EuropeSpainMurcia
Cartagena
Murcia, Spain · Europe
About Cartagena
Cartagena sits on the route: 5 minutes from Los Gabatos.
Cartagena is a city located in Murcia, Spain. With a population of 213,943, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Cartagena sits in Spain, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Madrid time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cartagena to your route.
About Cartagena
Cartagena (Spanish: [kaɾtaˈxena] ) is a city in the Region of Murcia in Spain. As of 2024, with a population of 219,235, it is the second most populated municipality in the Region of Murcia. The city lies in a natural harbour of the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The wider urban orRead more
metropolitan area of Cartagena, known as Campo de Cartagena, has a population of 409,586 inhabitants.
Qart-Hadast was founded around 227 BC by the Barcids of Ancient Carthage. Known as Carthago Nova under Roman rule, it was the capital of Hispania Carthaginensis. It was briefly held by the Byzantine Empire in late antiquity, before being raided by Visigoths circa 620–625. The Islamic city rebuilt around the Concepción Hill, mentioned as Qartayânnat al-Halfa, was noted by the 11th century as a great harbor.
Unsubmissive to the terms of the Treaty of Alcaraz, Cartagena was taken by force by the Crown of Castile in 1245, with aggressive settlement policies being pursued afterwards pursuant to Cartagena's status as a prize of war. While Cartagena ended up as the sole Castilian port in the region for years to come, its constrained prominence conformed to Castile's limited attention to Mediterranean affairs in the late middle ages. It was secured by the Crown in 1503 after a period in private hands, growing in saliency because of its increasing trade prowess and its role in the Hispanic Monarchy's intervention in the Maghreb, and becoming the base of the Spanish Mediterranean fleet in the 18th century. Following the re-opening of the mines in the Sierra Minera, a mining industry developed after 1840, otherwise prompting the 1860 segregation of the mining district into a new municipality. Cartagena was a hotspot of the Cantonal Rebellion in 1873. Hammered by industrial re-structuring policies, it underwent a profound job crisis in the early 1990s.
The city hosts an important base of the Spanish Navy and a large naval shipyard. The city preserves a Roman Theatre, an abundance of Punic, Roman, Byzantine and Moorish remains, and a plethora of Art Nouveau buildings from the early 20th century.
Where to Stay in Cartagena
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Cartagena?
Cartagena offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
How do I plan a road trip to Cartagena?
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Where is Cartagena located?
Cartagena is located in Murcia, Spain, Europe. The coordinates are 37.6020 latitude, -0.9840 longitude.
What is the population of Cartagena?
Cartagena has a population of approximately 213,943 people, making it a city in Spain.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 213,943
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Murcia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 37.6020, -0.9840
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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