Top Things to do in Cartagena
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What to do and see in Cartagena, Region of Murcia: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Cartagena, Spain including Museo Del Teatro Romano, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia Subacuatica, Museo Naval, Playa de Calblanque, Barrio del Foro Romano, Bateria de Castillitos, Bateria de las Cenizas, Experiencia 43, Calle Mayor, El Zulo.
Restaurants in Cartagena
1. 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.)
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Bateria de las Cenizas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By crn2108 - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Difficult to find! I followed the address from here and it took me completely to the wrong place. Here is the google maps plus code for the parking (H5WG+95 Atamaría, Spain) and then the one for the entrance to the hike (H5VG+F6 Atamaría, Spain) I suggest not using Apple maps as this tried to lead me onto the golf course! I got a few funny looks! Lol. The hike itself was great, a wide, stoned, snake like path all the way up with lovely views at different points along the way. It took me around 30 minutes to reach the top and when I got there it was amazing! The views of the la manga strip and the Mediterranean are stunning and the history which remains is mesmerising (the photos people post don’t really do the vickers artillery guns justice) - I would 100% recommend this hike to all interested, it’s definitely worth it. Be sure to take plenty of water, snacks and hike at a sensible time to avoid over heating. Happy hiking ????????☺️
8. Experiencia 43
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By davidgK3816WU - Bedar, Spain
Professional, interesting, informative and friendly trip to a successful local business in the Cartagena region performing on a global stage. We had an efficient online booking experience followed by a totally professional presentation by Raquel of an extremely interesting company and manufacturing process. Great fun overall and thoroughly enjoyable sampling of a many delicious products.
9. Calle Mayor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 721 reviews
Reviewed By Kelleygirl2 - Sarasota, United States
I enjoyed walking the busy Calle Mayor, a street that links the Plaza de San Sebastian in the north with Cartagena’s town hall. The street is a “ravine-like pedestrian street paved with distinctive blue marble tiles” that runs from the cruise port past the Roman Theater and the Church of Santa Domingo. It is a typical Spanish “Paseo” where friends, families and couples take strolls together to enjoy their free time and it is where we began our walk.
10. El Zulo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By GOG69 - Bedford, United Kingdom
We have visited Cartagena several times and always pay a visit to this superb statue located by the port area and is surrounded by other art close by. It was put there for a reminder to every visitor about Terrorism and the loss of life and injuries caused by those that don’t get their own way. Spain has had a long history of this by a group calling themselves ETA. Unfortunately the reminder is somewhat lost by many tourists having their picture taken by El Zuno’s private area.
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