Things To Do
1. Al Alma Café Restaurant
Stunning tropical themed restaurant known for its delicious breakfast & brunch. We really enjoyed going here for brunch! FYI - there is another very fancy restaurant in Cartagena called Alma, do not confuse with this one!
2. La Esquina del Pandebono Bakery
This little Colombian bakery specializes in pandebono—cheese bread made with butter, cheese, eggs, and cassava starch—that is seriously delicious. The shop has been open in the center of the historic city for over 30 years and is a great place to stop for a quick snack or breakfast while exploring the city.
3. Nia Bakery Coffee Shop
Nia is an artisanal bakery offering freshly baked breads, fruit-infused desserts, specialty coffee and signature cocktails. We stopped here for two iced lattes and a chocolate croissant. Everything was delicious!
4. Juan Del Mar Restaurant
One of our favorite restaurants in the Walled City. Try the seafood and Italian dishes with a Cartagena touch, gourmet thin-crust pizzas and many more around live music. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made online.
5. Harry's Sasson Restaurant
Beautiful patio restaurant located inside of the Charleston Santa Teresa Hotel. We visited this restaurant the first time we went to Cartagena. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online.
6. Crepes & Waffles Restaurant
Colombian staple chain restaurant featuring an extensive menu of savory crepes, waffles, ice cream, shakes and cocktails. Good food at a very affordable price and has a beautiful rooftop overlooking the city! We really enjoy going here for dinner. Please try their frozen coconut lemonade, our favorite! Only walk ins, no reservations.
7. La Cevichería Restaurant
Known for being one of the best places for fresh seafood in Cartagena, this restaurant became world famous when Anthony Bourdain visited South America on his show “No Reservations.” This restaurant has over 20 years of tradition specializing in paellas and Caribbean dishes with seafood, rice, pasta, and soups. Be sure to order the ceviche!
8. Ana Restaurant Bar
If you’re wondering where to eat in Cartagena, yet craving some Asian cuisine, this is the perfect choice for you. A true fusion of Caribbean and Asian flavors with live shows and music! Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made online.
9. Cande Restaurant
Located in a lovingly restored Spanish Colonial-era building, the restaurant is more than just a place to eat—it’s a cultural experience. In the evenings, Cande elevates the dining experience with authentic Cartagenian dance performances. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made online.
10. Alma Restaurant
The restaurant is located in Hotel Casa San Agustín, an old colonial house turned into a hotel. Open daily from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm for lunch and dinner. Live music Wednesday through Saturday (Cuban Son from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm). Reservations are encouraged and can be made online.
11. Andrés Cartagena
Colombian chain restaurant famous for its diverse menu featuring traditional Colombian dishes, grilled meats and seafood. This vibrant restaurant located in the La Serrezuela Shopping Center. Past 9 pm the restaurant transforms into a dynamic nightlife venue with shows and dancing providing an immersive cultural experience.
12. Buena Vida Marisquería Caribeña & Rooftop
Buena Vida offers a Caribbean experience in its three environments: "Caribbean Chic Brunch," seafood restaurant and rooftop. It is a colorful and cheerful three-story house. On the first and second floor you can find the seafood restaurant. On the third floor, is the rooftop! We stopped here for drinks. Their white sangria was so good!
13. Restaurant Carmen
In an intimate, exclusive and elegant space located in a traditional colonial home, Carmen offers contemporary cuisine inspired by Colombia's biodiversity and rich culinary culture with a special focus on the flavors and ingredients of the Colombian Caribbean.
14. Restaurant Jardín Santa Clara
Patio restaurant located inside of the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel. Submerge yourself in its exuberant environment where the humid tropical forest vegetation surrounds you in its green mantle so that you enjoy serenity, natural beauty, and exquisite gastronomy.
15. Botika Santa Clara Bar
Also located inside of the Sofitel Santa Clara Hotel. The bar is located outdoors on the terrace of the hotel’s third floor, offering a view of the Caribbean Sea. Opened only Thursday - Saturday with live music on Thursdays.
16. Movich Rooftop Gastrobar
Beautiful 360° views of the city and ocean, probably the best view in the city without exaggerating! It is located inside of the Movich Hotel. It has great cocktails & food plus good music. We loved watching the sunset here!
17. Lucena Rooftop Gastrobar
First rooftop we visited in Cartagena, and it did not disappoint. Cocktails were delicious and the environment is great. We did not try their food but have heard they have delicious hamburgers.
18. Mirador Rooftop Gastrobar
We did not get a chance to visit this rooftop but we while visiting Lucena Rooftop we could see this one and it looked so fun!
19. Alquimico Bar
It’s a 3-story colonial house with a bar on the bottom, a bar with snacks on the second floor, and a rooftop with a bar and live music on the 3rd. The decor is like a mad scientist from 17th century France created a cocktail lab. Start at the bottom and get a bespoke cocktail to your exact taste. They’re here for it. Then head to the second floor and get some dinner snacks. The yuca dumplings sound amazing. After your snack dinner go upstairs one more time. Get another drink at the bar and enjoy the music.
20. San Felipe de Barajas Castle
Cartagena was always a desirable conquest for pirates and enemies of the Spanish Crown; and for this reason, this fort was built to prevent an enemy attack. The fortification is the most complete of the continent of South America and one of the best and well-preserved walls of the walled cities of the world and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Not walking distance from the Walled City but it is only about a 5 min ride in an Uber. Hours: Every day from 8 am to 6pm. Tickets are $25,000 Colombian pesos (~ $6 dollars) and can be purchased at the door in pesos or with a card.
22. The Zenu Gold Museum
Free to visit! Colombia's indigenous people were excellent craftsmen and created unique figures and jewelry from gold. This museum highlights the work of the Zenu people who are native to the inland valleys of Cartagena. The museum also contains gold brought to Cartagena by pirates and Spanish explorers.
23. Plaza de Santo Domingo
The Plaza Santo Domingo is located within the Walled City and is primarily known as the home of the bronze statue La Gorda Gertrudis, which was created by the famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Botero is well-known for his portrayal of rotund or chubby people and animals in his artwork.
24. Plaza de Bolívar
It's one of Cartagena's most alluring plazas and offers wonderful respite from the Caribbean heat. A statue of the eponymous Simón Bolívar stands in the middle of the square.
25. Santuario de San Pedro Claver
Stunning church that also houses a small museum inside. The church is named after Saint Peter Claver, who is remembered for baptizing more than 300,000 people, many of them slaves. As an ordained priest, Peter Claver primarily provided spiritual guidance to the numerous slaves who were moved through Cartagena. He died in 1654 and was canonized in the late 19th century by Pope Leo. Claver's body is preserved in the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver in Cartagena.
26. Monument Torre del Reloj
The Monument Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) is the main city gate of the historic center of Cartagena, and the original entrance of the fortified city.
27. Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa
A historic monastery on a 150m-high hill, the highest point in Cartagena offering stunning views of the city and the surrounding area. Located outside of the Walled City and the only way to access the convent is via car/uber. The convent's name literally means the 'Convent of the Stern,' after the hill's similarity to a ship's back end.
28. Barú
Baru island is not technically an island, but rather a peninsula close to Cartagena. You can get there via boat (~30 min) or car/uber (~1:30 min). You will hear people talking about Playa Blanca, a beach located IN Baru. Although Playa Blanca has beautiful white sand beaches, it tends to get very crowded with visitors and vendors. To avoid crowds, we recommend booking a day pass or overnight stay at one of the hotels in the island. Our favorite hotel is Sofitel Baru Calablanca! It is the sister hotel to Sofitel Santa Clara located in Cartagena's Walled City. Sofitel Baru Calablanca has been opened for less than 5 years, and the property is absolutely gorgeous with large infinity pools overlooking the ocean, restaurants, private beach, and excellent service. We absolutely love this hotel and recommend it without hesitation. See the schedule tab to learn about our plans to stay at Sofitel Calablanca before the wedding!
29. Tierra Bomba Island
Tierra Bomba is another island off the coast of Cartagena and although the beaches don’t boast the crystal-clear Caribbean waters of the Rosario Islands & Baru, its proximity to Cartagena means it’s easily reached by a much shorter boat ride (~20 min). If you’d like to go to Tierra Bomba from Cartagena, the easiest and most convenient thing to do is to pick a place and book a day pass or overnight stay. Although we have not being to Tierra Bomba the best places to book a day pass/overnight stay include Makani Beach Club, Blue Apple Beach Hotel, Fenix Beach Club, and Namaste Beach Club.
30. La Serrezuela Mall
La Serrezuela offers a shopping experience that blends international luxury brands with local boutiques, providing visitors with a unique mix of upscale products and authentic craftsmanship. The top floor is a collection of restaurants offering a variety of food options. We enjoyed shopping here and then getting dinner at Andres Cartagena, one our favorite restaurants in the Walled City that happens to be located inside the mall.
31. Rosario Islands
The Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) are located off the coast of Colombia, approximately 12 miles (1 hour) from Cartagena. Visit the islands for a day trip or an overnight stay. To get to the Rosario Islands you can: 1. Rent a private boat that lets you fully customize your day. 2. Book a shared boat tour, Catamaran or a multi-island tour, which depart daily from the Muelle de la Bodeguita main docks. 3. Book a day pass at one of the many beach clubs or hotels. 4. Spend the night at one of the hotels in the islands. Boats to the Rosario Islands generally depart Cartagena early in the morning from the Muelle de la Bodeguita Marina and return between 3-4pm. Are the Rosario Islands worth it? Totally! They are a must do when visiting Cartagena because of the white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that get less crowded and have fewer vendors compared to most beaches in Cartagena, which are not crystal clear, rocky, and get crowded with vendors & locals. Keep reading for recs!
32. Oceanarium Rosario Islands
It is a wildlife conservation center home to more than 1,400 animals from 140 marine species in the Colombian Caribbean. It offers visitors experiences about the importance and care of marine fauna and flora. When booking a shared boat tour to the Rosario Islands make sure the tour includes a stop at the Oceanarium, if you want to visit. Tickets to enter can be purchased with your tour or at the entrance of the Oceanarium. Schedule: opened daily from 9:00am to 1:30pm
33. Hotel IslaBela
Hotel IslaBela is a small hotel located in the Rosario Islands that offers a private beach area, a restaurant, kayaking in the bay, and beach front bungalows (no A/C). This island usually has much fewer visitors than the larger places on other Rosario Islands, which gives it a more relaxed vibe. We visited IslaBela once on a day pass boat tour and enjoyed the quiet beach with little to no vendors and kayaking to an abandoned mansion. We were not highly impressed by the food or the rocks/corals on the beach that made getting in the water a little tricky... a good pair of water shoes is highly recommended!
34. Hotel Las Islas
Although located at the tip of Baru, this hotel is considered to be part of the Rosario Islands and is by far the best choice for those looking for luxury hotels. They have gorgeous and pretty unique bungalows. Some even offer private beach access, and many of them have private mini pools/hot tubs.
35. Hotel Isla del Encanto
This hotel is also located off the tip of Baru but is considered to be part of the Rosario Islands because it is reachable only by boat. A great choice for those looking for luxury hotels in the Rosario Islands that is a bit more affordable and more akin to a traditional hotel than Las Islas. It has a huge and really nice beach area and two pools, one of which is exclusive to overnight guests.
36. Bora Bora Beach Club & Hotel
Bora Bora has long been a favorite for day passes in the Rosario Islands. It offers a bit of a unique vibe with a DJ and a party style atmosphere. Therefore, if you want a hotel in the Rosario Islands with plenty of action during the day and chance to keep the party going into the night, this is a great option.