Free walking tours in Cartagena and what to see

Must-sees

Cartagena has three thousand years of history and you feel it as you walk. The Roman Theatre is the main visit: you enter through a museum that runs through the old Riquelme palace and the church of Santa María la Vieja before emerging onto the stands. Close by are the Punic Wall, the Roman Forum district on the Molinete and the Casa de la Fortuna, a Roman house with wall paintings.

Calle Mayor and Calle del Carmen hold the modernista buildings left by mining wealth, such as the Town Hall, the Casino and Casa Cervantes. Climb to Concepción castle, on foot or by panoramic lift, to see the port and the coastal batteries. By the sea are the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology, the Naval Museum with Isaac Peral’s submarine and the Civil War Shelter Museum.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours of the historic centre are common. In about two hours they cover the Roman and modernista centre, explain the city’s role as a naval base, and you pay what you like at the end. If you are interested in archaeology, a guided visit to the Roman Theatre and the Molinete is worthwhile, as the guide helps you understand the city’s layers. There are also boat trips around the harbour and excursions to Calblanque Regional Park, with undeveloped coves, or to La Manga and the Mar Menor.

How long to spend

Two days are enough to see Cartagena at a relaxed pace. Spend the first on the Roman Theatre, the Molinete, Calle Mayor and the castle, and the second on the port museums, the shelter and a stroll along the quay. If you add a third day, use it for Calblanque or a trip to the Mar Menor.

Where to stay

The most practical option is to stay in the old town, between Calle Mayor, Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the port. From there you can walk almost everywhere, with bars and restaurants nearby. The Ensanche, a little further north, is more residential and quiet, and a short walk from the centre. If you are driving, look for accommodation with parking, as the centre has pedestrian streets and restricted-access areas.