Vibrant nightlife and history in Cartagena

While modern Cartagena stretches along the coast and inland, the city's Old Town fiercely preserves its antique essence. Enclosed by a fortified stone wall that once kept foes at bay, Cartagena de Indias’ historic center overflows with charm, attracting visitors with its well-preserved Spanish architecture.

Wander the labyrinthine streets, where ornamental flowers drape over the second-floor balconies of pastel-hued buildings, giving the city its signature postcard-perfect aesthetic. Street vendors crack open coconuts with a swift chop, and the clip-clop of horses' hooves mingles with the melodies of street musicians strumming guitars in the shade of historic churches.

Left, a fruit vendor serves sliced mango; right, a man on a bicycle on a narrow street — Left: A fruit vendor prepares fresh mango. Right: Cycling through the colorful streets of Cartagena.

A man pushing a cart walks by colorful buildings on a cobblestone street — Walking through the streets of Cartagena.

Once the homes of Spanish sea merchants, military officers and well-to-do families, the city’s grand mansions now house chic boutique hotels, stylish shops and candlelit rooftop restaurants like Mar y Zielo, where Colombia’s rich gastronomic diversity shines.

Beyond its picturesque beauty, Cartagena tells a story of resilience and resistance. Visit the Museo de Oro Zenú to see exquisite gold artifacts crafted by the Zenú, an Indigenous group that thrived in the Caribbean lowlands before the Spanish conquest. Their descendants fight to preserve their cultural legacy to this day. Across Plaza de Bolívar, the Museo Histórico de Cartagena reveals the city’s darker past in exhibits on the Spanish Inquisition and the transatlantic slave trade.

A woman holding artwork walks past a mural — Stroll through Getsemaní to see colorful street art.

Left, a fruit cart on a street; right, a tall yellow clock tower — Left: A fruit cart on the street Right: The Clock tower, an iconic cultural landmark in Cartagena.

Venture into Getsemaní, a once overlooked neighborhood now bursting with colorful street art. Wander down the flag-strewn Calle de la Sierpe, lined with murals that have turned crumbling walls into living canvases.

Streets converge at the Plaza de la Trinidad, which bustles after dark with street food, music and impromptu dance performances.

Left, boats at a dock with views of a city behind them; right, a man selling bags to a group of people — Left: The Nautical Club in Manga Bay. Right: A man sells bags at the entrance of the the Clock Tower.

Real Experience Cartagena offers rooftop lessons in salsa, bachata and Afro-Colombian champeta, so you’ll be ready to hit the dance floor at Club de los Carpinteros, where locals and travelers move to the rhythm of Cartagena’s unstoppable beat.

Take a boat trip to the Islas de Rosario. Diving Planet’s snorkel tour includes two excursions in the crystal-clear water. You may spot an octopus munching on coral or a jellyfish bouncing past as you drift by.

All photos taken by Juan Tapias for Lonely Planet.