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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

Michelin starred and Bib Gourmand recommended restaurants in the Region of MurciaFine dining from the cities of Murcia and Cartagena to the shore of the Mar Menor and the Altiplano in the north The Michelin Guide is the most highly regarded and longest-lived restaurant and hotel guide in Europe, and every year it includes its selection.. 23/09/2026

October 4 Become a winemaker for the day with Raquel Tours in JumillaRaquel Tours is taking guests to one of Murcia’s famous wine regions for a day of wine, food and Spanish culture Ever wondered what it would be like to make your own wine? Well now you have the chance to find out as Raquel Tours Murcia has a.. 23/09/2026

Segura basin starts new hydrological year with reservoirs more than half fullWater reserves have fallen slightly in recent weeks but remain more than half full, with 589 hm³ stored ahead of October Happy hydrological new year! I'm sure you had it marked on the calendar. In case you didn't, it starts on October.. 23/09/2026

Warm Mediterranean raises risk of intense autumn rain in MurciaAEMET warns that the Region of Murcia has several of the ingredients needed for intense rainfall, with sea temperatures close to 30°C adding extra moisture to the atmosphere The Mediterranean is heading into autumn with sea temperatures.. 23/09/2026

Cartagena cuts bike hire prices and widens who gets a discountStandard rate drops 20% from September 22, with bigger savings for seniors, students and more Getting around Cartagena by bike is about to get a fair bit cheaper. From September 22, which happens to be European Mobility Day, the city's bike rental.. 22/09/2026

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Lorca-Mazarrón €1.2 million road works reach halfway stageThe latest stage of the project has begun with new asphalt being laid along a 5.3-kilometre section of the road Drivers using the road between Lorca and Mazarrón should have a smoother journey early next year, with a €1.2 million improvement.. 22/09/2026

Murcia Region records one of Spain's hottest summers in 157 yearsTemperatures reached 44.2°C in the Region of Murcia as AEMET warns that autumn is also likely to be warmer than normal Murcia was right at the heart of Spain's extraordinary summer, with temperatures reaching 44.2°C on July 23 as the.. 22/09/2026

La Manga and Cabo de Palos plan for life beyond the summer seasonLocal businesses and the town hall are working on autumn events, beach services and plans to keep the coastal area active throughout the year Summer may be winding down, but businesses in La Manga and Cabo de Palos are already looking ahead to.. 21/09/2026

Food shopping gets more expensive as some everyday favourites see big price risesFresh berries, citrus fruit, green vegetables and eggs have all seen sizeable price rises over the past year If your weekly food shop has been feeling a little more expensive lately, some of the latest figures from Spain's inflation data show.. 21/09/2026

Dozens of fuel jerrycans found near abandoned Puerto Mayor buildings in La MangaSan Javier Local Police say the containers are tied to an ongoing pattern of fuel smuggling for drug trafficking boats San Javier Local Police discovered dozens of jerrycans full of petrol piled up near the abandoned Puerto Mayor facilities in La.. 21/09/2026

Beekeepers battle growing oriental hornet threat in Campo de CartagenaSightings are rising across Cartagena as the predatory wasp threatens local hives and crops Beekeepers in the Campo de Cartagena are raising the alarm over a growing population of oriental hornets and they’re asking the authorities to step in.. 21/09/2026

Environmental tanks prevent 100,000 cubic metres of run-off entering the Mar MenorThe Campo de Cartagena tanks were around half full after Thursday’s intense rainfall Heavy rain across the Campo de Cartagena sent around 330 million litres of water into the Mar Menor on Thursday September 17, while environmental tanks captured.. 18/09/2026

Torrential rain caused flooding and 93 incidents across the Region of MurciaCartagena was the worst-affected area, with 65 incidents reported after more than 70 litres of rain fell in an hour Cartagena bore the brunt of Thursday morning's torrential rain, with emergency services dealing with dozens of incidents across.. 18/09/2026

15 migrants rescued after boat raises alarm off Murcia coastThe small fishing boat was intercepted around 8 kilometres from San Pedro del Pinatar A rescue operation was launched off the Murcia coast on Thursday September 17 after a boat carrying 15 undocumented migrants alerted emergency services that four.. 18/09/2026

La Manga receives a fresh burst of colour as fiestas get underwayNew greenery and festive decorations have been installed as Plaza Bohemia enjoys five days of music, food and family entertainment La Manga del Mar Menor is getting a fresh burst of colour just as its annual fiestas get underway, with 350 new plants.. 17/09/2026