Full Walled City and Gethsemani Tour with Professional Guide

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Walled City of Cartagena

   Travelers will walk through the historic heart of Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They will walk through colorful cobblestone streets, flower-covered colonial balconies and squares that hold centuries of history. Your certified professional guide will reveal stories of pirates, conquests, fortifications, religious traditions and the indigenous, African and Spanish cultural mix that shaped the city. During the tour, you will explore emblematic monuments and hidden corners that do not appear in the tourist guides. You can admire colonial architecture, hear fascinating anecdotes, discover local legends and feel the Caribbean energy that makes Cartagena unique. They will also enjoy photo opportunities in the most iconic locations and lesser-known spaces that capture the authentic essence of the Walled City.

   60 minutes here

2. Plaza de San Diego

   Travelers will discover one of the most charming and vibrant squares in the Walled City. Plaza San Diego combines history, art, local life and colonial architecture in a single setting. As you tour the square, you will see colonial balconies full of flowers, the former Convent of San Diego, and you will be very close to emblematic places like the house of Gabriel García Márquez and the historic Hotel Santa Clara, located in a former cloister of the 17th century. The square is known for its bohemian atmosphere, thanks to arts students who practice music, dance and theater in the public space, creating a creative and youthful atmosphere. It is also an ideal place to enjoy street shows, crafts and local cuisine, including the famous Carthagen fried and the traditional San Diego lemonade, very popular with locals and visitors

   Pass by without stopping

3. Plaza Fernandez Madrid

   Travelers will arrive at one of the most emblematic and charming squares in Cartagena’s historic center. Plaza Fernández Madrid is a space full of history, surrounded by colonial architecture, abundant vegetation and a quiet atmosphere that invites you to enjoy and observe local life. Here you can see the sculpture of José Fernández Madrid, a Chartist procer honored with a statue made of marble in Genoa, Italy, and inaugurated in 1889 during a popular celebration. The square is located next to the Temple of Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, one of the most important colonial temples in the city, which makes this point an ideal stop to understand the historical evolution of the San Diego neighborhood and the walled center.

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4. Plaza Santo Domingo

   Travelers will arrive at one of the most lively and emblematic squares in the Walled City. Plaza Santo Domingo is the heart of the nightlife of the historic center, surrounded by bars, cafes, restaurants, jewelry stores and antique dealers that keep the place vibrant both day and night. Here you can admire the famous sculpture “Gertrude”, a reclining figure created by the master Fernando Botero, turned into one of the most photographed icons of Cartagena. According to local tradition, touching your breasts ensures a long romance and guarantees a return to the city. The square is located in front of the Church of Santo Domingo, the oldest temple in Cartagena, whose slightly sloping tower is the protagonist of a popular legend: the Devil is said to have tried to tear it down, but only managed to twist it.

   Pass by without stopping

5. Plaza de la Proclamacion

   Proclamation Square, a key stage in the city’s independence process. This place, located next to the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and the Palace of the Proclamation, was the point where the Carthagenian people publicly endorsed the Act of Independence of November 11, 1811, a decisive moment in the history of Colombia. During the visit, travelers will appreciate the colonial architecture surrounding the square and learn about the evolution of this space, which over the centuries has borne names such as Cathedral Square, Cabildo Square and Palace Square, until receiving its current name in honor of the act of proclamation of independence. In one of its corners, visitors will find the bronze sculpture of Pope John Paul II, created by Colombian artist Julio Alberto Paez, installed as a tribute to his message of peace during his visit to Cartagena.

   Pass by without stopping

6. Plaza de Bolivar

   Travelers will visit one of the most emblematic and historic spaces of the Walled Center: Plaza Bolivar, an urban park surrounded by colonial and republican architecture that reflects centuries of cultural and political transformation in Cartagena. In the center of the square you can admire the equestrian statue of Simon Bolivar, installed in 1896 and modeled in Munich by the Venezuelan sculptor Eloy Palacios. The work, made in bronze on a granite pedestal, is one of the most photographed monuments in the city. The square is surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the historic center, such as the Palace of the Inquisition, the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the Palace of the Proclamation and the Museum of Gold Zenu, which makes this point a fundamental cultural axis to understand the history of Cartagena.

   Pass by without stopping

7. Palacio de La Inquisicion

   The Palace of the Inquisition, considered one of the best examples of 18th century civil architecture in the city. This imposing palace, located in front of Bolivar Square, was the seat of the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, established in Cartagena in 1610 due to its importance as a commercial port of the Spanish empire. The building combines colonial and baroque elements, with stone gates, wooden balconies and masonry walls that reflect the aesthetics of viceregal Cartagena. Its facade is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of the Historic Center

   Pass by without stopping

8. Plaza de San Pedro Claver

   Travelers will arrive at one of the most emblematic and photogenic squares of Cartagena’s Historic Center: Plaza San Pedro Claver, located in front of the church and sanctuary of the same name, in the heart of the Walled City. Here you can admire the Church and Sanctuary of San Pedro Claver, dedicated to the Jesuit missionary known as the “slave of slaves”, recognized for his humanitarian work on behalf of enslaved Africans who arrived at the port of Cartagena. It also highlights the sculpture of San Pedro Claver made by the artist Enrique Grau, one of the most representative works of the place. The square is surrounded by restaurants, jewelry stores and craft shops, making it an ideal place to rest, take pictures and enjoy the local atmosphere. In addition, travelers will be able to observe a collection of metal sculptures by the master Edgardo Carmona, which represent scenes of daily life Carthagen.

   Pass by without stopping

9. Plaza de la Aduana

   Travelers will arrive at the largest and one of the oldest squares in Cartagena, a historic space that was the administrative and commercial center during colonial times. It originally functioned as a square of arms, surrounded by official buildings and government houses, which made it the political heart of the city in the 16th and 17th centuries. Here you can see the Customs House, where the founder of Cartagena, Pedro de Heredia, lived, and which later functioned as the seat of the colonial administration. This building is today the headquarters of the Mayor’s Office of Cartagena, preserving its imposing architecture and historical importance. In the center of the square stands out the sculpture of Christopher Columbus, installed in 1894 as a tribute to the "Discovery of America".

   Pass by without stopping

10. Alcaldia de Cartagena

    Travelers will know one of the most important institutional buildings of the Historic Center: the Mayor of Cartagena de Indias, located in the emblematic Customs House, opposite the Customs Square. This colonial building was once the residence of the founder of the city, Pedro de Heredia, and later functioned as an administrative headquarters during the Viceroyal period. Today it remains the heart of the district government, preserving its historic architecture and its central role in the political life of the city. During the visit, travelers will appreciate its restored colonial facade, wooden balconies, large gates and architectural details that reflect the 16th and 17th century Cartagena. The main headquarters is located in Race 2 #36‐86, in the heart of the Walled Center, where other heritage buildings and cultural spaces are also concentrated

    Pass by without stopping

11. Catedral Santa Catalina de Alejandria

    The Cathedral Metropolitan Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria, located in the heart of the Historic Center, next to the Proclamation Square and Bolivar Park. Built between 1577 and 1612, this cathedral is one of the oldest on the continent and an exceptional example of the Herrerian style, characteristic of Philip II’s reign and the last stage of the Spanish Renaissance. Its original design was the work of master Simon Gonzalez, inspired by Andalusian and Canary Islands basilicas. They shall observe: Its imposing colonial facade, with wooden gates and stone walls. The tower and dome, redesigned at the beginning of the 20th century by the French architect Gaston Lelarge, today one of the most recognizable visual icons of Cartagena. The historical legacy of the building, which survived attacks such as pirate Francis Drake in 1586, delayed its construction and marked its architectural history

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12. Portal de Los Dulces

    Travelers will visit one of Cartagena’s most traditional places: the Portal de los Dulces, located in the Plaza de los Carcas, right in front of the iconic Clock Tower. This portico corridor, adorned with colonial balconies and stone arches, is famous for its colorful stands selling typical handmade Carthagenian sweets. During the tour, travelers will be able to walk under the portal and enjoy the aromas of coconut, guava, tamarind, almond, chocolate and tropical fruits, which fill the air thanks to the traditional coastal sweets that have been sold here for generations. It is a perfect place to sample local delicacies such as cokes, joys, yucca trees, tamarind balls and more.

    Pass by without stopping

13. Plaza De Los Coches

    The Plaza de los Cars, located just behind the Clock Tower, at the main entrance of the Walled City. This space has been, for centuries, a key point of commerce, encounter and social life in the city. Here you can see the statue of Pedro de Heredia, founder of Cartagena, a monumental work made in polished granite by the Spanish sculptor Juan de Ávalos. The square is also famous for its colonial wooden balconies and vibrant atmosphere both day and night, with bars, nightclubs and horseback riding departing from this point. The history of the square is deep and complex: in colonial times it was known as Plaza del Judge, Plaza de los Slaves, Plaza de los Mercerres and Plaza de la Yerba, reflecting the different uses it had, from slave market to commercial center of the historic center.

    Pass by without stopping

14. Torre del Reloj

    TBD

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15. Camellon de los Martires

    Plaza or Paseo de los Martires, is located in front of the Clock Tower, between the Historic Center and Gethsemane, and connects with key points such as the Pegasus Pier and the Centennial Park. During the tour, travelers will appreciate: The busts of the 10 martyrs of 1816, sculpted in white Carrara marble by the artist Felipe Moratilla. Each bust bears the phrase “Shot by patriot in 1816”, except that of Manuel Rodríguez Torices, executed in Bogotá that same year. The memorial column erected as a tribute to the unknown heroes and the hundreds of Carthageneros killed during the Spanish reconquest of 1815. Sculptures and symbolic monuments, such as the work Noli Me Tangere, that reinforce the memorial character of the place. The Camellón is a spacious, ornate and meaningful space where travelers can: To know the history of independence of Cartagena and the events of 1816.

    Pass by without stopping

16. Parque centenario

    A landmark park built in 1911 to commemorate 100 years of Cartagena’s Independence. During the tour, travelers will appreciate: The central obelisk, produced in Genoa, Italy, as a tribute to the signatories of the Act of Independence of 1811. Historical sculptures crowning the entrances of the park, designed by Luis Felipe Jaspe. Centennial trees and large green areas, which make it the most tree-lined space in the Historic Center. Shaded paths, perfect for walking, resting and observing local life. Urban fauna, which has historically included birds, turtles and even sloths, well remembered by Carthageneros. After its recent renovation, the park has: Modern lighting and fully reclaimed spaces.

    15 minutes here

17. Barrio Getsemani

    Travelers will tour Cartagena’s most authentic, colorful and bohemian neighborhood, a place renowned for its history of resistance, urban art and vibrant local life. Gethsemane is considered the cultural heart of the city and one of the most recommended neighborhoods for those who want to live a genuine Caribbean experience. During the visit, travelers will be able to: Explore Holy Trinity Square and Church, the most emblematic point of the neighborhood, where local life mixes with music, street cuisine and a unique community atmosphere.

    Pass by without stopping

18. Plaza de La Trinidad

    Trinity Square takes its name from the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, built in 1643, whose colonial temple dominates the space and gives it its identity. This place was a key scene in the history of independence: here, in 1811, the inhabitants of Gethsemane—fishermen, artisans and workers—gathered to support the gesture led by Pedro Romero and the Lancers of Gethsemane, a popular movement that prompted the signing of the Cartagena Act of Independence. For this reason, the Cabildo came to call it "Freedom Square". In the center of the square, travelers can see the sculpture of Pedro Romero, which depicts the hero with his fist raised, accompanied by Father Umaña. The piece is made of fiberglass, resin and bronze patina, and pays tribute to the heroic acts of 1811. The square is surrounded by graffiti and urban art, reflecting the bohemian and communal spirit of Gethsemane.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en, fr, es

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Luz Angelica Gomez

Know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos