Top Things to do in Cartagena
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What to do and see in Cartagena, Region of Murcia: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Cartagena, Spain including Museo Arqueologico Municipal, Museo Del Teatro Romano, Museo Historico Militar de Cartagena, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia Subacuatica, Museo Archeologico, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain, Museo Naval, Playa de Calblanque, Barrio del Foro Romano, Bateria de Castillitos, Palacio Consistorial.
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1. Museo Arqueologico Municipal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By wendelld2013 - New York City, United States
This well-curated museum is built around an ancient necropolis and does an excellent job of taking you through Cartagena’s rise in the Carthaginian Empire before it became a major outpost of the Romans and, much later, the Moors. We enjoyed walking here from the port along the beautiful Alameda de San Anton, then headed north on Calle Jorge Juan for lunch at a nice strip of local restaurants you won’t find on TripAdvisor.
2. Museo Del Teatro Romano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,866 reviews
By visiting the Museum of the Roman Theatre you will encounter one of the most surprising discoveries of the city in the last decades. Thanks to the ingenious design of the architect Rafael Moneo, you will start your tour of the Palace of Riquelme, the first building of the museum, and then follow the historical hallway located under the street to then move to the new space that collects the most emblematic pieces of all found in the excavations. Using modern stairs you will come to the second tunnel, this time is under the medieval church of Santa Maria, a construction superimposed to the old theatre which increases its uniqueness and attraction. After this, the second corridor, will take you to the most relevant part of the museum, the Roman Theatre, one of the largest in the Roman Hispania with capacity for 7,000 people.
Reviewed By marftrip - Kernersville, United States
This is a wonderful museum/archaeological site, but there’s much more than it appears upon entering. The entryway leads you under other buildings, which allows you to experience foundations from different time periods along with a history of the site, a architectural history of a Roman theater and displays of artifacts found at the site. You eventually emerge near the top of the Theater, but are able to wander up and down, and on to the stage. It’s definitely worth the time and small entry fee, but allow time to explore and enjoy. (Most of the museums offer a multi-ticket, which lets you buy entry to 4/5/6 museums for a reduced price. I did four in one day, and barely made it before they closed.)
3. Museo Historico Militar de Cartagena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By bockscar1 - Los Angeles, United States
Wow, what a gem. Well worth the visit if you’re interested in this history. I could’ve spent way more than the 1.5 hours I spent before they closed. They have an awful lot of stuff. Half is presented with Spanish-only minimalistic captions. These are the “Here’s a bunch of stuff” sections. Cool if you can navigate in some meaningful way on your own. Then there are sections with big, new, easy to read placards with well-written, concise English that includes technical specifications. They’ve done a brilliant job with these placards. Kudos. These placards generally cover the big ticket artifacts. Museum lacks broader narrative on how things fit into operational or strategic considerations. Some placards for specific artifacts do discuss tactical relevance. Refreshing to see Spanish Civil War discussed (a bit) and not omitted like other museums. As of the day I visited, 9 December 2020, this museum is open 10am-2pm. Another military museum nearby, the Naval Museum of Cartagena, is also open the same hours. I suspect most people interested in this history would combine both in the same day as I did. Not enough time. I wish these museums found a way to make that work. As such, I was rushed on the second floor which contains a really wonderful history of the harbor defenses. The historical writing was informative in the English translations. Really easy to follow especially with superb, large defensive fortification models. Just leave time! Also upstairs are lots of uniforms. Then you turn a corner into a models section. I didn’t appreciate what this meant. Lots of models. As in, literally, the Guinness Book of World Records holder for largest collection of military models (as of 2012). It’s not just quantity, this is a qualitative collection and I wish I’d had more time with it. I don’t understand why this museum doesn't appear on every list of “Things to do” for not just the city but the whole region. Whoever added all those new placards that are so informative and easy to read (and well-translated) kicked this museum from a collection of stuff to a truly educational experience. Thank you for having me.
4. Museo Nacional de Arqueologia Subacuatica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
Reviewed By rochesterrambler - Rochester, United Kingdom
One could probably spend a whole day at this museum if they were to read everything and use all of the interactive exhibits. With displays including items from ancient coins and pottery to large sections of ancient ships, this museum is incredible. By just pushing a button, see how large, heavy objects are lifted from the sea bed with compressed air all inside a class tube.
5. Museo Archeologico, Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Around 4000 years of culture in the area of Cartagena is represented. One of the prize pieces is an extremely beautiful(even by modern standards) piece of jewellery found at Los Nietos, just a local train ride away on the shore of the Mar Menor.
6. Museo Naval
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
Reviewed By bockscar1 - Los Angeles, United States
What a wonderful museum! Well worth the visit if you’re interested in this history. I spent over two hours taking my time. Throughout the museum are big placards with well-written, concise, informative English. They do a wonderful job of summarizing each section’s relevance to the bigger historical picture. These placards establish an easy to follow narrative arc for the entire museum. Artifact and model captions are Spanish only. Too bad. The models are stunning. Really great collection. Minimal captions in Spanish only that don’t do them justice. Sad that for all the amazing work that went into these models there is not more historical discussion around how to appreciate them. I wish there were more narratives around specific engagements and relevant strategic, operational, and tactical considerations for each. Interestingly the highlighted engagements mostly laud Spanish victories. Scarcely a mention of Trafalgar, the Spanish American War, or Republican losses during the Spanish Civil War. As of the day I visited, 9 December 2020, this museum is open 10am-2pm. Another military museum nearby, the Military Historical Museum of Cartagena, is also open the same hours. I suspect most people interested in this history would combine both in the same day as I did. Not enough time. I wish these museums found a way to make that work. For anyone interested in military history or history in general, this museum is a must-see.
7. Playa de Calblanque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 912 reviews
Reviewed By Ju38 - York, United Kingdom
Natural beach and coves. Stunning setting. Take everything you need with you as there are no facilities whatsoever but that keeps this area beautiful and natural. Lifeguards are present in peak season. We drove to the plentiful parking areas (which are free) however I believe in peak season you park up before entering and they provide a bus to the coves. Plenty of walking to be had around the nature reserve too, provided the sun isn’t too hot! My favourite beach for sure!
8. Barrio del Foro Romano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 576 reviews
The Roman Forum District stands as one of the largest urban archaeological sites in Spain. You are invited to take a stroll through the ancient pavements of Carthago Nova; to explore the different rooms of the thermal baths of the port where its entrance portico with the original flooring; discover how were the banquets in the Roman empire visiting the Building of the Atrium with its high walls and decorations; and to immerse oneself in the mystery cults to the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis in their sanctuary. In short, a way to immersing oneself in the ancient Roman city learning different aspects of their daily life.
Reviewed By DERtravels - Upland, United States
How could I have forgotten about this part of the Roman Empire? Choosing the walking tour here was a great opportunity to take a step back into time. It was amazing to understand the city's history back to 200 BC. Our guide pointed out the significant features of the 6,000 capacity theater, the carrera marble, the "Hen House" (where the rich wives sat and clucked, clucked, clucked) Absolutely fabulous.
9. Bateria de Castillitos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 885 reviews
Reviewed By V4487QRalanw - Elland, United Kingdom
Stunningly beautiful drive up the mountain road. The views are utterly breathtaking. There are several passing places along the mainly single track road, some are in places where photography is a must. Small car park at the entrance to the castillitos with a 500 metre walk to the first of the gun replacements. Very windy when I was there but 360 views were just fabulous. Well worth a couple of hours if the weather is not too hazy.
10. Palacio Consistorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By 4031travelbug - Wilmington, United States
The facade is white marble and intricately designed. One can take an interior tour to see the tapestries with an English speaking guide. The interior isn't necessary, but it's nice to sit outside and just gaze at the building, perhaps with a cup of coffee in hand.
