This beautiful and historic colonial town house, restored to its original grandeur, provides a haven of tranquility in the centre of old Cartegena, Colombia’s cultural capital.

House of the blue balcony was built in the sixteenth century. A beautiful colonial town palace, located right in the heart of the car-free city centre of Cartagena, it is just a few steps from the main piazzas and restaurants, on the same street as the Teatro Heredia and cathedral. A few years ago, the house was lovingly restored by its owner - details right down to colour-matching the paintwork to its original hues with the help of the National Restoration Institute.

Built around a central courtyard that holds a fabulous swimming pool, surrounded by tropical vegetation and palms, the house is divided into five apartments, the biggest of which is the House of the blue balcony. From the street, one passes into a huge living room - a ballroom-sized drawing room in times gone by - that serves as the sitting and dining area. Rooms either give onto the tranquil and cool central courtyard, or onto the blue balcony that overlooks the street and the promise of the exotic pavement culture of Cartagena’s centre.

It is a delight to stroll through the faded elegance of the sixteenth century city, through piazzas with Italianate fountains and collonaded walkways, cafes outside which men are playing chess and the bustle around the emerald merchants and jewellery shops. In the evening, the character of the streets changes as smartly dresssed revellers promenade along the walkways on their way to favourite restaurants; life going on until the early hours.

One can  take a taxi, beyond the city walls, to the beaches or take advantage of the boat and skipper that is available with the house, go scuba diving and snorkelling and explore the many isolated beaches of this Caribbean coast. The fishermen will bring you lobster and fish, caught that day, for your beach barbecue!

The house provides the perfect oasis of calm from which to explore the culture and natural beauty of this fascinating area.