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The Colorful Streets of Cartagena

Updated: | Published: by |

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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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Julie Broadbent says

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

  2. Dave says

    Thanks Julie, we'll be publishing another photo essay of Cartagena by T-roy soon.

  3. ilainie says

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

  4. Joya says

    Gorgeous pictures! The vibrancy of everything is incredible.

  5. GlobalButterfly says

    These colors are unbelievable!!!!!!!!!! Amazing pics!

  6. RBL says

    1. This post is excellent!
    2. Change box above. You are no longer "lamenting".

  7. Dave says

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

  8. Dave says

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

  9. Sonya says

    Awesome photo essay of Cartagena!

  10. neha says

    Love the colours!

  11. backpackingmatt says

    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

    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

    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!

    • Dave says

      Thanks Zara. I was just in Cartagena for the third time to celebrate my birthday in September. Let me know if you have any questions!

  14. Bryony Clapperton (travelsandmore) says

    Bringing back some great memories for me from your photos, thanks!