Panoramic Cartagena & Shopping Time

OVERVIEW

Pause for photos at a fortress built in the 17th century to defend Cartagena from pirates and indulge in a shopping spree at an upscale mall in the historical San Diego neighborhood. San Felipe Castle shares a UNESCO World Heritage site designation with several other Cartagena landmarks, in part because of its thick impenetrable stone walls studded with cannons. It is quite the sight from any angle. While driving downtown, you will pass miles of other defensive walls that were constructed and expanded over four centuries to further protect the port from invaders. Within these walls, you will find La Serrezuela, a shopping center known for its elegant boutiques and one-of-a-kind stores. After opening in 2019, it quickly became an icon as it was designed around the completely renovated Circo Teatro, once a venue for bullfights, operas and theatrical plays. You may spend more than two hours browsing the shops for designer fashions, exquisite jewelry and other exclusive merchandise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stop to snap photos at the thick-walled 17th-century fortress San Felipe Castle.
• Pass miles of other defensive walls on a panoramic drive through downtown Cartagena.
• Spend hours shopping at La Serrezuela, an exclusive mall designed around a historical bullring.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.