Cartagena: Walled City, Getsemaní and San Felipe Castle Tour

4.8 (17 reviews) 3 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

17 reviews

4.8

Cartagena: Walled City, Getsemaní and San Felipe Castle Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Cartagena: Walled City, Getsemaní and San Felipe Castle Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Embark on a City Tour through the heart of Cartagena, designed around your pace, style, and curiosity! Begin at the iconic San Felipe de Barajas Castle or opt for convenient hotel pick-up. Cross over to the imposing San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the city’s most legendary fortress. Explore its secret tunnels, stone walls, and panoramic viewpoints as you uncover tales of epic battles and brilliant defenses. Wander the charming colonial streets of the Walled City, lively plazas, and colorful hidden corners, while your expert local guide brings to life fascinating stories of pirates, revolutionaries, and Caribbean legends. Discover landmarks like Plaza de los Coches, Plaza Santo Domingo, and the vibrant murals of Getsemaní. Along the way, your guide will share insider tips on where to find the best food, local art, and hidden gems. The perfect experience for travelers eager to truly feel Cartagena’s history, culture, and spirited energy. Be aware that this is a shared walking tour.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours Walking Tours Small Group Excellent Quality Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: NEXPERIENCE

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–6 years) · Youth (7–17 years) · Adults (18–70 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Professional and Certified Tour Guide
Included: San Felipe de Barajas Castle entrance ticket
Included: Hotel Pick up if the option is selected
Included: Walking Tour of the Walled City, Getsemaní and San Felipe de Barajas Castle

Not included

Not included: Cerro de la Popa or Popa Hill
Not included: Anything not especified previously is not included in the price!
Not included: Hotel Drop Off

Itinerary

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

one hour Admission included

Explore the legendary San Felipe de Barajas Castle, one of Cartagena’s must-see landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With skip-the-line tickets included, venture inside the most iconic fortress in the Americas. Wander through its secret tunnels, ancient stone walls, and strategic lookout points. Discover the captivating history of Cartagena’s fierce battles against pirates, British, and French invaders while taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the city’s colonial skyline. A perfect experience for history lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone wanting to witness the monumental legacy of Cartagena’s past.
Walled City of Cartagena

10 min

Step into the enchanting Walled City of Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of the city’s colonial history. Wander through its cobblestone streets, colorful plazas, and beautifully preserved colonial mansions with flower-filled balconies. Discover centuries of fascinating stories about pirates, independence heroes, and local legends as you explore iconic landmarks like the Clock Tower, Plaza de Bolívar, and Santo Domingo Church. Along the way, soak in the vibrant atmosphere, street art, and lively culture that make the Walled City one of the most captivating destinations in the Caribbean. A must-visit for history lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking authentic local charm.
Torre del Reloj

10 min

Meet your certified local guide at the iconic Camellón de Los Mártires – Plaza de Cervantes to kick off your private Cartagena journey. Following a brief welcome and orientation to help you navigate the walled city, we’ll dive straight into history. Right where native heritage meets the Spanish conquest, you’ll discover how indigenous roots shaped Cartagena’s multicultural identity—setting the perfect backdrop for the adventure ahead.
Plaza De Los Coches

10 min

Step into Plaza de Los Coches, a vibrant space defined by striking historical contrast. Today, its colorful facades, historic arcades, and horse-drawn carriages make it one of Cartagena’s most photographed spots. Yet, beneath its charm lies a heavy legacy: this ground once served as the largest slave market in the Americas, where thousands of displaced Africans were brought and auctioned upon arriving in the New World.
Portal de Los Dulces

10 min

Step under the arches of the Portal de Los Dulces, an iconic space driven by three centuries of living history and female resilience. Born from the struggle of enslaved African women who sold traditional sweets to forge a path toward economic freedom, this tradition lives on today. Their descendants continue to anchor this historical corner, preserving both ancestral recipes and an unbroken legacy of independence.
Plaza de la Aduana

10 min

At the height of the Spanish Empire, Plaza de La Aduana was the undeniable seat of colonial power. As Cartagena’s administrative engine, this square saw royal decrees proclaimed, taxes collected, and immense wealth funneled back to Spain. Yet, this prosperity rested on a devastating truth: the square was also a primary hub for human trafficking, where the forced labor of enslaved Africans generated the very fortunes managed within these walls.
Museo de Arte Moderno Cartagena

10 min Admission not included

Tucked away in one of the Walled City’s most picturesque squares, the Cartagena Museum of Modern Art offers a powerful lens into Caribbean and Latin American creativity. Housed within a beautifully restored colonial customs warehouse, this space showcases remarkable works from the 1950s to the present—capturing the beauty, tension, and vibrant spirit of the region through the eyes of its most compelling artists.
Plaza de San Pedro Claver

10 min

In a city forged by the brutal mechanics of the transatlantic slave trade, one figure stood in defiance of the status quo. Dedicated to the human dignity of thousands brought to Cartagena in chains, Pedro Claver—a 17th-century Spanish Jesuit—spent four decades attending to the arriving enslaved population, choosing a title that defined his life’s work: ‘The Slave of the Slaves.
Catedral Santa Catalina de Alejandria

10 min

Next, we stop at the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría, one of Colombia’s oldest and most iconic spiritual landmarks. Built between 1577 and 1612, this architectural masterpiece features a striking bell tower and stone facade that define Cartagena’s skyline. Beyond its photo-worthy exterior, the cathedral houses centuries of sacred art and original altars, serving as a silent witness to the city's transition from Spanish rule to independence.
Museo del Oro Zenu

10 min

Opened in 1982, Cartagena's Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenu is dedicated to Colombia's indigenous Zenu people. The collection, displayed in a colonial mansion in Plaza de Bolivar, includes more than 530 gold pieces (including a pre-Hispanic golden jaguar, as well as bone carvings and textiles from Colombia’s indigenous peoples.
Plaza Santo Domingo

10 min

Founded in 1534, Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia Santo Domingo) is the oldest church in Cartagena. As well as being notable for its marble altar and imposing central nave, the church boasts a prime location on Plaza Santo Domingo, where street vendors and al fresco cafes create a vibrant atmosphere.
Baluarte de Santo Domingo

5 min

Standing at the foot of the Baluarte de Santo Domingo, you are face-to-face with the impenetrable defense system that thwarted the Caribbean's most feared pirates and corsairs. Engineered by the Spanish in the 17th century, this massive stone bastion was a cornerstone of Cartagena’s military strategy—transforming the Walled City into an invincible fortress along the Spanish Main.
Baluarte de San Ignacio

5 min

This bastion was built to defend the "Bay of Souls" from any pirate attack. On this tour you will see the history behind the walls of Cartagena.
Plaza de la Proclamacion

5 min

Welcome to Plaza de la Proclamación, the birthplace of Colombian liberty. On November 11, 1811, a courageous crowd gathered in this very square as Cartagena boldly declared absolute independence from Spanish rule—becoming the first city in Colombia to break colonial chains. Framed by the historic Archbishop’s Palace, this square remains a living monument to the city's revolutionary spirit.
Parque centenario

10 min

Step into Centennial Park, a green oasis in the heart of Cartagena and a rare relic of the region's native Tropical Dry Forest. Once the site of the city’s historic railway station, these lush gardens offer shade beneath ancient trees—and a unique chance to spot wild sloths, iguanas, and playful squirrels thriving in their natural urban sanctuary.
Barrio Getsemani

10 min

Discover the vibrant soul of Cartagena in Getsemaní, the city’s most colorful and bohemian neighborhood. Once a hub for revolutionaries and free thinkers, today its lively streets are filled with striking street art, colonial houses painted in bold colors, and cozy plazas where locals gather to chat, play music, and dance. Explore murals that tell the story of Cartagena’s people, admire the charm of Plaza de la Trinidad, and uncover hidden corners bursting with Caribbean flavor and culture. Getsemaní is a must-see for art lovers, culture seekers, and travelers eager to experience Cartagena’s authentic, creative spirit.
Stop 17

5 min

Enjoy this colorful and iconic street of Getsemaní in this City Tour
Stop 18

Passing by

From large-scale political murals on Calle Larga to the intimate, intricate work tucked into doorways and stairwells, Getsemaní's street art is impossible to walk past without stopping. Your guide will point out the details most visitors miss entirely.
Stop 19

5 min

Discover the iconic Plaza del Pozo in the Getsemaní neighborhood.
Plaza de La Trinidad

5 min

Finally, we enter the Callejón Ancho, to reach the end of the route along Calle San Juan to the sound of salsa and the African champeta; previously passing by the church and square of the Holy Trinity.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

If you prefer, you can meet your tour guide at the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, next to the statue of Blas de Lezo.

End point

This tour ends in the Plaza del Pozo, in the colorful Getsemaní neighborhood!

Pickup points

Casa Hostal Bahia
Hotel Pueblito Playa
Hotel Boutique At The Park
Hotel-Hostal Santo Domingo
Hotel Casa Del Gobernador
Casa Santorini
Casa de Alba Hotel Boutique
Hotel Casa de las Palmas
Alojamiento Cerca al Mar
Hotel Boutique Casa del Coliseo
Hotel Casa del Curato
Hotel Casa Lourdes

and 295 more pickup points

A driver will pick you up at your selected pick up location and take you to the starting location of the tour, the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, where your tour guide will be waiting for you if the option is selected. The details of the driver will be sent before the experience.

In you selected the option to meet your tour guide at the Starting Location of the tour, you need to look for the San Blas de Lezo statue outside the San Felipe de Barajas Castle. There, your tour guide will be waiting for you!