Cartagena
Cartagena is a Mediterranean port in southeast Spain with a Roman Theatre, naval harbor museums and tapas bars on Calle Mayor.
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Cartagena is a port city on the Mediterranean coast of southeast Spain, in the Region of Murcia. The Carthaginians founded it around 227 BC, and the Romans later called it Carthago Nova. The Roman Theatre is the city's best-known landmark and the most visited monument in the region, with 251,633 visitors in 2019. The Roman Theatre Museum, designed by Rafael Moneo, opened in July 2008 and shows the theatre's excavation and restoration. The city is also one of Spain's main naval bases, and the Peral Submarine, launched in 1888, is on display in a former Arsenal workshop.
Calle Mayor, the main pedestrian street, has boutiques and bars serving tapas. Mar Menor, a salty lagoon behind a sand bar about 22 km long, has warm, clear water that is rarely deeper than 7 meters. August is the hottest month, averaging about 27 °C, and January averages 12.7 °C, so spring and autumn are the easiest months for walking the old town. Región de Murcia International Airport at Corvera is about 28 km from the city.
Cartagena in five
- Start at the Roman Theatre museumThe theater is hidden under the old town and the museum route leads you down to the stage. Visit it first to put the harbor town in context, then walk down to the port.Murcia Province
- See the pioneer submarine and the diving museumThe Navy's historic submarine and the underwater archaeology museum are both on the harbor front. Check each site's opening days, because several close one day a week.
- Walk the harbor, skip the carThe old town is flat and small. Park once at the edge and walk to the theater, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the waterfront.
- Add a Mar Menor or coast beach daySand beaches and the Mar Menor lagoon are a short drive away, which makes Cartagena a base for a few quiet days instead of one stop.
- Compare it with Murcia city firstMurcia city is inland, with a cathedral and a university feel. Cartagena is on the sea, smaller and easier for a one-night stop.Murcia
Things to do in Cartagena
See all attractions in Cartagena
Need to know
- Airport
- Region of Murcia International (RMU); Alicante (ALC) is also within reach
- Getting there
- Regional train or bus from Murcia, about an hour
- Getting around
- Walk; the old town and harbor are compact
- Best base
- The old town near the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
- Time needed
- 1 day, or 2 with a beach day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°MildJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°MildFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°SpringMarchClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Spring, Holy WeekAprilClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, Holy Week
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°WarmMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°HotJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Hot, busyAugustClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°CoolNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°MildDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
Average daily high and low in Cartagena, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Cartagena
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Cartagena
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°16°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue21°16°33%Tuesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Wed18°16°50%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Thu21°16°32%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Fri22°16°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat22°15°5%Saturday: Fog. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun23°15°16%Sunday: Rain. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 07:31 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JunBonfires of Saint John in AlicanteAlicante, a day trip
Before you go to Cartagena
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Rules for Cartagena, checked
- Spain applies Schengen entry rules; check whether your passport needs a visa on the Spanish Foreign Ministry site (exteriores.gob.es) before you book.
- Municipal rules forbid using the city flag on political or commercial emblems.
- El Portús beach sits beside a naturist campsite, and nude bathing is practiced there.
- In summer, jellyfish can swarm in Mar Menor, so check local beach notices before you swim.
- The emergency number across Spain is 112.
Plan around Cartagena
Entry rules, trains and regions across the country
Read the guideMurcia ProvinceThe wider region around the port
Read the guideMurciaThe regional capital inland
Read the guideAlmeríaDesert coast to the south by road
Read the guideTourist taxes in EuropeCheck whether your stay adds a nightly tax
Read the guideCartagena FAQ
Is Cartagena worth visiting?
Yes for a day or two. The Roman theater, harbor and naval history make a compact visit, and it is much quieter than the big Mediterranean resorts.
How many days do you need in Cartagena?
One full day covers the Roman Theatre, the old town and the harbor. Add a second day if you want a beach day on the Mar Menor or a long lunch without rushing.
Can you visit Cartagena as a day trip from Murcia?
Yes. Regional trains and buses take about an hour each way, which leaves enough time for the theater and a seafront lunch. Stay a night if you want the harbor in the evening.
Is Cartagena a good cruise port?
It is a convenient one, since the old town sits beside the terminal and most main sights are within a short walk. Check the sailing's shore time before booking a long excursion.
Do you need a car in Cartagena?
No for the old town, which is walkable. A car helps for beaches around the Mar Menor and for the longer drive to Almería or Alicante.