For adventurous souls only, Cartagena's labyrinthine central market, 4km outside the old city walls, is both dirty and enthralling – an all-out assault on the senses. If it's marketable, it's for sale here: there are endless stalls of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, and plenty of options for grabbing a quick bite or chilled beverage. Pay close attention to your belongings and don't wear flashy jewelry. Grab a taxi (COP$7000 from the Old Town) and explore away.
Getty Images
Mercado Bazurto
Cartagena
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.93 MILES
Cartagena's old city is its principal attraction, particularly the inner walled town, consisting of the historical districts of El Centro and San Diego…
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
1.23 MILES
The greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas still dominates an entire section of…
21.67 MILES
The most developed of the islands, Isla Grande is indeed also the biggest. There's a large lagoon perfect for swimming in the unbelievably blue waters,…
2.01 MILES
The Palace of the Inquisition may today be one of the finest buildings in the city, but in the past it housed the notoriously grisly Inquisition, whose…
Convento & Iglesia de San Pedro Claver
1.94 MILES
Founded by Jesuits in the first half of the 17th century as Convento San Ignacio de Loyola, this convent later changed its name to honor Spanish-born monk…
0.4 MILES
On a 150m-high hill, the highest point in Cartagena, stands this convent. The views from here are outstanding and stretch all over the city. The convent's…
1.96 MILES
Work on Cartagena’s cathedral began in 1575, but in 1586, while still under construction, it was partly destroyed by the cannons of Francis Drake. The…
1.86 MILES
Previously known as Plaza de la Yerba, the triangular plaza just behind Puerta del Reloj was once used as a market for enslaved people. It is lined with…
Nearby Cartagena attractions
0.4 MILES
On a 150m-high hill, the highest point in Cartagena, stands this convent. The views from here are outstanding and stretch all over the city. The convent's…
2. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas
1.23 MILES
The greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas still dominates an entire section of…
3. Fuerte de San Sebastián del Pastelillo
1.37 MILES
This fort, on the western end of Manga Island, was constructed in the middle of the 16th century as one of the town's first defense posts. It's quite…
4. Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad
1.55 MILES
This church dates from 1600 and definitely looks like it, with peeling painted walls and a rather gloriously ramshackle air. While the church itself is…
1.56 MILES
Getsemaní, the outer walled town, is less obviously impressive than Cartagena's old city but has some charming parts and is well worth exploring. In…
6. Monumento a la India Catalina
1.67 MILES
The monument at the main entrance to the Old Town from the mainland is a tribute to the Carib people, the group that inhabited this land before the…
7. Muelle Turístico de los Pegasos
1.81 MILES
Muelle de los Pegasos is Cartagena's lovely old port on the Bahía de las Ánimas. It's invariably full of fishing, cargo and tourist boats.
1.85 MILES
Originally called the Boca del Puente, this was the main gateway to the inner walled town and was linked to Getsemaní by a drawbridge over the moat. The…