Cartagena, Colombia is a beautiful coastal city on the Caribbean Sea. It’s colorful, fun, lively and, best of all, filled with great food and fun things to do. To make it even better, Cartagena is walkable, meaning you’ll have easy access to activities, museums, cafes, restaurants and fun tours. While you could spend weeks in Cartagena and not run out of things to do, for a first trip, 2-3 days is a perfect amount of time to explore the city. Let’s get right into the ultimate Cartagena itinerary for first-time visitors!
Where to Stay in Cartagena
When traveling to Cartagena, I highly recommend staying in either the Walled City of Getsemani. Both of these neighborhoods are safe, great for tourists and walkable to tons of major attractions and amazing restaurants. They’re also walkable to each other – so either one is a great option.
Personally, I like staying in the Walled City more than I like staying in Getsemani. There’s more to do and I think it’s a prettier area. That being said, Getsemani is known to be an artsier and trendier area – so if that’s your vibe, it’s a great pick. Either way, you’ll visit both neighborhoods on your trip, so you’ll get to experience both areas.
Hotel Recommendations in the Walled City:
- Hotel Casa La Mantilla
- Nacar Hotel Cartagena
- Townhouse Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Boutique Bovedas de Santa Clara
- Soy Local Centro Historico
- Inexpensive and cute!
Hotel Recommendations in Getsemani:
- Osh Hotel Cartagena
- Hotel Casa Lola
- Posada La Fe
- Viajero Cartagena
- Private rooms & hostel style rooms
- Affordable
Cartagena Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day 1 in Cartagena
Grab a Delicious Coffee and Breakfast
Most hotels in Cartagena include breakfast, so if yours does, definitely take advantage of that! However, even if your hotel offers free coffee and breakfast, I definitely recommend grabbing a second cup of coffee at a local cafe to start your day.
Coffee culture is huge in Colombia (they’re major exporters of coffee), and there are tons of cute coffee shops serving exceptional coffee. No Cartagena itinerary is complete without a few coffee stops!
A few of my favorites coffee shops/cafes include:
- Libertario Coffee Shop (Getsemani)
- Nia Bakery and Cafe – Walled City
- Mila Cafe and Bakery – Walled City
- Epoca Cafe – Walled City
- Ábaco Libros y Cafe (Bookstore and Cafe) – Walled City
In addition to checking out some great coffee shops, if you’re a coffee lover, there are some awesome coffee tours/workshops to check out!
Coffee tasting tours:
- Specialty Coffee Workshops in Cartagena
- This includes stops at two of my favorite cafes!
- Cafe Route Flavors and Culture of the Old City: Walking Tour
Take a Walking Tour
I love starting my time in a new city with a walking tour! It’s such a fun way to get to know a city and get recommendations from a local.
There is no shortage of great walking tours in Cartagena and you’ll find them for a variety of interests! These tours are usually around two hours and are the perfect introduction to your time in Cartagena.
Most will visit both the Walled City and Getsemani, so you’ll get to know both neighborhoods and what makes each one special.
Awesome walking tours in Cartagena:
- Private Walking Tour in Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena
- Gabriel García Márquez Literature Tour
- Perfect for book lovers!
- Walking Tour and Lunch at Anthony Bourdain’s Favorite Spot
Have Lunch at a Cute Cafe
One thing Cartagena has no shortage of is cute restaurants and cafes! Many of these cafes also have really delicious food. After working up an appetite on a walking tour, a nice meal is the perfect next stop on your Cartagena itinerary.
Both the Walled City and Getsemani have awesome options, so choose one that looks good to you and head on over! It’s also probably time for another cup of Colombian coffee.
Cafes in the Walled City:
- Nia Bakery and Cafe
- Mila Cafe and Bakery
- La Brioche
- This is a chain, but the food is good!
- Erase Un Cafe Boutique
Cafes in Getsemani:
- Manna Breakfast & Lunch
- Meeza Café
Note: If you have lunch in Getsemani, you’ll be a closer walk to your next stop (San Felipe de Barajas Castle) – however, it’s easily walkable from both neighborhoods. If you’re staying in the Walled City, you may want to head back to your hotel for a quick refresh/swim before your afternoon of activities.
From the Walled City expect to walk 20-30 minutes to San Felipe de Barajas Castle. From Getsemani, the walk is shorter, around 10-15.
Tour San Felipe de Barajas Castle
Built in 1639 by the Spanish, San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a massive fortress located on the Hill of San Lázaro. From Getsemani and the Walled City, it’s an easy walk to this incredible fortress.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting the fortress is that it’s mostly in direct sunlight. While there are some shady areas, for most of your time you’ll be under the sun. A cloudy day is a great time to visit, but if it’s very sunny, just make sure to bring a lot of water.
You can purchase tickets directly at the fortress and tour on your own, or you can opt for a guided tour. You can hire a guide on site and, this way, you’ll learn a more in-depth history of the fortress and its significance.
OPTIONAL: Take in the Views from Convento de la Popa de la Galera
From San Felipe de Barajas Castle, you’re less than 10 minutes by Uber to Convento de la Popa de la Galera. I’m adding this as an optional activity on your Cartagena itinerary for two reasons. First, you may be tired (and sweaty) after visiting San Felipe de Barajas Castle and you may want to head right back to your hotel for a nice swim. Second, it’s a relatively quick Uber ride to Convento de la Popa from anywhere in the Walled City and Getsemani, so it’s not crucial to go exactly at this point in your day.
Convento de la Popa de la Galera is a convent, cloister and chapel located on Mount la Popa, the highest point in the city. The views of Cartagena from the convent are incredible! You can tour the chapel and parts of the convent and it’s pretty interesting to see and learn the history.
This is a relatively quick stop, we spent about 30 minutes. It’s inexpensive to visit and you can easily call an Uber back to your hotel after!
The convent is open daily from 8-5:30.
Have Dinner and Drinks on a Rooftop
Cartagena has a wonderful selection of delicious restaurants and several of them are highlighted in this Cartagena itinerary! You can truly find any type of cuisine you’re looking for. The city also is home to tons of great rooftops. These bars and restaurants often have spectacular views, in addition to great food and drinks.
The sun sets around 6/6:30 year round in Cartagena, so you can easily time drinks/dinner with sunset for great views.
There’s a bunch of awesome rooftops to choose from, but a few of my favorites include:
- Mar y Zielo
- Buena Vida Marisquería Caribeña & Rooftop
- Magnolia Rooftop
- Located inside the Nácar Hotel in the Walled City
- Apogeo Restaurant & Rooftop
- Ajeno Rooftop Bar
- Located on the rooftop of the Osh Hotel in Getsemani (which is one of my faves!) they serve drinks and light bites
Dinner and drinks on a rooftop is a great way to end your first night in Cartagena. Or, if you plan on going out and exploring the city’s nightlife, it’s a great way to start your night!
Day 2 in Cartagena
Start Your Day With a Colombian Coffee
Just like yesterday, I recommend trying out another one of the delicious coffee shops around the city!
A few of my favorites coffee shops/cafes include:
- Cafe del Mural – Getsemani
- Libertario Coffee Shop – Getsemani
- Café La Manchuria – Walled City
- La Garza Cafe – Walled City
Shop for Local Art
Cartagena has a huge artisan culture and there are so many talented painters selling their artwork either on the street or in small shops. I love buying local art when I travel (I have a fun travel art wall at home) and I especially love it when I can see the artist actually painting.
There are more artists in the Walled City than in Getsemani, but you can find paintings in tons of small shops as well. I spent the morning wandering around the city with a coffee, checking out the art, and finally going back and purchasing my favorites.
These paintings are beautiful, affordable souvenirs and they also make great gifts!
Check Out the Cute Boutiques
In addition to being a great place to shop for art, Cartagena is filled with tons of great shops and boutiques. You’ll find everything from jewelry (emeralds and gold are huge here!), to handmade wooden products, leather and clothing. You’ll also find brand name stores and upscale boutiques.
In general, I found the prices in shops in Cartagena to be quite a bit higher than other areas of Colombia. This is more-so in boutiques and less-so for handmade, local items. Whether or not you decide to buy anything, it’s fun to pop in and out of the shops.
Note: I love collecting books when I travel and Cartagena has an amazing bookstore, Ábaco Libros y Café. They have books in Spanish and English and they also serve coffee, tea, cocktails and pastries. This bookstore should definitely be on your list!
OPTIONAL: Go on a Food Tour
I love food tours and the food tour I went on in Cartagena was one of the best I’ve been on anywhere in the world. In my opinion, this is the top activity to add to your Cartagena itinerary. Colombian food is so good and I love that food tours will bring you to places you may not normally try/know about.
These food tours will bring you to spots in both the Walled City and Getsemani and there are so many delicious things to try!
Amazing food tours in Cartagena:
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena
- Street Food Like a Local
- Bazurto Market Tour and Cooking Class in Cartagena
- Not a street food tour, but this looks so fun!
Enjoy a Delicious Brunch/Lunch
If you decide not to go on a food tour, you’ll still need to eat! Luckily, there are so many delicious brunch spots in Cartagena. A few of my favorites include:
- Nia Bakery and Cafe – Walled City
- Mila Cafe and Bakery – Walled City
- Manna Breakfast & Lunch – Getsemani
- Meeza Café – Getsemani
Visit an Interesting Museum
While there’s a ton to do outside in Cartagena, this city is also home to some great museums. Cartagena can be very hot – so an air conditioned stop is always appreciated. A few of the most popular museums in Cartagena include:
- Museo del Oro Zenú – Gold Museum
- Museo Naval del Caribe – Naval Museum
- Museo de Arte Moderno Cartagena – Modern Art
- Casa Museo Rafael Núñez – Past residence of former President Rafael Núñez
All of these museums, besides Casa Museo Rafael Núñez, are located in the Walled City. With the inexpensive entry costs and close-by locations, it’s easy and doable to visit several. Casa Museo Rafael Núñez is located just outside the Walled City and easily walkable, so this is an easy addition to the list as well.
Watch the Sunset from the Walls of the Old City
The views from the walls of the Old City are beautiful any time of day, but they’re definitely most enjoyable at sunset or once it’s dark. That way, you’re not baking in the sun while taking in the views.
Heading to the walls for sunset is a favorite among travelers. You’ll see the sunset over the ocean and it’s beautiful!
There are several entrances to get on the walls in the Old City. Walk over to the walls and soon enough you’ll find a staircase to walk up on them.
Dinner Time!
After sunset, it’s time to head to dinner! If you’d like to go to another rooftop, I gave tons of recommendations for the previous night. If you’d like to try somewhere else, there is no shortage of other great options.
No matter what you’re looking for, from Peruvian, to sushi, to Mexican, you’ll be able to find it in Cartagena – and it’s so good! I recommend staying in the Old City or Getsemani for dinner, as you’ll be able to easily walk, and there’s also so many great restaurants to try.
A few of my favorites include:
- Pezetarian (Sushi) – Walled City
- Inkanto (Peruvian) – Walled City
- Di Silvio Trattoria – Getsemani
- Stefano’s Bistro – Getsemani
- Tacos del Gordo – locations in Getsemani and the Walled City
- Very casual, but inexpensive and delicious!
OPTIONAL DAY 3: Trip to the Rosario Islands
If you’re planning a two day trip, your Cartagena itinerary ends here. However, if you’re planning to stay for another day (which you totally should!) I recommend taking a day trip to the Rosario Islands.
The beaches in Cartagena itself aren’t the best (or cleanest), so a day trip to the Rosario Islands is a favorite of many travelers. In just an hour(ish) boat ride, you’ll find beautiful beaches and stunning blue water.
The Rosario Islands are an archipelago made up of 27 islands and most tours visit 2-5 islands during the day trip. There are all kinds of different tours ranging from party tours, snorkeling focused adventures and completely customizable private tours. There’s really something for everyone!
A few top-rated options include:
- Rosario Islands with Lunch and Snorkeling
- See 5 Rosario Islands with Lunch & Snorkel Option
- Luxury Private Boat Island Hopping to the Rosario Islands
- Going on a private tour is considered a more expensive option, but when you’re splitting the cost with a group, it often evens out to the amount you’d spend on a large group tour! What I love about these tours is that they’re completely customizable and you can visit a variety of different islands and make the trip exactly what you want. This is definitely my recommendation if you’re traveling with a slightly larger group, or if you don’t mind spending the extra money. This is an epic tour for any Cartagena itinerary!
Extending Your Trip to the Rosario Islands
If one beach day isn’t enough (it really never is!), you can also extend your stay in the Rosario Islands. Instead of booking a day trip, you can book a hotel for a night or two and spend a couple days lounging on the beautiful beaches.
Most hotels have their own private transportation that will pick you up in Cartagena and then transfer you by boat to the property. Similarly, they’ll bring you back to Cartagena when you check out.
If you want to experience the Rosario Islands, but an hour long boat ride isn’t your thing, the island of Barú is accessible by car and many hotels offer vehicle transport!
Beautiful Hotels in the Rosario Islands:
Beautiful Hotels in Barú:
- Las Islas
- Aura Hotel
- Soy Local Islawa
- On the water, but not really a “beach”
Q&A: Cartagena Itinerary
- How many days are needed in Cartagena?
- 3 days is a great amount of time in Cartagena. This will allow you to see the city’s major highlights, eat great food and also take a day trip to the stunning beaches in the Rosario Islands.
- When not to go to Cartagena?
- The dry season, December-April is considered the best time to go to Cartagena while the wet season, May-November, is considered less ideal. However, there are some major caveats here. First, from mid-December – early/mid-January the city is packed for the holidays and there are huge crowds. The same can be said for Holy Week which is usually in March/April.
- Most recently, I visited in May, and while it was technically the rainy season it never rained during the day and we had great weather and fewer crowds. Don’t count out the rainy season!
- Do I need malaria pills for Colombia?
- Not for all parts of Colombia. Cartagena, like Bogota and Medellin, are considered low risk and malaria pills are not recommended.
- Is Cartagena expensive?
- Cartagena is one of the most expensive cities in Colombia and is quite a bit more expensive than visiting Bogota, for example. That being said, if you’re traveling from North America or Europe, your money will go a long way and Cartagena is still considered an affordable, budget-friendly place to visit.
- Of course, like with anywhere, there are luxury and budget options and your trip can be very expensive or very inexpensive.
- Is Cartagena safe for Americans?
- Yes! Cartagena is, in general, very safe. This is especially true in the touristy areas (the ones I mention above) and there is a large police presence. You will feel very safe on your trip to Cartagena.
I hope you found this ultimate Cartagena itinerary for first-time visitors to be helpful! If you have any questions, or anything you’d like to add to this post, let me know in the comments!
Be sure to also follow us on Instagram for tons of photo inspiration and travel mini-guides, @twosistersabroad.
To keep planning your trip, and add to your Cartagena itinerary, check out my recommendations for the top 10 things to do in Cartagena during your vacation!
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♡Kate
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