Cartagena city tours – Explore the historic old town

This walking tour is available from hotels and other accommodation in the town of Barichara.

About

Often described as Colombia’s prettiest town, Barichara is known for its cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs and views across the Suárez Canyon.

The town is compact and very easy to explore on foot, but there is more to Barichara than its appearance. Its churches, traditional architecture, remarkable cemetery and small workshops reflect the history and culture of a town whose character has been unusually well preserved.

Barichara also has a strong tradition of arts and crafts. Stone carving, weaving and other forms of local craftsmanship remain visible throughout the town, while its elevated position provides impressive views over the surrounding countryside.

There is no need to over-organise a visit to Barichara. It is a place to explore slowly, stopping in its plazas, cafés and workshops along the way. A local guide adds historical and cultural context while introducing some of the details and quieter corners that are easily missed when walking around independently.

The tour

Explore Barichara on a four-hour private walking tour with a local guide, discovering the history, architecture, crafts and everyday life of one of Colombia’s most attractive towns.

Your guide will meet you at your accommodation in Barichara before leading you through the town’s cobbled streets. The tour visits its churches, impressive cemetery, small craft shops and other points of interest, with opportunities to enjoy views across the Suárez Canyon.

The tour includes a coffee break and bottled water. At the end of the walk, your guide will accompany you back to your starting point.

The walking tour lasts approximately four hours. Start times are flexible, but we recommend beginning early in the morning or after lunch to avoid the worst of the midday heat.

Groups sizes

This is a private tour ideally suited for 2 to 8 people, larger groups can be accommodated on request.

Languages

Tours from San Gil and Barichara are available in English, Spanish and French.

We say

Barichara is beautiful enough to enjoy without a guide, but its carefully preserved appearance can obscure the fact that it is also a town with considerable history and a distinctive cultural identity.
Four hours allows enough time to explore beyond the principal streets and plazas without rushing, while the coffee break fits naturally into the relaxed pace of the town.
The cemetery is one of the most memorable places visited during the tour. Its carved stone monuments reflect both local craftsmanship and the personalities of the people buried there.
Barichara is also one of the best places in the region to see traditional crafts and meet some of the people keeping them alive.