Cartagena Historic District Private Walking Tour

The historic walled city is without question the most visited part of Cartagena. It's one of best examples of colonial architecture in all of the Americas, packed with churches, monasteries, plazas, palaces, and mansions with their famous overhanging flower balconies and patios. The best way to experience the Historic District is to walk along the cobblestone streets, savoring the architectural details, street life, and local snacks along the way. 

Duration: 2 Hours

This private tour package includes:

  • English speaking professional guide

  • Bottles of water

This private tour package does NOT include:

  • Entrance ticket to the Gold Museum

Clock Tower Monument (Puerta del Reloj)

The Clock Tower Monument is the original entrance to this historic fortified city. It is located between Plaza de Independencia and Plaza de los Coches. The name "Puerta del Reloj" refers to the clock which was installed at the beginning of the 18th century.

Aduana Plaza

This is the largest and oldest square in the Historic District and was used as a parade ground. In colonial times, government and administrative buildings sat here. The old Royal Customs House has been restored and is now City Hall. A statue of Christopher Columbus stands in the center of the square as well.

Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver

Four hundred years ago, Jesuits in Cartagena founded a school and a church downtown. During the 17th century, a father called Pedro Claver dedicated his life to the protection of the African slaves and became a saint 300 hundred years later. To celebrate his legacy, Jesuits came back to the city at the end of 19th century to collect pieces for a museum that includes pre-Columbian, religious, and African Caribbean art. Today, the museum has the most complete collection of religious art on the Colombian coast.

Gold Museum

Opened in 1982, Cartagena's Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenú) is dedicated to Colombia's indigenous Zenú people. Held in a magnificent colonial building facing Bolivar Plaza, the first room greets visitors with a pre-Hispanic golden jaguar and an ornate gold filigree butterfly. There are 538 gold pieces to see, as well as 61 carvings, including bone carvings, which you'll find in the next room, La Sociedad, dedicated to the body painting and textile traditions of the Zenú.

Inquisition Palace

The Inquisition Palace (Palacio de la Inquisición) is an 18th seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Cartagena, now modern Colombia. Finished around 1770, it currently serves as a museum showcasing historical artifacts, including torture equipment used on victims during the inquisition.

Bolivar Plaza

Formerly the Plaza de Inquisición, this lush plaza is surrounded by some of the city's most beautiful balconied colonial buildings. It's one of Cartagena's most alluring plazas and offers wonderful respite from the tropical heat. A statue of Simón Bolívar (Colombia’s equivalent of George Washington) stands in the middle of the square as well.

Cathedral of Santa Catalina

Work on Cartagena’s cathedral began in 1575, but in 1586, while still under construction, it was partly destroyed by the cannons of Sir Francis Drake. The structure known officially as the Basilica Santa Catalina de Alejandría wasn't completed until 1612, though the distinctive terracotta dome was added much later.

Santo Domingo Square

Santo Domingo Square is the center of nightlife in the old historic district. There are numerous bars, antique shops, jewelry stores, cafes, and restaurants. The square is very popular not only with tourists, but also with local actors, musicians, dancers, and other artists, who perform next to the church of Santo Domingo and the “Gertrude” sculpture by Fernando Botero.

Ramparts and Historic City Walls

The ramparts and historic city walls took nearly two centuries to build, ending in 1796 with the aim of defending the city from the continuous pirate attacks. The historical center is surrounded by 11 km of imposing stone walls that are complemented by fortifications and bastions, from which you can watch wonderful sunsets over the Colombian Caribbean.

Cafe del Mar

Situated on top of the Baluarte Santo Domingo, the westernmost point of Cartagena’s 17th century fortifications, this upscale lounge lends itself to a spectacular vista with 360 degree sight lines over both the Caribbean sea and the entire old city. Drinks are expensive but the extra cost is well worth the view. Cafe del Mar has become a hotspot for the wealthy in Cartagena society.

Colonial Doors

Due to Cartagena’s tropical climate, homes and doors were constructed to provide natural air flow and conditioning. Large, intricate doors were a status symbol. However, opening large doors all day would allow too much of the cool interior air to escape, small doors were included within the larger ones.

Additionally, the door knockers, known as “aldabas”, represent an important cultural symbol of colonial Cartagena. The door knockers size and type of metal were indicative of wealth and social status, while the actual motif usually depicted the type of profession. Marine motifs such as mermaids and seahorses adorned the homes of men who made a living in the seas, lions represented teachers and lizards represented royalty.

Las Bóvedas (The Vaults)

Las Bóvedas were built as dungeons, located between the forts of Santa Clara and Santa Catalina. The gallerias deep in the walls were designed as storage vaults but were later used as prison cells during the civil wars in the 19th century. At high tide, the least fortunate prisoners were up to their knees in seawater. Today, Las Bóvedas is a popular tourist attraction.