Cartagena to use SuperGREENBlocks to transform its streets
The EU is providing funding to support this project, which will redesign the city, starting in the El Ensanche area
Cartagena has received around €2 million in EU funding to bring a new superblocks street layout to El Ensanche, in the heart of the city.
So what are superblocks? Basically, they group together several residential streets, directing through-traffic onto main roads while the smaller inner streets are mainly for the residents. These smaller streets will then have lower speed limits and the pedestrians will be prioritised. The idea is to deter drivers from cutting through and using it as a shortcut.
The work will start at the junction of Wsell de Guimbarda and Pintor Balaca, where a small plaza will be built in keeping with Spain’s long tradition. The traffic and the parking will be reorganised but they hope to keep the same number of parking places.
The project, SuperGREENBlocks, is part of the EU’s LIFE 2025 programme, which supports environmental, climate and energy projects. It was first drawn up in 2017 and then picked up again by Mayor Noelia Arroyo in 2025. Cartagena is leading an international team that includes the Polytechnic University of Cartagena and partners from Italy and Hungary. The total budget is €2.72 million, with around €700,000 coming from the city itself.
Experts say the project could bring real social and economic benefits to El Ensanche. It should make the neighbourhood more liveable and puts Cartagena among the first cities in Spain to try this approach.
The programme will run for five years. The first year will focus on finalising designs with input from residents, with construction expected to start soon after.
The superblocks are designed to make streets safer, reduce traffic noise and pollution, and give people more public space to use every day.
Images: Cartagena City Hall
Address
Punic Wall Interpretation Centre, Calle de San Diego, s/n 30202 CARTAGENATel: 968 128 955
Oficina de turismo de Cartagena
Cartagena tourism information
Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.
Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.
There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.
The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic 
leaflets, but not a lot else.
The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.
There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.
Tourist Offices:
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n
Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica
Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.
Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Punto de Informacion Turistica
This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Opening hours
May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA
Opening hours:
From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm
Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena
