Cartagena was one of our favorite places we visited on our recent trip to Murcia! Although not regularly mentioned among the country’s best cities, we found so many fun things to do in Cartagena Spain. Let us take you through historic streets, to the Roman theatre, and amazing tapa bars. After reading this article, you’ll surely add Cartagena to your next Spain itinerary, even if you only have one day to explore!
Planning a Trip to Cartagena Spain
🇪🇸 Cartagena is located in Murcia along the southwest coast of Spain.
✈️ The closest airport is Region of Murcia International Airport (CTG). Alicante-Elche (ALC) and Almeria Airport (LEI) are both under 2 hours away as well.
☀️ You can visit Cartagena year round. However, it is particularly nice in the spring and fall months.
🚗 A vehicle isn’t needed for the city, but there are so many fun day trip ideas from Cartagena! Compare rates and companies with DiscoverCars to find the best deals on rental cars.
🏨 Check out some of the highest rated hotels right in old town:
- Boutique Hotel: La Casa de las Flores
- Amazing Location: AC Hotel by Marriott Cartagena
- Budget Friendly: B&B HOTEL Cartagena Cartagonova
11 Best Things to do in Cartagena Spain
1. See the Ancient Roman Theatre
The Roman theatre is what brings many travelers to the city in the first place! The ancient structure was built over 2,000 years ago, and is one of the most well-preserved of its kind in Spain.
Be sure to enter from the main street through the museum. There is a discounted pass available that includes the Roman theatre with more of the best things to do in Cartagena Spain. You can also grab a combo ticket in advance here.
The museum is worth seeing in itself to get the incredible backstory of the city. As we were strolling around the theatre, we couldn’t believe it once held 7,000 spectators!
Yet, maybe the most spectacular part about it is that it was only recently rediscovered. The many civilizations that came after the Romans built over the ancient theatre, so it was only uncovered in 1988 during construction of the area.
Excavations began in the 1990’s to reveal what you see today. It was so cool to be able to walk up and down the steps, as most of it is not closed off to tourists.
2. Explore the Old Town of Cartagena Spain
After you’ve seen the famous Roman theatre, we recommend walking though the lively streets of Cartagena old town. As we mentioned, it’s not a massive city, so you can get practically everywhere by walking.
The old town is a maze of winding streets and alleyways, filled with cafes, tapa bars, and local restaurants. The main street that holds it all together is Calle Mayor.
This is a great place to stop in for a coffee and watch the city come alive. Calle Mayor eventually leads into the stunning city hall square of Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
3. City Views From Castillo de la Conception
Ready for more amazing history? A visit to the castle is one of the best things to do in Cartagena!
The medieval fortress sits right above old town and looks out over the city’s harbor. It’s actually been used since Roman times, but the castle you see today dates back to the 12th century.
Our tickets we bought at the Roman theatre included a pass to here, as well as a couple more places we will discuss later. You can either walk the dozens of stairs to the top or pay a couple Euros extra to take the elevator.
Once you’ve reached Castillo de la Conception, head into the museum to learn more about the history of this fascinating fortress. Our favorite part was taking in the panoramic views of the city and waterfront.
It’s easy to see why this was such an important defense point for centuries. There were even a few peacocks showing off for us around the castle grounds!
4. Tapa Hop Around Cartagena
A major highlight of our one day in Cartagena Spain was all the delicious food! There are many great local restaurants to try around the city, but we were specifically drawn to the tapa bars.
This is a fun way to try all kinds of specialties from the Murcia region. Seafood is a big part of the Cartagena food scene with its location on the Mediterranean Sea.
Don’t miss out on classics like calamari, garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo), and mixed fried fish plates. Another unique tapa we tried was Marinera, a russian salad on a breadstick with anchovies. We even got a tostadas with ratatouille spread and tasty cheeses.
La Antigua Maestranza and El Travador are two of the most popular tapa spots for snacks and drinks. However, our favorite restaurant was the El Canton Bar. Just plan to make a reservation here if you’re visiting in the busy summer months.
5. Stroll Along the Waterfront Promenade
You’ve heard us mention the waterfront multiple times already in this Cartagena guide, and for good reason. This is a beautiful area of the city, with palm tree-lined promenade and hundreds of sailing boats and yachts.
Cruise ships regularly stop in Cartagena, so you may have it included in your itinerary. If you didn’t know, Cartagena is also home Spain’s largest naval base. Don’t be surprised if you see military ships off the coast!
The waterfront is a nice place to go for a drink or meal before heading into the streets of old town. You can also stop into Experiencia 43 to try the famous drink we’ll touch on soon.
6. Take a Cartagena Boat Tour
It’s time to get out on the water! Cartagena has a multitude of boat tours, catering to all kinds of travelers. If you only have one day in Cartagena, we highly recommend the classic harbor boat tour that’s only an hour long.
There is also the popular Catamaran cruise that includes drinks and swim stops around the bays. The more adventurous visitors will enjoy the longer trips that go along the cliffs surrounding Cartagena and into hidden bays. There is even an option to rent your own boat if you’d like to go out on your own!
7. Visit a Cartagena Museum
By now, you can tell that Cartagena is filled with an insane amount of history. Visiting a museum is one of the best ways to learn about the cultures and empires that came before.
Of course, you’ll want to see the museums we’ve mentioned at the Roman theatre and castle. For a more in-depth look at the seafaring history, you’ll want to stop into the Naval Museum of Cartagena.
One of the most interesting places to see if you have time is the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Here, you can see the wild artifacts recovered from ancient shipwrecks and find out why this was such an important trade route.
8. Go on a Cartagena Walking Tour
If you have limited time in Cartagena, a walking tour can be a great way to get a feel for the city. There is a free walking tour that takes around two hours and works off tips from customers.
A similar paid tour that includes historic sites is with Imprescindibles de Cartagena. It will you take you to the Roman theatre and Punic Walls, all with a guide to provide more information.
Another option is to hop on a tapa tour to combine food and history as you walk!
9. Try the Famous Licor 43 Coffee
After living in Spain for years, we’ve had our fair share of Licor 43. It’s a popular ingredient in the delicious spiked coffees from Costa del Sol to the Canary Islands.
Still, before our visit, we had no idea that its story began in Cartagena Spain! The recipe combines citrus fruits, spices, and herbs with a kick of vanilla. This makes it a great addition to cocktails and sweet post-meal coffees.
One of the best things to do in Cartagena is sample a traditional Asiatico. This includes licor 43 with espresso, brandy, and condensed milk.
You will see these advertised at cafes all around the city. Sometimes, they even add a lemon peal or sprinkle cinnamon on top for extra flavor.
As we said earlier, Experienca 43 is the ultimate stop on the waterfront to really dive in. This is an entire upscale restaurant geared around licor 43 cocktails and coffees with a gift shop attached.
→ 13 Drinks in Spain to Enjoy on Your Next Vacation
10. Swim at the Beaches Near Cartagena
Upon first glance at the busy harbor, you may not think there is many places to swim around Cartagena. Well, think again!
If you only have one day in Cartagena, you can simply walk from the city centre to Cala Cortina. This sandy paradise is surrounded by cliffs and is complete with a beach bar and sun loungers.
Cartagena is also close to so many magical beaches. Some of the best swimmings spots are located inside Calblanque National Park, which is under 30 minutes away.
This is one reason why renting a car is a great idea. It will give you freedom to explore the untouched beaches of Calblanque and have a proper day in the sun. As we mentioned earlier, a boat tour is also an amazing way to get out on the water!
11. Be in Awe of the Ancient Punic Walls
There are so many epic historic sites to see in Cartagena, but there’s one last one to add to your itinerary! The punic walls sit just outside of old town on a hill above the city.
Muralla Punica was constructed by the Carthaginians back in 227 BC, making it the oldest ancient wall of Cartagena. It was part of the cities original defense, and played a part in the Second Punic War between Rome and Hannibal.
Not only is this the oldest preserved wall in the city, but one of the most historic sites to see in all of the Iberian Peninsula. It’s also just a 10 minute walk from old town and the Roman theatre, so it’s easy to include it with all the best things to do in Cartagena Spain.
Is Cartagena Spain Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! If you couldn’t tell by now, Cartagena was one the biggest surprises for us on our recent visit to the region.
It’s filled with unbelievable history, delicious food, and a lively tapa scene that can rival many Spanish cities. The best part of it for us is that it was so easily walkable. This meant we could see everything, even with only one day in Cartagena.
If you have more time, it’s also a great place to base yourself from to see more of the Murcia region. We were actually staying in nearby Cabo de Palos, a rustic fishing village 20 minutes to the east with a famous lighthouse.
With a rental car, you can also visit the beaches of Calblanque National Park and take a drive out along the peninsula of La Manga del Mar Menor. This area is home to Islas Hormigas, which is known as one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Mediterranean.
You can even stay at the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa and play golf at one of their three championship courses. As you can see, there is enough to do and see around here where you can easily spend a week or more.
Have any questions about this article or want to share more of the best things to do in Cartagena Spain? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Pin for Later ↓
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
