HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > CARTAGENA

Cartagena Today

The city of 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 naval base today, as well as boasting a rich military heritage of patrimony. The history of Cartagena charts its development and the cultures which have shaped it today.

The city has developed 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, the Augusteum, the Molinete and other well preserved Roman buildings and museums.

In addition there has been major investment in the creation of a new market for cruise ship tourism.

Cartagena

These days the port remains a major focal point for commercial activity, and the Escombreras industrial area has attracted major businesses including the Repsol refinery, SABIC petrochemicals and Holcim concrete plants within a concealed industrial zone. Cartagena is also the home of the regional parliament building of Murcia.

The Campo de Cartagena is a major source of agricultural employment, copnsisting of flat and fertile irrigated areas where salad crops, peppers, potatoes and courgettes are grown, while non-irrigated crops include olives, carobs and almonds.

The more mountainous outlying districts of Cartagena boast extensive areas of beaches, stretching around the coastline from Isla Plana in the west to Cabo de Palos in the east. Here, the spit of La Manga del Mar Menor encloses the Mar Menor, giving Cartagena an extensive offering of prime sandy beaches with safe bathing conditions in Europe's largest saltwater lagoon.

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

Cartagena has a rich cultural offering, with important Semana Santa and Romans and Carthaginians fiestas, Carnival, the Mar de Músicas and Cartagena Jazz festivals. The El Batel auditorium and congress centre enhances an already rich cultural programme.

LOCATION

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 and industrial centre.

The municipality of Cartagena covers an area of 558 square kilometres, with a population of 218,000 making it the second most populated municipality of the 45 in the Region of Murcia.

It shares boundaries 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

Ensign Leonor takes flight at San JavierThe Princess of Asturias begins her final stage of military training as "just another student" with a strong bond to her classmates Princess Leonor, the Princess of Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne, arrived at the San Javier.. 04/09/2025

Cartagena to build between 15 and 20 new homes in La ConcepciónAffordable housing plans mark the start of a wider municipal strategy A previously unused plot of land behind the church in Cartagena’s La Concepción neighbourhood is set for new life, as the City Council prepares to build between 15 and.. 03/09/2025

Murcia photo of the month September 2025Here’s the top image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC) Despite Spain’s intense heat the intrepid photographers of LADCC were out and about again last month! Entries for this month’.. 01/09/2025

People affected by La Manga hotel salmonella outbreak now total 190Origin of food poisoning or disciplinary action against hotel have not yet been confirmed The outbreak of salmonella at the Hotel Izán Cavanna in La Manga del Mar Menor last weekend has now been confirmed to have affected 190 people, according.. 29/08/2025

Cartagena city centre will soon look very different as redevelopment projects slowly reshape the old townTourism-focused building projects on derelict plots are slowly beginning to change the cityscape The city centre of Cartagena is currently undergoing a buzz of construction activity on many of its empty plots of land, which for years have been overgrown.. 27/08/2025

Environmental groups take legal action to stop potential hotel plans at the Cabo de Palos LighthouseThe Cartagena landmark has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, but this doesn’t rule out commercial ventures At first glance, it might seem strange that an environmental group would oppose a declaration meant to protect the Cabo de Palos.. 27/08/2025

Where to listen to radio in English in southeast SpainEnglish-speakers and foreigners in Spain love listening to TKO Radio talk and music radio station in the car and at home! Due to its sizeable foreign population, southern Spain has radio that is 100% in English, dedicated to the foreign tourist and expat..

More than 100 guests suffering from food poisoning after eating at La Manga hotelOver 100 people have been affected by a salmonella outbreak at a hotel in La Manga del Mar Menor, and the hotel’s kitchen has been temporarily closed down by the Regional Ministry of Health A bad case of food poisoning has affected more than.. 25/08/2025

Which street is crowned most expensive in Murcia? - and other Spanish property hotspots revealedFrom Cartagena to Málaga, Spain’s priciest streets reveal where the luxury property market really shines If you’re dreaming of owning a plush home in Murcia, brace yourself... the region’s priciest street to buy.. 22/08/2025

VIDEO: Fire erupts on the Cedacero mountain in CartagenaThe fire has split into multiple fronts, with some areas now threatening the surrounding scrubland Incendio en montes prelitorales de Cartagena (RdM) Cuesta del Cedacero, carretera comarcal que llega a las playas de La Azohia 🔥 pic.twitter.. 22/08/2025

New hope for giant mussels as unseen colony found in Mar MenorCitizen divers and scientists use technology and teamwork to safeguard Mediterranean’s rarest shellfish There’s fresh reason to celebrate under the waters of the Mar Menor as volunteers have uncovered unrecorded specimens of the critically.. 22/08/2025

Cartagena gives green light to new bike lane linking Algameca and Calle RealCyclists in the city centre set for safer, greener connections thanks to a €135,000 upgrade Cartagena’s cycling network is set for a welcome boost, as the City Hall has just approved a new bike lane to link Espacio Algameca with Calle.. 19/08/2025

Spain simplifies life for self-employed workers: Combined visa and residency now availableSelf-employed professionals can now apply for their visa and work authorisation together, with Heniam making the process simple If you’re self-employed and planning to move to Spain, you’ll be pleased to hear the Spanish government introduced.. 18/08/2025

The Carthaginians and Romans fiestas, a legacy of the rich past of CartagenaFew cities can match the heady mix of history, culture and tradition in the September fiestas of Cartagena! Every year in September, when the heat of summer is beginning to die down, the city of Cartagena goes back to a time more than 200 years before the..

From Westminster to southern Spain: Michael Portillo's journey to CartagenaThe broadcaster and former UK minister shares his love of Spain, travel and connecting with people during his latest filming trip Cartagena may be baking in the August heat, but Michael Portillo looks perfectly at ease. The former Conservative cabinet..

Renovated 3-bed apartment at La Manga Club for £395,000 with Marena MurrayA rare opportunity to purchase a luxury home in the prestigious Los Olivos community of La Manga Club This beautifully refurbished and fully furnished three-bedroom apartment offers a rare chance to own a luxury home in the highly sought-after Los.. 12/08/2025

Linea Directa 290 A-L RIGHT COL CAR INSURANCE