Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos) Tours
Located at the base of San Felipe Castle, the Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos) is a giant sculpture of a pair of old boots. A popular spot for a selfie, the monument was created by Hector Lombana Piñeres in response to the poem “Mi Ciudad Nativa” by local poet (and one of South America’s most respected writers) Luis Carlos López.
The Basics
A plaque in front of this quirky sculpture features López’s poem in its entirety; the final line compares the poet’s love of his hometown of Cartagena to what he feels for a pair of worn-in but familiar and comfortable shoes. Many sightseeing tours of Cartagena—including trolley, bike, and walking tours—make a stop at the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, where visitors can snap photos with (or inside of) the giant pair of shoes.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Don’t forget your camera; this is one of Cartagena’s top photo ops.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat; the monument and the castle don’t offer much in the way of shade.
- The monument is free to visit, but the castle charges an entrance fee.
How to Get There
To see the Old Shoes Monument, head to San Felipe Castle (Castillo San Felipe de Barajas) on the hill of San Lázaro, along Avenida Arévalo. The monument is within walking distance of most places in Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. If you’re coming from further afield, your best bet is to take a taxi or catch one of a number of public buses that stop nearby.
When to Get There
Both the castle and the monument are among the city’s most popular attractions, so to avoid large crowds (and long lines to take photos in the shoe), try to arrive early in the day. The castle is open daily throughout the year from morning through early evening.
Cartagena’s Top Photo Spots
Cartagena is undoubtedly one of the world’s most Instagrammable cities, and camera-toting visitors never lack for excellent photo opportunities. Some of the best spots in town for a selfie or a photo session include Calle 37, a quiet alley on the outskirts of the walled city; Calle San Andres, which boasts colorful banners; and the neighborhood of Getsemani, which offers sparser crowds and charming streets.
Address: Calle 31, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia, Colombia
Admission: Adults: COP$8000
7 Tours and Activities to Experience Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos)
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Cartagena City Trolley Tour
Only a trolley tour lets you explore the city of Cartagena's major attractions in open-air historical style. Ride through the city's historical core and around the bay, stopping to visit museums, plazas, and more on your own schedule. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people per booking and includes live onboard commentary.
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From
$25.50
From
$25.50
Bike City tour Cartagena
Our tour is complete to visit the city, it will help you understand the history in 2 hours, and you will get to know almost all the important places around the historic center.
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From
$16.00
From
$16.00
city tours in chiva
We are a company with more than 20 years of experience in the city of Cartagena, to provide a unique and special service for each of our customers, this tour is a cultural service is designed for people who want to know more about the history of Cartagena, visit the main historical monuments of the city and know its historical facts, especially the walk in the historic center, is transferred in history. All the service is accompanied by a professional guide
intinerary:
1. stop at the bay (photostop)
2.para in the letters (photostop)
3. Stop at the monument of old shoes (photostop)
4.parado in the castle of san felipe, entrance incluidad approximately 45min
5. walkway in the historic center
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From
$26.67
From
$26.67
Cartagena Charming City
Enjoy the best of the fortifications in Cartagena on a private city tour. From The Clock Tower, walls, bastions, forts and monuments close to your own pace, with specialized and fun guides in your language
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From
$88.00
Price varies by group size
From
$88.00
Price varies by group size
Typical Bus Tour Party.
Enjoy a spectacular night tour of the walled city, aboard a colorful and very representative bus from Cartagena.
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From
$24.54
From
$24.54
Pirate Tales Tour: To the conquest of the treasure of Cartagena
Legendary pirate Black Bart hasn’t looted or pillaged in over 200 years so he’s pretty anxious for an adventure. That’s good news for you. Join him on an unforgettable walk as he relives his glory days. Cartagena has as much, if not more pirate history, than any city on the planet. Bart Black knows it all. He won’t make you loot, but we know he’ll make you laugh.
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From
$6.99
From
$6.99
Cartagena City Tour
I enjoy my city and I love that those who visit it go as in love with her as I am,
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From
$135.00
per group
From
$135.00
per group
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