Plaza San Diego (San Diego Square), Cartagena
San Diego Square is a charming and picturesque square surrounded by colonial-era buildings and is considered one of the most beautiful and peaceful squares in Cartagena.
The square is named after the San Diego Convent, a historic landmark on one side of the San Diego Square. The convent was built in the 16th century and served as a place of worship and refuge for the Spanish colonizers during attacks from pirates and other invaders. The architecture of the San Diego Convent is a beautiful blend of colonial and Baroque styles, with elegant arches, frescoes, and ornate carvings adorning the walls and ceilings. The convent also features a stunning courtyard, surrounded by galleries with arches and columns. It is now home to the University of Fine Arts and Sciences of Bolívar.
The square is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Visitors can sit on the benches in the shade of the palm trees, sip on a refreshing drink from one of the nearby cafes, or admire the historic architecture and colonial charm of the square.
The surrounding buildings, many of which have been restored and converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, and shops, add to the charm of the square. Visitors can enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the outdoor cafes, browse local handicrafts at the street vendors' stalls, or take in the sights and sounds of the lively surroundings.
The square is named after the San Diego Convent, a historic landmark on one side of the San Diego Square. The convent was built in the 16th century and served as a place of worship and refuge for the Spanish colonizers during attacks from pirates and other invaders. The architecture of the San Diego Convent is a beautiful blend of colonial and Baroque styles, with elegant arches, frescoes, and ornate carvings adorning the walls and ceilings. The convent also features a stunning courtyard, surrounded by galleries with arches and columns. It is now home to the University of Fine Arts and Sciences of Bolívar.
The square is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Visitors can sit on the benches in the shade of the palm trees, sip on a refreshing drink from one of the nearby cafes, or admire the historic architecture and colonial charm of the square.
The surrounding buildings, many of which have been restored and converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, and shops, add to the charm of the square. Visitors can enjoy a meal or a drink at one of the outdoor cafes, browse local handicrafts at the street vendors' stalls, or take in the sights and sounds of the lively surroundings.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cartagena. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Plaza San Diego (San Diego Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza San Diego (San Diego Square)
Sight Location: Cartagena, Colombia (See walking tours in Cartagena)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Cartagena, Colombia (See walking tours in Cartagena)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Nearby Sights
Walking Tours in Cartagena, Colombia
Create Your Own Walk in Cartagena
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cartagena is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Getsemani Public Arts Walking Tour
Long known as the “neighbourhood of the poor” and notorious for criminal activity, the district of Getsemani has undergone considerable gentrification in recent years, becoming one of Cartagena’s hippest areas and an increasingly popular tourist destination. Local squares once associated with crime have been reclaimed, while many formerly neglected buildings have been transformed into... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Cartagena Introduction Walking Tour
Nobel-prize winning Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez moved to Cartagena as a young man in 1948. Upon entering the historic centre for the first time, he felt as if he had “been born again.”
Cartagena, a historic port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, has a history shaped by Indigenous cultures, Spanish colonisation, maritime trade, slavery, piracy and struggles for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Cartagena, a historic port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, has a history shaped by Indigenous cultures, Spanish colonisation, maritime trade, slavery, piracy and struggles for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hours
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Colonial Architecture Walk
Visiting Cartagena can be a remarkable experience, especially for those keen on architecture. The beautifully-preserved, mostly colonial-style, buildings in the historic center have long been one of the main attributes of this once burgeoning Colombian town.
Recognizing colonial Cartagena is easy, as it is surrounded by colossal stone walls tracing the outline of the old city. The downtown... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour
Travel Distance: 2 Km or 1.2 Miles
Recognizing colonial Cartagena is easy, as it is surrounded by colossal stone walls tracing the outline of the old city. The downtown... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour
Travel Distance: 2 Km or 1.2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Tips to Have Fun in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia
Because of its troubled past, you will hear many nicknames to describe Cartagena de Indias. The magic city, The Heroic, The Rock Corral, The jewel of the Caribbean Coast. The mere mention of them allows you to travel through the history, from pirates and slavery to the revolutions for their...
City Walks Overview














