Cartagena is the most surprising place that I’ve ever visited. I’ve never heard anyone talking about it and I didn’t know much about it. But after visiting, it’s easily a place that I’d return to later. I’d love to rent a little apartment and spend an entire week there, wandering around the town, lounging in sun-soaked plazas and going down to the beach.
10 things to do in Cartagena, Spain
1. Walk through the Roman Theatre Museum
This Roman Theatre was built between 5 and 1 BC and it’s in amazing condition. But the fascinating thing is that it wasn’t even discovered until 1988! Excavations and restorations were finished in 2003 with the museum opening in 2008. All of Cartagena is absolutely dripping in history and the fact that these Roman ruins remained undisturbed for so long is absolutely amazing.
2. Explore the Naval Museum
Cartagena is a port city and has an extremely long naval history. It’s a part of the Naval Museum of Madrid. I found learning about the modern navy really fascinating as it’s something that I don’t know anything about.
3. Walk along the Calle Mayor
Calle Mayor is the main shopping street in Cartagena. But what makes it special is that it’s tiled in this amazing blue-grey marble tile. It really sets the city apart. It’s absolutely stunning.
4. Visit Casa de La Fortuna
I’ve already mentioned that Cartagena is dripping with Roman history. And Casa de la Fortuna is a 1 BC Roman house in Plaza de Risueño. The house has been turned into a museum and you can tour the different rooms as well as see artefacts that were discovered in the excavation.
5. Gaze at all the wonderful art nouveau architecture
In the early 20th century Cartagena was a fairly bougie destination which led to the construction of numerous art nouveau buildings (including the City Hall, the Grand Hotel and a casino). There are several walking tours that you can take to discover art nouveau Cartagena.
6. Visit the Castillo de la Concepcio
It’s a medieval castle on a hill that rises steeply from the port of Cartagena. It costs to enter the castle, but the gardens themselves are free and filled with strutting peacocks!
7. Take in the awesome street art in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
It’s the lovely large city square located outside of town hall. It’s a stunning space and it’s surrounded by cute little bars and cafes. It’s a prime place to settle down with a drink and do some people watching.
8. Visit the Palacio Consistoria
This is Cartagena’s Town Hall, and it’s barely set back from the waterfront. It has to have the best view of any town hall out there. The interior is so elegantly beautiful and you can snag a guided tour for about €1.
9. Have a nose around the Plaza de la Merced
It’s a lovely plaza and it’s littered with archaeological digs. Roman ruins, Punic artefacts and relics dating from the Carthaginian settlement have been found. There have been two digs there already with a third underway!
10. Visit the Barrio del Foro Romano
A whole Roman town block still exists plus a Roman forum. There were arcades there, thermal baths and paintings. It was also recently discovered and excavations took place in 2008 and 2009. (This has to be the most Roman heavy ’10 Things’ list I’ve ever created.)
And two bonuses for if you have access to a car or book a taxi
11. Bateria de Castillitos (30 minutes drive) or to Playa de Calblanque to soak up some excellent beachy-times!
Have you ever visited Cartagena?
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