Custom Walk in Cartagena, Colombia by dencpollak_992273 created on 2026-04-05
Guide Location: Colombia » Cartagena
Guide Type: Custom Walk
# of Sights: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3 Km or 1.9 Miles
Share Key: V4QX9
Guide Type: Custom Walk
# of Sights: 5
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3 Km or 1.9 Miles
Share Key: V4QX9
How It Works
Please retrieve this walk in the GPSmyCity app. Once done, the app will guide you from one tour stop to the next as if you had a personal tour guide. If you created the walk on this website or come to the page via a link, please follow the instructions below to retrieve the walk in the app.
Retrieve This Walk in App
Step 1. Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Step 2. In the GPSmyCity app, download(or launch) the guide "Cartagena Map and Walking Tours".
Step 3. Tap the menu button located at upper right corner of the "Walks" screen and select "Retrieve custom walk". Enter the share key: V4QX9
1) Murallas de Cartagena (Cartagena City Walls) (must see)
The walls around the Old City of Cartagena were built as protection against enemy attacks and pirate raids. The city walls reached completion in 1796 after nearly two centuries of construction. The wall is thick and well-constructed. Today, the walls represent one of the best-preserved fortifications in South America.
Walking along the Murallas de Cartagena (Cartagena City Walls) is a fun way to explore the walled site and offers fabulous views of the city and the glistening Caribbean Sea. The walls surround the historic Old Cartagena and stretch for 11 kilometers (just under seven miles). In spots along the wall, you'll find watch towers, old iron cannons, and lookout points.
A popular place to watch the sunset is from the Bastion of Santo Domingo, a fortification that marks the origin of the efforts to secure the city. Cafe del Mar is a restaurant with a central spot at the top of the bastion along the city walls. Relaxing on the walls and enjoying a drink is a great way to end a day exploring Cartagena.
Walking along the Murallas de Cartagena (Cartagena City Walls) is a fun way to explore the walled site and offers fabulous views of the city and the glistening Caribbean Sea. The walls surround the historic Old Cartagena and stretch for 11 kilometers (just under seven miles). In spots along the wall, you'll find watch towers, old iron cannons, and lookout points.
A popular place to watch the sunset is from the Bastion of Santo Domingo, a fortification that marks the origin of the efforts to secure the city. Cafe del Mar is a restaurant with a central spot at the top of the bastion along the city walls. Relaxing on the walls and enjoying a drink is a great way to end a day exploring Cartagena.
2) Plaza de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Square) (must see)
Plaza de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Square) is a vibrant square in the Old City of Cartagena. It was named after the beautiful church and convent Santo Domingo Church (also known as Santo Domingo Convent), which stands on one of its corners. The orange-yellow facade of the church and its massive arched entryway is striking. Check out the twisted bell tower on top.
With a gruesome past, this square was used during the Spanish Inquisition as a place for executions. The buildings surrounding Santo Domino Square boast Spanish Colonial architecture featuring balconies and red tile roofs. Around the square are shops, street vendors, lively restaurants, and plenty of outdoor tables for dining and relaxing.
Don't miss the famous "La Gorda Gertrudis" (Fat Gertrudis), a statue of a naked Rubenesque woman done in bronze. The sculpture was created by renowned artist Fernando Botero and stands in front of the church. It is a popular spot for taking photographs. The narrow nearby alleyways that branch off Santo Domingo Square are just ripe for exploration!
With a gruesome past, this square was used during the Spanish Inquisition as a place for executions. The buildings surrounding Santo Domino Square boast Spanish Colonial architecture featuring balconies and red tile roofs. Around the square are shops, street vendors, lively restaurants, and plenty of outdoor tables for dining and relaxing.
Don't miss the famous "La Gorda Gertrudis" (Fat Gertrudis), a statue of a naked Rubenesque woman done in bronze. The sculpture was created by renowned artist Fernando Botero and stands in front of the church. It is a popular spot for taking photographs. The narrow nearby alleyways that branch off Santo Domingo Square are just ripe for exploration!
3) Iglesia de San Pedro Claver (St. Peter Claver Church) (must see)
The Church of Saint Peter Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver) in the homonymous square (Plaza de San Pedro Claver) forms part of the complex of buildings made up of the Convent of San Pedro Claver and the archaeological museum. The church was built between 1580 and 1654 and was originally known as San Juan de Dios. In 1622, it was re-dedicated to San Ignacio de Loyola, before finally being assigned to San Pedro Claver.
The latter was a Jesuit priest and missionary who dedicated practically all his life to evangelizing the African slaves of New Granada. Born in Spain in 1580, Claver ministered at this church for many years and died at the adjacent convent in 1654. He was declared a saint in 1888.
The church building is of Spanish Colonial design, all except the dome, which was replaced in 1921. The architecture generally corresponds to the style commonly regarded as "Jesuit", widespread throughout Latin America. Much of its monumental façade is made of stone delivered from the island of Tierrabomba. The large and ornate wooden doors at the front, however, deviate from the Baroque style.
In contrast to the Baroque profusion on the outside, the interior of the church is distinguished by its severity. There are some beautiful stained glass windows and a winding staircase, climbing which you can get a bird's eye view of the inside. Underneath the main altar (made of marble imported from Italy), is a glass coffin holding the remains of Saint Peter Claver.
The three-story building of the convent, surrounding a lovely courtyard, is now a museum dedicated to the saint, Colombia's indigenous people, and the history of this location. In addition to the numerous artifacts on display, you can also see the humble dormitory in which San Pedro Claver lived and died.
Don't miss the whimsical metal sculptures in the square outside the church either. These delightfully avant-garde depictions of people at work and play were crafted by Colombian artist Eduardo Carmona. There is also a bronze statue of San Pedro Claver blessing a slave, created by sculptor Enrique Grau.
The latter was a Jesuit priest and missionary who dedicated practically all his life to evangelizing the African slaves of New Granada. Born in Spain in 1580, Claver ministered at this church for many years and died at the adjacent convent in 1654. He was declared a saint in 1888.
The church building is of Spanish Colonial design, all except the dome, which was replaced in 1921. The architecture generally corresponds to the style commonly regarded as "Jesuit", widespread throughout Latin America. Much of its monumental façade is made of stone delivered from the island of Tierrabomba. The large and ornate wooden doors at the front, however, deviate from the Baroque style.
In contrast to the Baroque profusion on the outside, the interior of the church is distinguished by its severity. There are some beautiful stained glass windows and a winding staircase, climbing which you can get a bird's eye view of the inside. Underneath the main altar (made of marble imported from Italy), is a glass coffin holding the remains of Saint Peter Claver.
The three-story building of the convent, surrounding a lovely courtyard, is now a museum dedicated to the saint, Colombia's indigenous people, and the history of this location. In addition to the numerous artifacts on display, you can also see the humble dormitory in which San Pedro Claver lived and died.
Don't miss the whimsical metal sculptures in the square outside the church either. These delightfully avant-garde depictions of people at work and play were crafted by Colombian artist Eduardo Carmona. There is also a bronze statue of San Pedro Claver blessing a slave, created by sculptor Enrique Grau.
4) Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) (must see)
The main entrance to the historic walled city of Cartagena is famously known as the Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj). This significant landmark, built into the city wall, features a trio of open archways that offer a gateway into the Old City. A stunning clock tower crowns the central arch. With Baroque architecture, this beautiful eight-sided tower is painted golden-yellow with white trim.
Construction of this gateway took place between 1601 and 1631. Initially, only the central archway existed as a portal to the city. It was known as the Mouth of the Bridge (Boca del Puente). The other two housed an armory and a chapel. The clock tower was added later, during the early 18th century.
The Clock Tower is located next to Cars Square (Plaza de Los Coches) just inside the city walls. This triangular-shaped city square has a dark past as the place that once held Cartagena's slave market. This past also included public gallows in the center of the town square. On the plaza, directly across from the clock tower, you'll find the well-liked Cartagena sweets market known as Sweets Portal (Portal de Los Dulces).
The clock tower gate also serves as a connection from the city to the nearby Getsemani neighborhood just outside the walls. Getsemani is now a hip neighborhood filled with graffiti art and brightly painted buildings. Don't miss the two statues of Pegasus located on a nearby road that leads to the outside of the clock tower.
Construction of this gateway took place between 1601 and 1631. Initially, only the central archway existed as a portal to the city. It was known as the Mouth of the Bridge (Boca del Puente). The other two housed an armory and a chapel. The clock tower was added later, during the early 18th century.
The Clock Tower is located next to Cars Square (Plaza de Los Coches) just inside the city walls. This triangular-shaped city square has a dark past as the place that once held Cartagena's slave market. This past also included public gallows in the center of the town square. On the plaza, directly across from the clock tower, you'll find the well-liked Cartagena sweets market known as Sweets Portal (Portal de Los Dulces).
The clock tower gate also serves as a connection from the city to the nearby Getsemani neighborhood just outside the walls. Getsemani is now a hip neighborhood filled with graffiti art and brightly painted buildings. Don't miss the two statues of Pegasus located on a nearby road that leads to the outside of the clock tower.
5) Castillo San Felipe de Barajas (San Felipe de Barajas Castle) (must see)
San Felipe de Barajas Castle (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas) is an old fortress located in Cartagena. It was built by the Spanish during the colonial period, to protect the city from attack by enemies and pirates.
The construction of the fortress began in 1536 under the direction of the Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo. However, the original structure was small and inadequate, so it was expanded and improved by subsequent Spanish engineers.
The most significant expansion of the fortress took place in the 17th century when the Spanish engineer Bautista Antonelli designed and built the present-day structure. Antonelli's design included a series of walls and bastions that made the fortress nearly impregnable.
The fortress played a crucial role in Cartagena's defense against various attacks by enemies and pirates, including the English, in 1741, during the War of Jenkins' Ear. The fortress held off the English for two months, and the battle ended with the Spanish victory.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the fortress lost its military significance and was used for various purposes, including as a prison and a hospital. In 1984, UNESCO declared the historic center of Cartagena, including the fortress, a World Heritage Site.
Today, San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a popular tourist attraction in Cartagena. Visitors can explore the castle and learn about its history through exhibits and guided tours. The fortress also offers panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea.
The construction of the fortress began in 1536 under the direction of the Spanish engineer Antonio de Arévalo. However, the original structure was small and inadequate, so it was expanded and improved by subsequent Spanish engineers.
The most significant expansion of the fortress took place in the 17th century when the Spanish engineer Bautista Antonelli designed and built the present-day structure. Antonelli's design included a series of walls and bastions that made the fortress nearly impregnable.
The fortress played a crucial role in Cartagena's defense against various attacks by enemies and pirates, including the English, in 1741, during the War of Jenkins' Ear. The fortress held off the English for two months, and the battle ended with the Spanish victory.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the fortress lost its military significance and was used for various purposes, including as a prison and a hospital. In 1984, UNESCO declared the historic center of Cartagena, including the fortress, a World Heritage Site.
Today, San Felipe de Barajas Castle is a popular tourist attraction in Cartagena. Visitors can explore the castle and learn about its history through exhibits and guided tours. The fortress also offers panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea.
