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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
New cancer support centre opens in CartagenaAyuntamiento and regional leaders celebrate expanded care for patients and families Cartagena now has a dedicated new headquarters for the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), offering expanded support for cancer patients across the city and Mar.. 15/01/2026
High-end shoplifting gang arrested in San Javier raid with £3,000 and €7,000 in cashSeven Chilean nationals were arrested after the Guardia Civil seized cash, phones, clothing and jewellery Seven people were arrested in San Javier on Thursday January 15 after the Guardia Civil broke up a criminal group specialising.. 15/01/2026
Pre-registration now open for the gruelling Ruta de las Fortalezas run in CartagenaThe 53-kilometre course visits castles, fortresses, gun batteries and old city walls belonging to the military history of Cartagena The initial pre-registration opens on Thursday 15th January for the 15th annual edition of the Ruta de las Fortalezas de.. 15/01/2026
Cartagena's dogs get a new park by the stadiumAyuntamiento opens new play area for pets and promises more dedicated dog spaces in Santa Ana and Cabo de Palos Cartagena’s four-legged residents have another reason to wag their tails this week, with a brand new dog park opening next to the Cartagonova.. 15/01/2026
International visitors drive tourism in MurciaData from Exceltur shows that Murcia's tourism sector is set to grow by 8.8% in 2026 Tourism in the Region of Murcia is set to build on a successful 2025. Local businesses are expecting an 8.8% increase in tourism sales in 2026, the second.. 14/01/2026
Nearly 40 beaches, museums and walking routes across Murcia to become more accessibleMore than €1 million will be invested to improve access to some of the most important cultural, historic and natural sites across the region Winter in the Region of Murcia is a great time to get out and about. The weather is perfect for walking.. 14/01/2026
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Murcia cuts red tape to speed up housing constructionThe new law will combine all housing approval steps into a single process, cutting years off construction times The Regional Government of Murcia is taking steps to make building new homes faster and simpler. President Fernando López Miras.. 13/01/2026
Your place in the sun and your place underground? Bunkers on the rise in MurciaA giant billboard in the centre of Murcia is turning heads, signalling the rise of private bunkers Murcia is popular for its year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches, making it the perfect place for a second home. But what about a home a little.. 13/01/2026
Renew your Cartagena orange zone parking permit before January 31Simple bank transfer process activates resident pass for unlimited local parking The deadline to renew resident parking permits in Cartagena's orange zone is January 31. These permits allow unlimited parking on streets within the assigned zone, with.. 13/01/2026
Cartagena Parque Sauces dinosaurs targeted by vandals yet againMiscreants have ripped legs and arms off several displays in Parque Sauces It's been almost five years since the dinosaurs first appeared in Parque Sauces in Cartagena but sadly, what was supposed to be an urban retreat has turned into a.. 13/01/2026
New restaurant-bar, padel and wellness centre to open in Puerto de MazarrónThe new centre is being built on the site of a former nightclub that has been empty for years A new padel and wellness centre with a gym and a swimming pool is being built at the entrance to Puerto de Mazarrón, on a site that has been sitting.. 13/01/2026
Murcia tackles toxic mining waste to reduce health risksAuthorities are cleaning up old mining sites in Murcia to keep communities and waterways safe from toxic soil and heavy metals Murcia has been dealing with the long-term effects of mining for decades. Old mining operations, particularly in areas.. 12/01/2026President Sánchez's new funding rules will give an extra €1 billion to Murcia in 2027The revised system for budgeting and financing autonomous communities in Spain is designed to be fairer and will benefit the Region of Murcia more than any other The Spanish Government has proposed a new system for funding Spain’s regions.. 12/01/2026
Taquilla Tickets launches monthly coach trips to Alhama de Murcia market from FebruaryThe popular Murcia tour operator will run accompanied shopping excursions on the last Tuesday of every month in 2026 Taquilla Tickets is giving bargain hunters and market lovers a new reason to get excited with the launch of monthly coach trips to.. 12/01/2026
Make 2026 the year you move to Spain with expert help from MyMoveSpainA decade of expertise helping British and international residents navigate Spanish residency with ease If 2026 is the year you've earmarked for your move to Spain, the good news is that making it happen is entirely within reach, especially when.. 12/01/2026
