4 days in Cartagena

Early in the morning, head to La Serrezuela Mall. This is where the city looks most like itself. Walk slowly, look at the shopfronts, listen. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.8 out of 5 across 27,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.

Then, I make my way to Las Bóvedas. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (8,600 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise compare on Tiqets.

Later, meet me at Bocagrande Plaza Mall. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (16,000 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Getting there: the public-transport route. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.

In the morning, it’s San Felipe de Barajas Fort. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (68,032 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.

Late morning, it’s PLAZA San Felipe. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.

In the afternoon, I make my way to Las Botas Viejas. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.

To start, head to Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (2,760 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.

Around noon, meet me at Palacio de la Proclamación. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. 4.8 out of 5 across 809 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.

After lunch, meet me at Museo del Oro Zenú. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (1,399 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.

Early in the morning, meet me at Plaza de la Trinidad. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 12,890 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route · travellers’ reviews.

Late morning, it’s Callejón Ancho. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.

In the afternoon, head to Plazuela del Pozo. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. 4.5 out of 5 across 207 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.