Private Walking Tour Cartagena Walled City & Getsemaní

Colonial streets, pirate stories, and the street art of Getsemaní on your own schedule

A private walking tour of Cartagena's Walled City and Getsemaní neighborhood with a certified local guide in English or Spanish. You control the pace—stop for photos, linger at a plaza, or move on—while your guide uncovers stories of Indigenous peoples, Spanish conquest, slavery, independence, and the Caribbean culture that defines the city today. Hotel pickup is included with one option; the other starts at the Clock Tower. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cartagena Walled City and Getsemaní

• Meet certified local guide
• Start at Plaza de Cervantes
• Visit Clock Tower and Plaza del Ecuador
• Learn about Miguel de Cervantes and slave markets
• Explore Portal de los Dulces
• See Plaza de la Aduana and colonial landmarks
• Pass by Museum of Modern Art and Gold Museum
• Visit San Pedro Claver Church and Museum
• Discover Cartagena’s defensive bastion
• Tour Palace of the Inquisition museum
• Stop at Plaza de la Proclamación
• Visit Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría
• Observe wildlife in Centennial Park
• Explore Getsemaní street art and culture
• Walk through Callejón Ancho and Calle San Juan
• Visit Bastion and Plaza Bolívar

The Experience

Two to three hours on foot through one of Colombia's most layered cities. The tour begins at Camellón de Los Mártires or your hotel, depending on which option you choose, and moves through the Walled City's colonial core—Plaza de los Coches, Plaza Santo Domingo, the Cathedral of Santa Catalina, and the Palace of the Inquisition, where you'll see the original building and its museum. Your guide walks you through the stories: the Indigenous peoples who lived here first, the enslaved people trafficked through Plaza del Ecuador and the Portal de los Dulces (now a market of traditional Caribbean sweets), the pirates who threatened the coast, and the November 1811 declaration of independence from Spain that happened in Plaza de la Proclamación.

The second half crosses into Getsemaní, the bohemian neighborhood famous for its street art, colorful murals, and umbrella-lined alleys. You'll pass the Church of the Holy Trinity, walk streets alive with salsa and champeta music, and see the creative pulse of the district. Along the way, you may spot iguanas and sloths in the plazas and parks—Centennial Park, a former railway station, sits in what's left of the tropical dry forest. The route includes stops at the Museum of Modern Art, the Gold Museum, and the Emerald Museum if those interest you; since the tour is private, your guide adjusts based on what you want to see.

Bottled water is included. The pace is yours—take time for photos, skip a stop, or ask your guide to go deeper into a subject. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation is available nearby if you need it. Not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What’s included

• Private guide in English or Spanish.
• bottled water.
• hotel pickup (with the Hotel Pickup option).
• walking access to the Walled City's colonial landmarks, plazas, and the street-art neighborhood of Getsemaní.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by NEXPERIENCE

Is this one for you?Your guide brings Cartagena's stories to life while you set the pace—linger in plazas, skip ahead, or dive deeper into whatever captures you.

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Top questions

Can I start the tour from my hotel, or do I have to meet at the Clock Tower?

Hotel pickup is included with the Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup option; the Tour from Cruise Port option starts at the Clock Tower. Choose the one that fits your arrival.

What is the Palace of the Inquisition, and will we go inside?

The Palace of the Inquisition is a 17th-century colonial building where suspected heretics and those accused of witchcraft were interrogated during the Spanish colonial period. Today it houses a museum with exhibits on colonial history and original artifacts. Your guide will show you the building and its courtyard; entry to the museum is not included in the tour price, but you can visit on your own time.

Will I see street art and murals in Getsemaní?

Yes. Getsemaní is known for its colorful street art, murals, and umbrella-lined alleys. Your guide will walk you through the neighborhood's most vibrant cultural corridors and explain the stories behind the graffiti and local traditions.

What if I want to skip some stops or spend more time at one place?

The tour is 100% customizable. Since it's private, you control the pace—take photos, skip sights that don't interest you, or explore deeper into areas you love. Your guide adjusts the route based on what you want to see.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children from age 3 are welcome. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it involves walking on cobblestone streets and uneven terrain in the Old Town.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a private certified local guide, bottled water, and hotel pickup (with the Hotel Pickup option). Museum entries, meals, and gratuities are not included.