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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

Region of Murcia to welcome 16 new hotels in the next three yearsThis substantial investment in tourism will add more than 700 hotel beds across the Region Tourism in the Region of Murcia is gearing up for a major boost. After a few years of slower growth, new investment is set to bring 16 additional hotels and.. 18/08/2025

Rents on the Murcian coast surge by more than 70% in four yearsFrom Mazarrón to Cartagena, soaring rents are squeezing residents out of the market Right before the summer, the Bank of Spain released a survey that showed that three out of four renters in Spain can’t hope to save for a deposit for.. 18/08/2025

Spain simplifies life for self-employed workers: Combined visa and residency now availableSelf-employed professionals can now apply for their visa and work authorisation together, with Heniam making the process simple If you’re self-employed and planning to move to Spain, you’ll be pleased to hear the Spanish government introduced.. 18/08/2025

The Carthaginians and Romans fiestas, a legacy of the rich past of CartagenaFew cities can match the heady mix of history, culture and tradition in the September fiestas of Cartagena! Every year in September, when the heat of summer is beginning to die down, the city of Cartagena goes back to a time more than 200 years before the..

Murcia invests €10million to improve roads in 9 municipalitiesThe money will go towards resurfacing, road safety and three new roundabouts across the Region of Murcia The regional government has committed to improving Murcia's road network with the launch of nine new projects worth €9.2 million. These.. 15/08/2025

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From Westminster to southern Spain: Michael Portillo's journey to CartagenaThe broadcaster and former UK minister shares his love of Spain, travel and connecting with people during his latest filming trip Cartagena may be baking in the August heat, but Michael Portillo looks perfectly at ease. The former Conservative cabinet..

Stark contrast in green space plans of Region of Murcia as one city builds and another lets parks declineCartagena opposition slams “deplorable” neglect while neighbouring municipality pushes ahead with multi-million-euro urban park project Cartagena’s Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has hit out at what it describes as a.. 13/08/2025

Huge savings on last minute holiday rental at La Manga Club with Rent La Manga ClubSave 20% on this stunning 3-bed villa with private pool on bookings between August 23 and 30 The deal of the summer is yours for the taking, but you’ll have to be quick! Book a short stay at this exceptional Las Higueras villa between August.. 12/08/2025

Britannia cruise ship brings 3,600 visitors back to CartagenaP&O Cruises’ flagship returns for a second summer stop with another visit already planned this month Cartagena welcomed a familiar face back to its waterfront this Tuesday August 12, as the Britannia cruise ship sailed into port with.. 12/08/2025

Renovated 3-bed apartment at La Manga Club for £395,000 with Marena MurrayA rare opportunity to purchase a luxury home in the prestigious Los Olivos community of La Manga Club This beautifully refurbished and fully furnished three-bedroom apartment offers a rare chance to own a luxury home in the highly sought-after Los.. 12/08/2025

New Teselas shade system brings cooler temperatures to CartagenaThe canopy will protect pedestrians from the sun while preserving the historic building facades on Calle Carmen Work has begun on the long-anticipated installation of the ‘Teselas’ shade system along Calle del Carmen in Cartagena. The.. 11/08/2025

Swarm of earthquakes makes the Costa Blanca and Murcia trembleA dozen offshore tremors recorded in the south of the province yesterday and this morning A total of 12 small earthquakes occurred nearby off the southern Costa Blanca within a few hours of each other between Monday evening and this morning... 08/08/2025

A dip in the Med for everyone: Cartagena expands free assisted bathing this summerSan Ginés, Playa Honda and La Manga beaches now offer daily support for swimmers with reduced mobility Cartagena has stepped up its commitment to inclusive beaches this summer by expanding its free assisted bathing service across three.. 08/08/2025

Shark sighting sparks beach drama in MazarrónBathers rush out of the water as two-metre shark swims close to the shore in Puerto de Mazarrón Swimmers enjoying a sunny afternoon at La Reya beach in Puerto de Mazarrón got quite a shock on Thursday August 7 when a shark, estimated.. 08/08/2025

Las Dunas shopping centre in Cartagena should be ready in a yearA huge new Mercadona in the centre of Cabo de Palos is one of the most anticipated additions Cranes, concrete and construction workers are a constant sight in Cabo de Palos this summer as work on the new Mercadona supermarket charges ahead. .. 08/08/2025

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