Back to

Things to do & places to see

Hot and sultry Cartagena is a World Heritage Site, bursting with colour and tradition. Make sure you venture into the old walled city, with its tiled walls, balconies and flower-filled courtyards for a fascinating and magical experience.

Example shore excursions

When you hit dry land, you can trust us to offer a choice of experiences that really gives you a close-up view. See some featured excursions at this port below.

See all shore excursions from Cartagena

Historic Cartagena Old City Walking Tour

Admire the beautiful houses of the traditional district of Manga as you make your way to the start of your tour.  Now it's time to put your best foot forward as you begin at Santiago's Bastion.  You will pass charming colonial architecture as you head to San Pedro Claver's Plaza with its convent and church. Continue to the colonial commercial district of Custom Plaza, the Cathedral and the Governor's House, the original headquarters of the Spanish government.  Plaza Bolivar is your next stop and features a statue of its namesake as well as the Inquisition Palace where here on display are the many tools of torture along with a receipt for ransom paid to Sir Francis Drake in exchange for his agreement not to burn down the city. Your final stop takes you by bus to the Dungeons, used in colonial times as a military barracks, here you will have time to wander around the arts and handicraft stalls before making your way back to base.

Mangrove Swamp Caves Ecological Tour

The Swamp of the Virgin is considered one of the most important and fascinating ecosystems of Cartagena.  Board your canoe for a fascinating tour through the tropical landscape. The fauna, beautiful fish and crustaceans along with the imposing mangroves that oxygenate its water, represent the natural wealth of the region.  Don't forget your camera as the huge diversity of tropical birds makes this trip a bird lover's paradise.  Finally, sit back, relax and take in a folkloric show whilst sipping a cold beer, or take a dip in the sea before heading back on a sightseeing tour through the walled city.

Panoramic Tour around the Bay by Spanish Galleon

Passengers walk to the pier of the Terminal complex to board a replica of a 17th century Spanish Galleon, which will take you on a 2 hour cruise tour of the Inner Bay at Cartagena. A guide will accompany you providing information on the general history of Cartagena and the sights. Heading south from the port, you'll pass the private port of Muelles El Bosque and the statue of the Virgin in the middle of the bay. Pass the site of the Fort of Manzanillo, which protects the eastern entrance to the Inner Bay and then the boat makes a loop between the island of Tierra Bomba and the peninsula of Castillo Grande at the end of the beautiful walled city. This will be admired from the Galleon. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and an entertaining folkloric show as you cruise around the bay before returning to the ship.

Best of Cartagena

Explore the magnificent city of Cartagena by bus. An old favourite with Pirates until the Fortress was built. The city was known as the Treasure Chest and the most impenetrable city of the Spanish Main. Between settlement in 1533 and its independence in 1811 it was known as a prosperous urban centre. In the Manga residential area some houses have been restored to their original splendour and as you go up towards the Convento de la Popa you will get a breathtaking view of the harbour and city. You will visit the Monastery with its ornate 22kt gold foil altar and a flower filled courtyard. A short stop for photos at the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas and onto Las Bovedas (the dungeons) for some quick handicraft shopping. We continue our journey to the church of San Pedro Claver, Patron Saint of Slaves, whilst admiring the narrow streets and squares inside the walled city. Finally a little light relief with approx 30 minutes for shopping at the Pierno Gallo mall.