TRAVEL | 3 THINGS TO DO CARTEGENA
Monday, July 03, 2017
I've recently returned from a trip to Spain and one of the many things we did was to visit Cartagena. I have been to this city around 7 years ago but last time we stayed around the large El Corte Ingles which is a large department store.
This time we entered from the different side of the city and parked in an underground carpark which was along the sea front.
While I didn't spend very long in the city these are my three recommendations. If you've been recently let me know what you would recommend as I really want to go back for a long weekend.
Number One - Visit the Port Area
Cartagena is also a stop for cruise ships so for a lot of visitors they don't get a choice but to visit this area.
I love to look at boats and while I was there I was lucky enough to see the new superyacht, that is on its final fit out alongside its sister ship the much smaller but no less swanky yacht.
There are also a number of sculptures along the port side and I really like this about Spain and I know a lot of other cities do it but as I visit Spain the most I associate it with them.
The port side isn't the only place for art with this amazing tail poking out of the water. The is also the Naval museum which we didn't do this time but it is on my list for my next visit. Near our car park was a few bars and we had a drink looking out over the water picking out our imaginary yacht.
Number Two- Go To The Roman Theatre Museum
This is the closest I came to visit this museum and it might seem strange to recommend it, it was one of the reasons we went to Cartagena, sadly we decided it was just too warm to visit and we decided to spend out time elsewhere. It's said to have seated 6000 people and as you can expect it isn't a place for someone with mobility issues as there are a lot of steps. There is also an interactive element to the museum with a lot of buttons to press and displays are in English and Spanish.
Number Three and a sneaky Four - Shop & Drink Cortado
As I mentioned at the beginning of the post there is a large department store but we explored the side streets and discovered a number of shops that I was familiar with.
I found Sephora, but it was closed and not open for a few weeks which was a little bit heartbreaking but I'm guessing this saved me at least 100 euros. We spotted a lot of the usual store we'd previously seen in the shopping malls but we did find a Sfera which we hadn't found before (I did see a concession in El Corte Ingles in Alicante a few days later)
After a hard day of sightseeing and shopping, we stopped for a cortado which is an espresso with hot milk and my favourite way to drink coffee but I have it with milk as they sometimes make it with hot condensed milk and that way really isn't for me!
I may have only spent a couple of hours in the city but it has left a lasting impression on me. It felt like a smaller, calmer, safer Barcelona and I'm longing to spend more time in the city.
43 comments
I would love the visit the Roman Theatre Museum! I love to explore historic places when I travel. The Port Area sounds good - I like checking out all the billionaires boats!
ReplyDeleteFood and drink is always my favourite part of a trip! I love trying out the local delicacies and wines....! The museum looks fab too!
ReplyDeleteWe love visiting Spain. I'm a big fan of En Corte Ingles, but like you I also love to check out the side streets x
ReplyDeleteOoh the Roman Theatre museum sounds right up my street. Especially since I love history and theatre! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! You photography captures it perfectly. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCartagena port area looks lovely and reminds us of Gib. We'd get lost down all the quirky side streets though!! xx
ReplyDeleteCartagena looks really nice! I think the Roman Theatre museum would be the place I would visit first though!
ReplyDeleteIt was probably safer that Sephora wasn't open, I know for me it would be a blessing. Looks like a lovely place x
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Cartagena but it looks like a beautiful place! x
ReplyDeleteWe are travelling to spain this summer and would love to visit Cartagena! Just read up on a little bit online and looks like its bursting with a bit of history!
ReplyDeleteOh wow these sound like some amazing things to do! I love the looks of the sculptures by the port - how amazing are they!
ReplyDeleteOh now I really want to go on a holiday! I miss the sun xx
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Cartagena in Spain, but looks ace. The shopping and drinks are deffo a hit for me :) x
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful place to visit, those statues are fab! :) Looks like you had lovely weather, too!
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous Steph! I hope you had a lovely time there but I bet you're not so happy to be back. I haven't ever heard of Cartegena before so will be looking at it as a potential holiday destination x
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lot of fun! Museum would be my type of place to visit. Can't forget delicious food & cafe!
ReplyDeleteI never been to Cartagena, but seems like it should be on my list now! Thanks for sharing all the information.
ReplyDeleteI love sitting by a port in a little cafe and watching the world go by.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place Cartagena is! Your photographs look incredible, I would love to visit :)
ReplyDeleteCartagena looks wonderful. The Roman theatre museum sounds like something I would certainly have to go to myself.
ReplyDeleteOoh this place looks lovely, I like the things you did too as this seems similar to what id choose.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking at new places to visit and Cartagena looks fabulous! I would love to have a wander around the port. Xxx
ReplyDeleteThe city looks really lovely - calm but not too calm! And of course perfect weather.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a very nice place to visit, I want to try the coffee
ReplyDeleteLove the look of this place! I havenm't heard much about it before, looks well worth putting on my list!
ReplyDeleteThose blue skies have sold me already! When's the soonest I can book my flights? ;) x
ReplyDeleteWow this holiday looks amazing, and your photographs are absolutely lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI see there is a Sephora there, so I am completely sold! The port area looks gorgeous for a walk about :)
ReplyDeleteI really need to add Spain to my list of places to go, we have never been and I have recently seen so many parts that I would love to visit. Such gorgeous photos x
ReplyDeleteI've only been to Barcelona and I felt it was all a bit too busy and overwhelming. This looks so much calmer and a nicer experience x
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Spain before, but this looks very pretty. I would love to visit the port, looks stunning
ReplyDeleteI've lived in Spain, but never visited Cartagena, and I'd love to. Those statues are beautiful! I'm a leche manchada kind of girl when in Spain - never heard of a cortado with condensed milk, that sounds horrid!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a lovely place! I would have been so upset at Sephora being closed!! xx
ReplyDeleteI've spent a lot of time in Portugal and briefly entered Spain in the North, but have never gotten to fully experience all that Spain has to offer! I'd love to go and will definitely take these recommendations- it looks like you had a great time!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures. Those sculptures by the port are something I could probably spend all day looking at. Looks like you had a great holiday.
ReplyDeleteCartegena looks like a beautiful place to visit. My sister has visited Spain and told me how much she loved it. One day for me!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are so beautiful. I have never heard of this place before though I don't know much about international travel. Maybe one day I'll get to do something like this.
ReplyDeleteSpain has been on my bucket list for a while now, and I think I'll be adding Cartegena to that list after this post! Gorgeous pictures, and that coffee looks like absolute perfection. ;)
ReplyDeleteSpain looks like such a beautiful place to visit. I want to add it to my bucket list but I don't even have a passport yet. I'm going to bookmark your page so I can refer back to it in the event that we expand our travels beyond the US border. I love the little coffee shop you stopped in!
ReplyDeleteI was following someone on snapchat who did a walking tour of the city and it was gorgeous. I really would love to visit. So much culture!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great place to visit. Those photos are very fun!
ReplyDeleteThe port area looks so beautiful and scenic. I love to visit destinations that offer spending time near the ocean because it revitalizes you.
ReplyDeleteCartagena Spain looks like a great place to visit. It looks like you had a great time. I love all the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI love reading all your comments, so make sure you leave me one x