally, you can browse through my most recent blog posts on things to do in Cartagena.
Remember you can always search the site for anything else specific you’d like more information about.
Top Activities to Do in Cartagena
I’ve got a much, much more detailed list of over 75 things to do in Cartagena which you can click here to read, but below, I’ve summarized a quick list of the most popular things I recommend you include during your visit.
- Explore the Walled City or Centro Histórico.
- Explore the historic neighborhood of Getsemaní, where you’ll find lots of neat street art too.
- Visit the picturesque Rosario Islands, where you’ll find the nicest beaches. Click here to learn about the different options for how to visit the islands. You can also compare them with beach options if you read my guide to the best beaches in Cartagena.
- Visit the impressive Castillo San Felipe Fort. See my guide to visiting the fort here.
- Learn more about Cartagena’s history at the museums. See my picks for the best museums in Cartagena.
- Catch the Caribbean sunsets! Our favorite view is from Hotel Movich’s rooftop bar.
- Enjoy some great seafood! Click here to see lots of restaurant suggestions. You can also see my suggestions for things to try in this blog post on traditional dishes to try in Cartagena, and you can learn all about the street food in Cartagena here.
- Put on you dancing shoes and enjoy the nightlife! Be sure to read my guide to Cartagena’s nightlife, where you can see some suggestions for bars and dance clubs to check out.
- You might also want to consider doing some activities near Cartagena, such as visiting the historic town of San Basilio de Palenque, founded by escaped slaves or taking a dip in the Totumo Mud Volcano, Cartagena’s oddest attraction. Check out my post on the best day trips from Cartagena for more ideas.
Should I Book Guided Excursions in Cartagena?
It depends.
While much of Cartagena can be explored on your own, booking some guided experiences can be a good way to learn more about the city’s history and get the most out of your time.
Meanwhile, some activities, like the Rosario Islands have to be done as an excursion.
If you like to have private excursions, you might want to consider planning your trip with my partner travel agency. They offer premium tours and excursions as well as 24/7 support during your trip, and their agents will design an itinerary tailor made to your interests. Learn more and get a discount here.
You can also get 20% off any of their individual tours listed here with the discount code ExploreColombia20.
If you are looking for shared tours, you can also see the top Cartagena tours on Viator and the most popular Cartagena tours on Get Your Guide.
Below, you can find some of the guided tours and excursions I’d recommend considering adding to your Cartagena activities:
- A City Tour – Including the Walled City, the Castillo San Felipe Fort, and La Popa Convent, these tours are a great way to get a lot into one experience. You can book a private city tour here (use code ExploreColombia20 for a discount). You can also book a shared city tour on Viator or book a shared city tour on Get Your Guide.
- A Walking Tour – Doing a shorter walking tour of the historic districts is a great way to learn about the history and get an introduction to places to see in the Walled City and Getsemaní. You can book a private walking tour here (use that ExploreColombia discount code), or book a shared walking tour on Get Your Guide or book a shared walking tour on Viator.
- Rosario Islands Day Tours – You can choose from private rentals, shared boat tours, or day passes at beach clubs and resorts. Click here to see my list of the best Rosario Islands day tours. If you have 5 or more nights in Cartagena, you might consider staying the night. See my picks for the best Rosario Islands hotels to plan an overnight stay.
See my post on the best tours in Cartagena for more ideas on guided excursions you might include as part of your trip.
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Not only do I hope you can find answers to any other question you have, including asking others about the things they enjoyed the most in Cartagena, but I hope you’ll share what activities you most enjoyed too!
More Ideas for Things to Do in Cartagena
You can find my latest blog posts on activities in Cartagena below, or you can search the site if you’re looking for something specific.