Cartagena 3-day itinerary

Begin in the Walled City — Cartagena's UNESCO World Heritage colonial centre, a dense grid of cobblestoned streets enclosed by 13 kilometres of 400-year-old defensive walls. Walk from the Clock Tower gate through Plaza de los Coches (the old slave market), past the candy sellers and fruit vendors, to Plaza de Bolívar where the Cathedral and the Palace of the Inquisition face each other. The architecture is jaw-dropping — every building is painted a different vivid colour, every balcony drips with tropical plants, and every corner reveals a photogenic alley. Visit the Church of San Pedro Claver, dedicated to the saint who ministered to enslaved Africans.

Cross into Getsemaní — Cartagena's most exciting neighbourhood, a formerly rough barrio that has transformed into a vibrant centre of street art, hostels, and creative energy. The murals here are world-class — enormous, colourful works covering entire building facades, depicting themes of Afro-Colombian heritage, social justice, and Caribbean joy. Walk down Callejón Angosto and Calle de la Sierpe to see the best pieces. For lunch, hit Bazurto Market — Cartagena's chaotic, sprawling central market where locals buy fish, fruit, and vegetables. It is intense and authentic — eat ceviche from a stall and drink limonada de coco.

Walk the old city walls in the golden hour — the rampart path runs along the western edge of the Walled City and offers stunning views over the Caribbean and the modern Bocagrande skyline. At Café del Mar, order a sundowner and watch the sunset paint the sky. After dark, Getsemaní comes alive with music — salsa, reggaeton, and champeta (a bass-heavy Afro-Colombian rhythm born in Cartagena) pour from bars and plazas. Plaza de la Trinidad becomes an open-air party every night. For a proper salsa experience, Café Havana is the institution — world-class bands play live salsa to a packed dance floor.

Depart from the Muelle de los Pegasos pier at 8am on a speedboat to the Rosario Islands — an archipelago of 27 coral islands about 45 minutes off the Cartagena coast. The water changes from the murky harbour to a transparent turquoise as you approach the islands, and the coral reefs below become visible through the clear surface. The main stop is Isla Grande, where beach clubs offer day packages with sun loungers, lunch, and drinks. Snorkel directly from the beach over shallow reef — expect to see parrotfish, sergeant majors, and sea fans in surprisingly good condition given the proximity to the city.

Many tours include a stop at Playa Blanca on Isla Barú — a long stretch of white sand with warm, shallow Caribbean water that is the closest thing to a picture-perfect beach near Cartagena. The beach can get busy with day-trippers but the water is beautiful and the atmosphere is festive, with music, cold beer, and fresh ceviche served by beach vendors. Float in the warm Caribbean, eat a plate of fried fish with coconut rice and patacones (fried plantain) from one of the beachside kitchens, and enjoy a day of pure relaxation after the intensity of the city.

The boat returns to Cartagena by late afternoon. After showering, head out for a street food crawl through the Walled City and Getsemaní. Start with arepas de huevo (deep-fried cornmeal pockets filled with egg) from a street vendor — the definitive Cartagena snack. Continue with empanadas, buñuelos (cheese fritters), and a cup of fresh mango or guanábana juice. At Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní, the evening food vendors set up with cheap eats and cold beer. The atmosphere is social and relaxed — Cartageneros love to eat outdoors, and the warm evening air makes every meal feel like a celebration.

Start the day at Castillo San Felipe — the monumental Spanish fortress that took 150 years to build and is the largest colonial military fortification in the Americas. The castle sits on a hill overlooking the city with commanding views over the harbour, the Walled City, and the modern skyline. Explore the extensive network of tunnels beneath the fortress — engineered with acoustic amplification so defenders could hear whispered conversations at great distance. The history is fascinating: Cartagena was one of the richest ports in the Spanish Empire and was attacked repeatedly by English pirates, including Sir Francis Drake, who held the city to ransom in 1586.

Head to Bazurto Market — Cartagena's enormous, chaotic, and utterly authentic central market. This is not a tourist attraction but a real working market where the city's restaurants, families, and street vendors buy their supplies. The fish section is extraordinary — whole tuna, red snapper, lobster, and octopus piled on ice next to machete-wielding fishmongers. The fruit section overflows with tropical varieties you may never have seen: lulo, guanábana, zapote, and corozo. Eat lunch at one of the market comedor stalls — a set meal of soup, rice, beans, meat, and juice costs about 12,000-15,000 COP. It is the most authentic meal you will eat in Cartagena.

Spend your final evening strolling through the Walled City as the evening light turns the colonial buildings golden. Walk along Calle de la Moneda and Calle Stuart to find quieter lanes away from the main plazas — every corner reveals a different colour palette and a different angle on this extraordinary city. End the night at one of the rooftop bars overlooking the Walled City — Alquímico is a multi-level cocktail bar in a restored colonial mansion that is widely considered one of the best bars in South America. The cocktails use Colombian ingredients and the rooftop view over the illuminated city at night is unforgettable.