{"id":44464,"date":"2023-05-19T09:28:14","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T07:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opreismetco.nl\/?p=44464"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:31:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T13:31:57","slug":"what-to-do-in-cartagena-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opreismetco.nl\/en\/spain\/what-to-do-in-cartagena-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Cartagena Spain? 19 tips!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cartagena is a Spanish city with an interesting history and a very photogenic location in a beautiful bay. What to do in Cartagena Spain? Read all about it now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

About Cartagena Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cartagena is located in southeastern Spain on the Costa Calida, in the region of Murcia. It is a city with a tumultuous history dating back to Roman times. In fact, beneath today’s modern city lies another city from the year 0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city has a great atmosphere and is full of cafes and restaurants. Because of its rich history, there are many interesting historic sights. It is also a great destination for hiking enthusiasts; the city is surrounded by mountains, so there are many hiking trails. In short, visiting Cartagena is a great idea for those who fancy a varied city break. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Cartagena Spain?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I myself more than a week in Cartagena and visited many of the city’s attractions. These are the best things to do in Cartagena Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museo Teatro Romano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re asking yourself what to see in Cartagena Spain, Museo Teatro Romano should be on the top of your list. In the 1990s, remnants from Roman times were found under an old fishing quarter, and now a large Roman theater has emerged from under the houses. It’s an impressive sight. Thousands of years ago, about 7,000 residents of the city enjoyed the performances at this place. Can you imagine? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you enter the theater, you will first walk through a museum where you will learn more about life in Cartagena long ago and the discovery of the impressive theater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip!<\/strong> Planning on visiting multiple museums in Cartagena? The entrance fee for each museum is about 4 to 6 euros but you can also buy a city card<\/a><\/strong> that allows you to visit multiple museums at a discount. . <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Museo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Catedral de Santa Mar\u00eda la Mayor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Right next to the Roman theater stands the ruins of Cartagena’s cathedral. There is not much left to see, but it is very occasionally open to visitors. You can visit the ruins of the cathedral during the last week of the month, it is then open for 3 or 4 days between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can check the exact dates on a sign on the doors of the cathedral. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip! <\/strong>Learn more about the history of Cartagena with this Free Walking Tour<\/em><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museo Foro Romano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Want to see more from Roman times after the impressive Roman theater? Then walk a bit to the north of the center, here you will find Museo Foro Romano. This is an archaeological museum dedicated to the city’s ancient Roman forum. The museum is in a modern building built on top of the remains of the historic forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the museum, you will first be shown a film, then walk into the building and see a collection of artifacts excavated from the site, including pottery, coins, and sculptures. Your visit ends in the remains of the Roman Forum where you can admire the ruins. I myself was very impressed with the bathhouse, where you can even still see mosaic floors and parts of paintings. A very interesting place! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy your ticket to the Roman Forum here.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Museo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Castillo de la Concepci\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Cartagena’s long military history, there is a ruin of a fort or castle on almost every hill. Castillo de la Concepci\u00f3n is one of the most notable as it stands in the middle of the city center. You can walk there, but it’s even more fun to take the panoramic lift (\u20ac2). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The castle itself houses a small museum and you can watch several films that will tell you more about Cartagena’s history. In addition, you have stunning views of the city, the mountains, and the harbor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy your combination ticket for the panoramic lift and Castillo de la Concepci\u00f3n here.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Panoramic<\/a>
Panoramic elevator to Castillo de la Concepci\u00f3n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Casa de la Fortuna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Want to know what a house looked like in Roman times? Then go to Casa de la Fortuna. This is a well-preserved Roman house with beautiful mosaic floors and decorative elements from the first century. It’s not big, but nice to check out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy your tickets for Casa de la Fortuna here.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Military Museum of Cartagena<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Historical Military Museum of Cartagena is located on the north side of the city center. As its name suggests, the museum offers an in-depth look at the city’s military history and the role it played in warfare and defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum takes you on a journey through Cartagena’s military history, from the ancient Carthaginian period to modern times. The museum houses an extensive collection of military artifacts, including weapons, uniforms, equipment, and documents, dating from different eras. This is another great place to learn more about the city’s troubled history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muralla del Mar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Muralla del Mar, also known as the Sea Wall, is a historic defensive wall and was originally built in the eighteenth century as part of the city’s fortifications. With its imposing bastions, towers, and moats, it provided essential protection against attacks from the sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the wall has been beautifully preserved, making it an important architectural and historical monument. Take a walk along the beautifully landscaped hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and Cartagena harbor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Muralla<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calle Mayor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Calle Mayor is Cartagena’s main shopping street, full of lively stores, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. It is a great place to store, enjoy a cup of coffee and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the city. It’s always busy here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museo Naval<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At Museo Naval, you can learn more about the evolution of the Spanish Navy and Cartagena’s role as an important naval base. The museum offers fascinating exhibits and interactive displays about shipping. There is an extensive collection of ship models and you can see naval uniforms, navigational instruments, and historical artifacts. An interesting museum to visit if you are interested in the history of shipping and maritime traditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Museo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Barco Tur\u00edstico<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you feel like getting to know Cartagena in a different way? Then get on the Barco Tur\u00edstico, which is a tourist boat. Barco Tur\u00edstico sails into the harbor almost every hour and it is a relaxing and scenic way to explore the city’s beautiful coastline. A guide will tell you all about the best sights. A ride takes about 45 minutes and costs \u20ac6. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Barco<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Puerto de Cartagena<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cartagena’s port is one of the main attractions in the city. The port has been an important trade and naval center throughout the centuries and has a rich maritime history dating back thousands of years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the port of Cartagena is an important gateway for international trade and goods transportation. In addition to its commercial function, the port is also a popular tourist destination, as it receives many cruise ships and luxury yachts visiting the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along the harbor runs a wide boardwalk full of benches where you can enjoy the views. There are also many nice restaurants and cafes. A lively and fun place to spend an afternoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Puerto<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Museo Nacional de Arqueolog\u00eda Subacu\u00e1tica “ARQVA”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This unique museum focuses on the archaeology and heritage of underwater environments. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts from shipwrecks and underwater excavations in the Mediterranean Sea. As a visitor, you can take a fascinating journey through maritime history, admiring ancient shipwrecks, ship equipment, ceramics, coins, and other artifacts found in the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muralla P\u00fanica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Muralla P\u00fanica, also known as the Punic Wall, is an important archaeological site in Cartagena. This wall represents the remains of the ancient Punic city that existed in the area during the Punic period, roughly between the third and second centuries BCE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can see the remnants of the robust defensive walls here, as well as strategically placed watchtowers. These archaeological remains offer a fascinating insight into the structure and design of the fortified city of that period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy your tickets for the punic wall here.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Street art in Cartagena<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Art and culture are important in Cartagena. You can see this not only in the many museums but also in the many murals. Some tell you something about long the history of Cartagena and others are just very modern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will also notice many murals in the city center. There are many demolished buildings where only the facade (which is protected) remains. This is because of the large number of archaeological finds in the city. As a result, many stores were also forced to close. To remember them, paintings have been made on some buildings related to the store that used to be there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Street<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n