Visiting Cartagena de Indias is to enter in a city where history breathes from every stone. And between all their treasures, one looms over the city as a living testimony to his legacy: the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, one of the key strengths of the continent, and today, one of the places most visited by domestic and international travellers.
Recently awarded with the prize Travellers’ Choice 2025 Tripadvisor, this iconic castle not only stands out for its military architecture, but also for being a fundamental part of the cultural heritage of Colombia and the world.
A jewel of a declared World Heritage site by Unesco
Built in 1536 by the Spanish and expanded in several stages until the EIGHTEENTH century, the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas is a feat of military engineering of that time. Its complex network of tunnels, walls and passages in it was designed to defend the city from attacks by sea and by land, resisting numerous sieges.
For its historical value, cultural, and architectural, this fortress was included in the declaration of the Unesco World Heritage, along with the entire old city walls of Cartagena. It is, without doubt, one of the icons more recognizable in the country and a must for all visitors.
Acknowledgments to the consolidated their position as a premier tourist destination
In 2025, the Castle of San Felipe was recognized with the prestigious prize Travellers’ Choice by Tripadvisor, a distinction that places it among the tourist attractions most valued globally by thousands of travellers.
This recognition not only celebrates their beauty and historical importance, but also the experience that it offers to those who travel along it: panoramic views of the city, underground tunnels filled with mystery, and the possibility of imagining, step-by-step, how to be defended Cartagena of the pirates and enemy powers.
A cultural tour, a few steps from the hotels Mustique
Located just minutes from the historic center, the Castle of San Felipe is an ideal visit for those who stay in the hotels Mustique. Our concierges will be happy to arrange a guided tour that allows them to explore this fortress with context, detail and comfort.
In the morning, in the framework of a cultural walk, or at the end of the afternoon, when the sun goes down and the castle is dyed in golden, this visit becomes a memorable moment of the trip.
A symbol of national identity and pride
The Castle of San Felipe is not only a tourist attraction: it is a symbol of resistance, strategy and identity. Represents centuries of history that shaped the character of Cartagena and Colombia.
Its conservation, its relevance in the national narrative, and its international recognition become an obligatory stop for those who want to understand the soul of this caribbean city.
Stay in Mustique and discover the history of Cartagena with elegance
From any of our boutique hotels located in colonial houses of the historic center, you can enjoy Cartagena at your own pace. Away from mass tourism and close to the real thing. With the accompaniment of our team, your visit to the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas will be much more than a walk: it will be an intimate encounter with history.
Discover Cartagena. Live your legacy. Stay with Mustique.