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Cartagena--What not to miss


colonialinnkeeper
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I would highly recommend booking a private tour of the old city with Marelvy Tours. We had just the 4 of us and it was great. New air conditioned van with guide who spoke very good English and driver. It’s about a 5 hour tour some walking some driving. I would not recommend the large group ship tours. Everyone I talked to complained that it was too crowded and they got nothing out of the day. There is a Website for the company just google it. The guide provides lots of history about Columbia and Cartagena and explains the various neighborhoods and architecture. The guide will also helps keep the street vendors from becoming to aggressive. A simple “no Gracias” and they move on. The churches were really beautiful dating back to the 1500s.

It was $100 pp but worth it. If you had a slightly larger group it might be cheaper. It would be a shame to go all that way and be disappointed.

 

 

 

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Trying to decide on itinerary for Cartagena port. Any suggestions on things "not to miss"? Couldn't see any posting. Thanks.

 

Cartagena is one of the easiest Mediterranean ports to DIY as the town is compact/easy to get around with some good examples of Modernista architecture.

 

The Roman Amphitheatre and Museum is right at the start of the main street opposite the Town Hall at the Plaza de Ayuntamiento and shouldn't be missed https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187517-d2096819-Reviews-Roman_Theatre_Museum-Cartagena_Municipality_of_Cartagena.html and https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=AwrP4o8mZJNbLjwA5j1LBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTEybWRxcnRrBGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjYxNjdfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=amphitheatre+Cartagena+spain&fr=yfp-t - and it would be a sin not to call into the Valor Chocolate Shop virtually next door where you will be tempted with all things chocolaty (hand made chocolates, hot chocolate drinks, ice cream, cakes and pastries etc) https://foursquare.com/v/chocolater%C3%ADa-valor/4c3d8fd0b169c9b615294768/photos

 

The Santa Florentina is a good indoor market https://murciatoday.com/cartagena-mercado-de-santa-florentina_14353-a.html and the town has a good range of shops (especially for shoe lovers as shoemaking is a local industry).

 

The Castillo de la Concepcion is a fascinating castle to wander around http://www.allyouneedinmurcia.com/en/history-culture/concepcion-castle-cartagena/ - best way to access this and see some amazing views is via the scenic elevator https://murciatoday.com/the-panoramic-lift-best-views-of-cartagena-and-a-great-place-to-photograph-the-port_3009-a.html

 

If you like military history you will enjoy the Naval Museum https://murciatoday.com/museo-naval-cartagena_11716-a.html

 

A good way to get your bearings, and learn some of the towns history, is by taking a ride on the trolley train https://shorespaintours.com/tour/panoramic-cartagena-copy/

 

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Edited by campolady
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This is a very easy town to see alone if you are reasonably mobile. In addition to venues mentioned by campolady, I would also suggest the Civil War museum if that sort of thing interests you. The entrance is at the base of the big outside elevator and the museum is located in the tunnels in which the the city residents took refuge during bombings. Not a big museum - no more than an hour as I recall.

 

We also saved a few euros buying a pass for several venues at once. I think this is mentioned in Tom's port guide.

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Wncruiser, Campolady and Badtwin,

 

Thanks to you all for the copious information you've sent. I have used Tom's Port Guides before and didn't think to see if there was one for Cartegena, Spain but will do so. This has been one of our more port intensive trips and longer so have had to be more careful in gathering information and sorting it out. Many thanks. Lauri

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Knbcruisers,

 

 

 

Thanks for the info. I neglected to add the country--Spain to my title post. However, I have put your recommendation away since we will be going to do another Panama Canal and will be most likely stopping at Cartegena, Col. Appreciate your help. Lauri

 

 

 

[emoji23] oh well the rest of this thread is great, we’re hoping to the Med in the next 5 years so lots of good info,,

 

 

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