Discover the magic of Cartagena – declared a World Heritage Site for its architectural distinction and its history – on this 4-hour, small-group tour. Visit the main sites around the city and learn the rich stories behind its culture. The Convent of La Popa in Cartagena is a historical jewel that offers a fascinating tourist experience. Perched on top of a hill, this former Franciscan convent offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea. Your guide will accompany you to tell the stories within the fort and explain more of its importance to Cartagena. Make a quick stop at an emblematic symbol of Cartagena – the Old Shoes Monument – and continue into the Walled City. Take a guided walk around the historic center and gain a deep understanding of its culture and architecture before returning to your hotel.

If you're wanting a complete Cartagena experience with no corners unturned, this private full-day tour is made so you can see the city in the most complete way possible. Taste local foods and visit sights such as San Felipe Castle and the city's main squares. Enjoy optional entry to La Popa Convent. Start the day by meeting your local guide, who will pick you directly up from your hotel or address. Then, head first to the historic San Felipe Castle, the city’s old fortress built by Spaniards (entry tickets included). Walk through the castle and let your guide bring back to life adventure stories of conquerors, treasures, and pirates. Learn more about how Colombia became so mixed due to African, Indigenous, and Spanish roots. Visit afterward the Walled City of Cartagena and stroll around the colonial and colorful houses as you get to know more about the main squares and bastions that traced the city’s path to independence. See Santo Domingo Square, the church, and the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría. It wouldn’t be the perfect tour of Cartagena without tasting Colombia’s flavors, so you’ll get to try typical coconut sweets and, fried arepa with egg, a traditional snack famous on the Caribbean Coast. If choosing the longer tour option with entry tickets to the Convent of La Popa (Convent of the Stern), round off your tour by visiting the convent and a viewpoint located at the top of a hill where the city, its sea, and one of its islands can be seen and photographed. Cartagena is not only the touristic capital of Colombia but one of the most memorable cities that holds Colombia’s history, making it a place for culture, tradition, and diversity, with many historic places and unique corners to discover.

Make the most of this private tour to visit the principal sites of interest in the old city of Cartagena — all while traveling in comfort, on board a luxury air-conditioned vehicle. Starting in the downtown area, you will head to the Manga neighborhood, where you can appreciate the beautiful mansions built at the beginning of the 20th century. Continue on to the highest part of the city, where there is a convent dating from the beginning of the 17th century. Visit the San Felipe de Barajas Fortress, considered the most important fortification in South America. From here, you will head to the walled city, with a stop for some shopping. Following a little retail therapy, visit the different squares of the city and admire the old colonial houses. After a journey of historical discovery, fast-forward to the present day and explore the modern part of Cartagena, including the Bohemian neighborhood of Gethsemane. This neighborhood is so authentically charming and on the cusp of a commercial explosion. Immerse yourself in Spanish colonial architecture, dance halls, graffiti art, boutique hotels, food vendors, and stunning public plazas. Then head to the old neighborhood of San Diego, and see the oldest bullring in Colombia, now a shopping center. Discover the square of San Diego with its imposing palaces Convent of San Diego (today a school of fine arts), and Convent of Santa Clara, where the luxurious Sofitel Legend is located today. End with a walking tour of the main churches and squares of the walled city to the Clock Tower.

There are numerous ways of traveling to a new place and that always depends on the type of traveler you are. If you are one of those who never doubt when choosing an alternative and a little bit less touristic experience, we are sure you will enjoy this. Come with us to this 4-hour tour around two totally opposed places and discover two different but incredible sides of Cartagena’s real spirit. Start your day by meeting our local guide, who will take you to the Convent of La Popa (Convent of the Stern) located in the top of a hill. From there you will take amazing photos of the rest of the city. Our guide will give you an introduction about our history. Then go to Bazurto Market, where you will have a traditional lunch made by locals. Bazurto market is a vibrant place with colored foodstuffs everywhere you look, moved by a frenetic commerce and its loud but warm and joyful people. In here, our guide will walk you to some of the most famous or traditional stands where natives are working. Some of them will share with you their stories and they will explain what they do or prepare, the ingredients and the preparation of their foods. You will try several fruits and snacks from them and then we will have a costeno lunch: fried fish, yuca, coconut rice and more. Unlike the touristic Walled City, Bazurto market and La Popa Convent will nourish your perspective about Cartagena and Colombia. Just let the experiences and the people show you why we are considered as one of the happiest nations on earth!

Enjoy this historical tour by walking around Cartagena. You will able to visit the most emblematic sites of the city, avoiding long lines and learning about the wonderful history hidden in the walls and monuments of Cartagena in a dynamic and fun way. You will visit : Popa Monastery. San Felipe Castle. Old Boots. Letters from Cartagena. Gethsemane. Clock Tower. Ticket to the monastery of La Popa. Ticket to Castillo San Felipe.