Cartagena, Spain: Just Got Back

[CaribbeanBound]

Cartagena, Spain

The port is in town, next to the marina, and doesn't require any transportation from the ship. This was a good port to sleep in since nothing opens until 10:00 am. Still, we were in the mostly vacant city by 8:30 am since it's nice to explore unimpeded by crowds. Siesta is generally from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm during the heat of the day. Shops then re-open until 10:00 or 11:00 pm.

 

We exited the ship, walked though the port security gate and found ourselves on a wide walkway splitting a marina in two. We wondered around town, taking exterior pictures of interesting buildings, Parque Arqueológico Cerro del Molinete, and a few other parks while we waited for the Castillo de la Concepción to open at 10:00 am.

 

From the port walkway, walk to the first street and turn right (don't go up the stairs). Turn left at the next street you come to and walk until you come across the Ascensor Panorámico (Panoramic Lift, €2 or €4,25 with admission to Castillo de la Concepción; climbing the lift is free). Walking to the narrow observation point as you exit the elevator to the right is a bit scary as the walkway moves a little with the wind.

 

Upon exiting the walkway to the left, you'll find yourselves in Parque Torres which offers walking trails, wild peacocks, and good views of your ship in port, as well as Torres Park Auditorium, and Roman Amphitheatre beyond that; especially from the expansive Plaza Puerta del la Villa lookout.

 

The best views of the surrounding area are reserved for visitors to the rooftop of Castillo de la Concepción, aka Castillo de los Patos. Offering 360-degree views with picture boards that pinpoint the most interesting buildings and places, the rooftop can be reached via an interior ramp or turret stairwell. The castle has some interesting displays inside as well.

 

Exiting Plaza Puerta del la Villa via a stairway to the north, will take you to the Puerta del la Villa ("The Door of the Villa"). Walk through this short archway tunnel and down the ramp and you'll find yourself overlooking the Roman Amphitheatre, a must-see site in Cartagena, and ruins of the Old Cathedral of Cartagena "Catedral de Santa María La Mayor" beyond.

 

You can get good pictures from several vantage points as you walk along the top of the amphitheater. If you wish to walk inside the amphitheater, tickets are available for €6 at the Museum (MVSEO) directly across the street from the distinctive Palace Hall of Cartagena on Plaza Ayuntamiento (about three blocks to your west).

 

Since the ship was so close and easily accessible, we headed back to the ship to drop off the light jackets we didn't need, stayed for lunch, and then ventured out again. We set out to see a pair of museums, the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the Maritime Museum.

 

National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (€3) is located on the marina, just 5 minutes from the ship. The Museum has a permanent exhibition in which the methodology of underwater archeology is discussed as a scientific discipline. Models, and actual recovered artifacts, help tell the story of over 2,500 years of navigational history. One highlight is a large display of coins from the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a galleon that was sunk by the British navy in 1804. 594,000 gold and silver coins were among the items salvaged.

 

We walked along the marina to The Maritime Museum only to discover that it was closed that day. Now tired and enjoying stellar warm weather with nice cool breezes, we took a siesta under the shade of a Palm Tree in the Plaza de los Héroes park next to the Palace Hall clocktower.

 

Rested and comfortable, we checked out the art statuary in the immediate area, then walked along the marina until we found an empty bench. We sat looking at the marina and decided to watch people go by until it was time to return to the ship. A huge futuristic silver sailing vessel caught our attention.

 

We were looking at the world's largest sailing ship, an 8-deck superyacht, 468-feet in length with ship masts nearing 300-feet high, owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko. (Note how it dwarfs the shipping cranes). Named the "A", with a crew of 54, it was berthed in the harbor. The hull is made of steel and carbon fibre. Security is enhanced with bombproof glass and 40 CCTV cameras. In addition to the expected helipad and pool, it also features a 193-square foot glass underwater observation pod in the keel which is 1-foot thick.

 

 

Complete detailed review of Celebrity Reflection and 8 Western Mediterranean Ports

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/western-mediterranean.html

 

Secrets of the Mediterranean: details, hints, and tips for over 20 Mediterranean Cities

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/mediterranean-secrets.html

[jean87510]

Nice review! I've been reading all of them as I will be in most of your spots this November and 11/2019. We are renting bikes to explore in the areas of Spain, but your details re Pompeii and naples were wonderful

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

[edinburgher]

Only last month we were also in Cartagena and saw that superyacht "A".

 

 

The owner actually has not one but two superyachts called "A".

 

 

One is the sailing yacht "A" which you photographed, and the second one is the motor boat "A" which also has a very distinctive shape, designed by the same designer. It was the shape which caught our eyes when we saw it in Abu Dhabi in December 2017, so we have now seen both.

[justmeindustland]

Thanks for the memories. This was favorite town when we did the Spain cruise. I would like to go back and spend a week there.

[DevonianCruiser]

Great review, we’re there in a couple of months so thank you.

[cknic]

Thanks for your post..We were in Cartagena a few years ago and will be back in September. Nice to have an update before we sail.

[dogs4fun]

Great review and nice photos - thanks for sharing.

[cltnccruisers]

We'll be in Cartagena in Sept,2019. Thank you for giving us some ideas.

[samavarcruiser]

Great review, thanks for sharing :)

[roothy123]

Thank you for this. I've yet to have Cartagena on an itinerary, but if and when I do, this will no doubt be helpful. I like to do things independently, and explore, so it's perfect.

 

You haven't been to Cagliari, Sardinia or Trapani, Sicily, have you? (And yes, I know they're not in Spain!) If so, did you do a write up on them? I'm not finding as much info as I'd like, although they both sound great.

[CaribbeanBound]

No, sorry, haven't been to those places. Here's a report on the 20 we have been to: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/medit...n-secrets.html

[Florican]

Thanks for your very helpful post. We would never have known about the ascensor panoramico otherwise. It only cost us 1 euro each because there is a reduced fare for seniors. We walked across to the other end of the park and walked down, a very easy way to go because it's in several stages.

[SouthernBelles]

No, sorry, haven't been to those places. Here's a report on the 20 we have been to: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/medit...n-secrets.html

 

Great info, thanks so much! I printed for future reference.

Vicky (38632783)

[edinburgher]

Another excellent guide to Cartagena can be found on Toms Port Guides which also has maps and a suggested walking route:

 

 

https://www.tomsportguides.com/port-guides.html#cartagenaspain

 

 

We enjoyed our day here. It was smaller therefore more relaxing than the cities we had in the preceding days.

[Daisyloo]

Thanks OP. We will be in Cartagena in December and our plan is to walk off and explore on our own. Your info helps quite a bit. :)

[prish]

Many thanks to the OP for her tips and pictures. We’ll be in Cartagena next May from 11am to 8pm. Initially I was thinking of a DIY day but since most of the town will be closed for siesta from 2-5 am wondering if it might be better to take a tour which includes Murcia? What do you suggest, your comments would be appreciated, thanks 😊