The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Explore the remains of Cartagena's 13th century Cathedral of Santa Maria and the remarkable Roman Theatre discovered in 1987. The theatre dates from the 1st century BC and was once considered the finest in Spain. Items such as sculptures, reliefs and altar stones that were found at this site can be seen in the Municipal Archaeological Museum.

Other Fun Things to Do

• Journey to the Mar Menor, Europe's largest lagoon, for an unforgettable swim. Moorish Kings once came to Mar Menor to recharge their bodies in the warm, salty water.
• Take a tour on the Barco Turístico (Tourist Catamaran) and learn about the history of the harbor, its forts, local stories and legends.
• Visit the Museo de Carruajes y Motocicletas (Museum of Carriages and Motorcycles). You'll see a collection of carriages ranging from the 17th century to the present as well as one of Spain's largest collections of motorcycles.
• The Cartagena Puerto de Culturas (Port of Cultures) houses various historic sites, including the Punic wall, the remains of a rampart built in 227 B.C. The Castillo de la Concepción, which dates back to the 13th century, and the Spanish Civil war shelter and museum are also must-sees.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

Spain is actually third in the world for per capita seafood and fish consumption. So you'll find plenty of both. For tapas, look for calamares fritos (fried squid), chopitos (baby octopi) and angulas (baby eels). With the abundant supply of salt from the Mediterranean, salted fish is common. For a tasty fish entrée, try Trucha a la Navarra (trout wrapped in or stuffed with bacon or ham). Looking for something sweet? Try the fig bread, a specialty of the region.

Local Currency

The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Spain. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax included with most purchases

Weather in Cartagena, Spain