These 25 Photos Of Cartagena Will Make You Want To Book A Trip Right Now

Cartagena is one of South America’s most beautiful cities. Tourists flock from all around the world to wander its gorgeous colonial streets, walk its magnificent city walls and gaze in wonder at the myriad colors of its beautiful buildings.

And if you’re tempted to see it for yourself, Cartagena is just one of several fantastic destinations included on Culture Trip’s epic eight-day Colombian Caribbean tour, led by our Local Insider.

Every street in Cartagena looks like a postcard…

A typical flower-covered street in Cartagena

Seriously, there isn’t a corner where you don’t want to get your camera out!

Every single square and plaza is the most beautiful you’ve ever seen!

Church of St Peter Claver in Cartagena, Colombia

And the streets are just as lovely at night

Much of Cartagena’s colonial architecture is illuminated at night

The architecture is simply stunning…

Workers start their day near the Clock Tower Gate in Cartagena’s old city

Most cities would be satisfied with one beautiful church, but not Cartagena!

The tower of the Metropolitan Cathedral and colonial houses in the old town of Cartagena

And they look amazing from every angle…

A pirate ship in the harbor at Cartagena

See!

This church and its monastery are located in the Plaza de San Pedro Claver

The colors of Cartagena are magnificent

Colonial architecture characterizes the Walled City of Cartagena

Every wall is the prettiest wall since the last one!

The colorful streets of Getsemani, Cartagena

They’ve even got amazing street art

Even the locals are colorfully dressed

Palenqueras – traditional street vendors selling fruit in Cartagena’s old city

I mean, come on!

A Palenquera woman sells fruits at Plaza Santo Domingo in Cartagena

And they are always ready with a friendly smile

A Palenquera woman in the walled city of Cartagena

And don’t get us started on the Caribbean islands surrounding Cartagena…

It’s a perfect Caribbean paradise

Transport around the Rosario Islands is best carried out by boat

A Cartagena sunset is unique and magical

Tourists walking the old town of Cartagena at sunset

They are also incredibly romantic…

Sunset from atop colonial city walls in Cartagena

The city looks as good from the sea as the land

An aerial view of the historic city center of Cartagena with the modern city in the background

But there’s no substitute for wandering the beautiful streets of the Old Town

Balconies and flowers in the streets of Cartagena

Except for visiting the Castle!

The Spanish fort of Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena

Yep, that’s right: an actual Caribbean castle!

Cartagena is about as beautiful as a city gets

Colorful houses in the old town of Cartagena, Colombia

And if that’s not enough, there are wild monkeys in the parks!

Three common squirrel monkeys sitting on a tree branch in Cartagena

Still not enough? OK, there are sloths as well…convinced yet?!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.