Cartagena Beach?

[larry_s_taco]

Is there a beachy area near the cruise ship dock in Cartagena? We are not looking for a complete beach day. We just want to stick our toes in the water. 

Thanks

[Despegue]

Hello,

 

We live 30 minutes from Cartagena ( at the famous Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, which is a must to visit if you are an avid golfer)

 

Cartagena centre does not have a beach.

your closes option is Cala Cortina .

Cala Cortina
https://goo.gl/maps/SCQWTiatq723ou1F9

 

this small sand beach has crystal clear water and next to it a great restaurant for lunch. To get there, you can walk, but it is very far, so I suggest a quick taxi ride of 10 minutes.

 

be aware however, that in August, and especially during the weekend, this beach is absolutely swamped with people. 
 

for some of the most unspoilt beaches in the Mediterranean, the Playa Calblanque beaches , which are situated in a Natural protected area, are 20min. Away by car. Some beaches don’t require any swimsuit either, so you can skinny dip if you want to try it...

 

Personally, I would not really bother with visiting a beach in Amazing Cartagena. There is so much to see and experience.

 

 

[jdevine]

5 hours ago, Despegue said:

Hello,

 

We live 30 minutes from Cartagena ( at the famous Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, which is a must to visit if you are an avid golfer)

 

Cartagena centre does not have a beach.

your closes option is Cala Cortina .

Cala Cortina
https://goo.gl/maps/SCQWTiatq723ou1F9

 

this small sand beach has crystal clear water and next to it a great restaurant for lunch. To get there, you can walk, but it is very far, so I suggest a quick taxi ride of 10 minutes.

 

be aware however, that in August, and especially during the weekend, this beach is absolutely swamped with people. 
 

for some of the most unspoilt beaches in the Mediterranean, the Playa Calblanque beaches , which are situated in a Natural protected area, are 20min. Away by car. Some beaches don’t require any swimsuit either, so you can skinny dip if you want to try it...

 

Personally, I would not really bother with visiting a beach in Amazing Cartagena. There is so much to see and experience.

 

 

What would you recommend at must see?

[Despegue]

Walk from the Cruise pier towards the centre, and then go visit the Roman Theatre and museum. After this ( approx. 1 hour) go and explore the city centre, with its beautiful art deco facades, shadowy squares ( don’t forget to have a coffee on a terrace), and stroll towards the covered market mercado de Santa Florentina, for an AUTHENTIC market feel ( and not like in Barcelona on the Ramblas) .  Market of Santa Florentina
+34 968 12 33 76
https://goo.gl/maps/E5DUymKZzr3XFwR9A
 

after a look around, head back South, and visit the Artisanal shop sponsored by the Region of Murcia ( Cartagena is a city situated in Murcia)

Centro de Artesanía
de Cartagena
https://goo.gl/maps/JWwLKofKBpzjJvLy8

 

closeby, you also find the ruins of the Forum Romana, which are great if you are into Roman Antiquities and history.

 

there is also a nice boatride from near the cruise pier towards the old defense cannons and fortifications around Cartagena.

Barco Turístico
+34 968 50 00 93
https://maps.google.com?q=Barco Turístico, P.º Alfonso XII, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain&ftid=0xd6342295f6c0fc3:0xa3785146f1b76e84&hl=en-BE&gl=be&entry=gps

 

Cartagena is a Naval base for the Spanish Navy, and a very famous shipyard, specialised in Submarines. As a matter of fact, the newest class of Subs for the Spanish Navy are being constructed here. ( and designed also). They are the World’s most advanced Non-nuclear subs by the way. The Natural harbour is extremely deep, and can be compared with Pearl Harbour.

 

 

For lunch, you have a plethora of options really. 
let me give you my personal favourites, from simple to more elaborate...

 

La Uva Jumillana
+34 868 04 73 22
https://goo.gl/maps/JwMDZrYnounPPVPRA
a simple bar with very cheap tapas and great Vermut on tap. ( a must to try when visiting Spain. ). On the other side of the small street, you have another bar, called Bodega la Fuente, owned by the same people. This one specializes in Boquerones tapas ( anchoa).

 

El Viejo Almacen
+34 968 50 63 00
https://goo.gl/maps/qoigCg5BbcRtd7zX7
good tapas.

Restaurante Techos Bajos
+34 968 50 50 20
https://goo.gl/maps/B7aqwagGZWPGB3GE9

the best place for cheap fish and seafood, very busy with locals for lunch. Very simple, but finger-licking good if you like seafood/fish . Be aware that a lot of the offers are fried, but all is coming right from the boats on the other side of  the roundabout.

 

La alacena de María
+34 642 45 11 70
https://goo.gl/maps/AEs5a1hpjnzJfti9A
My absolute recommendation for a menu del dia ( Menu of the day). 15 Euro for a great, and actually quite refined 3 course meal, with a glass of wine or other drink included!. The restaurant is small and family-run, so reservations are a must. 
 

Restaurante Magoga
+34 629 98 02 57
https://goo.gl/maps/RUeeMe1kraToLeSw5
the absolute ( Michelin) Star of Cartagena.

Chef Maria’s Institution has a Michelin star since 2020 and is poised to get a second one soon. Obviously not cheap, but the food at Magoga is sublime and all sourced locally, showcasing the quality of the local produce ( Murcia is known as the orchard of Europe). If you like cheese, the cheese trolley has Spain’s biggest selection of Cheeses, a dream.

Beware that a lunch will take several hours ( we don’t rush food in Europe) and keep your ship’s departure time in mind. 

[FLCruiser97]

We also will be in Cartagena in Oct. Thank you for the restaurant/tapas bar recommendations. Are some of these places within walking from the cruise port?

[Dunmore2]

@Despegue, your comments are appreciated. Cartagena is a beautiful port. This time we will be moored there on a Sunday. Some of our favorite places, like The Artisanal  Shop are closed. Your suggestion of the harbour tour sounds fun. I’m afraid that our favorite, Techos Bajos will be busy, but your other suggestions look promising.

[Despegue]

5 hours ago, FLCruiser97 said:

We also will be in Cartagena in Oct. Thank you for the restaurant/tapas bar recommendations. Are some of these places within walking from the cruise port?

All of them are within say 2 km. And are easily reached on foot

[FLCruiser97]

15 hours ago, Despegue said:

All of them are within say 2 km. And are easily reached on foot

Thank you. We will definitely check these out. 

[larry_s_taco]

On 8/4/2022 at 1:37 PM, Despegue said:

Walk from the Cruise pier towards the centre, and then go visit the Roman Theatre and museum. After this ( approx. 1 hour) go and explore the city centre, with its beautiful art deco facades, shadowy squares ( don’t forget to have a coffee on a terrace), and stroll towards the covered market mercado de Santa Florentina, for an AUTHENTIC market feel ( and not like in Barcelona on the Ramblas) .  Market of Santa Florentina
+34 968 12 33 76
https://goo.gl/maps/E5DUymKZzr3XFwR9A
 

after a look around, head back South, and visit the Artisanal shop sponsored by the Region of Murcia ( Cartagena is a city situated in Murcia)

Centro de Artesanía
de Cartagena
https://goo.gl/maps/JWwLKofKBpzjJvLy8

 

closeby, you also find the ruins of the Forum Romana, which are great if you are into Roman Antiquities and history.

 

there is also a nice boatride from near the cruise pier towards the old defense cannons and fortifications around Cartagena.

Barco Turístico
+34 968 50 00 93
https://maps.google.com?q=Barco Turístico, P.º Alfonso XII, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain&ftid=0xd6342295f6c0fc3:0xa3785146f1b76e84&hl=en-BE&gl=be&entry=gps

 

Cartagena is a Naval base for the Spanish Navy, and a very famous shipyard, specialised in Submarines. As a matter of fact, the newest class of Subs for the Spanish Navy are being constructed here. ( and designed also). They are the World’s most advanced Non-nuclear subs by the way. The Natural harbour is extremely deep, and can be compared with Pearl Harbour.

 

 

For lunch, you have a plethora of options really. 
let me give you my personal favourites, from simple to more elaborate...

 

La Uva Jumillana
+34 868 04 73 22
https://goo.gl/maps/JwMDZrYnounPPVPRA
a simple bar with very cheap tapas and great Vermut on tap. ( a must to try when visiting Spain. ). On the other side of the small street, you have another bar, called Bodega la Fuente, owned by the same people. This one specializes in Boquerones tapas ( anchoa).

 

El Viejo Almacen
+34 968 50 63 00
https://goo.gl/maps/qoigCg5BbcRtd7zX7
good tapas.

Restaurante Techos Bajos
+34 968 50 50 20
https://goo.gl/maps/B7aqwagGZWPGB3GE9

the best place for cheap fish and seafood, very busy with locals for lunch. Very simple, but finger-licking good if you like seafood/fish . Be aware that a lot of the offers are fried, but all is coming right from the boats on the other side of  the roundabout.

 

La alacena de María
+34 642 45 11 70
https://goo.gl/maps/AEs5a1hpjnzJfti9A
My absolute recommendation for a menu del dia ( Menu of the day). 15 Euro for a great, and actually quite refined 3 course meal, with a glass of wine or other drink included!. The restaurant is small and family-run, so reservations are a must. 
 

Restaurante Magoga
+34 629 98 02 57
https://goo.gl/maps/RUeeMe1kraToLeSw5
the absolute ( Michelin) Star of Cartagena.

Chef Maria’s Institution has a Michelin star since 2020 and is poised to get a second one soon. Obviously not cheap, but the food at Magoga is sublime and all sourced locally, showcasing the quality of the local produce ( Murcia is known as the orchard of Europe). If you like cheese, the cheese trolley has Spain’s biggest selection of Cheeses, a dream.

Beware that a lunch will take several hours ( we don’t rush food in Europe) and keep your ship’s departure time in mind. 

Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[jdevine]

On 8/4/2022 at 2:37 PM, Despegue said:

Walk from the Cruise pier towards the centre, and then go visit the Roman Theatre and museum. After this ( approx. 1 hour) go and explore the city centre, with its beautiful art deco facades, shadowy squares ( don’t forget to have a coffee on a terrace), and stroll towards the covered market mercado de Santa Florentina, for an AUTHENTIC market feel ( and not like in Barcelona on the Ramblas) .  Market of Santa Florentina
+34 968 12 33 76
https://goo.gl/maps/E5DUymKZzr3XFwR9A
 

after a look around, head back South, and visit the Artisanal shop sponsored by the Region of Murcia ( Cartagena is a city situated in Murcia)

Centro de Artesanía
de Cartagena
https://goo.gl/maps/JWwLKofKBpzjJvLy8

 

closeby, you also find the ruins of the Forum Romana, which are great if you are into Roman Antiquities and history.

 

there is also a nice boatride from near the cruise pier towards the old defense cannons and fortifications around Cartagena.

Barco Turístico
+34 968 50 00 93
https://maps.google.com?q=Barco Turístico, P.º Alfonso XII, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain&ftid=0xd6342295f6c0fc3:0xa3785146f1b76e84&hl=en-BE&gl=be&entry=gps

 

Cartagena is a Naval base for the Spanish Navy, and a very famous shipyard, specialised in Submarines. As a matter of fact, the newest class of Subs for the Spanish Navy are being constructed here. ( and designed also). They are the World’s most advanced Non-nuclear subs by the way. The Natural harbour is extremely deep, and can be compared with Pearl Harbour.

 

 

For lunch, you have a plethora of options really. 
let me give you my personal favourites, from simple to more elaborate...

 

La Uva Jumillana
+34 868 04 73 22
https://goo.gl/maps/JwMDZrYnounPPVPRA
a simple bar with very cheap tapas and great Vermut on tap. ( a must to try when visiting Spain. ). On the other side of the small street, you have another bar, called Bodega la Fuente, owned by the same people. This one specializes in Boquerones tapas ( anchoa).

 

El Viejo Almacen
+34 968 50 63 00
https://goo.gl/maps/qoigCg5BbcRtd7zX7
good tapas.

Restaurante Techos Bajos
+34 968 50 50 20
https://goo.gl/maps/B7aqwagGZWPGB3GE9

the best place for cheap fish and seafood, very busy with locals for lunch. Very simple, but finger-licking good if you like seafood/fish . Be aware that a lot of the offers are fried, but all is coming right from the boats on the other side of  the roundabout.

 

La alacena de María
+34 642 45 11 70
https://goo.gl/maps/AEs5a1hpjnzJfti9A
My absolute recommendation for a menu del dia ( Menu of the day). 15 Euro for a great, and actually quite refined 3 course meal, with a glass of wine or other drink included!. The restaurant is small and family-run, so reservations are a must. 
 

Restaurante Magoga
+34 629 98 02 57
https://goo.gl/maps/RUeeMe1kraToLeSw5
the absolute ( Michelin) Star of Cartagena.

Chef Maria’s Institution has a Michelin star since 2020 and is poised to get a second one soon. Obviously not cheap, but the food at Magoga is sublime and all sourced locally, showcasing the quality of the local produce ( Murcia is known as the orchard of Europe). If you like cheese, the cheese trolley has Spain’s biggest selection of Cheeses, a dream.

Beware that a lunch will take several hours ( we don’t rush food in Europe) and keep your ship’s departure time in mind. 

Thank you very much I appreciate all the info. 

[JuliaMS]

On 8/4/2022 at 11:37 AM, Despegue said:

Walk from the Cruise pier towards the centre, and then go visit the Roman Theatre and museum. After this ( approx. 1 hour) go and explore the city centre, with its beautiful art deco facades, shadowy squares ( don’t forget to have a coffee on a terrace), and stroll towards the covered market mercado de Santa Florentina, for an AUTHENTIC market feel ( and not like in Barcelona on the Ramblas) .  Market of Santa Florentina
+34 968 12 33 76
https://goo.gl/maps/E5DUymKZzr3XFwR9A
 

after a look around, head back South, and visit the Artisanal shop sponsored by the Region of Murcia ( Cartagena is a city situated in Murcia)

Centro de Artesanía
de Cartagena
https://goo.gl/maps/JWwLKofKBpzjJvLy8

 

closeby, you also find the ruins of the Forum Romana, which are great if you are into Roman Antiquities and history.

 

there is also a nice boatride from near the cruise pier towards the old defense cannons and fortifications around Cartagena.

Barco Turístico
+34 968 50 00 93
https://maps.google.com?q=Barco Turístico, P.º Alfonso XII, 30201 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain&ftid=0xd6342295f6c0fc3:0xa3785146f1b76e84&hl=en-BE&gl=be&entry=gps

 

Cartagena is a Naval base for the Spanish Navy, and a very famous shipyard, specialised in Submarines. As a matter of fact, the newest class of Subs for the Spanish Navy are being constructed here. ( and designed also). They are the World’s most advanced Non-nuclear subs by the way. The Natural harbour is extremely deep, and can be compared with Pearl Harbour.

 

 

For lunch, you have a plethora of options really. 
let me give you my personal favourites, from simple to more elaborate...

 

La Uva Jumillana
+34 868 04 73 22
https://goo.gl/maps/JwMDZrYnounPPVPRA
a simple bar with very cheap tapas and great Vermut on tap. ( a must to try when visiting Spain. ). On the other side of the small street, you have another bar, called Bodega la Fuente, owned by the same people. This one specializes in Boquerones tapas ( anchoa).

 

El Viejo Almacen
+34 968 50 63 00
https://goo.gl/maps/qoigCg5BbcRtd7zX7
good tapas.

Restaurante Techos Bajos
+34 968 50 50 20
https://goo.gl/maps/B7aqwagGZWPGB3GE9

the best place for cheap fish and seafood, very busy with locals for lunch. Very simple, but finger-licking good if you like seafood/fish . Be aware that a lot of the offers are fried, but all is coming right from the boats on the other side of  the roundabout.

 

La alacena de María
+34 642 45 11 70
https://goo.gl/maps/AEs5a1hpjnzJfti9A
My absolute recommendation for a menu del dia ( Menu of the day). 15 Euro for a great, and actually quite refined 3 course meal, with a glass of wine or other drink included!. The restaurant is small and family-run, so reservations are a must. 
 

Restaurante Magoga
+34 629 98 02 57
https://goo.gl/maps/RUeeMe1kraToLeSw5
the absolute ( Michelin) Star of Cartagena.

Chef Maria’s Institution has a Michelin star since 2020 and is poised to get a second one soon. Obviously not cheap, but the food at Magoga is sublime and all sourced locally, showcasing the quality of the local produce ( Murcia is known as the orchard of Europe). If you like cheese, the cheese trolley has Spain’s biggest selection of Cheeses, a dream.

Beware that a lunch will take several hours ( we don’t rush food in Europe) and keep your ship’s departure time in mind. 

Thank you for this info, I have saved it. Do you have a reccomendation for a cocktail or beer and tapas with a nice view? Near the port or along the hop on hop off route?

[edinburgher]

there are a number of sights/museums worth visiting in addition to those already mentioned.

The official Cartagena Tourist Info site is well worth a browse, as are Tripadvisor and others.

Also take the "panoramic elevator" to the top of the hill (I cannot remember the name) for amazing views.

 

And if you internet search something like "self guided walking tour of Cartagena Spain" a number of options will be in the results including one by "Tom" whose guide I think is the best but which I think may be subject to copyright so I do not want to give direct links or the full title..

Edited August 21, 2022 by edinburgher

[NBH]

We visited the Cartagena Artisanal Shop in late September, 2022 (Calle Honda 10, near downtown) and were very impressed by the quality and reasonable prices. Bought some ceramics and a lovely hand-painted silk scarf. The manager Antonio was very gracious and helpful. Also got a bottle of local wine. Worth supporting the local artists whose work is available there.