• World
    • ASIA
      • Thailand
      • Sri Lanka
    • EUROPE
      • England
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Norway
        • Northern Norway
        • Central Norway
        • Western Norway
        • Eastern Norway
        • Southern Norway
      • Spain
      • Sweden
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Mexico
      • Belize
      • United States of America
    • OCEANIA
      • New Zealand
      • Australia
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
  • 7 Things to Do Around the World
  • Norway
  • Travel Smart
    • Solo Traveler
    • Road Trip
    • Itinerary
    • Wine Tasting
    • Postcard
    • The Travel Year
  • About
  • World
    • ASIA
      • Thailand
      • Sri Lanka
    • EUROPE
      • England
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Monaco
      • Norway
        • Northern Norway
        • Central Norway
        • Western Norway
        • Eastern Norway
        • Southern Norway
      • Spain
      • Sweden
    • NORTH AMERICA
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Mexico
      • Belize
      • United States of America
    • OCEANIA
      • New Zealand
      • Australia
    • SOUTH AMERICA
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
  • 7 Things to Do Around the World
  • Norway
  • Travel Smart
    • Solo Traveler
    • Road Trip
    • Itinerary
    • Wine Tasting
    • Postcard
    • The Travel Year
  • About

7 Great Things to Do in Cartagena de Indias 

February 17, 2017
Great things to do in Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias is the Caribbean city in the coast of Colombia filled with colorful buildings, smiling people, history in every corner and love for everyone. Cartagena de Indias is the colonial town with all its heart pumping for you to fall in love with the city and somehow keep staying, even do you are doing nothing more than walking around in the street and taking pictures of the colonial style, street art and the quirky buildings filled with powerful colors, flowers, and personality.

 

Old City in Cartagena de Indias

7 great things to do in Cartagena de Indias

 

Is inspired as always of the fact that I like to do something not all. To be honest in Cartagena you can do more or all because it’s a small city center.

 

Cartagena de Indias is the Caribbean city in the coast of Colombia filled with colorful buildings, smiling people, history in every corner and love for everyone. Cartagena de Indias is the colonial town with all its heart pumping for you to fall in love with the city and somehow keep staying, even do you are doing nothing more than walking around in the street and taking pictures of the colonial style, street art and the quirky buildings filled with powerful colors, flowers, and personality.

1. Historical Center; the Old Town

Entering the old town by the historic clock tower, you enter a time machine and walk past buildings that pretty much haven’t changed for 300 years. Buildings in yellow, green, blue, purple and pink they are all there. Then fascinated by all the decorative doors and doorknob that is presenting different occupations, social status, and wealth in life. The Iguana is a symbol for Royalty, Fish or Mermaid for Merchant Class.

 

If you think you have seen it all in one day, then think again. This little pearl is worth walking around for some days and get lost in the streets and continue discovering new corner and Plazas.

 

A free walking tour is always a great idea to get some history and the best sight on your radar.

 


2. Getsemani the Autenthic Neighborhood of Cartagena de Indias

Gestemani the urban neighborhood where locals mix with tourists. Plaza Trinidad the heart of Getsemani. People from all over the world center around and exchange: language, food, laughs and sometimes a beer until the police arrive and keep order on the plaza.

 

It is a must visit in the daytime for all the fabulous street art and by night for the vibrant energy and entertainment that can be discovered on the streets of Getsemani.

 

 

3. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Built by the Spanish during the Colonial time since then been fighting many battles against pirates, English men, and the Jenkins War. Castel has endless tunnels and history. In 1984 the castle was listed as a World Heritage Site.

 

There are many options to see and discover the castle. This time we did the cheapest one, only paying the entrance fee of 9 US dollars and walked around and enjoyed the site.

 

 

4. Salsa, Cumbia and more at Fidel Bar

If you don’t want to pay for entrance at Cafe Havana in Gestemani (should do that one night) Then spend a night at Fidel Bar a great mix of different types of Salsa: Shock, Cubana, Colombiana and more styles that I honestly don’t remember the name on. In Fiedel Bar, you will find the emerging of locals and tourist dancing the night away.

 

On Wednesday If you are young and wild hit the Media Luna Party in the hostel and enjoy the Roof-top Terrace with a view of Getsemani. Of course a lot of Reggaeton music and expensive beer. Have a pre-party before hitting the Party. Enjoy dancing the night away!

 

5. Sunset at Cafe Del Mar

If you want a posh start of the evening, then enter Cafe del Mar and enjoy a Panorama view of Cartagena de Indias in the Sunset. If you wish a more budget-friendly option; buy a beer from the street vendors, and of course, negotiating the price correctly before buying, then sit down on the walls of Cartagena de Indias and enjoy the same View at Cafe del Mar in a more inexpensive way.

 

 

 

6. Getsemani: Plaza Trinidad & Street Food

In the neighborhood of Getsemani, you have to visit Plaza Trinidad, because this is where everybody hangs out! It is a most to get an evening in at Plaza Trinidad, walk around and pick something you would like to eat, what about Arepa, Empanada, Ceviche, Patacón or maybe Sushi or Hamurgesa? There is something for everyone to eat. For dessert, I would go for Mango with Salt & Lemon. Or go dancing to see if there will be room for more food!

 

 

7. Spanish Classes

Everything is more fun when you can speak the language and by this learn some Spanish. If you are up for a challenge, hit yourself up with a Spanish class and get involved in the language, culture, and new Colombian Friends. One day you will be listening to your Colombian friends understand when they speak gossip! Incredible moment.

 

I had a great experience with Nueva Lengua Spanish School in Colombia. Spanish courses in Bogota, Cartagena, and Medellín

 

When you are in Cartagena de Indias, there is easy access to Playa Blanca and the Rosario Islands. Decide for a tour and roll with it.

 


Anything you want to recommend in Cartagena de Indias?

 

Or you haven’t been but want to go?

Save

Save

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Related

Share

7 Things to Do Around the World  / Colombia  / South America  / The World

Pauline
My name is Pauline, and I'm a Norwegian girl who started to explore the beautiful world for some time, and now I can't stop. I have to see what's out there. I love discovering new places, meeting new people, have crazy experiences and unique stories to tell. Life is for living, and I like living in adventures.

5 Comments


5 Places to Eat in Getsemani in Colombia
October 27, 2024 at 1:42 AM

[…] people from all over the world come to see and feel the vibrating energy of this neighborhood of Cartagena de Indias, the queen of the Caribbean part of Colombia. So are there any unique and tasty places to eat in […]



Pauline
April 15, 2017 at 12:12 PM

Hvor reiser du!?:) Colombia er magisk!! Da har du en god grunn til å komme tilbake!gleder meg til å følge deg på tur!:)



Maria's Adventure
April 8, 2017 at 4:45 PM

Åh, virker amazing! Er litt trist at jeg skal backpacke i Sør-Amerika i sommer, men ikke rekker innom Colombia… Men det gir vel meg bare en bedre unnskyldning til å reise tilbake 😀



Pauline
March 1, 2017 at 1:38 PM

Ja er saa langt min favoritt her i Colombia.



Marianne - Glimt av verden
February 17, 2017 at 9:09 PM

Det ser så fint ut der! Står absolutt på ønskelisten min 🙂



Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Follow the Adventure

    Follow the Adventure
  • 7 Must-Read Posts

  • 7 Tips for Packing to Norway from a Norwegian7 Tips for Packing to Norway from a NorwegianNorway
    8-Day in Rhodes Without a Car: Beach & History Trip to Explore the Island8-Day in Rhodes Without a Car: Beach & History Trip to Explore the IslandEurope
    Guide to Getsemani The Authentic Neighborhood in Cartagena de IndiasGuide to Getsemani The Authentic Neighborhood in Cartagena de IndiasColombia
    5 Breakfast Places in Oslo5 Breakfast Places in OsloEastern Norway
    5 Places To Eat in Lofoten, Norway5 Places To Eat in Lofoten, NorwayLofoten
    7 Days in Sicily Without a Car7 Days in Sicily Without a CarEurope
    5 Tasty Places to Eat in The Neighborhood Frogner in Oslo5 Tasty Places to Eat in The Neighborhood Frogner in Oslo7 Things to Do Around the World


    • Sustainable Travel with Pauline Travels
  • paulinetravels

    A Norwegian Travel Voice & Trying to Impact the World by Nudging People to Choose More Sustainable Travel.

    Want to know about a cool and undiscovered place i Want to know about a cool and undiscovered place in Norway? Varanger a hidden gem up north right between mythical tails, brave locals, northern light and Sami culture. You can truly forget time when visiting the Varanger peninsula! Also do you belive in energy places? Some places have a different frequency. Where is the last place you were with an energy feeling? Do you think about this when traveling? #visitnorway #varanger #varangerpeninsula #northernnorway #varangerhalvøya  #varangerbirding #mindfultravel
    O M G. Waiting for some green nature up in the Arc O M G. Waiting for some green nature up in the Arctic North! I know when it comes it is beautiful! I’m ready and been ready since March 🤣 Well maybe sooon. 🌱How about you? Are you having spring & cherry blossom? 🌸 #arcticsummer soon coming !! #lofoten #visitlofoten #lofoteninfo #lofotenislands
    Save for you next Cuba trip! La Lluvia de Oro!! 🇨🇺 Cuba and the people! That’s why you go to Cuba! To experience something that touches your soul and leave a little more lively, embracing the moment and the music! That’s what we love about old Havana you can always find great live music, with energy, singing and dancing! Yes a small escape to be in the moment and let go of any other thoughts. Be right here and now, that’s what Cuba invites you into experience if you decide to let go and follow the flow of Havana Vieja. #havanavieja #havanavieja🇨🇺 #havana #havanacuba #cubatravel #visitcuba
    Cuba 🇨🇺 A special travel. Always with many t Cuba 🇨🇺 A special travel. Always with many things. Some easy and some complicated. People are easy, always friendly and always with time to talk. Forgetting your phone is easy in Cuba. Forgetting time is easy in Cuba. It’s complicated to let go of the challenge of life, like some places do not have electricity and cellphone service, and gasoline is more challenging than ever and som have very little.  However food is always here, as long you are a tourist and can buy food. If you are inventing new recipes you are also good. #cuba #cubatravel #cubaporlavida #travelcuba #cubatrip #havana
    Follow on Instagram

© Copyright Pauline Travels

 

Loading Comments...