Cartagena is considered one of the most important historical cities, not only in Murcia but in the whole of Spain. This is why you will find so many things to see and do in Cartagena.
Located on the Mediterranean coast, more specifically the Costa Cálida, the origins of this city date back to 227 B.C. Therefore, the city is home to great Roman heritage and a wide range of monuments that will leave you speechless. Don’t hesitate to come and visit Cartagena, Spain.
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Things to see in Cartagena Spain
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Cartagena Old Town
The historic centre is, without a doubt, one of the areas you should visit first on your trip to Cartagena. This area has a wide range of cultural, historical, artistic and gastronomic attractions that are sure to leave you speechless.
Let yourself be carried away by its little streets while you discover the street art, as well as its beautiful Catalan modernist buildings and small palaces. Some of the most iconic sites are the Casino, Gaudí’s Casa Calvet, the Gran Hotel and the famous Town Hall. Once you’ve finished your tour of all these places, we recommend trying some local gastronomy, especially tapas.
See the House of Fortune in Cartagena, Spain
The Casa de la Fortuna is an impressive old Roman-style house dating back to the 1st century B.C. You can visit it by going into the basement of one of the most modern buildings in Cartagena.
Inside you can discover various rooms with characteristic decorations, as well as a large exhibition of objects and works from the period, from mosaics and murals to incredible crockery that belonged to the owners of the house. You can visit the Casa de la Fortuna from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:30 to 15:30. One of the most interesting things to do in Cartagena!
La Concepción Castle
In the heart of Torres Park is the Castillo de la Concepción, one of the most impressive sights in Cartagena. It sits atop one of the five hills that protect the city.
This castle dates back to medieval times, having been built between the 13th and 14th centuries. As well as being an exceptional place to enjoy panoramic views of the whole city and its port, you can also go inside the castle. You can find the Information Centre of the History of Cartagena, where you will see many works and exhibitions about the city and its civilisations more than 3,000 years ago. Don’t forget to book your ticket in advance!
Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre must be at the top of your list of places to see in Cartagena. This impressive theatre was built during the years 5 to 1 BC, and is one of the most iconic sites in the whole city.
You can access the Roman Theatre from different points of the city, so choose depending on the area where you are walking previously. One of the entrances is from the Palace of Riquelme, where before reaching the theatre you will pass through an incredible museum that will tell you about the history of the site. Another entrance is through the Parque de la Cornisa. Once you have entered the theatre, you can walk through a series of archaeological remains. You will be fascinated!
Peral Submarine
The Peral Submarine is one of the most emblematic places in Cartagena. This imposing replica of the real submarine is located at the roundabout on Paseo de Alfonso XIII.
This submarine was designed by the famous engineer Isaac Peral, with mechanics that worked using electric energy, and the first to fulfil a military function in history. If you want to get to know the real submarine, you will have to visit the busy Naval Museum, where you can learn all about the history of this incredible marine vehicle, as well as listen in detail to the history of the Spanish navy. A really interesting visit to do in Cartagena!
See The Port of Cartagena
The Port of Cartagena is one of the most popular places to stroll and relax, both for locals and travellers who come to visit the city. This beautiful area not only offers a pleasant environment to walk around, but is also a very culturally rich area of the city.
Along your walk around the port you will come across numerous works and sculptures that pay homage to different victims of terrorism. Among them are Los Cañones de la Dársena de Botes and La Cola de Ballena (The Whale’s Tail). However, the most famous place in the port is definitely the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology, also known as ARQUA. We recommend going inside, where you can see a collection of coins from the Odyssey treasure, dating back to 1804, which is truly impressive!
Roman Forum Neighbourhood
The Roman Forum district is one of the places with the most historical value not only in Cartagena, but in the whole of Spain. It is a kind of museum that has some of the remains of what Cartagena once was.
You can walk along some of the ancient roads that made up the city, as well as visit the sanctuary of the Egyptian goddess Isis or the ruins of what were once Roman temples. At the end of this visit, travellers usually go to the famous Cerro del Molinete, where you will be able to admire the whole city with unbeatable views. You will love it!
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is one of the favourite places in Cartagena, especially among the locals. Despite its beautiful surroundings and majesty, its most characteristic and striking feature is the imposing Palacio Consistorial.
From the square you can easily access some of the most beautiful areas of the city, such as the Port or the Roman Theatre Museum. The town hall has an impressive façade made of white marble, crowned with dark domes. You can go inside and be completely amazed by its decor and the many rooms to visit.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Cartagena?
Mar Menor
The Mar Menor is in the southeast of the region of Murcia, and is the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. This impressive lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea has some of the most beautiful natural spots in Murcia.
Among all the activities you can do in the Mar Menor, we recommend starting with an excursion to the impressive salt flats of San Pedro del Pinatar. You can admire a spectacular landscape with the contrasts between the white mountains of salt and the pink tones of its pools. Another of the most curious activities to do in the Mar Menor is to take a famous mud bath, or attend one of the festivals that take place there, especially in summer.
Calblanque Beaches
The beaches of Calblanque are known for being some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Murcia. Located just a 40 minute drive from Cartagena, it is without a doubt one of the places you can’t miss on your trip.
These beaches are located on the Costa Cálida, and you can choose from up to eight different coves or beaches. One of the most famous is Calblanque Beach. In addition to its transparent waters, its most characteristic feature is its golden sand, which is almost 300 metres long. From there you will be able to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, so don’t hesitate to go and check it out!
Portman Port
Port Portman is located in the beautiful bay of Portman, and is a spectacular natural harbour located between the mines of Cartagena and Unión. This place is not only an idyllic setting but also has a wide range of cultural heritage not to be missed.
In ancient times, the Romans named this place Portus Magnus, which means “Big Port”. This port is located in a film-like landscape that mixes mountains and sea, making it an ideal place to set off on a route. One of the most iconic places in the port is its famous Portman Lighthouse, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the sea.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cartagena Spain
Admission to the museum to see the submarine costs just €3.
The easiest way to get to the Mar Menor from Cartagena is to take the car along the AP-7 motorway for 30 minutes. You will reach your destination quickly.
In Cartagena you will be able to try many local dishes that suit practically all tastes. You can’t leave the city without trying them all!
– First of all, we recommend the delicious caldero, a of fish-based rice stew. It includes small pieces of fish and is usually accompanied with alioli and paprika.
– Next, one of the dishes you must try is michirones. This meal is a stew of dried broad beans, usually accompanied by chorizo, ham and bay leaves, all served in an earthenware casserole.
– Another dish you’ll love is the famous Murcian pork stew, made with different parts of the pig, potatoes, rice, beans and onions – it’s amazing!
– Finally, you must try the acclaimed marinera, one of Cartagena’s most famous tapas. It is made of a bread doughnut served with Olivier salad and an anchovy on top.
– To finish with something sweet, we recommend trying the suspiros, a baked good made from almonds. You’ll love them!
A standard ticket to the Roman Theatre costs €6, while the reduced rate is €5 if purchased online, as well as for students, children under 12 and the unemployed.
How to organise what to see in Cartagena?
If you don’t know where to start organising your trip, or what to see in Cartagena, download the Passporter App and we’ll help you.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter
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