B&B HOTEL Cartagena Cartagonova
Cartagena - Marcos Redondo, 3
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Less famous than the city of the same name in Colombia, Cartagena is a little-known treasure of the Murcia region. Lying along the Costa Calida in south-eastern Spain, it owes its fortune to the sea: it is one of the oldest ports in the Mediterranean and is still an important naval base.
Its strategic location has made it attractive to conquerors: over the centuries Cartagena has been dominated by peoples as diverse as the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs, who have left deep imprints on the urban fabric and traditions of the city. Archaeological excavations continue to provide us with wonders from another era, adding to the city’s immense maritime and naval history and its splendid examples of modernist architecture.
It is a city with a profoundly Spanish soul: you can easily see this in the relaxed atmosphere, the lively tapas bars, the squares bustling with people of all ages, the outdoor events, the sunshine and the beautiful beaches in the surroundings. All at much cheaper prices than in the famous tourist resorts. Treasure this secret and visit Cartagena as soon as possible!
The historic centre of Cartagena, enclosed within la Muralla del Mar (defensive walls built in the 18th century), is an open-air museum, rich in buildings, monuments, sculptures and remains from every era.
The Roman Theatre of Cartagena is the city’s archaeological jewel. Only discovered in 1988 during renovation work, this magnificent example of Roman architecture from the 1st century B.C. can seat up to 6,000 spectators. Its location, nestled in the urban fabric of the old town, creates a fascinating contrast to the surrounding buildings.
The theatre is preceded by a modern museum that guides visitors through the history of the building and its restoration. The exhibition, spread over several levels, culminates with an exciting view of the theatre’s cavea. Original artefacts, including statues and decorative elements, are displayed along the museum route, allowing visitors to understand the importance of this monument in ancient Carthago Nova.
Not only ancient ruins: strolling through Cartagena one comes across beautiful buildings from the modernist era. Two representative examples are Casa Cervantes2 and Casa Llagostera3, both designed by local architect Victor Beltrí, but the real masterpiece of modernist architecture is Town Hall4: it is the first building you will notice when entering the city centre.
Also take a look at Casa Maestra and Casa Dorda, the Aguirre Palace (which houses the MURAM Museum of Modern Art), the Casino and the Grand Hotel. Even the train station is worth a peek.
A very unusual attraction you can visit in the city of Cartagena is the magnificent ARQUA (National Museum of Underwater Archaeology), one of a kind, which also houses the National Centre for Underwater Archaeological Research. The discoveries of the centre’s archaeosubs have greatly expanded our knowledge of shipbuilding, trade and navigation in ancient times.
One section of the museum is dedicated to the scientific methodology of underwater archaeology and will give you an insight into how experts work as they dive in search of ancient artefacts, how they are brought to the surface and preserved.
The other part of the museum is dedicated to Mediterranean cultures: the collection traces the maritime history of the Mediterranean from Phoenician times to the 19th century.
To get an idea of the multitude of peoples and cultures that have succeeded one another in Cartagena, climb up to the Castillo de la Concepcion, either on foot or more comfortably by lift. From this exceptional vantage point you will have a splendid view of the city and you can have fun recognising the historical periods of the different monuments you can admire from above.
Then take the time to stroll through the castle gardens, perhaps hunting for a peacock to photograph, and to visit the Centro de Interpretación de la Historia de Cartagena, a museum that traces the city’s history with a short film and some audio clips.
The Navidad Fortress, reached by a short boat ride from the port, is one of the most interesting examples of 19th century military architecture. This fortress, part of the defensive system of the bay, offers spectacular views of the port and the city.
The tour allows visitors to explore the galleries, artillery emplacements and underground rooms, while information panels tell the history of the fortification and its role in the defence of the port. The boat trip also offers a unique perspective on the city and the other fortifications surrounding the bay.
Another museum with a maritime theme, but focusing on more recent eras, is the Naval Museum housed in the Antica Caserma de la Marineria. The collection includes nautical charts, model ships, ship instruments, uniforms and other objects used for navigation, diving and the navy.
An entire section is dedicated to the submarine designed at the end of the 19th century by Isaac Peral, considered the first submarine for military use in history. You can admire the restored submarine and numerous historical documents relating to the life of its creator and its construction.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Due to the still-active port, there are no beaches in the centre of Cartagena. The city beach is Cala Cortina, easily reached by bus in ten minutes from the centre.
It is a pretty sandy beach set in a rocky bay, divided into two areas: a larger one with all amenities and a couple of restaurants, and a quieter one reached by a short walk along a coastal path. The first area is very popular with locals and is also suitable for those travelling with children.
If you are looking for something more atmospheric, head to the Cabo de Palos peninsula, about half an hour from Cartagena, dotted with tiny coves washed by a clear blue sea.
A must for diving enthusiasts is the island of Hormiga, two and a half miles off the coast: the area is a marine reserve and the waters are incredibly clear. Its beautiful seabed and the presence of some wrecks have made it a very popular destination for divers, but you can also appreciate the wild beauty of the island with a simple boat trip.
Cartagena is still a very inexpensive destination compared to Spain’s most famous resorts. Without spending a fortune, you can find clean and comfortable accommodation, choosing from modern hotels, nice B&Bs and comfortable flats with all amenities.
Thanks to the low prices, sleeping in the centre of Cartagena is affordable for everyone and is the best choice because it allows you to walk to all the main tourist attractions and have plenty of places to spend the evening.
The main street in Cartagena is Calle Mayor. This is a good shopping area and is full of bars and restaurants, perfect for sampling typical Spanish tapas.
Thenearest international airport to Cartagena is Murcia Airport. Unfortunately, although it is only 35 km away, it is not well-connected and is therefore only convenient for those wishing to hire a car.
A greater choice of low-cost flights can be found to Valencia and to a lesser extent Alicante, 280 km and 120 km away respectively. With a hire car you can get to Cartagena easily, taking advantage of quick motorway connections, whereas by bus or train you have to allow for several changes, which considerably lengthen the journey time.
For those who want to travel by public transport, it is perhaps easier and in many cases cheaper to fly to Madrid and arrive in Cartagena by train. The journey time from Madrid to Cartagena varies considerably (4 to 7 hours) depending on the type of train.
For those who are already in Spain, getting to Cartagena is not so difficult: the city is connected by trains and buses to the main places in southern Spain and the south-east coast.
What's the weather at Cartagena? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Cartagena for the next few days.
Cartagena is located in the Murcia region, along the Costa Calida in south-eastern Spain. It is 50 kilometres from Murcia and just under 130 from Alicante.
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