Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Cartagena

Cartagena is a port city on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, in the Murcia region, with about 220,000 residents. Its history stretches back 3,000 years, with settlements by Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Spaniards. Founded in 227 BC by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal the Fair as Qart Hadasht, it became Carthage’s main base in the western Mediterranean and the starting point for Hannibal’s campaigns. The Romans took over in 209 BC, renamed it Carthago Nova, and made it a busy colony known for trade and silver mining. Today, you can visit the Roman Theatre Museum, designed by Rafael Moneo, which features a 7,000-seat theatre from the 1st century BC discovered in 1988. Concepción Castle stands on the city’s highest hill, offering views of the harbor and an interpretation center about Cartagena’s past. The historic center is also famous for its Modernist buildings from the late 1800s, such as Casa Cervantes, Casa Aguirre, the Casino, and Gran Hotel, all with elegant Art Nouveau designs. The ARQUA National Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the Naval Museum showcase Cartagena’s maritime history, including the Peral submarine from 1888, the first successful electric-powered submarine. Each September, the city hosts the Carthaginians and Romans festival, where thousands dress up to reenact ancient battles. With its walkable center, Mediterranean cuisine, authentic Spanish atmosphere, and easy access from Murcia, Cartagena is a top cultural destination in southeastern Spain.

Bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Colombia is one of the most striking destinations in Latin America for its rich culture, history and contrasts.