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Round the World Travel Guide

Photo Essay: The Colorful Streets of Cartagena

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Cartagena's charming colonial architecture helped earn it UNESCO World Heritage status.

The old city is filled with enough character and colorful facades to keep any photographer engaged day after day.

View down a typical street in walled area of Cartagena.
View down a typical street in walled area of Cartagena.
Weathered and worn down buildings await renovation throughout the city.
Weathered and worn down buildings await renovation throughout the city.
Not your average corner drugstore, is it?
Not your average corner drugstore, is it?
Balconies and hanging lamps are common on the building facades in the old city center.
Balconies and hanging lamps are common on the building facades in the old city center.
Juicy watermelon for $0.50 a cup is a refreshing treat in the mid-day heat.
Juicy watermelon for $0.50 a cup is a refreshing treat in the mid-day heat.
I was struck by the vibrance of the matching green doors of this hotel and salsa club as I was walking down Calle de Media Luna.
I was struck by the vibrance of the matching green doors of this hotel and salsa club as I was walking down Calle de Media Luna.
The Plaza de los Coches is centrally located within the walled city. This is the best place to find horse and carriages to hire for a romantic ride through the city.
The Plaza de los Coches is centrally located within the walled city. This is the best place to find horse and carriages to hire for a romantic ride through the city.
The Church of San Roque in Getsemani.
The Church of San Roque in Getsemani.

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Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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Comments

  1. Julie Broadbent says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    These are incredible!!! Seriously–my favorite photo essay ever! Thank you for sharing.

  3. ilainie says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Absolutely breathtaking! I can't wait to visit! I love Colonial cities, and Cartagena excites me. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Dave says

    July 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks Dad, you're right, I'm sitting out on a balcony happy to be back in Colombia!

  8. Dave says

    July 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks Dad, you're right, I'm sitting out on a balcony happy to be back in Colombia!

  11. backpackingmatt says

    July 25, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    Another great photo essay Dave. Beautiful. The streets and colors remind me of Portugal. Seem to be lots of similarities with the small towns I came across in the Algarve.

  12. IVAN says

    July 28, 2010 at 2:47 am

    We were on the nice VEGGIE RESTAURANT, SOL DE LA INDIA, by only 6 dollars you can eat 12 preparations fron INDIA , so good condiments and veggie meat and vegan, good prices, good people. calle quero 9- 54 old city.

  13. Zara Sproul says

    November 11, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    Wow – stunning photos. I am headed there in May this year and this has made me even more excited if thats at all possible! Thanks for the share!

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