Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Spanish (Catalan also spoken in the region)
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1)
Best Time to Visit
Mar–May
Typical Duration
14-16 nights
Price Range
$624.50–$22,975 per person
Port Type
Port of Call
Tender Port
No
Its stunning walled Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring colorful colonial architecture, historic plazas, and vibrant Caribbean charm on Spain's Mediterranean coast.
Cruises that visit Cartagena
- cruises to Cartagena
- Cartagena sailings
- Cartagena cruises
- 6-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Silversea cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 7-night Silversea cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Silversea cruise
- 7-night Silversea cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 7-night Oceania Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in Cartagena
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Getting around:
Walls of Cartagena
Walks on the wall are free and healthy, so enjoy and make the most of it!
La Serrezuela Mall
Great design, stores, service and ambiance.
Open · Closes 8 PM
Teatro Romano de Cartagena
The ancient theater is at the end of a self-guided tour of the museum.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
Mallplaza Cartagena - El Castillo
Good amount of all popular brands, clean and accessible.
Open · Closes 10 PM
CC Espacio Mediterráneo
Wide variety of shops, good parking and easily accessible
Open · Closes 10 PM
El Corte Inglés Cartagena
Huge department store in a fine modern building.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Puerto de Cartagena
A great mix of things to do and old town meets new.
Batería de Castillitos
Highly recommended for an exploration and photo opportunity!
Primark
Great choice of clothes at low prices.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Cala Cortina
Gets VERY busy so arrive early.
Naval Museum Cartagena
Lots of fantastic exhibits from Spain and around the world
Closed · Opens 9 AM Fri
National Museum of Underwater Archaeology
There are also lots of high quality interactive displays for all ages.
Closed · Opens 9:30 AM Fri
El Paso de los Elefantes
Very nice place, very tasty food for good prices.
Molinete Roman Forum Museum
There is an indoor exhibition of artefacts.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
Tasca Tío Andrés (Cartagena)
A relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and genuine quality throughout.
Saona Cartagena
The food is refined, yet the prices are very reasonable.
The Marquise
Food is very tasty and portions are fairly generous.
Closed
Restaurante Tapería “El Cantón”
A little authentic spanish Tapas Bar/Restaurant near the Roman Forum.
Bar restaurante ALBEDRÍO
Great spot for a late lunch, the croquetas and the chuleton are worth it.
CARTAGENA CENIT MALL
Interesting mall and weekly market
Closes soon · 8:30 PM
CafeLab
Great coffee, a lovely and unique atmosphere, and beautiful presentation.
Closes soon · 9 PM
El Soldadito de Plomo
Relaxed coffee shop, nice interior, good service and good food.
Restaurante A La Brasa
Local ingredients, good atmosphere, and great service 10/10
Castillo de la Concepción
There are exhibitions to see and panoramic views of the city.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
CaféLab | Cafeterias Cartagena
Unique experience, coffee excceptionaly good, decoration is like a museum.
Closes soon · 9 PM
Parque Torres
Great place to take a walk around .
The Curyy Corner
Delicious Butter Chicken, perfect service, clean and nice local.
House of Fortune
Pretty cheap entry (you can also buy a multi-entry ticket for more museums).
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
La Famiglia se sienta a la mesa
Staff very attentive, food was delicious - huge portions.
Restaurante Magoga
Great flavours in the dishes which were combined with a nice wine pairing.
Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila Regional Park
Beautiful beach very clean water
Palacio Consistorial de Cartagena
But you can visit the 1st floor without reservation
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
Barco Turístico
A lot of fun and friendly with the kids.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Fri
Villa Esperanza
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed
Fuerte de Navidad
The is also a machine to get a drink and snack.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Fri
Route 66
Pool table, darts and good music
Ascensor Panorámico
Interesting exhibits.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
ARIZONA RUTA 66 Rock Bar
Best bar I ever went to in Spain.
Cervecería "Gas"
Only place to find a Basqueland IPA in Cartagena.
Radio Bar
Perfect bartender.
Cala Rambla del Portús
In between nudists/naturist beaches.
Castle of Galeras
Provides wonderful views of the city, especially around sunset.
Mi Mare
Sister restarunt is the o ly Michelin star in town.
Canales 5 Brasserie Moderne
The food was exquisite, and very good value for the quality you get.
Dindians 200 copas Bar - Pub en Cartagena, Murcia
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery
La Rambla Shopping
Shopping gata
Closes soon · 9 PM
Baresico
No takeout·No delivery
Restaurante La Posada de Los Habaneros
The pork steak was exceptionally cooked and perfectly seasoned.
Closed · Opens 1:30 PM Fri
Parrilla Corte Argentino
Totally coming back to try the rest of the menu 😋
Cartagena Puerto de Culturas
Closed · Opens 8 AM Fri
SHOPPING CENTER OPEN CARTAGENA
Great shopping venue
Closed · Opens 10 AM Fri
Playa de Fatares
The water is warm enough and the bay quite well protected from wind.
Cartagena
Walking the shopping street lined with great bargains is a must.
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About Cartagena
Cartagena stands as one of Spain's most captivating Mediterranean ports, drawing cruise passengers with its remarkable blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and stunning coastal beauty. This historic city has welcomed visitors for centuries, and today it serves as a popular port of call for 14 major cruise lines, including Viking Ocean Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line. With 361 upcoming cruises calling here, Cartagena has become an essential stop on Mediterranean itineraries that typically span 14 nights, connecting travelers to other beloved destinations like Barcelona, Lisbon, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Cádiz.
As a port of call rather than a home port, Cartagena offers cruise passengers the perfect opportunity to experience an authentic slice of Spanish Mediterranean life during a day or two ashore. The city's proximity to its most compelling attractions means you can maximize your time exploring without lengthy transfers. Wander through the atmospheric old town with its narrow cobblestone streets, visit the impressive naval museum, or relax on nearby beaches. The port itself provides modern facilities and convenient access to the city center, making it easy to venture out and discover local treasures.
The best time to visit Cartagena by cruise is during the shoulder seasons of March, April, September, and October, when pleasant weather and fewer crowds create ideal conditions for exploration. Whether you're a history enthusiast, culture lover, or simply seeking Mediterranean charm, Cartagena delivers an unforgettable port experience.
As a port of call rather than a home port, Cartagena offers cruise passengers the perfect opportunity to experience an authentic slice of Spanish Mediterranean life during a day or two ashore. The city's proximity to its most compelling attractions means you can maximize your time exploring without lengthy transfers. Wander through the atmospheric old town with its narrow cobblestone streets, visit the impressive naval museum, or relax on nearby beaches. The port itself provides modern facilities and convenient access to the city center, making it easy to venture out and discover local treasures.
The best time to visit Cartagena by cruise is during the shoulder seasons of March, April, September, and October, when pleasant weather and fewer crowds create ideal conditions for exploration. Whether you're a history enthusiast, culture lover, or simply seeking Mediterranean charm, Cartagena delivers an unforgettable port experience.
Cruise Lines at Cartagena
- Viking Ocean Cruises (246 cruises)
- Oceania Cruises (47 cruises)
- Silversea (40 cruises)
- Holland America Line (32 cruises)
- Seabourn (25 cruises)
- Celebrity Cruises (18 cruises)
- Emerald Cruises (17 cruises)
- PONANT EXPLORATIONS (15 cruises)
- Explora Journeys (13 cruises)
- Royal Caribbean International (12 cruises)
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (12 cruises)
- Atlas Ocean Voyages (7 cruises)
- Carnival Cruise Line (3 cruises)
- Disney Cruise Line (3 cruises)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (3 cruises)
- MSC Cruises (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From Cartagena
Cruises Visiting Cartagena
Ship Schedule at Cartagena
Cartagena Location
Other Cruise Ports in Spain
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cartagena known for?
Cartagena is a historic port city in Murcia, famed for its Roman Theatre and naval heritage.
What can I see in Cartagena's Roman Theatre?
The well-preserved theatre, discovered in 1988, offers guided tours and exhibits.
How do I visit Cartagena’s harbour?
Mini-cruises depart regularly; they last about 40 minutes and usually do not require booking.
Where is Cartagena located?
Cartagena is in southeastern Spain, on the Mediterranean coast in the Region of Murcia.