Bazurto Market

While seasoned travellers may venture into Cartagena's gritty Bazurto Market on their own, those not yet toughened by locals-only markets of the region may prefer to explore as part of a guided tour. This sprawling market, where trade starts before the crack of dawn, features incredibly fresh produce and seafood from Cartagena and beyond; much of it makes its way to the tables of local fine dining establishments within the space of the same day. There is plenty to look at and taste, including local street food and multiple succulent varieties of tropical fruit you're unlikely to have encountered before.

• Address:

  Avenida Pedro De Heredia, Cartagena

• Opening hours:

  Daily 4am–9pm

Cartagena Walled City

Enclosed within a protective wall reaching up to 20 m in width, the Ciudad Amurallada (or "Walled City") is Cartagena's old beating heart. Packed with well-preserved colonial buildings, it's a pleasure to stroll through; its streets of colourful low-rise merchant homes marked by iconic balconies are now mostly walked by either tourists or students who attend classes at the University of Cartagena during the day and linger for meals and nightlife after school is out. Cafes in Plaza Aduana and Plaza Santo Domingo teem with patrons, forging an incredibly jovial atmosphere; the districts of San Diego and El Centro are two not to be missed. There is plenty of food and shopping to be had, with a mixed bag of world-class restaurants and street food hawkers and the incredibly photogenic palenqueras — women dressed in vibrantly coloured clothing selling fruit in the streets — images of whom have become emblematic of Colombia as a travel destination.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

A feat of Spanish colonial military architecture, the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is one of Cartagena's most prized attractions. The fortress, whose construction finished in the late 18th century, was never seized – and not for a lack of attempted forays. Part of its sophisticated system of underground tunnels is open to the public; a guided tour (audio guides available) is highly recommended.

• Web:

  fortificacionescartagena.com.co/en

• Address:

  Av Arévalo, Cartagena

• Phone:

  +57 5 6421293

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–6pm

Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa

Visible from almost everywhere in Cartagena, the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa all the way up the a 150-meter hill known as Mt. Popa. The hill got its name for resembling a poop deck of a ship. After four centuries of varied history, the convent itself is now open as a religious museum. From the top Mt. Popa you’ll get the best panoramic views of Cartagena and its beaches. The fastest and least stressful way up the hill is with a taxi (be sure to haggle on the price). An important tip : if you take a taxi or a car service to this location, pay them a few pesos to wait for you to drive you back. The taxis on top are all already "reserved" and Uber drivers are not eager to drive all the way to the top to pick you up.

• Web:

  www.cartagenainfo.com/lapopa/index.html#_=_

• Address:

  Convento de Santa Cruz de la Popa, Calle 37, Cartagena

• Phone:

  +57 5 664 37 00

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8:30am–5:30pm

Getsemani Neighbourhood

The buzzing Bairro Getsemani is, perhaps, Cartagena's most attractive neighbourhood, for both its well-preserved colonial architecture and vivid street life. Known as the nightlife hot spot of Cartagena, Getsemani stays up until late at night, with locals and visitors mingling in and around Plaza de la Trinidad over drinks and street food.

• Address:

  174, Esquina con Calle 29, Cartagena

Horseback Riding on the Beach

There is more than one way of exploring the beach: if you have had enough of sun tanning and frolicking in the surf, join a tour that puts you on a back of a horse. The ultimate romantic experience of riding along the sandy shore is available to riders of all levels. Feel like a character from a bodice ripper and get some spectacular photos for your Tinder profile while you're at it.