Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Cartagena, Spain

Cartagena has some rough edges in the area between the Bus Station and the newly restored Roman Amphitheater, but otherwise it's a normal port town with a naval base; plus a picture-perfect historic downtown for evening strolling. And just outside the city, there is awesome hiking along the GR 92 ie the Sendero del Mediterraneo.

We rolled in on the bus from Valencia about 4pm, checked-in with our pleasant and helpful Airbnb hosts, then bee-lined to catch the Roman Amphitheater and nearby city viewpoint at sunset. By then a full paseo (leisurely evening stroll) was in progress on the main drag; so we joined in, admiring the windowed balconies, then stopping for drinks and tapas before heading home.

Our one full day: our host drove us to the foot of Monte Roldán and though it was a late start - we seem to be operating on Spanish time - we had a nice 15 km walk with leg-stretching elevation gain and great views both inland and to the sea.

Deep frying churros.
Churros - Cartagena, Spain

Eating the churros; gone in seconds.
Cartagena, Spain

Cartagena's Roman Amphitheater.
Cartagena, Spain

View from the viewpoint to the port.
Cartagena, Spain

View back to town. We stayed in the long brown and white apartment building behind the dome.
Cartagena, Spain

Cartagena is surrounded by hills.
Cartagena, Spain

City Hall.
Cartagena, Spain

Paseo with Carnival lights.

Cartagena, Spain

Drinks and tapas.
Drinks and Tapas - Cartagena, Spain

The railway station at night.
Train Station - Cartagena, Spain

View SOUTH from top of Monte Roldan.
Cartagena, Spain

View inland from Monte Roldan (at 470 meters elevation - about 1500 feet).
Cartagena, Spain

Stylish abandoned fortifications at the top of Roldan.
Cartagena, Spain

A cloudy, cool, windy day makes for great hiking.
Cartagena, Spain

Farther SOUTH on the GR 92 we catch a good view back to Roldan.
Cartagena, Spain

Sun-Ling.
Cartagena, Spain

Cartagena, Spain

And a view NORTH from our turn-around point, with views to Roldan and just behind right, the edge of Cartagena Port.
Cartagena, Spain

Cartagena, Spain

Also at the turn around; views to the nude beach (so we are told) at Portus.
Cartagena, Spain

Almost home, we stop for churros, porras, hot chocolate, and asiatico (coffee).
Churros, Porras, Choclate, Asiático - Cartagena, Spain

2 comments:

Kathy said...

Good looking railway station.

Sun-Ling said...

I was not so impressed with Cartagena, but it is a real town, probably ends up being the town with the least number of tourists for our tour of Spain.

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