San Felipe de Barajas Castle (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas)
The Basics
As one of Cartagena’s architectural icons, San Felipe de Barajas Castle(Castillo San Felipe de Barajas) tops the itinerary of most half- and full-day sightseeing tours. Get acquainted with the city on a culture-rich tour that stops at multiple colonial sites (such as Plaza Bolivar and the Cathedral of San Pedro Claver), and provides social and historical context crucial to understanding Cartagena’s past. Alternatively, create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
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Things to Know Before You Go
San Felipe de Barajas Castle(Castillo San Felipe de Barajas) is a must-see for history buffs and those interested in military engineering.
Photographers can capture some of the best sunset views from the castle’s turrets.
To enter the fortress, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee that goes toward the maintenance of the structure.
How to Get There
Located on Av. Pedro de Heredia at Carrera 17, San Felipe de Barajas Castle(Castillo San Felipe de Barajas) overlooks the Caribbean coastline. The easiest way to get there is by taxi or tour bus.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The castle is open daily, through the evening. Visit at night to escape the daytime crowds and wander around in much cooler temperatures.
A Bizarre Comparison
Just outside the fortress is the Old Shoes Monument, a popular photo op that commemorates a poem by Cartagena wordsmith Luis Carlos López, who famously compared the old city to a worn, but comfortable, pair of shoes.
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- Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos)
- La India Catalina Monument
- Old Town Cartagena
- Plaza de San Diego
- Rafael Nuñez House Museum
- Las Bovedas
- Cartagena Cruise Port
- Cartagena Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena)
- Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Zenu)
- Cathedral of San Pedro Claver (Iglesia de San Pedro Claver)
- Bolivar Square (Plaza Bolivar)
- Palace of Inquisition (Palacio de la Inquisicion)
- Naval Museum of the Caribbean
- Teatro Adolfo Mejia (Teatro Heredia)
- Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo)