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Cartagena Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights, Squares, Churches, Cafes, and Restaurants
4.8
23 Ratings
Cartagena de Indias
This excursion will guide you through the principal streets, plazas, churches, cafes, eateries, and significant attractions in Cartagena. We’re well-versed in the tales of pirates, lore and the historical background of this enchanting city.
This excursion will guide you through the principal streets, plazas, churches, cafes, eateries, and significant attractions in Cartagena. We’re well-versed in the tales of pirates, lore and the historical background of this enchanting city.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Walled City of Cartagena - Our walking tours explore each significant square, location, and street, discussing their historical importance. Some cities are said to possess a unique soul, and Cartagena de Indias is one such city. With its rich history and humble character, the Walled City has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Join…
- Walled City of Cartagena - Our walking tours explore each significant square, location, and street, discussing their historical importance. Some cities are said to possess a unique soul, and Cartagena de Indias is one such city. With its rich history and humble character, the Walled City has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Join us as we journey through the charming and romantic streets and squares within the iconic “Corralito de Piedra” wall. Here, we will delve into the eras of conquest, colonization, and the republic, all intertwined with the modernity of the 21st century. Discover the fascinating battles with pirates and corsairs, the Indigenous and African influences from Caribbean miscegenation, religious impacts, our vibrant musical culture, and the captivating beauty of colors and aromas. Be part of this extraordinary experience!
- Camellon de los Martires - Our certified tour guide will warmly welcome you to this amazing experience and confirm your reservation. Here, you will be oriented geographically, receive directions, and meet the guide who will lead the tour. At Camellón de Los Mártires - Plaza de Cervantes, we will learn about the indigenous people present before and during the Spanish arrival.
- Torre del Reloj - We proceed to the “Golden Key of Cartagena” or Clock Tower, entering the Plaza del Ecuador, before reaching Plaza del Esclavo, a prelude to continuing along the enslavement route through Porto Carrero and Candilejo streets. First, Pedro de Heredía greets us.
- Monumento a Pedro de Heredia - Here, you will discover Miguel de Cervantes and his connection to the city, as well as his significance in Colombian literature. Learn more about the slave markets and the importance of the portal of the city’s traditional sweets.
- Portal de Los Dulces - We continue to the Portal de Los Dulces, a symbol of female activity during slavery times, with descendants still preserving their traditions.
- Plaza de la Aduana - The commercialization process of goods, including enslaved individuals, at the historic “Plaza de la Aduana” has been significant. Here, we will observe important buildings like the Municipal Hall.
- Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena de Indias - Art is an integral part of the tour, with the Museum of Modern Art showcasing Caribbean and Latin American art from the 1950s. The Gold Museum presents indigenous pieces from the Colombian Caribbean, and the Emerald Museum displays stones considered the most beautiful in the world, worn by celebrities.
- Plaza de San Pedro Claver - Religion is represented by San Pedro Claver, Slave of the Slaves. We will explore the architecture of the Church and Museum-Monastery named after him, which serves as the Headquarters of Human Rights.
- Baluarte de San Ignacio - This bastion was constructed to protect the “Bay of Souls” from pirate attacks. On this tour, we will uncover the history behind Cartagena’s walls.
- Plaza de Bolivar - Are you fascinated by the exploits of pirates and corsairs? We recount them while visiting a Bastion, showcasing Spanish military constructions and strategies, and continue to Plaza Bolívar, honoring the precursor of Independence, a place to refresh ourselves.
- Plaza de la Proclamacion - At this location, we will encounter various points of interest, such as the Palace of the Inquisition, the passage where our country’s beauty queens are showcased, and the Gold Museum. Entry tickets to these sites are not included in the tour, but they will be referenced within the tour’s framework and topics.
- Barrio Getsemani - Graffiti, culture, music, customs, folklore, trade, and architecture. Enjoy one of Getsemaní’s most vibrant and colorful cultural corridors, known for its umbrellas (a symbol of advertisement), graffiti, and unique architecture.
- Parque del Centenario - Are you familiar with sloths, squirrels, and iguanas? You will encounter them in one of Cartagena’s most vital green spaces, Centennial Park, a former Railway Station, and a relic of the Tropical Dry Forest where we can relax under the shade of beautiful trees.
- Calle de San Juan - Here, we will discuss graffiti, coffee, Blas de Lezo, Gabriel García Márquez, Mister Black, and Joe Arroyo.
- Plaza de La Trinidad - Finally, we enter the Callejón Ancho, concluding the route along Calle San Juan to the rhythm of salsa and African champeta, passing by the church and square of the Holy Trinity.

What's Included
- Local tour guide
- Bottled water
- Local tour guide
- Bottled water
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information
- wear comfortable sports clothes (optional)
- wear comfortable sports clothes (optional)
Location
Monumento Torre del Reloj
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(23 Ratings)
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Marta_m
Jan 18, 2026
The right amount of time - 2 hours was plenty of time to see all the stops and neighborhoods in the walled town. Henri our tour fuide eas very knowlegeable
Review provided by Viator
Rhodesia_d
Sep 11, 2024
Awesome Walking Tour - Great Tour! Alvaro was amazing! Very knowledgeable about Cartagena and Colombia as a whole! We explored the old city and Getsemaní was our fave! Thanks Alvaro for a great experience
Review provided by Viator
Susan_a
Apr 22, 2024
Perfect Introduction to Cartagena - This was one of the best tours I’ve booked. The communication was clear regarding where to meet. Our guide was knowledgeable and paced the tour to meet the needs of our group. We highly enjoyed our tour.
Review provided by Viator
Janna_l
Mar 22, 2024
Really great way to learn about the Centro Histórico and Getsemaní - We really enjoyed our private tour with Jhon. His English was great and we learned a lot about the history of the city and Cartagena. The tour started at 8am which was really nice. The town was pretty empty, so you could take a lot of good pictures without throngs of tourists. It’s also much cooler in the morning.
Review provided by Viator
Michele_b
Feb 29, 2024
Private walking tour! - This was our first time to Cartagena. We didn’t know much about the area, so this private walking tour was perfect. A little over 2 hours, but learned so much. Rafael was our guide and he was an excellent guide. . Answered all of our questions and went above and beyond. I asked about seeing sloths and he brought us to a park to see. I highly recommend this private tour and ask for Rafael and you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Rafael!
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_c
Nov 26, 2023
Rafael is a great host. - Rafael was an excellent host. Without him, we would have just wandered the town without any idea of what we were looking at. He gave us some historical background, and took us to places that we would definitely have missed on our own. Thanks to him, Cartagena was one of our favorite stops on our cruise. I highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Nemethd42021
Sep 20, 2023
Ask for Manuel! - This was the first tour we took a day after arriving in Cartagena and we met our tour guide Manuel right by the clock tower. Our tour ended up being private which was an added bonus and Manuel was the best guide. He took all the time needed at each spot, got us water and offered to take pictures along the way which all came out great! The pace and long of the tour was just perfect and we got to see a lot of Cartagena and learn along the way. We highly recommend this tour to get oriented with the place and definitely ask for Manuel when confirming your your details!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jill_b
Aug 2, 2023
Rafael was knowledgeable and interesting. He was very patient while I shopped along the way. Highly recommend - Knowledge, patient and generous with his time. Rafael was just great. Highly recommend. Nothing more to add. Try to request him.
Review provided by Viator
Oscar_r
Apr 25, 2023
Great Tour - We had a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and friendly and gave us a great amount of insight into the history and culture. Very worthwhile tour.
Review provided by Viator
Leland_u
Jan 25, 2025
Too much traffic - We left the ship with plenty of time to make this tour, but because of long lines getting a taxi and the subsequent congested traffic on the drive to the meeting place, we were over an hour late. Several cruise ships docked at the same time. More than 10,000 of us filled the streets. When we got to the meeting place, we found no trace of a tour. After some time, a wonderful tour associate with the Cartagena walking tour, Miguel Cuenca, called me personally and offered an afternoon tour starting at 2 pm. However, our ship was pulling out at 1:30 pm so we wanted to be back at 1 pm. Miguel then offered for us to join the tour in progress, but by the time we would have joined the tour but with all the traffic, we worried about making it back to the ship.
Review provided by Viator