Cartagena Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cartagena
Cartagena
Cartagena
Cartagena
Photo by Donny Vandenbulcke

In Cartagena—a city bathed by the Mediterranean—history, art and culture all come together: the perfect ingredients for a tailored holiday to suit all types of visitor.

Cartagena has been inhabited since ancient times and has seen the passing of the Iberian, Carthaginian, Roman and Arab civilisations. Take a holiday in Cartagena and discover its vast wealth of history: from the National Archaeological Museum, the House of Fortune and the Augusteum, to the Concepción Castle, the Church of Santo Domingo, and the Spanish Civil War Air-Raid Shelter and Museum.

What’s more, Cartagena is the municipality with the highest number of award-winning beaches in terms of quality for the seventh year running. There are over 24 miles of swimming areas and unspoilt beaches such as the Calblanque Regional Park, so you can enjoy your favourite watersports all year round. Furthermore, its rich underwater life makes it the perfect destination for divers. The city is well connected, both by road with the AP-7 and A-30 motorways, by train with two stations, as well as by plane, thanks to Murcia-San Javier Airport which is only 12 miles away.

It goes without saying, Cartagena is a melting pot of cultures, something that is reflected in its art. Check out cheap holidays in Cartagena and discover an excellent artistic itinerary in which Baroque and Modernist architectural styles predominate. Buildings include Casa Maestre with its Baroque touches inspired by Gaudí’s Casa Calvet in Barcelona, the Palacio Consistorial with its French Baroque style, and Casa Cervantes with its typical Cartagena style balconies.

What’s more, with a package holiday to Cartagena, you can discover the local festivities such as Holy Week and the Carthaginians and Romans, a singular event at which the locals and foreigners take centre stage to represent the deeds of the Carthaginian and Roman domination.

The public transport network includes buses and trains, so getting around and travelling to other towns and cities in Murcia is easy. What’s more, with an average temperature around 20°C, Cartagena has a warm pleasant climate with little rainfall. Take advantage of holiday deals to Cartagena and enjoy the fun atmosphere of a city that has all the ingredients to make your holidays unforgettable.

Where to stay in Cartagena

Default Image

Cabo de Palos

Travellers like the historical sites in Cabo de Palos, and Lighthouse of Cabo de Palos is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Cabo de Palos
Default Image

Diputación de Rincón de San Ginés

4/5(15 area reviews)

Unique features of Diputación de Rincón de San Ginés include the golf courses and spas. Make a stop by Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila Regional Park or Playa de Mar de Cristal while you're exploring the area.

Diputación de Rincón de San Ginés
Default Image

La Azohia

You'll enjoy the monuments and historical sites in La Azohia. You might want to make time for a stop at Playa de La Chapineta or Playa de San Ginés.

La Azohia

El Beal

4/5(5 area reviews)

El Beal is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Los Nietos Beach and El Vivero.

El Beal
Default Image

Perín

You'll enjoy the monuments and historical sites in Perín. You might want to make time for a stop at Cala Aguilar or Playa de El Portús.

Perín
Default Image

Cartagena Casco

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and waterfront views are some highlights of Cartagena Casco. Make a stop by Punic wall of Cartagena or Gran Hotel while you're exploring.

Cartagena Casco
Hotel Sercotel Carlos III
Hotel Sercotel Carlos III
3 out of 5
Carlos III, 49, Cartagena, Murcia
The price is £45 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£45
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Cartagena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (485 reviews)
Excellent stay
"An excellent hotel in a good position for the historical site’s restaurants and shops"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hotel Sercotel Carlos III
Hotel Sercotel Alfonso XIII
Hotel Sercotel Alfonso XIII
4 out of 5
Paseo Alfonso XIII, nº 40, Cartagena, Murcia
The price is £69 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£69
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cartagena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (290 reviews)
"The hotel was very clean but a little dated. The staff was excellent. I wish we had stayed a little closer to the downtown shops on Calle Mayor, but it was still walkable. Overall, a very nice stay."

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Hotel Sercotel Alfonso XIII
Occidental Mar Menor
Occidental Mar Menor
4 out of 5
Urbanizacion La Perla, Cartagena, Cartagena
The price is £105 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
£105
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cartagena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Mar Menor and La Manga ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (64 reviews)
"Fantastic facilities and staff all great."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2025

Occidental Mar Menor
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apartamentos Centro Histórico
Apartamentos Centro Histórico
3 out of 5
C. San Antonio el Pobre 5, Cartagena, Murcia
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cartagena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Augusteum and House of Fortune are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (13 reviews)
very responsive
"great contact support -- this has to be for a contactless checkin - so all good there. As a customer , you are always wary of how check in will go"

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Apartamentos Centro Histórico
Apartamentos Turísticos Plaza del Rey
Apartamentos Turísticos Plaza del Rey
4 out of 5
C. Comedias, 8, Cartagena, Murcia
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cartagena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Casa Llagostera ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (9 reviews)
"Lovely apartment"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Apartamentos Turísticos Plaza del Rey
Apartamentos Plaza Sevillano
Apartamentos Plaza Sevillano
2 out of 5
Pl. del Sevillano 1, Cartagena, Murcia
Stay at this apartment in Cartagena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Military Museum Cartagena and Parque de Artillería are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
"Excellent location, easy access, spacious, clean, beautiful views and the accommodations were great."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2025

Apartamentos Plaza Sevillano
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cartagena

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Hope building work on marina front is finished ASAP as really spoils ambience! Also catamaran boat trip can then resume!! Carnival parade was absolutely brilliant and lasted over 5 hours congratulations to all concerned in the organisation

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Driving through the city , quite tricky

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Probably not the best of times to have visited after such storms and rain causing floods and roads to be shut and our flight out was cancelled. Never travelling on Friday the 13th again !!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved out trip. Very interesting place, lots to see and do and very friendly people. Will be back

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Overall I was very happy with my stay. The staff at reception at Las Lomas was very helpful and friendly and the price was very good in relation to what it was offered. My only suggestion to improve a bit the breakfast. It could be a bit more varied.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing choice of bars & restaurants offering Cana and tapas. Choice of tapas is amazing

Cities near Cartagena