Colonial walls, salsa spilling out of every bar, and a sea the colour of glass. Cartagena doesn't do subtle, and neither does this fare.
World2fly flies non-stop from Madrid to Cartagena from €658 return, with dates open across October and November 2026.
✈️ The Deal
- From: Madrid, Spain
- To: Cartagena, Colombia
- Airline: World2fly
- Stops: Non-stop
- Price: €658 - €699 return
- When: October - November 2026
Example dates:
02/10/2026 - 06/11/2026
07/10/2026 - 17/10/2026
16/10/2026 - 13/11/2026
23/10/2026 - 13/11/2026
13/11/2026 - 27/11/2026
15/11/2026 - 24/11/2026
Check dates on Trip.com
💰 How far does your money go?
A Club Colombia beer from a street stall costs under €1, a fraction of what a caña costs on a Madrid terrace. A full lunch at a local spot in Getsemaní runs around €4, and even a proper dinner with drinks at a mid-range restaurant lands around €15 a head. Your euros stretch a long way here.
☀️ The Weather
Cartagena runs hot and humid year-round, and October keeps that up with highs around 31°C and frequent tropical downpours, expect rain on more than half the days. By November the rain eases off and the heat stays, still around 31°C but drier and easier to plan around. Pack light clothes and a compact umbrella either way.
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay inside the walled city for cobblestones and colour, or in Getsemaní for a cheaper, livelier base.
Hotel Monterrey — 8.3/10 · From €112/night A comfortable base right by the walled city entrance, good for anyone who wants to walk everywhere.
Casa Pizarro Hotel Boutique — 8.8/10 · From €55/night A colonial courtyard, rooftop terrace and standout breakfast, right inside the old town walls.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena — 9.3/10 · From €270/night A restored 17th-century convent turned five-star hotel, with a pool and spa inside the old city walls.
🎯 What to Do
Cartagena mixes colonial history with Caribbean beach life, often within a few streets of each other.
Walk the old city walls at sunset — Centuries-old ramparts ringing the historic centre, best with a drink in hand as the light turns gold.
Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas — A 17th-century fortress with tunnels and views over the whole city.
Eat your way through Getsemaní — Street food stalls, arepas and fresh fruit carts line the neighbourhood's colourful, mural-covered streets.
Day trip to Playa Blanca — White sand and turquoise water on Isla Barú, reachable by boat in under an hour.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Cartagena also makes a solid base for exploring more of Colombia's Caribbean coast.
Islas del Rosario — A cluster of 28 coral islands with clear water for snorkelling, about 45 minutes by boat.
Santa Marta — Colombia's oldest city, with easy access to Tayrona National Park, around 4 hours by road.
Minca — A mountain village of coffee farms and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada, a scenic detour from Santa Marta.
€658 return and no layover to a city this colourful doesn't last. Lock in your dates before November fills up.
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