The “New City” Cartagena, Spain

After a few relaxing days we were back at it to get off for a day of sightseeing in Cartagena.   Our ship docked around 8 and the weather was a perfect 75 degrees.   If one stayed onboard there were a variety of things to occupy your time like pickleball, mahjong, bridge, ping pong, Trivia, or just lounging by the pool under sunny skies.  

Cartagena as you guessed is a port city but also a naval base for Murcia’s region. It was founded by the Carthaginians  around 229 BC.  It boomed during the Roman period. Among its many Roman ruins are a 1st century BC theater and Casa de la Fortunate, a villa with murals and mosaics.  There were a plethora of ancient sites to visit here if that is your passion including the Religious Art and History Museum, Elche a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting an amazing microclimate that has enabled the creation of one of the worlds largest palm forests!  There are monasteries and sanctuaries along with botanical gardens and amazing views.  

Because we had so many booked tours we decided to get off here and peruse the options not really making set plans.  We knew there was a hop on hop off bus so figured that too is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time.  Here are some short snippets  of information about this interesting city;

Romans lived here 600 years then Arabs influenced it

Romans took the city from Hannibal the Great 2200 years ago

60,000 men and 60,000 war elephants

Romans got rich from city mines 

Manhole covers now show the story of their history 

Modern naval port

Submarines here are in dry dock

City access is easy

Tourist trolley and hop on hop off

Not a sprawling city. Good for walking 

Carlos the 3rd was king during time of mid 1700’s and he built most of the fortification walls

Nouveau architecture is found here 

Lots of shoes and handbags are for sale due to leather being readily available 

Underwater archaeology museum is found here!

Roman theater was rediscovered not long ago. Now they charge to see it. 

Romans conquered the Punic people or early Carthaginians and remains are left in a museum. They are trying to excavate and restore more ruins

Peral  submarine is here which is the first all electric made in 1888 bring about the small size of a stage; it’s now in the naval museum

Naval base for the Spanish Armada 

Bateria de castiitos. Shot cannons 35 miles and protected the port

Torrevieja.  Pink lake town used their salt 

Asiatico coffee has alcohol. Coffee cream and liquor is very sweet and found at most cafes.  

Euro is currency

The old Roman theater. 



Still used fir some outdoor concerts

They are saving fronts of historic old buildings and then building around them!!

Nice playground within the city


Beautiful tiled streets all different !!  And the architecture:)

Interesting statues dedicated to historically significant people

We found the Asiatico coffee!!  It was delicious and inexpensive. 

Easily I could have had three more cups!

The soldiers who fought for Spain. 

More lovely tildes streets and architecture to admire. 


Isn’t this a unique way to recycle and save the sea??!!

Back onboard by 5:30 and a tasty meal at the Lido.  Entertainment was a comedian Jeff Burghart.  We got a kick out of him.  Then off to bed to get ready for our next port Malaga, Spain and a full day tour of the Alhambra!