HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > CARTAGENA

Cartagena Today

Introduction to Cartagena

Cartagena is a city of contrasts, its rich cultural and military history merely a backdrop for the industrial and commercial activity which supports the second largest city in the Region of Murcia.

Its natural strategic port has offered shelter to traders for thousands of years, and the rich mines of the Sierra Minera provided a reason for the frequent wars which were fought in order to possess it, Cartagena still being a major Military Naval base today, as well as boasting a rich heritage of Military patrimony.The History of Cartagena charts it's development and the cultures which have shaped it today.

The City is developing a lucrative tourism industry based on the number of historical places which tourists can visit and enjoy, including the RomanTheatre Museum, ARQUA, MURAM, Casa de la Fortuna, Cartagena Municipal Archaeology Museum, Augusteum , the Molinete and other well preserved Roman buildings and Museums, major investment into extending the port creating a new market for cruise tourism.

However the port is also a major focal point for commercial activity, and the Escombreras Industrial area has attracted major businesses with the Repsol refinery, SABIC petrochemicals and Holcim concrete plants confined within a concealed industrial zone. Cartagenais also the home of the Regional Assembly.

The Campo de Cartagena is a major agricultural employer, flat irrigated areas producing salad crops, peppers, potatoes and courgettes, whilst non-irrigated crops include olives, carobs and almonds.

The more mountainous pedanías of Cartagena boast extensive areas of wild beaches, stretching around the coastline to Cabo de Palos, where the La Manga strip encloses the Mar Menor, giving Cartagena an extensive offering of prime sandy beaches with safe bathing conditions in Europe's largest saltwater lake.

This in turn creates a varied leisure industry, with watersports, speed circuit, the best diving facilities in Europe, and one of Spain's most prestigious golf and residential complexes, the La Manga Club, all creating leisure and tourism opportunities for local businesses.

Cartagena Spain has a rich cultural offering, with an important Semana Santa, the Romans and Carthaginians Fiestas, Carnival, the Mar de Músicas and Cartagena Jazz festivals, the newly inaugurated El Batel auditorium and congress centre promising an enriched cultural programme.

Where is Cartagena Spain?

Click for map, Cartagena Spain

There is often confusion on map searches as there is another Cartagena in Columbia. Cartagena Spain is located in the south of the region of Murcia and is a major port, as well as Industrial centre.

The municipality of Cartagena covers an area of 558 square kilometres, with a population of 218,000 making it the second largest population centre in the Region of Murcia.

It borders with Torre Pacheco, Los Alcázares, La Unión, Mazarrón and Fuente Álamo.

SELECT A SUBJECT OR READ THE LATEST TOWN ARTICLES BELOW

Whats On Cartagena Cartagena Local News Places to visit Cartagena City Places to visit outlying districts Where to Eat Cartagena Semana Santa, Fiestas, Traditions History of Cartagena Cartagena Cartagena beaches Medical Info, Doctors and Hospitals Police, Town hall, Useful Info Public spaces and cultural venues Monuments, churches and plazas Locations with Military Connections Tourist Information and Parking Cartagena Cruise Ships Shopping and markets Cartagena Property Cartagena municipality

CARTAGENA

New gourmet area to be created at popular indoor market in CartagenaConversion work has already begun at Santa Florentina Market in the Murcia city Santa Florentina Market in Cartagena is to undergo a major overhaul with the creation of a gourmet area for catering traders, new internal flooring and the refurbishment.. 20/05/2022

Villas Caravaning campsite has its operating licence revoked and may be forced to closeThe popular motorhome site in La Manga has ten days to come up with a fire safety plan after having its licence taken away Villas Caravaning in La Manga del Mar Menor had its operating licence suspended on Wednesday May 18 by Cartagena City Council.. 19/05/2022

New 1km promenade to link La Gola and El Galua in La MangaCartagena has applied for 5 million euros from the EU to build the new seafront promenade The City Council of Cartagena has submitted a proposal for European funding in order to build a new promenade in La Manga that will link the Gola de Marchamalo.. 18/05/2022

Wi-Fi 6: what is it and what is the difference with 5G?The internet of the future is here, and Telecable tells us everything we need to know about Wi-Fi 6 and 5G Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are the two most modern standards for wireless connectivity. But what’s and difference, and which one is better? ..

Increase in marijuana pollen points to growth of illegal crops in Murcia RegionA “significant increase” in pollen was registered in Cartagena, Lorca and Murcia A study of the amount of cannabis pollen in the Murcian air has detected a “significant increase” of the illegal substance in recent years, indicating.. 16/05/2022

Three cities in Murcia approach the global warming temperature danger zoneLorca has not only exceeded the Spanish temperature increase average, but the global one as well The worldwide effort to halt global warming is falling far short of expectations and nowhere is this more evident than in Spain, where an analysis of.. 16/05/2022

Bus catches fire on the A-30 from Cartagena to MurciaPassengers had to disembark on the roadside and watch the vehicle burn in Puerto de la Cadena At around 5pm yesterday, Tuesday May 10, a bus going from Cartagena to Murcia was forced to make an emergency stop at exit 150 of the A-30 after it burst.. 11/05/2022

Playa Honda medical centre to re-open on May 23Covid continues to cause concern in Cartagena after the lifting of facemask requirements After restoration and refurbishment which have been paid for by the Town Hall of Cartagena, as well as the installation of precautionary fittings made necessary.. 09/05/2022

Calblanque beaches in Murcia chosen among the 40 best in EuropeThe Guardian ranked several beaches in Spain among the most impressive in Europe Many aspects of Spanish life set it apart from other countries, such as its unique cuisine and world-famous fiestas, but the picture which most often springs to mind.. 04/05/2022

Changes to San Javier and Cartagena street market opening daysThe Mar Menor localities will soon have more street markets, open on more days Outdoor street markets are an ever-popular and free form of entertainment for many people who live in Murcia and visitors to the area. Now, a number of changes and developments.. 26/04/2022

Five spectacular sunsets to admire in the Region of Murcia!Great places to watch the sun go down in the Costa Cálida In the promotion of Murcia’s gastronomy the Region has been advertised as “The Region of 1,001 Tastes”, but it would be equally true to refer to it as “The Region..

Five great walks in the Region of Murcia!From the Costa Cálida in the south to the mountains of Jumilla, fabulous landscapes and fascinating sights! Throughout the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida there are countless attractive walking routes, popular with those exploring..

Cartagena demo workers make shock Roman discovery while knocking down a 19th century buildingWorkers in the Murcian city were in the middle of demolishing a 19th century building when they came across an ancient Roman column Demo workers in Cartagena, Spain received a shock while they were knocking down a building in the Murcian city. &.. 04/04/2022

The Isla Plana road will be closed to traffic until June after dramatic landslideRepair work to the Cartagena road has already begun, but is expected to continue for over two months Murcia’s Regional Ministry of Development has announced that it expects the repairs to the RM-E22 road in Cartagena to last more than two months.. 25/03/2022

Ruined Cathedral of Cartagena opens to visitors for four days a monthThe Cathedral has never been restored after being heavily bombed during the Spanish Civil War The former Cathedral of Santa María in Cartagena, which has been in a state of ruin since it suffered heavy bombing during the Spanish Civil War, is to..

Experiencia 43, a fascinating half-day out at the home of Licor 43 just outside CartagenaLearn more about the most popular liqueur in Spain on a guided tour of the factory and museum The tour includes tastings and a chance to pick up a great gift pack. The Licor 43 Experience offers visitors the chance to get to know one of Spain’..