What to Do with One Day in Cartagena (Spain)

Is Cartagena worth visiting

If you are wondering if is Cartagena in Spain worth visiting, our answer is: definitely, Yes! Cartagena, the city of discovery, with a rich culural heritage. It is home for numerous attractions such as the Roman Theatre, the Naval Museum, El Zulo, and the Cathedral.

Additionaly, Cartagena is located on the Mediterranean coast, so travelers can also spend time relaxing on the beach or exploring the bays for historical artifacts :)

Things to know before visiting Cartagena

As a port town, Cartagena is renowned for its fresh seafood and tantalizing local dishes. The city has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. The best time to visit is from April to June or September to November when the weather is pleasant.

Interesting facts:

Cartagena is a Spanish city was founded in 227 BC (also know as New Carthage). This strategic location surrounded by mountains and with access to the sea.

Cartagena was an important naval base during the Roman Empire and served as a major trading hub for the Mediterranean. Today, this port is considered the key in the country, and its name speaks for itself Puerto Commercial.

Cartagena is famous for the large number of archaeological sites in the region. Fact: the main attraction of the city - the Roman Theatre was discovered only in 1988.

How to get to Cartagena in Spain

Want to know how to get to Cartagena by car, by train, or taxi? We have gathered for you all the useful information about this trip!

By car. The first assumes the presence of own car. The distance from Alicante to Cartagena: 130 km. So, we have two autobahns available. The AP-7 toll highway and the N-332 regular highway, along the coast. Travel time: 1 hour. From the coastal resort as Orihuela Costa or Torrevieja to Cartagena follow the same directions as from Alicante.

By taxi: The second is the old and proven method is a "calling " a taxi to Cartagena:

From Alicante - 80 $ - Torrevieja - 38 $ - La Zenia - 33 $ - Orihuela Costa - 35 $ - Murcia - 44 $ - or book a car with personal driver <<-

The third option for getting to Cartagena is to use public transport. The train journey Alicante - Cartagena does not last more than 2h.30 min, and from the Murcia - 1 h. Yes, you can get from Torrevieja to Cartagena by bus with the Alicante – Cartagena line with ALSA.

How can i spend one day in cartagena

Cartagena is easy to visit if you only have one day since it is a compact city with just a few big sites. Here's how to see the best of Cartagena in a day:

Where to start? Los Mateos is the starting point for a walking tour. There is a Lidl Shop nearby where you can find free car parking, and the railway station is also located in this area.
Visit the Roman Theatre museum. The theatre was built between the 5th and 1st centuries BC, is one of the largest and best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in Spain.
Walk to the Castillo de la Concepcion, a medieval castle that offers panoramic views of the city and the harbour.
Head to the Paseo Alfonso XIII, a tree-lined promenade that leads the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where you can see the City Hall and the Cathedral of Cartagena
Have a lunch at one of the many seafood reastaurants near the harbor, for example Restaurante La Marquesita or El Pescador.
Visit the Naval Museum, which showcase the city's maritime history.

Cartagena City Hall

As one walks throught the neighborhoods, the attention is immediately drawn to the numerous archaeological works. The reasons for this abundance is the presence of the Roman Theatre. It was discovered in the 1980s. In this story, amazing is the fact that a monument of such magnitude was hiding from the gaze of passers-by, literally under the nose. Draw the formula: take the date of laying the first city stone with the period of discovery, take into account the size of the center: 1x1 kilometers. WOW!

Roman Theatere

The Roman Theatre in Cartagena is a well-preserved ancient structure that dates back to the 1st century.

The theater was buil during the reign of Emperor Augustus and was used for various events, inclunding theatrical perfomances and gladiator fights. It could accommodate up to 6.000 spectators and was a significant cultural center during the Roman Empire.

Today, visitors can explore the theater. The stage, seating areas, and underground chambers are all open to the public, providing a unique glimpse to the past.

The Roman Theater is located in the heart of Cartagena's historic district and is surrounded by other ancient ruins. It is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in Roman architecture.

Tickets >>

What to see in Cartagena

With so much to see and do, Cartagena is must-visit destination in Spain. From the Amphitheatre to the fortress of Galeras there is something for everyone to enjoy. However, it's important to take a moment to appreciate the city itself. In addition to the typical tourist hotspots, Cartagena boasts unique and worthwhile attractions. Here are some recommendations:

EL ZULO

The bronze monument of El Zulo in Cartagena, it is a work of the Spanish sculptor Victor Ochoa. The total cost of the sculpture: $750,000. Almost a million of Euro can be seen on Alfonso Street

THE ARSENAL

The arsenal along the waterfront is represented by 12 artillery pieces of various origins. The two of them were sold to King Ferdinand VII from Emperor Alexander I. This is easy to verify, because the cast barrels are decorated with a double-headed eagle - the symbol of russian empire.

TAIL OF THE WHALE

The sculpture is about five meters high and eight meters wide, imitating the natural immersion of a mammal in water (a frequently observed phenomenon near the Mar Menor lagoon). The author of the project Fernando Saenz de Ellorieta. He is a sailor and a professional diver.

Product weight: 25 tons.

GRAND HOTEL

Grand Hotel is a luxurious mansion, the work of the architectural "father" of Cartagena - Victor Beltri. However, the building served as a police headquarters and also housed accommodation for officers and their families.

Ideas in Cartagena

No one day in Cartagena itinerary could hope to cover everything there is to see in the city– but if you have more time in Cartagena, consider paying a visit to Calblanque Park, go hiking in the Sierra de la Muela, or simply wander the closest beaches and soak up the views.

Football

Football is a popular sport in Cartagena, with many local teams. The most prominent club in the city is FC Cartagena, which was founded in 1995 and currently plays in Segunda Division, the second tier of Spanish football. The club's home ground is the Estadio Municipal Cartagonova.

La Mar de Musicas

This festival takes place in July and features a diverse lineup of international artists perfoming a wide variety of genres, including world music, jazz & pop. Learn More >>

Cartagineses y Romanos

This festival takes place in September and commemorates the city's Roman and Carthaginian past. The festival includes reenactments of historical battles, parades, and other cultural events. Read more >>

Holy Week (Semana Santa)

Celebrated in March or April, Holy Week is one of the most important festivals in Cartagena. The city is known for its elaborate processions, which feature religious statues that are carried throught the streets by members of local brotherhoods.