Old Shoes Monument (Los Zapatos Viejos) Tours and Activities

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.

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.

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.

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 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.