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.


Eating the churros; gone in seconds.


Cartagena's Roman Amphitheater.


View from the viewpoint to the port.


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


Cartagena is surrounded by hills.


City Hall.


Paseo with Carnival lights.


Drinks and tapas.


The railway station at night.


View SOUTH from top of Monte Roldan.


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


Stylish abandoned fortifications at the top of Roldan.


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


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


Sun-Ling.




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




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


Almost home, we stop for churros, porras, hot chocolate, and asiatico (coffee).