free tour Cartagena
Why visit Cartagena?
Cartagena is a splendid and welcoming city, with a special charm that sets it apart from anywhere else in the Mediterranean. Why visit Cartagena with our free tour? Because this three-thousand-year-old city offers astonishing experiences and in every corner a treasure and a thousand wonders lie hidden.
Visiting Cartagena means immersing yourself in its 3,000 years of history among the vestiges of the different cultures that once inhabited it. Its rich historical heritage dates back to Phoenician times, having been founded by the Carthaginians among five symbolic hills, which earned it the nickname of “little Rome“, since the Eternal City was founded among seven hills. During this era, Carthago Nova was one of the most important cities on the Iberian Peninsula, as evidenced by the spectacular monuments we can admire today and which we explore on our guided tour. The exploitation of the mining sierra near the city has provided abundant wealth and prosperity throughout different periods and up to recent times, making the exploration of Cartagena’s historical legacy and its most emblematic modernist buildings an unforgettable experience you cannot miss.
Located in a privileged setting by the sea and with excellent natural defences, Cartagena has been for centuries one of the most coveted military strongholds, making it witness to battles that have forever changed the course of history. This strategic enclave was at the very forefront of the epic Second Punic War, one of the most important battles of antiquity, led by Scipio Africanus, but the turbulent history of the city extends almost to the present day. Cartagena played a leading role in the Cantonal Revolution in the 19th century, during which it even minted its own currency, as well as in the Spanish Civil War, being the last stronghold taken by the insurgents in the most difficult conflict our country experienced in the 20th century.
It is impossible to mention Cartagena without naming its port and its naval heritage, linked to an illustrious native of the city, Isaac Peral, the inventor of the submarine. A city bordered by the warm Mediterranean Sea, a stroll through the maritime port is synonymous with pleasure, offering magnificent views. Furthermore, the surroundings of Cartagena offer beautiful natural landscapes and hiking routes through its stunning naval batteries, not to mention its beautiful coves and beaches. The most popular are Cala Cortina beach, Calblanque beach and La Manga del Mar Menor beach, where you can relax on the sand, enjoy the sun and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the Mare Nostrum.
Does that seem like too little? Then get ready, because Cartagena’s outstanding gastronomic offer will make your mouth water. You can try typical local dishes such as caldero (a rice and fish dish), marineras, ensalada murciana (or ‘mojete murciano’), michirones (a broad bean stew) or pasteles de carne (meat pastries), among many others. The city also boasts numerous restaurants and tapas bars where you can enjoy local gastronomy. And of course, don’t miss the traditional handmade sweets such as crespillos, exploradores or suspiros.
What would Cartagena be without its great festivals and celebrations? Cartagena hosts various festivals and events throughout the year, with highlights including the International Jazz Festival and Holy Week, a traditional festival of International Tourist Interest. And… get ready in September to travel back in time and join the Carthaginians and Romans Festival! The streets fill with music, dancing, parades and an unrivalled festive atmosphere.
What are you waiting for to discover Cartagena with our free tours? Let yourself be surprised by this wonderful city!
The essentials of Cartagena
Cartagena has an endless list of attractions, but if we had to highlight the most important ones, those you simply cannot miss, we would start with its magnificent Roman Theatre, the jewel of Cartagena’s archaeological heritage. Built in the 1st century BC, it is one of the most important Roman theatres on the Iberian Peninsula. On top of the monument stands the ancient cathedral of Cartagena, a victim of the bombings during the Spanish Civil War. To get a closer look at the leading role the city played in this conflict, a visit to the Civil War Museum-Shelter is an absolute must.
Continuing through the historic centre, places such as the Town Hall Square are essential stops, where our night free tour begins and where you can start admiring the beautiful modernist buildings of Cartagena, including its Consistorial Palace, continuing along the central Calle Mayor, the city’s most important commercial street. Along this pedestrian artery, in addition to finding a very welcoming atmosphere at any time of day, you can continue marvelling at more gems of modernism, such as Casa Cervantes, the former Palacio Casa Tilly (now the Casino de Cartagena), the façade of the former Casa Llagostera, and the Gran Hotel, the crowning achievement of modernism throughout the entire Region of Murcia. Another square you cannot miss is Plaza San Francisco, with enormous Australian ficus trees that leave all visitors speechless, and where you will find Casa Maestre — another stunning modernist building!
Also a must-visit is the Roman Forum Quarter, where you can stroll along the ancient streets and observe the ruins of the buildings that were once the centre of Roman life in Carthago Nova. Another essential stop is El Molinete, a hill that has become one of the largest urban archaeological parks in all of Europe, and which was originally the citadel of Hasdrubal, the founder of the Carthaginian city of Qart Hadasht. Continuing with the city’s hilltops, it is also well worth climbing up to the Castle of the Conception, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of Cartagena and its surroundings.
But what would this city be without one of its greatest attractions? We are referring to its magnificent port, where our free tour Cartagena begins and where you can stroll along the quay and enjoy the sea views from any of its terraces. Through the port arrives wealth aboard ships, as well as leisure vessels; through it flows the sea breeze that tempers its warm climate; its residents gaze out towards the port, broadening their horizons, while promenades and beautiful terraced gardens stretch out before them, featuring the monument to the Heroes of Cavite and Santiago de Cuba, the Wall of Carlos III (or Sea Wall) and the monument to Christopher Columbus.
Cartagena is also distinguished by its museums, most notably the Naval Museum with the famous Peral Submarine, the first electric submarine in history; the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology ‘ARQUA’, the most important of its kind at national level, with an extensive collection of underwater archaeological objects; the Municipal Archaeological Museum, with an important collection of archaeological artefacts dating from the Carthaginian and Roman periods; the Casa de la Fortuna, a 1st-century Roman domus remarkable for its objects, mural paintings and mosaics; and the Regional Museum of Modern Art ‘MURAM’.
To round off our list, we must not forget that Cartagena also has a beautiful beach on its outskirts, Cala Cortina, as well as the beaches of the nearby Calblanque Regional Park, a true paradise for lovers of unspoilt beaches set within spectacular natural surroundings.
We have only mentioned a few attractions that we consider unmissable, but this city is inexhaustible! Join our free tours in Cartagena and discover the essence of this place, guided by local experts who will make you fall in love with it.
Some tips about Cartagena
Cartagena is the most visited city in the Region of Murcia and has a great deal to offer almost any type of traveller. Here are some tips to help you prepare your visit and make sure you don’t miss a thing:
Savour the enormous local gastronomic offer: the Region of Murcia is known for its delicious cuisine and Cartagena is no exception. Try typical dishes such as caldero, michirones, marineras… As well as seafood such as shellfish and fresh fish, and don’t forget the most classic drink in Cartagena, the café asiático, originally enjoyed by the local fishermen and an absolute must-try. Along the streets of the city centre, such as Puerta de Murcia or the area around Calle Mayor, you will find a wide variety of traditional Cartagena taverns with delicious tapas and traditional dishes to choose from. If you are looking for a different experience, on the outskirts of Cartagena you can visit the Licor 43 factory, a unique building where the famous drink is produced, featuring a museum and tastings.
If you plan to go shopping, Calle Mayor is the most commercial street, with the greatest concentration of shops and establishments of all kinds, along with Calle Puerta de Murcia, Calle del Carmen and Santa Florentina. These areas are also home to the city’s traditional and artisan confectionery shops.
To visit the most important monuments such as the Roman Theatre, the Roman Forum Quarter or the Castle of the Conception, among others, tickets can be purchased at the box office of each site or on the website www.puertodeculturas.cartagena.es, where special passes are available offering discounts if you decide to visit several of them.
If you wish to take in a panoramic view of the city and discover it from a different perspective, it is highly recommended to climb to the top of Cerro de la Concepción, where there is a viewpoint with breathtaking views of the entire city and the bay of Cartagena, along with incredible sunsets. If you prefer to save your energy for our free tour, we recommend using the panoramic lift, which effortlessly covers the 45-metre height difference.
Although it is sometimes preferable to go with the flow and leave room for spontaneity, we also recommend checking the opening times of tourist sites: before your visit, make sure to verify the opening and closing hours of the places you wish to see. Some may have specific schedules and it is important to plan your itinerary accordingly, in order to organise your planned activities around the Cartagena free tour.
The historic centre of the city is best explored on foot, as we do every day on our guided tours of Cartagena. If you plan to head to the nearby beaches, you can take a bus from the bus station, a short walk from the centre, where different lines and timetables run almost throughout the day to surrounding towns and beaches.
And finally, we want to remind you that in summer the heat can be intense, so make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. On the hottest days, you can make use of the warmest hours to visit the city’s many museums. If you have time, take the opportunity to visit the beaches near Cartagena, which are exceptional for relaxing and cooling off in the sea. And if you enjoy water activities, the nearby Cabo de Palos is a paradise for snorkelling and scuba diving, in one of the most important marine reserves in Europe.
We are sure that these tips will help you plan your visit to Cartagena. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms under the orange umbrella!
