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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

Cabo de Palos commemorates the forgotten shipwreck that claimed nearly 300 lives A new monument honours the nearly 300 people who died after an Italian liner struck reefs off the Cartagena coast in 1906 Long before the Titanic became the world's most famous maritime disaster, another passenger ship met a tragic end just off.. 05/08/2026

Cartagena steps up hunt for invasive Oriental hornet after nest is foundExperts are monitoring the city after several specimens were found near the Roman Theatre and La Concepción Cartagena is stepping up efforts to stop the spread of the Oriental hornet after several specimens were discovered in the city and a.. 05/08/2026

Four Murcia towns among the hottest places in SpainMolina de Segura recorded Spain's second-highest temperature as four Murcia municipalities featured in the national top ten If Tuesday felt unbearably hot, the latest figures show it wasn't just your imagination. Four municipalities in.. 05/08/2026

British tourists help make it a record start to the year for Murcia's tourismInternational visitor numbers reach a record high as tourists spend more and stay longer, with British holidaymakers continuing to lead the way The Region of Murcia has recorded its strongest start to the year for international tourism, with more.. 04/08/2026

Busy summer exposes hospitality staffing crisis across the Costa CálidaWith hotels and restaurants enjoying a strong tourist season, employers say finding qualified workers has become one of the industry's biggest challenges The Region of Murcia is in the middle of another busy summer, with hotels and restaurants.. 04/08/2026

Mystery over 24 cats found abandoned in pet carriers near CartagenaThe animals were found crammed into pet carriers inside a derelict building near La Asomada and are now receiving veterinary care Twenty-four cats abandoned in pet carriers near Cartagena have been rescued, with most already settling into foster.. 04/08/2026

World Cup 2030 could bring six international teams to MurciaNew training facilities, hotels and investment are helping the Region of Murcia prepare for what could become one of its biggest sporting opportunities yet The Region of Murcia is preparing to welcome some of the world's top football teams.. 03/08/2026

Scientists warn Mar Menor's mysterious 'white patch' is creating an underwater desertA new scientific study has found the phenomenon is blocking sunlight, destroying underwater seagrass and leaving parts of the lagoon with just three fish species At first glance, it just looks like a strange white patch on the water. But beneath.. 31/07/2026

8 of the best Blue Flag beaches in the Region of MurciaFrom San Pedro del Pinatar to Águilas, some of the beachgoing highlights in the Costa Cálida By now most of us are familiar with the Blue Flags denoting quality of water, services and cleanliness at many of the beaches in the Costa Cálida..

Scientists link rare manta ray sightings off Murcia to rising sea temperaturesExperts say Murcia's coastline is becoming an important place to track changes in marine biodiversity A giant oceanic manta ray was observed on September 6, 2023, near Cabo Tiñoso. (Q. González/Caballito Salado Diving Club) .. 29/07/2026

Why more overseas buyers are choosing Just Murcia Property to find their dream homeJust Murcia Property offers local knowledge, honest advice and support from your first viewing to collecting the keys Buying a home in Spain is about much more than bricks and mortar. It's about finding the right lifestyle, the right location.. 29/07/2026

€11.5 million funding for new projects to reduce livestock pollution in the Mar MenorScientists, universities and livestock farmers will work together over the next three years to trial cleaner farming methods and reduce pollution at its source More than €11.5 million is being invested in eight new projects that will look.. 29/07/2026

Heat-related deaths in Murcia already surpass last summer's totalHealth experts say prolonged periods of extreme heat are worsening existing illnesses, with older people accounting for most of the estimated deaths Extreme temperatures have already been linked to more deaths in the Region of Murcia this summer.. 29/07/2026

Cartagena launches alert as Oriental hornet spotted near Roman TheatreBeekeepers are working to trace a nest after the invasive species was found attacking bees near one of Cartagena’s best-known landmarks Cartagena City Council is asking residents to keep an eye out for the invasive Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis.. 29/07/2026

Why are there far fewer jellyfish in the Mar Menor this summerAnti-jellyfish nets are helping protect popular beaches, but scientists say changing water temperatures are the real reason numbers are lower this summer If you've been enjoying a swim in the Mar Menor this summer, you may have noticed there.. 28/07/2026

Ireland announced as La Mar de Músicas guest country for 2027The internationally acclaimed Cartagena festival will celebrate Irish music, literature, film and the arts after revealing its next guest country during the closing night of this year's event Ireland will be the focus of Cartagena's La.. 28/07/2026

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