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Cartagena Today

The 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.

Cartagena

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.

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CARTAGENA

Cartagena heads to Miami cruise fair with record passenger numbers for 2026Alongside record forecasts for 2026, Cartagena is also presenting plans for a new cruise terminal and ongoing work along the waterfront The port of Cartagena is once again in Miami to promote itself at one of the most important events in the global.. 15/04/2026

One of Murcia's seaside towns nominated as among the best beach destinations in SpainNational Geographic readers have shortlisted the town alongside some of Spain's most popular coastal destinations As temperatures start to rise and the first warm, spring-like days get people thinking about beach trips again, attention naturally.. 15/04/2026

Mazarrón backs support space for cancer patients at Cartagena hospitalThe initiative aims to provide a dedicated area for patients and families facing long waits during treatment The Town Hall of Mazarrón has expressed its support for a new social and healthcare initiative at Santa Lucía Hospital in Cartagena.. 15/04/2026

Cartagena street shade plan brought forward ahead of the summer heatThe 'Teselas' project on Calle del Carmen promises to cut temperatures by up to 6°C Anyone who was in Cartagena last summer will probably remember being pretty uncomfortable a lot of the time. Businesses on Calle del Carmen and their customers.. 15/04/2026

Scientists warn loss of key fish species leaves the Mar Menor more vulnerableThe ongoing ecological problems affecting the Mar Menor are not only visible in the water, but they are also reducing the lagoon's ability to recover on its own Researchers from the University of Murcia have found that changes in fish populations.. 14/04/2026

Three dozen streets closed in Cartagena this Saturday morning: Find out which ones and whyThe Ruta de las Fortalezas race will bring traffic cuts and parking bans across the city on April 18 Cartagena will see a long list of traffic restrictions this Saturday, April 18, as the Ruta de las Fortalezas race takes over parts of the city. The Cartagena.. 14/04/2026

The Digital Nomad Visa: How to live and work remotely from SpainHow to handle the paperwork, work legally and enjoy life while living in Spain Moving to Spain as a remote worker is an exciting opportunity, but arranging all the paperwork required can feel overwhelming. Paperwork, income proof, health insurance.. 13/04/2026

Daily buses to Corvera airport from Murcia and Cartagena launched ahead of the summer seasonFrom April 15, travellers will have access to up to 10 buses a day to Murcia International Airport for just €1.85 With the summer season fast approaching and Corvera airport set to get busier by the week, Murcia's regional government.. 13/04/2026

Spain's property prices surge again as rises double the European averageA 13% jump in 2025 highlights growing pressure on buyers, with Spain now among the fastest rising markets in Europe Spain’s housing market has taken another sharp upward turn, with prices rising by 12.9% in 2025, making it the fourth largest increase.. 10/04/2026

The best time to take out a health insurance policy: Young versus older When considering taking out a health insurance policy, many people wonder at what age it is best to do so. Is it worthwhile to be insured when you are young? At what age should you start looking for private medical insurance? There is no perfect age.. 10/04/2026

Get paid for your solar energy with Spanish EnergyLearn how to make the most of your solar panels and lower your household energy bills If you have solar panels at home, Spanish Energy, in association with Gana Energia, has made it even more worthwhile. They now pay 6 cents per kilowatt.. 10/04/2026

Sail Cartagena Bay with Raquel Tours: A three-hour catamaran adventure from your Murcia resort doorMusic, sea breezes and a swim in the Mediterranean, all within easy reach of your resort this summer with Raquel Tours Murcia If you're based at one of Murcia's golf resorts and looking for a day out with a difference, Raquel Tours.. 07/04/2026

Cartagena approves €1.6 million for new homes close to La Manga ClubThe approval covers 61 new homes across two developments, as the council works to ease planning and support a challenging property market The Cartagena city council has given the green light for 61 new homes across two developments, with a.. 07/04/2026

Winter storms leave Murcia with a €6 million repair bill as emergency road works beginWork has already started in Lorca, Cartagena and Jumilla on 228 kilometres of damaged road surface Emergency repair works are underway on more than 228 kilometres of state roads across the Region of Murcia after a series of storms between December.. 06/04/2026

Murcia shatters international tourism records in early 2026Tourists are staying longer and spending more time in the Region during the first two months of 2026 Tourist numbers are getting better and better in the Region of Murcia as more people discover this corner of Spain. The Region has seen a strong.. 06/04/2026

Dangerous Cartagena road junction to be replaced with roundabout after years of accidentsRear-end and head-on collisions have continued despite previous safety measures at the notorious Campo de Cartagena junction A lethal accident blackspot on the RM-F35 road at the intersection with Camino del Sifón in the Campo de Cartagena.. 03/04/2026

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