Cartagena has been occupied, fought over, and rebuilt for more than two thousand years — and it shows, in the best possible way. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and Spanish Bourbons have all left their mark on this Mediterranean port city in the Región de Murcia. The result is one of the most archaeologically rich cities in Spain, where a short walk through the old town takes you past ruins that most European capitals would kill to have. If you only visit one city in south-eastern Spain, make it this one.
What to See in Cartagena
Roman Theatre of Cartagena
The Roman Theatre of Cartagena is staggering in scale. Built in the 1st century BC during the reign of Augustus, it held up to 7,000 spectators and ranks among the largest theatres of Roman Hispania. Hidden beneath the city for centuries, it was only excavated between 1988 and 2003. The integrated museum displaying finds from the site is well worth the time.
Punic Wall Interpretation Centre
These are the actual remains of the Carthaginian wall dating to the 3rd century BC — the very fortifications that defined Carthago Nova in its earliest form. The interpretation centre puts everything in context, and the ruins of the Crypt of the Hermitage of San José add another layer to the site. Compact, well presented, and genuinely old.
Roman Forum of Molinete
An open archaeological site on the Molinete hill, this is where the civic heart of 1st-century Carthago Nova once stood. Thermal baths, a temple dedicated to Isis, and the footprints of public buildings are all visible here, alongside an integrated museum that makes sense of the remains. One of the more atmospheric spots in the city.
Naval Museum of Cartagena
Cartagena has a long naval history, and this harbour-side museum captures it well. The undisputed highlight is Isaac Peral's submarine — one of the earliest vessels in the world powered by electric propulsion. Whether you have a technical interest in engineering or simply find the thing extraordinary to look at, it genuinely holds your attention.
National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (ARQUA)
Spain's national museum dedicated to underwater archaeology is based here in Cartagena, which tells you something about the depth of maritime history in these waters. The collection includes artefacts recovered from the frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes and from Phoenician vessels. It is a serious museum — thorough, well curated, and not to be rushed.
Palacio Consistorial de Cartagena
The city's town hall is one of the finest modernist buildings in Murcia. Its white marble façade and zinc domes make it instantly recognisable, and the unusual triangular footprint means each of its three façades looks quite different from the others. Walk slowly around the whole building — the detail rewards the effort.
Palacio de Aguirre
Another fine piece of modernist architecture, this palace now houses the Regional Museum of Modern Art. The collection spans from the late 19th century to the present day and includes works by Dalí and Chillida. The building itself is arguably the main draw, but the combination of art and architecture makes for a worthwhile visit.
Port of Cartagena
The port has been central to Cartagena's identity throughout its entire history — commercially, militarily, and culturally. Today it is a perfectly pleasant place to walk, with the Paseo Alfonso XIII running alongside it. The Whale's Tail sculpture by Fernando Sáenz de Elorrieta, depicting a whale diving into the harbour in weathering steel, catches the eye as you stroll.
Audio Guide of Cartagena with Guipock
The Guipock audio guide Cartagena app is designed for people who want to explore a city properly — at their own pace, without being herded around in a group. You choose when to start, where to go next, and how long to linger. The app works around you, not the other way around.
Navigation is handled by a GPS-guided map that tracks your position as you move through the old town. When you reach a point of interest, the app notifies you so you can open the audio guide for that site. There is no scrambling for information at the wrong moment — it arrives when you need it.
The audio itself is produced using high-quality generated audio across a wide range of languages and regional accents — British English, American English, Australian English, European and Latin American Spanish, French, German, and more. Whichever language your group speaks, there is very likely an option that suits.
Connectivity is never a concern. The offline download feature lets you save everything to your device before you set off, so the app runs perfectly well without mobile data — useful in a city where you might be wandering into quieter, less well-covered corners of the old town.
Travelling with family? The family code means a single payment covers every member of your group, each using the app on their own device in their own preferred language. And for younger visitors, the children's mode offers the same tour with language and content adapted for children — shorter audio, more accessible explanations, and a pace that keeps them engaged rather than glazed over.
The Cartagena audio guide app covers the Roman Theatre, the Punic Wall, the Forum of Molinete, ARQUA, and many more sites across the city — enough to fill a full day or spread across two at a leisurely pace.
