Top Castles in Cartagena, Cartagena Province, Colombia

Made a quick stop for pictures. The throng of “vendors” was crazy. Lots of trinkets, hats, water and such. lol, even had some ladies in old world dresses, to give you the opportunity to take their picture ,,, for a price! Word to the wise, set your price, don’t ask how much!!

We got there early to beat the heat and the crowds. It’s a beautiful place to experience some history and learn. The security guards were very friendly and helpful with navigating the fort as well. I would recommend visiting this place.

Beautifully conserved, an unmissable while at Cartagena. You can visit it throughout the day, although you should do so around 8 am or after 4 pm (since at noon it gets too hot and there’s barely any shadow around) - although it has great views and you can see the whole landscape of Cartagena’s center, plus you get to take great pictures!

The best part of the castle for me was the view and the walk-around. I personally am not fond of museums and historical places, although I like to get to know the story of something when it’s a castle or something like this.

There is the story spread around, there is also some kind of labyrinth inside the castle which is kind of creepy if you walk in there by yourself, it’s dark with just a few lights and some tourists walking in. I recommend if you’re looking for a different experience than usual, but not if you’re claustrophobic, lol

Built in the 1600's to protect the city. It has tunnels and offers great views of the city.

A lot of rich history thru out the years. Good way to get exercise climbing to the top of the fort.

Amazing structure. Totally worth the visit. Definitely recommend visiting this fort (Castillo). I also recommend going to the “Hospital” they have AC there which is great because it gives you a break from the heat and also you can learn more about the history behind the fortification.

What a beautiful piece of history.
Proud of the Colombian culture

This fortress its locate near the historical center and the colorful neighborhood of Getsemani.
It’s still in an incredible conservation state.
With its big angled walls and its cannons it was the main defense point of Cartagena de Indias and south America itself.
The visit of this monument is a must while being in Cartagena. A guided tour would make the visit more meaningful since you will learn all the history and fun facts about the fortress and its surroundings.

It has a lot of viewpoints where to admire the beautiful views of Cartagena from all sides.

Very recommended.
A must!

If you love ancient architecture and history, this is a great place to visit in Cartagena. I purchased a ticket and wandered on my own through the castle, but I noticed there were many people with guides if that's more your thing. I recommend buying some water before you go in because you won't get another chance until you get to the store at the top of the castle that supports a local school for underprivileged kids in the Gethsemane neighborhood. There are great views of the city from the castle and many photo ops.
The only downside of my visit was the two cruise ships that offloaded passengers right about the time I arrived, so it was crowded.
There was a delightful man dressed in historic costume playing a trumpet who was extremely grateful for a small tip for enjoying the music. A dollar goes a long way for him.