Sea sunset
From the walls.
Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Luz Adriana Villa from Medellin, Colombia — CC BY 2.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · O--o — CC BY 3.0
Broad stone walls ringing the old town for several kilometres, built by the Spanish over some two centuries to protect Cartagena from pirates and enemy fleets after pirates had sacked it more than once. They are among the most complete colonial walls left in the Americas. The top is wide enough to walk on, so you stroll between small bastions and old cannons, with the Caribbean on one side and the town's colourful rooftops and domes on the other. Some bastions have cafés and restaurants with views. The finest time is just before sunset, when people sit on the edge of the walls to watch the sun drop into the sea and the stone turns gold. Beneath one stretch is a row of old stone vaults, «Las Bóvedas», once storerooms and later prisons, now craft shops. The walls are open and free, but the edges have no railings in many places, so take care with children. The sun is strong by day, so evening suits a walk best.
From the walls.
Old cannons.
Vaults turned shops.
Around the Walled City, with several access points near the Clock Tower and the sea
The Walled CityThe colonial heart of Cartagena on the Caribbean, a whole old town inside stone 11 minutes walk4.8
Castillo San Felipe de BarajasA huge stone fortress on San Lázaro hill overlooking Cartagena, begun by the Spa12 minutes walk4.6
GetsemaníAn old neighbourhood right beside the Walled City, historically the district of 13 minutes walkYes: the walls are open to all, best just before sunset. Mind the unrailed edges, especially with children.