Cartagena: La Popa Convent & San Felipe Fort Morning Tour

Start at the highest point: La Popa Convent overlooks all of Cartagena

You're driven to four key stops in Cartagena's history: the monastery at the city's highest point, the colonial fortress, the Old Town's narrow streets and plazas, and the dungeons-turned-market. Entry to the convent and fort are included, as is the bilingual guide and transportation. You walk about twenty minutes total through the Old Town, and the whole experience runs a few hours before returning to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. San Felipe de Barajas Castle45m · entry included
2. La Popa Convent30m · entry included
3. Las Bóvedas25m
4. Cartagena Old Town20m
5. Old Shoes Monument5m
6. Isla Grande20m

Cartagena city and historical sites tour

• Visit San Felipe de Barajas Castle
• Tour La Popa Convent at highest point
• Walk through Cartagena Old Town
• See Old Shoes Monument
• Shop at Las Bóvedas handicraft mall
• Optional visit to jewelry factory

The experience

The vehicle picks you up in the morning and heads straight uphill to La Popa Convent, the monastery perched at the highest point in the city. Your bilingual guide walks you through the stone buildings and explains why locals say you haven't really seen Cartagena until you've stood here: the view drops away on all sides, and you can trace the whole colonial layout below. The convent sits on what used to be a strategic military position, and that history is still written into the architecture.

After the convent, you move down to San Felipe de Barajas Castle, the fortress built on San Lázaro hill forty meters above sea level. The guide explains the military thinking behind it: that elevation meant defenders could spot enemy ships coming from miles away and had time to react. You walk through the brick and stone tunnels, see the gun placements, and get a sense of how much effort went into protecting this port city back when it mattered most. The entrance fee is included, so you just follow the guide through without stopping at a ticket window.

The morning continues into Cartagena's Old Town, where you walk about twenty minutes through narrow streets, past the painted balconies and small plazas that make the place feel frozen in time. Your guide points out the churches, the corners where music and politics and daily life actually happen, not just the postcard angles. You'll see the Old Shoes Monument (the one locals call the most romantic spot in the city), and pass through Las Bóvedas, the old dungeons that are now the main handicraft market, full of emerald vendors and regional goods from across Colombia.

The tour wraps with an optional stop at a jewelry factory where you can watch emeralds being set into gold and silver if you want to, but it's not mandatory. The whole morning takes a few hours, and you're back at your hotel by early afternoon. The vehicle is air-conditioned, water is provided, and the guide answers questions about the city's customs, food, music, and how things actually work here, not just the history.

What’s included

Your morning includes hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees to La Popa Convent and San Felipe de Barajas Castle, a bilingual guide for the full tour, air-conditioned transportation between stops, bottled water, and a walk through Cartagena's Old Town with stops at Las Bóvedas and the Old Shoes Monument. The jewelry factory visit is optional and not included in the base tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 61 years) · Senior (62 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Guianza Express S.A.S

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Cartagena's main historical sites in one morning without arranging transport or buying tickets separately: the fixed itinerary and included guide handle all of that, leaving you free to ask questions and absorb the city's actual history rather than just its postcard version.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

What time does the tour start?

The tour is listed as a morning departure, though the exact pickup time should be confirmed when you book.

Is the entrance fee to La Popa Convent and San Felipe Fort included?

Yes, both entrance fees are included in the tour price.

How long is the walking portion?

You walk approximately twenty minutes through the Old Town to see the balconies, churches, squares, and narrow streets.

Is the jewelry factory visit mandatory?

No, the jewelry factory stop is optional. You can skip it or spend time there if you're interested in Colombian emeralds.

Is water provided?

Yes, bottled water is included.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?

Yes, you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle between stops.

Can I do this tour if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though there is walking involved in the Old Town and some climbing at the fort and convent.