Making the most of Cartagena
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cartagena's Cruise Terminal occupies the outer Marina beside the Yacht Club's new building. Its position is convenient, with the city centre and the quay's cultural, leisure and commercial area a 5 minute walk away.
A bus stop, taxi rank, information points and the necessary visitor services make arrival at the terminal straightforward. Pedestrian and vehicle routes through the Marina's commercial area also connect it with Alfonso XII Quay.
Founded by the Carthaginian leader Hasdrubal more than 2,200 years ago, Cartagena is an ancient city whose name reflects its past, as well as one of Spain's busiest commercial centres today. Its history is visible on the approach, where high fortresses flank the harbour, and in the old-town centre, home to the original Carthaginian castle and surviving parts of the city walls.
The recently restored Roman theatre of Carthago Nova is a particular highlight among the city's many Roman remains and one of Cartagena's landmarks.
Cartagena also keeps pace with the present, as shown by its redeveloped harbourfront and distinctive National Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The cruise port's location in Murcia province makes it a useful base for the city of Murcia and its Baroque cathedral, the 17th-century sanctuary of Fuensanta, the Fortress at Lorca Taller del Tiempo, Balneario de Archena spa resort, journeys into the mountainous interior and trips along the Costa Blanca to Alicante.
At the National Museum of Maritime Archaeology, displays include amphorae, lead ingots, anchors and even a life-size model of a Roman merchant ship. These pieces represent only part of the museum's collection. Objects recovered during underwater archaeological digs trace the history of sea trade, traffic and maritime activity, particularly during the Phoenician and Roman periods. Further highlights include seven scale models of ancient vessels and an exact galley replica.
Getting around
The TuristBus departs from the main boulevard directly opposite the cruise dock. This 40 minute hop-on, hop-off double-decker sightseeing route leaves on the hour and costs just 7 Euro.
Nearby places
The Costa Cálida brings two seas to a single coast: the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean. Alongside dramatic cliffs, long white-sand beaches, lively ports and wild coves of clear water, it receives more than 3,000 sunshine hours each year and has mild winters, with an annual average above 18ºC, making it suited to relaxing in either winter or summer.
A popular excursion leads to historic Murcia, capital of the Murcia region.
Money
Spain uses the euro as its currency.
One euro contains 100 cents. Its eight coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, plus 1 and 2 Euro; the seven banknotes are issued in values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Staying connected
Spanish is the official language throughout Spain, while several regions also use other languages: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a distinct form of Catalan on the Balearic Islands.
Most establishments now provide free WiFi.
Call 112 for emergencies anywhere in Spain, free of charge. Assistance is in Spanish, with English, French and German also available in some tourist areas.
Opening Hours and
Shops and businesses most commonly trade Monday to Saturday from 9.30 h until 13.30 h, then from 16.30 until 20.00 h.
Large shopping centres and department stores trade continuously from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h, and some also open on Sunday.
During high season in coastal cities, shops generally remain open beyond 22.00 h.
Pharmacy hours are 9.30 to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h. Major cities have pharmacies open 24 hours, while a rotating late-opening schedule appears in newspapers and is displayed at every pharmacy.