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Things to do and where to stay in Cartagena, Spain

I'll be spending a few weeks in Spain this summer to do some archival research in Madrid and Cartagena. This will be my first visit to Cartagena and I'm looking forward to spending a few days in the city where Carmen Conde, one of the writers I study, grew up. I'll spend mornings in the archive there and have the rest of the day to sight see. I'd appreciate any suggestions for museums, places of interest (Roman ruins, for example), and beaches in Cartagena. I'd love to go to la Manga del Mar Menor, though I'm not sure how easy it would be to get to and from Cartagena. Any suggestions for hotels and how to get to and from Cartagena from the Murcia train station would all be helpful! I see Renfe has an intercity train between Murcia and Cartagena but maybe the schedules aren't available two months in advance. Gracias!

Posted by
7157 posts

To me, Cartagena has no wow sites and can be seen in a day. I found Murcia city even less interesting and only spent a few hours there. In that area are Vélez-Blanco and Lorca castles, Salto del Usero nature preserve, and El Palmeral outside of Alicante. Without a car I have no idea how you get to them.

Posted by
10625 posts

I’ve been to Cartagena twice by cruise ship. The last time, fall 2022, we had an excellent tour of both Cartagena and Murcia with Spain Day Tours. It’s listed under their shore excursions, but I’m sure they would include a “townie” on a tour. Good luck with the research!