Art in Cartagena: Creativity, Street Art, and the Soul of Getsemaní

Getsemani street

If you are into art, you are going to love Cartagena. This city is overflowing with creativity. Whether it’s singers, dancers, fashion designers, painters, or graffiti artists, Cartagena attracts and creates artists of all kinds. The city itself feels like a constant source of inspiration. As you walk through the streets, you might be approached by small groups of young men carrying a large speaker who will sing live and improvise rap songs about you or for you. I had seen videos of this happening in Medellín, but it turns out it happens in Cartagena as well, and it adds such a lively, spontaneous energy to the city.

Getsemaní: the heart of art

If you love painting and street art, you absolutely need to visit Getsemaní, or as I like to call it, the Colombian Montmartre, but even better. Historically, Getsemaní was one of the poorer neighborhoods of Cartagena. Many of its residents were artists, and because the area sits just outside the city walls, laws against graffiti were not strictly enforced. As a result, street art began to flourish.

The local community actually embraced this art because it made the neighborhood more beautiful. Today, art is everywhere in Getsemaní. You will find small boutiques selling paintings, graffiti covering random walls, and murals that clearly look commissioned, as they decorate the fronts of businesses. And businesses there are plenty. The neighborhood is full of small restaurants and bars, many with little terraces set up in front so you can sit outside, enjoy live music from the street, and soak in the atmosphere. The cocktail menus are impressive, and the street food is delicious. Heavy, but very good.

Getsemaní - Terraces

If you don’t feel like sitting at one of the terraces, head to Plaza Trinidad. You will find a wide variety of street food vendors selling arepas, empanadas, hot dogs, burgers, corn, and more. It’s the perfect place to grab something quick while people-watching.

As I mentioned, Getsemaní used to be a poorer neighborhood, and at one point, drug dealers operated in some of its darker alleyways. To combat this, the residents came together and came up with an incredibly creative solution. They purchased dozens of colorful umbrellas and hung them above the narrow streets. It might sound like a strange strategy, but it worked. The umbrellas attracted tourists who came to take photos, bringing visibility and foot traffic to the area. It increased attention to it and made it impossible for illegal activity to continue, so the dealers eventually left. It was a truly ingenious move by the community.

Umbrella street

I spent time in Getsemaní alone in the evenings and felt safe. No one followed me or harassed me, and in my experience, it is very solo-female-travel-friendly. It is the kind of place where you can disconnect, wander without a plan, and truly live in the moment. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Of course, all this beauty and vibrancy did not go unnoticed. Getsemaní is no longer a poor neighborhood. It is now one of the most popular areas in Cartagena and is mentioned in almost every travel guide. I even joined a walking tour while I was there to better understand its history and transformation. Getsemaní is also a victim of gentrification, something you will see openly addressed in some of the street art. I truly hope the neighborhood can find a balance between welcoming tourism, which has helped local businesses thrive, and protecting residents from being pushed out by rising rents.

Fun Fact about Getsemaní

If you like reggaeton and want a sneak peek of the neighborhood’s vibe, you can check out my Instagram, but you can also watch Bronceador by Maluma. Many scenes from the music video were filmed in Getsemaní.