⚓ legtolegcruises.com BETA
← Port guides

Cartagena, Spain: when your ship stops here

A Roman theatre with a museum that starts at the port, a wall from 227 BC, and the first submarine of Isaac Peral.

Facts checked Nov 6, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Cartagena is a city in the Region of Murcia in Spain, on the Mediterranean, with 219,235 people in 2024. It is not the Cartagena in Colombia. Wikipedia says it was re-founded by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal around 227 BC, and that it hosts an important base of the Spanish Navy. Our sources do not say how far the cruise berth is from the center, so ask on board.

Source: Wikipedia: Cartagena, Spain

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Roman Theatre and its museum

    The theatre was dug out starting in 1988, and the museum was inaugurated in 2008, designed by Rafael Moneo. The museum route links the port to the theatre, and the old Cathedral of Santa Maria la Vieja overlaps part of the stands.

    Tip: Our sources give no walking time or opening hours, so check them for your day.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Roman Theatre of Cartagena; Wikipedia: Cartagena, Spain

  2. 2. The Punic wall

    A rampart built in 227 BC with the founding of the city, according to Wikipedia.

    Tip: Our sources give no opening hours, so check them.

    Source: Wikipedia: Cartagena, Spain

  3. 3. The Peral submarine

    Designed by Isaac Peral, who was born in Cartagena, and launched in 1888. Wikipedia calls it one of the first submarines ever, and it is now displayed in the Naval Museum after a full restoration.

    Tip: Our sources give no opening hours for the museum, so check them for your day.

    Source: Wikipedia: Cartagena, Spain

What to skip

  • Calblanque on a short call

    Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas and Pena del Aguila is a natural park in the southeast of the municipality. Our sources give no travel time from the port, so leave it for a long call.

    Source: Wikipedia: Cartagena, Spain

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Cartagena, Spain

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Cartagena, Spain, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 6, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Cartagena, Spain

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Cartagena, Spain on the way.

Find your cruise ›