The 11 Best Cartagena Shore Excursions

1.Shore Excursion PRIVATE City tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $163Our pick

See Cartagena’s fortress, hilltop La Popa Convent, Walled City, Las Bóvedas, and Saint Peter Claver Sanctuary on a private four-hour tour. Your guide and driver handle the traffic while you enjoy flexible pacing, light refreshments, shopping time, and port pickup and return.

“We were a group of 3 people, who thoroughly enjoyed the private city tour. The guide was informative and kind. The vehicle was air conditioned and comfortable. Most of all, we avoided the crowds and were able to see the sights that we preferred. A. Venezia”

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2.Cartagena and Murcia – full day shore excursion for cruise guests

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $131

This 6 to 8 hour shore excursion links Cartagena and Murcia in an air-conditioned vehicle for up to 18 people. Your guide may include Roman ruins, the Roman Theatre, churches, a naval museum, Cervantes House, and free time. Guides such as Gema, Diego, Inma, and Enrique have led the tour.

“That you don’t spend time in Murcia I’m writing this note to share my disappointment on the shore excursion tour to Murcia we took on May 2nd, 2025 from the celebrity ascent. Since the moment the tour started we noticed the poor english Almudena our so called tour guide had. In fact some other people complained they couldn’t understand what she was saying. The first stop was the sanctuary of Fonte Buena, which we couldn’t visit because it was closed. The guide told us we had to wait 15 minutes for they to open but after 45 minutes we left the place since it was never opened. Then we arrived…”

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3.Cartagena Unforgettable: Half Day Private City Tour (Also for Cruisers)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $188

Spend four hours with a bilingual guide and private driver exploring Bocagrande, La Popa Convent, San Felipe Fortress, Cartagena’s Walled City, and San Pedro Claver Square. The private format lets you adjust the pace, add interests, and return to your cruise ship comfortably.

“Our tour guide, Katherine, and our driver, did an excellent job. She was very knowledgeable and fun to be with for the four hours of the tour. She showed us all the highlights and went into great depth about the history and meaning of each of them to Columbia.”

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4.Shore excursion Cartagena city tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $75

See Cartagena’s main sights in four hours with a local guide, air-conditioned transport, and stops at La Popa, Las Bóvedas, the Walled City, San Pedro Claver, and Manga. Guides such as Benny and Eduardo add local insight, though the schedule can feel brisk.

“I felt that the guide Benny rushed us trough the tour.. The tour was scheduled to go for 3 1/2 - 4 hours.He ended with not quite 3 hours. We were very disappointed.”

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5.Cartagena City Tour: 4-Hour Cruise Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · from $65Best value

Meet your English or Spanish-speaking guide at Cartagena’s cruise pier, then visit Manga, San Felipe Fort, Las Bovedas, the old city, St. Peter Claver Church, and the Emerald Museum. Guides such as Benny have offered strong city context, while air-conditioned transport keeps this busy half-day plan manageable.

“Guide was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain things.”

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6.Shore Excursion: 4-Hour Cartagena Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

You’ll explore Cartagena with a private English-speaking guide, visiting the Punic Wall, Casa de la Fortuna, Roman Theater Museum, and panoramic elevator. Guides including Dani, Jordi, Ula, and Alisa bring the city’s Roman, military, Muslim, and Modernist past to life. Admission fees are extra.

“We had a great time with Ula our tour guide. She made the tour very interesting even for our two kids”

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7.Murcia and Cartagena Shore Excursion Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $589

Travel from Cartagena to Murcia with a private English-speaking guide such as Ursula, Danny, Veronica, or Pedro. Visit the Shrine of Fuensanta, Murcia Cathedral, Royal Casino, Punic Wall, and Cartagena’s main street, with local meat pie and café asiático tastings included.

“We had a great day in Murcia and Cartagena making the most of a 1-day cruise stop here. Ursula was energetic and passionate in her knowledgeable delivery of a jam-packed tour experience of both Murcia and Cartagena. The vehicle was clean, comfortable and cool on an extremely hot day. We had water provided so we stayed hydrated as we navigated the walking tours in the heat. We really had a wonderful day considering our limited time here.”

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8.Shore Excursion: Cartagena Half-Day Private Tour with transport

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Take a four-hour private tour of Cartagena for up to six people, with port pickup, a guide-driver, and air-conditioned transport. See the Punic Wall, Castillo de la Concepción, Calle Mayor, Isaac Peral’s submarine, Roman sites, and, time allowing, La Manga and Cabo de Palos.

“Our private guide Ana gave us a personalized, air conditioned car and walking leisurely but jam packed and informed tour of Cartegna. She was sensitive to the slower pace of a hip and knee challenged tourist like me but never made me feel awkward. Cartegena is rich in history and recently discovered Roman ruins. We explored excavation sites that included part of a 2 story 30 foot tall and 15 foot wide Phoenician wall that housed horses and soldiers within its walls, a Roman forum with thermal baths, a huge Roman theatre as well as a Roman coliseum that now hosts bull fights. The amazing thing is that many of…”

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9.Coves & Beaches Private Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $251

Travel privately from Cartagena with an English-speaking guide to Cabo de Palos, La Manga del Mar Menor, protected salt flats, and possibly Cala Cortina. Expect flexible stops, local beach bars, chilled drinks, and door-to-door transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

“Fabulous experience! Trip was for our wedding anniversary and Kim and Craig really looked after us and I had a break from designated driver.”

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10.Cartagena Highlights Shore Excursion Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $218

Meet your English-speaking guide at Cartagena’s cruise terminal or hotel for a private four-hour walk through the old quarter, Punic Wall, Art Nouveau streets, archaeological sites, and a high viewpoint. Guides including Isabel and Veronica have tailored visits to guests’ interests.

“I was met by Veronica at the agreed meeting point. She was very knowledgeable about Cartagena and very easy to get along with. Whilst leading the tour she also took time to ask me about any particular areas of interest that I had and to answer any questions. A first class tour that not only met but exceeded my expectations.”

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11.Private 4-hour Shore Excursion of Cartagena with driver and official guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $487

See Cartagena with a private driver and official guide, including the Roman Theater Museum, Naval Museum, Molinete ruins, Punic Wall, ARQUA, and castle views. Guide David is praised for warm, clear storytelling, though the four-hour schedule requires a brisk pace.

“Great walking tour of Cartagena We did a short scenic drive - mostly to get a great view of the city from a higher elevation, Castillo de La Concepcion Then we began our walking tour, with an in depth visit to the Roman Theater museum Our guide, David was warm and informative, entertaining us while learned some history Wonderful way to see Cartagena!”

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