Gabriella & Brendan
Things To Do
Mila Pastelería (Bakery & Brunch)
Great restaurant for breakfast and/or lunch in the historic downtown center! Good desserts, coffees, frappes, cakes. Right across from Ábaco Libros.
Ábaco Libros y Café (Bookshop)
Cute little bookstore and cafe in historic downtown center! Right across from Mila Cafe.
Nia Bakery Coffee Shop & Cocktails
Great place for breakfast and/or lunch! Coffee, light meal options, bakery, desserts and unique drinks.
Juan Valdez Coffee
Iconic coffeeshop of Colombia! Like Colombia's Starbucks but better. You can find several locations around the city. Great place to buy bags of coffee to bring back home with you!
El Arcon Anticuario (Gaby's Family Antique shop)
Gaby's family's antique store right in historic downtown center! Ask for Mariasol, my cousin, and if you're lucky, you might see our flower girls and ring boy running around! Great shopping for unique old finds—both big and small—in a traditional Colombian home.
Museo del Oro Zenú (Museum of Gold)
Small museum in a lovely plaza that is home to pre-Columbian relics, with 600+ gold, silver & ceramic pieces on display. Entry is free.
Torre del Reloj (Historic Clocktower)
See the clocktower that Gaby's great grandfather built at the main city gate of the historic center of Cartagena de Indias, the original entrance of the fortified city. It is located between the squares Plaza de Independencia and Plaza de los Coches. Lots of street vendors to shop from around this area.
Santuario de San Pedro Claver (Cathedral)
Beautiful 16th-century cathedral with a museum dedicated to its namesake, a canonized early abolitionist. Lively plaza out front. Also where Gaby's aunt and uncle were married!
San Felipe de Barajas Fort (Castle Fort)
It's a castle that was built in 1639. The main reason for the building was to defend the Spanish trade of Cartagena. It's the largest castle in Latin America. Entry fee: $38 USD.
Cano (Jewelry Shopping)
Beautiful jewelry store in historic downtown. Joyería Cano is a renowned Colombian jewelry house known for its unique re-interpretations of pre-Columbian art.
Vélez (Artisanal Leather Shopping)
A retail shop that sells high-quality, handcrafted leather goods, apparel, and accessories. You can also personalize your purchases by getting engravings done in the store.
Entremanos (Artesanal Store)
Beautiful hand-made crafts.
Portal de los dulces (Colorful stalls of traditional sweets)
Under an archway, this street is lined with traditional, affordable Colombian sweets! They may be unfamiliar to you but they are really good :) Gaby's mother grew up coming here. Stalls are open late.
La Palettería - Popsicles
Really refreshing! Dozens of unique flavors.
Percimon - Ice cream, popsicles
Lots of unique flavors!
La Serrezuela Mall
Many shopping options at this beautiful mall that was once a bullfighting ring (built in 1893). Very unique architecture. Open late.
Plaza de San Diego (Artisanal Shopping)
This is a lovely plaza that comes alive at night with shopping vendors selling artisanal items (jewelry, bags, fans, place mats, etc). Very affordable and supporting local artisans. It's where Gaby has bought many bracelets and gifts before.
Silvia Tcherassi (Women's Designer Apparel)
Casual luxury designs.
Casa Abba (Gallery of Shops)
Small shopping gallery - several different stands and vendors!
Agua de Leon Heritage (Boutique Store)
Great apparel, jewelry, bags! I believe it has men's as well.
Mar De Lua (Swimwear)
Nice bathing suits!
Restaurante Candé
Great dinner spot! Nice atmosphere, live music.
Celele (Restaurant)
Part of the "World's 50 Best Restaurants", Celele is a unique dining experience. The chef explores the Caribbean coast of Colombia through his dishes, where each truly has a story of its own (the waiter will actually walk you through each story). You must get a reservation months in advance if you'd like to visit.
ALMA Restaurante & Bar
One of the best restaurants in the historic downtown center where you can enjoy traditional dishes, and where Gaby actually celebrated her 30th birthday! There is also a bar that offers great cocktails.
Andres Carne de Res Restaurant, Bar and NightClub
This is truly a unique and very Colombian experience. Inside the Serrezuela Mall, you'll find a multistory restaurant and bar where every floor has live bands and people inviting you to dance. They also serve every kind of meat you could ever imagine (hence, the name) and actually have very good food. It's a lot of fun for a late night! Make sure you get a reservation—better than walk-in.
Restaurante Jardín Santa Clara
Great food and lovely inner courtyard.
Restaurante Harry's at Charleston Santa Teresa
Harry’s at the Santa Teresa is owned by a renowned Colombian-Canadian chef. The inner courtyard is quite nice as well! Nice for any meal of the day. Great fresh lemonade.
Plaza de la Trinidad (Plaza with fun nightlife)
Fun place to hang out at night! You can always find some kind of entertainment here (musicians, dancers, jugglers), buy local street food, cheap drinks and beer from stores around the plaza and sit in the square. Casual atmosphere with a lot of socializing. Nice place to hit early in the night before going out dancing.
Alquimico Bar / NightClub
A great late-night bar serving great cocktails. Set in a 19th-century mansion house, Alquímico is three floors of fiesta. Also voted #11 on World’s 50 Best Bars. Rooftop with music and dancing.
