Cartagena is a charming city located in northern Colombia. Officially known as the Tourist and Cultural District of Cartagena de Indias, it is the capital of the Bolívar department and is known as one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. With its rich history, colonial architecture, and beautiful beaches, Cartagena attracts tourists from all over the world. Additionally, its vibrant cultural, culinary, and nightlife scene make it an ideal place to enjoy an unforgettable vacation.

By the end of 2021, tourists entering Cartagena represented a 112% increase compared to 2019, and hotel occupancy was the highest in the country during Easter Week, according to María Claudia Gedeón, Manager of Corporate Affairs of the Costa Airport Society (Sacsa).

Some of these local and foreign tourists have been seduced by the charms of the city and have decided to invest in various real estate projects in Cartagena. For example, Justin Bieber, American pop singer, bought a house of over 100 sqm. Meanwhile, Hernán Zajar, a famous Colombian fashion designer, also has a property in Cartagena. Both properties are located outside the Historic Center.

What are the reasons that lead tourists to move to Cartagena? Among them, some of the standout reasons are:

• The city’s rich cultural heritage.
• The tropical climate throughout the year.
• The multiple tourist sites to visit.
• The unique flavor of its cuisine.
• A low cost of living compared to Europe, among other things.

Discover the history of Cartagena.

The title of “Cultural District” is due to Cartagena being one of the most historic cities in the country. The years, streets names, stories, and crafts confirm this. Cartagena de Indias was founded over 498 years ago by Spanish conqueror Pedro de Heredia.

The streets names in the Walled City are quite picturesque, such as:

• Calle Las Carretas (Street of the Carts), which is said to be the route used to carry carts with weapons to the Fortified Wall.
• Calle El Tablón (The Plank Street) is named after a plank that was placed in the street during rains to allow people to cross from sidewalk to sidewalk without getting their shoes wet.
• Calle del Santísimo (The Holy Street) is named after a story of two men who were about to have a sword duel for the love of the same woman, but just before they unsheathed their swords, they heard the church bells calling for mass, and all thoughts of anger or hate disappeared, and the locals began calling the street The Holy.

The Fortified Wall was built because Cartagena, being located on the coast and the seat of Spanish administration, was coveted by different bands of corsairs and pirates. Part of the history of Cartagena is reflected in the battles and confrontations between the Cartagenians and the pirates who wanted to take control of the gold and precious jewels.

The threat of pirates was great, so the Fortified Wall was built, an exquisite piece of architecture that became the strongest fortress in the Caribbean.

The presence of pirates in the waters of Cartagena was also fueled by the production of emeralds. In fact, the largest emerald in the world can be seen at The Emerald Museum located in the Historic Center, which is open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Talking about museums and places to visit calmly once you want to invest in Cartagena, in the next point we will present all the tourist attractions that this heroic city has to offer.

Tourist sites to visit in Cartagena:

Walk to La Torre Del Reloj (The Clock Tower)
Why start here? This building was the former entrance to the Historic Center of Cartagena. After observing this iconic monument that has remained standing since 1630, the Art Museum, Santo Domingo Square, the Customs Square, and the San Javier bulwarks will be waiting for you.

Explore the Tunnels of the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas
Being one of the most important cities for Spanish administration due to the high flow of trade between both countries, many architectural structures of superb character were made. One of them was the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas.

Along with the fortified wall that surrounds the city, the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas was the main fort used by the Cartagenians and the Spanish administration to protect themselves from attacks from the high seas.

How are these two structures connected? That’s right, you’ve guessed it! By means of tunnels that are still in excellent condition. Therefore, you can walk through the channels located in the lower levels of the castle and enjoy this experience.

View the panoramic view of the city from the Convent of San Cruz de la Popa
Now that you have visited the lower and underground levels of the city, it is time to ascend. The next stop is at the Convent of San Cruz de la Popa. Built in 1611, this convent located on the hill of La Popa, is 150 meters from the city.

In this way, after reaching the place you can observe and delight in the best panoramic view of the city: its imposing colonial architecture, the waves swaying beyond the promenade, the trade animating the streets of the city… A place that captures the essence of the Cartagenians.

Record reels of the colorful houses in the Getsemaní neighborhood
Your visit to Cartagena cannot end without mentioning the color of the houses in one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods: Getsemaní. This place was the location that housed the slaves brought from Spain for the hard work required by the Spanish during the colonial period.

Since then, it has been a neighborhood that represents the culture and African roots. Therefore, the architecture of the houses is recognized for being less opulent, but brighter. That, precisely, is what we advise you to see.

The houses in Getsemaní are vibrant-colored buildings, while the walls of the streets are imprinted with some demonstrations of street art. Therefore, it is a scenario that can be used to make a fairly artistic reel that serves as a visual piece to give your Instagram a cool vibe.