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Welcome ToCARTAGENA
HOME > MURCIA MAR MENOR & CARTAGENA > CARTAGENAThe 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.
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 BELOWWhats On CartagenaCartagena Local News Places to visit Cartagena CityPlaces to visit outlying districtsWhere to Eat CartagenaSemana Santa, Fiestas, TraditionsHistory of CartagenaCartagenaCartagena beachesMedical Info, Doctors and HospitalsPolice, Town hall, Useful InfoPublic spaces and cultural venuesMonuments, churches and plazasLocations with Military ConnectionsTourist Information and ParkingCartagena Cruise ShipsShopping and markets CartagenaProperty Cartagena municipalityCARTAGENA
Whats On CartagenaCartagena Local News Places to visit Cartagena CityPlaces to visit outlying districtsWhere to Eat CartagenaSemana Santa, Fiestas, TraditionsHistory of CartagenaCartagenaCartagena beachesMedical Info, Doctors and HospitalsPolice, Town hall, Useful InfoPublic spaces and cultural venuesMonuments, churches and plazasLocations with Military ConnectionsTourist Information and ParkingCartagena Cruise ShipsShopping and markets CartagenaProperty Cartagena municipality
Cartagena invests €121,000 in its beaches ahead of the summerThe new maintenance and upkeep service will focus on Cabo de Palos and La Manga Cartagena City Council is set to roll out a new seasonal maintenance service for the public beaches in Cabo de Palos and La Manga del Mar Menor, aimed at ensuring tip-.. 01/05/2025
Cartagena cruise season steams ahead with 24 liners expected in MayMore than 36,000 tourists are expected to disembark in Cartagena port this month alone Cartagena is preparing for a bustling May at the cruise port, with 24 ships scheduled to dock and more than 36,000 tourists expected to arrive. The packed calendar.. 01/05/2025
Dog dies supposedly as a result of Cartagena fireworks this weekendA local animal welfare group has condemned the loud fireworks at the Fallas fiestas after a dog got spooked, ran away and later died The Fallas celebrations in Cartagena this weekend just gone drew thousands of visitors and packed out hotels, but.. 30/04/2025
Car full of Brits catches fire in San JavierThe vehicle, which was carrying four British holidayers to La Manga, burnt out this Sunday A car carrying four British holidaymakers caught fire this Sunday April 27 on the RM-F24 road in Murcia, near the AP-7 bridge San Javier, not.. 28/04/2025
More than 900 eels released into the Mar MenorA major conservation project aims to study this endangered species and assess the impact of fishing More than 900 eels have been released into the Mar Menor as part of a major project to study and protect the European eel, a species currently classified.. 28/04/2025
La Manga Club sees record-breaking tourism numbersThe resort welcomed over 52,000 guests in 2024, the majority from Europe, following the relaunch of its 5-star Grand Hyatt hotel La Manga Club, the renowned resort in Murcia, has reported a landmark year in 2024, surpassing 52,000 guests and recording.. 24/04/2025
Smoke billowing from Repsol factory sparks panic in CartagenaTwo dense columns of black smoke were visible in Cartagena and nearby towns Black smoke and flames rising from the chimneys of the Repsol refinery in Escombreras set off alarm bells across Cartagena and surrounding towns on Tuesday evening, April.. 23/04/2025
Murcia proposes Coastal Law reform to protect cultural heritage sites from state land restrictionsThe ruling PP party in the Region wants culturally significant properties to be excluded from the maritime-terrestrial public domain Murcia’s ruling Partido Popular (PP) has submitted a proposal to Spain’s Congress of Deputies seeking.. 23/04/2025
Rain and high temperatures bring swarms of mosquitoes to MurciaThe warm, damp weather has created ideal breeding conditions for the irritating insects throughout Spain A sudden surge in mosquito activity is troubling residents across Cartagena and the wider Region of Murcia, as the recent spell of spring downpours.. 23/04/2025
Fourth lane to be added to Murcia-Cartagena A-30 motorwayThe €12 million project will ease traffic jams on both the A-30 and MU-30 roads Relief is finally on the way for Murcia drivers on one of the A-30 Cartagena-Madrid motorway’s worst bottlenecks. The Ministry of Transport has announced plans.. 22/04/2025
La Manga Life 2025 magazine is out nowA celebration of the La Manga Club community, showcasing local businesses and life around the resort The La Manga Life 2025 magazine has been released and is now available to read online now, while the print copy is due to be distributed and.. 22/04/2025
Electric Movibus buses roll into testing phase on Murcia-Molina routeA greener future for public transport is taking shape in the Region of Murcia This week sees the launch of a pilot scheme testing fully electric Movibus vehicles on the route between Murcia and Molina de Segura. The trial is being run by the Regional.. 22/04/2025
Anger grows in Los Nietos as the town continues to deteriorate“Never in the 60 years I've been in Los Nietos has the town been so dirty,” according to the local residents’ association Frustration is boiling over in the Cartagena town of Los Nietos, where residents say years of neglect have.. 22/04/2025
Five of the Region of Murcia’s most original Holy Week processionsFrom fishermen in yellow coats to the thunder of drums - these lesser-known Semana Santa traditions offer something a little different By mid-Holy Week, the streets of Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca are usually packed with colour and tradition. But..
Why now is the time to install air conditioning in your Spanish homeTo ensure you stay cool as temperatures rise, Camposol Heating & Maintenance S.L. (CHM) is the name to trust in Murcia While it’s still a bit unsettled at the moment, Spain is undoubtedly heading into another sun-drenched summer. The intense.. 17/04/2025
Council scraps Mar Menor rainwater project over land access rowCartagena forced to give back nearly €1.8 million in EU funding after being blocked from using private land A rainwater collection project planned by Cartagena City Council for the Mar Menor area has been abandoned after officials were.. 16/04/2025
