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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

Celebrate Cartagena Carnival 2026 this Valentine's Day with Raquel Tours night tripRaquel Tours invites you on a special guided evening trip to one of Murcia’s most spectacular parades February in Cartagena means one thing above all else. Carnival. And in 2026, one of the most spectacular events in the Region of.. 19/01/2026

La Manga del Mar Menor gets its own local police stationThe new 24-hour station will bring San Javier’s police closer to residents on the northern half of La Manga La Manga del Mar Menor now has its very own local police station. The new facility was officially opened by Fernando López.. 19/01/2026

Region of Murcia loses almost half of bank branches in ten years as access gap widensMore than 390 bank offices have disappeared across the Region since 2015, leaving some towns with no branches at all and growing concern for older residents Something as everyday as withdrawing cash or paying a bill is becoming increasingly difficult.. 19/01/2026

La Puebla Potato Festival wins national prize!The festival in the Cartagena countryside generally takes place in June or July The annual Potato Festival in La Puebla, a small town in the countryside between Cartagena and the Mar Menor, has been awarded a prestige prize for being the Best Potato Promotional.. 19/01/2026

Gas station robbery gang smashed across Murcia region and surrounding areasGuardia Civil arrests four after 50+ break-ins targeting petrol stations and homes The Murcia region and nearby areas can breathe a little easier after the Guardia Civil smashed a violent robbery gang behind over 50 break-ins at gas stations and homes.. 16/01/2026

Murcia maps out major nature restoration plans under EU rulesThe Mar Menor, riverbanks and grasslands are among the areas set for environmental recovery Plans are now underway to decide which natural areas in the Region of Murcia will be restored under a major European Union environmental programme, with scientists.. 16/01/2026

New cancer support centre opens in CartagenaAyuntamiento and regional leaders celebrate expanded care for patients and families Cartagena now has a dedicated new headquarters for the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), offering expanded support for cancer patients across the city and Mar.. 15/01/2026

High-end shoplifting gang arrested in San Javier raid with £3,000 and €7,000 in cashSeven Chilean nationals were arrested after the Guardia Civil seized cash, phones, clothing and jewellery Seven people were arrested in San Javier on Thursday January 15 after the Guardia Civil broke up a criminal group specialising.. 15/01/2026

Pre-registration now open for the gruelling Ruta de las Fortalezas run in CartagenaThe 53-kilometre course visits castles, fortresses, gun batteries and old city walls belonging to the military history of Cartagena The initial pre-registration opens on Thursday 15th January for the 15th annual edition of the Ruta de las Fortalezas de.. 15/01/2026

Cartagena's dogs get a new park by the stadiumAyuntamiento opens new play area for pets and promises more dedicated dog spaces in Santa Ana and Cabo de Palos Cartagena’s four-legged residents have another reason to wag their tails this week, with a brand new dog park opening next to the Cartagonova.. 15/01/2026

International visitors drive tourism in MurciaData from Exceltur shows that Murcia's tourism sector is set to grow by 8.8% in 2026 Tourism in the Region of Murcia is set to build on a successful 2025. Local businesses are expecting an 8.8% increase in tourism sales in 2026, the second.. 14/01/2026

Nearly 40 beaches, museums and walking routes across Murcia to become more accessibleMore than €1 million will be invested to improve access to some of the most important cultural, historic and natural sites across the region Winter in the Region of Murcia is a great time to get out and about. The weather is perfect for walking.. 14/01/2026

Spain drafts emergency plan to protect dolphins, turtles and birds caught in Murcia fishing netsConservationists agree that fishermen in the Region of Murcia are generally “very good” at releasing trapped animals Spain is drawing up emergency rules to stop dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds dying in fishing nets after poor practices.. 14/01/2026

Murcia cuts red tape to speed up housing constructionThe new law will combine all housing approval steps into a single process, cutting years off construction times The Regional Government of Murcia is taking steps to make building new homes faster and simpler. President Fernando López Miras.. 13/01/2026

Your place in the sun and your place underground? Bunkers on the rise in MurciaA giant billboard in the centre of Murcia is turning heads, signalling the rise of private bunkers Murcia is popular for its year-round sunshine and beautiful beaches, making it the perfect place for a second home. But what about a home a little.. 13/01/2026

Renew your Cartagena orange zone parking permit before January 31Simple bank transfer process activates resident pass for unlimited local parking The deadline to renew resident parking permits in Cartagena's orange zone is January 31. These permits allow unlimited parking on streets within the assigned zone, with.. 13/01/2026

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