must-visit in Cartagena de IndiasCastle & Fortress

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

📍 Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Cartagena, Colombia

1 photos

4.6/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: Colombia, Cartagena de Indias
Category: Castle & Fortress
Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Opening Hours: Daily 7:00–18:00 (last entry around 17:00)
Ticket Price: Adult: Free · Foreign adult COP 38,000; Colombian national (with ID) COP 33,000; children 6–13, students and teachers COP 16,000; under 6 free. Last Sunday monthly: Colombian nationals free.
Address: Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Cartagena, Colombia
Coordinates: 10.4225, -75.5392

Introduction

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is Cartagena's most majestic military fortress, and the largest, strongest castle the Spanish built in the Americas—listed as World Heritage with the old city in 1984. Built in the 17th century and expanded, it towers on San Lazaro hill by the old city, commanding and hard to attack—the military core that defended the wealthy city of Cartagena against pirates and the British, impregnable in many sieges. The castle has thick stone walls, layered bastions, hidden batteries and a clever, complex underground tunnel system—used to move troops and supplies, ingeniously designed with echo conduction, a castle feature. From the top you overlook all of Cartagena, the old city and the Caribbean panorama. Visiting this majestic fortress, walking the mysterious tunnels, overlooking the city—San Felipe is Cartagena's unmissable historic landmark.

✨ Highlights

Largest colonial fortress

The biggest, strongest Spanish castle in the Americas; UNESCO 1984 with the old city.

Underground tunnels

A clever tunnel network for moving troops and supplies, famed for its echo.

City panorama

From the top, overlook Cartagena's old city, harbour and the Caribbean.

Bastions & batteries

Layered stone walls and a triangular layout; 68 guns faced outward.

San Lázaro hill

Stands on the hill by the old city, commanding land and sea approaches at 41 m.

Historic sieges

Survived the 1697 raid and Vernon's 1741 attack, repelled by Blas de Lezo.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best time：Early morning or dusk cool; avoid midday heat.

→Sun protection：Open castle, strong sun; sunscreen and water.

→Footwear：Ramps and steps; comfortable non-slip shoes.

→Combine with：On the hill by the old city; a 15–20 min walk from the old town or Getsemaní.

→Opening Hours：Daily 7:00–18:00 (last entry around 17:00)

→Transportation：Walk / taxi (hill by old city)

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	Free

Foreign adult COP 38,000; Colombian national (with ID) COP 33,000; children 6–13, students and teachers COP 16,000; under 6 free. Last Sunday monthly: Colombian nationals free.

💡 Tips

• Don't miss the castle's mysterious tunnels—clever design, unique echo.

• From the top overlook all Cartagena and the Caribbean.

• Go early morning or dusk to avoid midday heat; sunscreen and water.

• Hours and tickets follow the official notice; nationals free on the last Sunday.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas?

Daily 7:00–18:00 (last entry around 17:00)

How much is the admission for Castillo San Felipe de Barajas?

Adult: Free; Foreign adult COP 38,000; Colombian national (with ID) COP 33,000; children 6–13, students and teachers COP 16,000; under 6 free. Last Sunday monthly: Colombian nationals free.