Places to visit in Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia, with stunning architecture and a stunning history. It's also one of the oldest cities in South America, so there's plenty to see and do here.

The Walled City of Cartagena

Cartagena was founded in 1533 and has been a popular tourist destination since the 1950s. The walled city is perhaps the most famous part of Cartagena, and it's also one of the oldest colonial cities in Latin America.

The walls were built between 1670 and 1740, making them one of the best-preserved examples of military architecture in South America. They were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 because they represent "an outstanding example" of urban planning techniques used during this period by Spain's colonies around the world.

Getsemani

Getsemani is the oldest neighborhood in Cartagena. It's a district of Cartagena, Colombia, located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

The word "getsemani" comes from an indigenous language spoken by the original inhabitants of this area and means "place where there are palm trees". The district has been inhabited for centuries by different groups including fishermen and farmers who settled here because it was an ideal place for cultivating crops such as bananas or cocoa beans.

Gate and Clock Tower

The Gate and Clock Tower (Porta de la Aduana) is a clock tower built in the 16th century. It's located in the old town of Cartagena, and it's one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The clock tower was built to commemorate the visit of Charles V, who was Holy Roman Emperor at that time; he visited Cartagena on his way back from Spain after being crowned king there in 1519.

The Gate and Clock Tower is 35 meters high, with four levels: three floors above ground plus an attic level under its roof (which you can see if you climb up). There are also two turrets--one on each side--that serve as lookout points for ships entering or leaving port through Bocagrande Channel (which leads out into Caribbean Sea).

Plaza de los Coches

If you're a fan of people watching and music, Plaza de los Coches is the place for you. This main square in the Getsemani district is known for its many bars and restaurants that play live music at night. It's also a great spot to enjoy some food or drinks while enjoying the sights and sounds of Cartagena--especially on weekends when locals come out in droves!

If you're looking for an authentic experience, this is where it's at!

Plaza de la Aduana

The Plaza de la Aduana is the oldest square in Cartagena, and it's surrounded by some of the city's most notable buildings. The plaza itself was named after the customs house that was located there before it was demolished in 1813 to make way for today's cathedral.

The site has been used as a market place since its earliest days; today, you can still see vendors selling fruits, vegetables and other foods from carts around its perimeter. The plaza has also been a center of social activity throughout its history: during colonial times it hosted bullfights (which are now illegal); later on it became home to cafés where intellectuals gathered to discuss politics; nowadays you'll find young couples taking selfies here while enjoying ice cream cones together!

St. Peter Claver Square

This plaza was named after the priest who helped slaves during their stay in Cartagena. It's one of the most beautiful plazas in the city and it has many monuments related to him, like a statue and a fountain with his image carved into it. You can also see some beautiful buildings surrounding this square such as: La Catedral Primada de Colombia (Cathedral), San Pedro Claver Church and Palacio de las Banderas (Flag Palace). The best thing about this place is its location right next to Getsemani so you can easily walk around if you want!

Bolivar Park

Bolivar Park is a public park in Cartagena, Colombia. It is located in the center of the old city, and is a popular tourist destination. The park was created in 1808 by order of Simon Bolivar (1783–1830), who needed somewhere for his troops to rest after taking over the city from Spain. Today, it's one of Cartagena's most important landmarks and features statues depicting important figures from Colombian history such as Juan De Mesa and Pedro Justo Berrío.

Cartagena is a beautiful city with a lot of history to explore. You can spend days walking around the old city and visiting all these amazing sites, but we hope that this list will inspire you to visit some of them as well!