San Felipe de Barajas Fort

Historical landmark · Cartagena ·

San Felipe de Barajas Fort

Historical landmark · Cartagena ·

Impressive Spanish fortress with history, tunnels, and views

Information

Cielo mar, La Boquilla, Cl. 31, Pie Del Cerro, Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar, Colombia Get directions

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25 Most Beautiful Cities in the World

"Cartagena boasts a walled old city with colorful buildings and lively squares. Enjoy Caribbean beaches and the vibrant local culture." - Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the

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San Felipe de Barajas Fort

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15 Best Solo Travel Essentials for Seniors

"A beautiful coastal city in Colombia known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning colonial architecture." - Nneya Richards Nneya Richards Nneya Richards is a New York City-based fashion and travel writer and public speaker. She is a frequent contributor to publications including Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, and PopSugar, and

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San Felipe de Barajas Fort

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25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Castillo San Felipe de Barajas A short walk from the city sits imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, covering almost the whole of San Lázaro Hill, 135 feet above sea level. The castillo bit is something of a misnomer, as the structure is not technically a castle but a fort; it happens to be one of the most impressive the Spanish ever built, resisting a number of land and sea attacks. Allegedly its tunnel system was engineered so that the slightest sound anywhere within it would reverberate a warning of approaching danger or attempted escape. Audio guides, available in English, Spanish, and other languages, recount the full story. The castle also happens to be one of the best spots in the city from which to watch the sunset. By Travesías"

Essential Guide to Cartagena

Photo by Estefani González

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

Dennis Leyva (.

Google

Incredible fort about 2,000,000 sq ft. Plan on visiting two hours. Reecommend hiring a guide. We were very fortunate our private guide was Josué Guillermo Vargas Ortiz who is also a historian. The tour included architecture, history, and forts connection Cartagena. Best experience during our visit. Make sure to bring water and an umbrella for the bright sun.

Thieres

Google

Really cool place to visit, the tickets are sold at the entrance and there you can also hire a local guide to explain all the historical details of the site. The place is big and you will be out in the open for the most time, so arrive early for a more pleasent weather.

Priya R.

Google

Visited this fort on a weekday evening at sunset (fort entrance closes at 6 pm). Can walk around and through a couple of tunnels with steep stairs. No information in English. There’s a small gift store at the top but no water or refreshments, so it’s better to carry your own. There are restrooms at the top. It’s not a hard walk up if you are reasonably fit. The view of the tall buildings in one side, the walled city on the other and the Caribbean Sea in front is very picturesque.

Megumi N.

Google

We can get there before 8:00 a.m., so the weather is very cool and pleasant. We can enter around 8:00 a.m., and it takes about one hour to walk through all routes. Every view along the way is excellent and impressive. From the top of the wall, you can enjoy a perfect panoramic view of the entire city. I highly recommend going early in the morning.

Siva M.

Google

Lovely experience, we arrived at 7am, there was absolutely no one else. The weather was nice for the first 1 hour. The tunnels were exciting, the history is well documented on the boards. Really worth a visit. I tried buying tickets in day, but the foreign credit card got rejected multiple times. Fortunately the waiting time was zero.

Carly L

Google

I spent about two hours exploring the tunnels, passageways, and viewpoints. The architecture is incredible. The view points overlooking Cartagena was just breathtaking. If you enjoy history and breath taking views, I totally recommend it !

Cain R.

Google

Castillo San Rafael is an absolute must-see. The place is full of rich history, and the views from the top are incredible. You can see the entire city stretching out below you, with the skyline, water, and rooftops all coming together in one panoramic scene. The Colombian flag waving in the wind makes the moment even more breathtaking making it perfect for photos. There are so many great spots to capture memories, from the wide city view to the open sky and historic stone ground beneath your feet. If you’re visiting, this is definitely one of those places you shouldn’t miss. It’s beautiful, and full of character.

James O.

Google

The incline on the walk up looks steeper than it is, there are some areas with steps and the inner tunnels have low ceiling so watch your head if you're over 6ft! Great panoramic views of the old city and little miami with lots of spots for photos. There is a shop selling refreshments and souvenirs at the top also. A fairly well preserved example of Spanish Colonial architecture, bit the largest in the mar caribe but worth seeing, especially for the unique views.