Top 6 things to do in Cartagena

Cartagena (Cartagena in Spanish) is one of the most visited cities in southern Spain. The first thing you need to know about Cartagena is that the city has a close relationship with the sea, and this is particularly evident in the various museums and sites you are likely to visit (which we can’t wait to introduce to you in this ranking ^^). Rich in history and culture, it has been the home of many peoples who have passed through, leaving their mark in the form of art. In fact, as a little anecdote, the town was highly coveted by the Romans and Carthaginians, and owes its current name to the Latin name Cartago Nova. Interesting, isn’t it? Without further ado, let’s discover the six top things to do in Cartagena.

What to do in Cartagena

1. A boat trip to the Rosario Islands

Category: €€/Insolite/Sporty

Description: Yes, we’re off to a great start. But after all, you’re on holiday in one of the most beautiful countries and cities in the world, so you might as well think big! Cartagena is geographically well situated, as it is on the Caribbean coast of Colombia? Yes, you read ‘Caribbean’ correctly. This means that sublime beaches with fine sand and turquoise waters await you. One of the most popular boat trips is undoubtedly to the Rosario Islands. A veritable paradise just an hour from Cartagena, the waters surrounding the islands have been preserved and are home to a marine life that is absolutely magnificent to visit…in depth. With an experienced guide, don your masks and snorkels and dive into a world of a thousand and one wonders. For a very affordable price, lunch, drinks and equipment will be provided, so don’t miss out!

2. San Felipe Castle

Category: €/Cultural

Description: After your trip on the water, what would you say to setting foot on dry land and visiting one of Cartagena’s most famous landmarks? The San Felipe castle is a real marvel for those who enter it: fans of architecture will be thrilled. This huge building was built around 500 years ago, in 1536. Since then, it has never ceased to arouse the admiration and respect of its visitors. The purpose of the fortress was to protect the city from the various possible attacks of the time: and it worked! Cartagena has been attacked several times over the centuries, as in 1794, when it was defended against almost 23,000 British soldiers accompanied by 6 ships, compared with just 3,000 soldiers on the Cartagena side. And the building served as an important shield that helped to preserve the town and its inhabitants. The little extra? A sublime view of the city from inside!

3. A mud bath in El Totumo

Category: €/Insolite

Description: There are classic activities such as visiting museums, and others that can clearly be described as unusual: the mud bath in El Totumo is the perfect example. Leave the city behind for a few hours and head for the top of a volcano. Excursions to El Totumo are undoubtedly among the most sought-after by Cartagena’s locals and tourists alike. It has to be said that floating and having a massage while bathing in the mud is not a luxury given to everyone! Many people are unaware of it or still tend to despise it, but mud baths have an almost instantaneous effect on the skin: the regenerating virtues of the earth are unprecedented. In fact, it’s one of the most effective cures available, and works like a natural painkiller. It may seem strange at first to immerse yourself in this mound of mud, but once you’re fully immersed, you’ll soon find it relaxing.

4. Visit to the Museo del Oro Zenu

Category: Free/Cultural

Description: Open every day of the week except Mondays, the Museo del Oro Zenu is an ideal place for a chilled-out but instructive outing. It features no fewer than 902 archaeological objects made from gold, ceramics and silver. Admittedly, it’s a small collection, but don’t they say that you should choose quality over quantity? And you should know, dear friends, that what you will discover inside these walls is absolutely magnificent. It’s all about the history, lifestyle, customs and traditions of the indigenous people. You’ll see some beautiful exhibits, and from time to time there are temporary exhibitions featuring, for example, reproductions of the sounds of the ‘pipos’ of the time. A little extra info to bear in mind: as well as being free, the museum is air-conditioned, so you can escape the Cartagena heat for a while, especially if you’re travelling in the summer.

5. Visit the old town and sample the gastronomy

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomy

Description: A visit to Cartagena’s old town is a must. Between the pretty cobbled streets and the marina, a rich heritage is on display. One of the buildings you really must visit is the town hall, described as “a jewel of modernist architecture from the early 20th century”. Strolling through the old town is a bit like wandering through an open-air museum, free of charge. From time to time, you can stop and rest on a bench, or eat a local speciality in one of the city’s many restaurants. Yes, holidays are also synonymous with “culinary discoveries”. Cartagena is teeming with stalls where the smell of the dishes will soon waft across the city to reach your nostrils and tantalise all your senses… How about a delicious gazpacho? Or a good paella for lunch?

6. The Roman Theatre Museum

Category: €/Cultural

Description: The Romans are one of the peoples who have left a deep imprint on the city of Cartagena. That’s why we strongly recommend a visit to the Roman Theatre Museum. The museum proudly displays the artefacts found during excavations carried out in the Roman theatre, which was built between the 5th and 1st centuries BC and has a lot to teach us. If you are passionate about mythology, attach great importance to art in general and are curious at heart, you’ve definitely come to the right place! The Roman theatre can hold up to 6,000 people (yes, it’s no match for the classical theatres we know today ^^), so you’ll feel right at home here, and you’ll be able to stroll around. And don’t miss the archive and study rooms, which are THE highlight of the venue!