Private Tour of Cartagena Historical Center with Roman Theatre

Located in front of the port, this semicircular square constitutes the institutional heart of the city and a magnificent point for understanding its urban evolution between the 19th and 20th centuries. Surrounded by modernist buildings and open to the sea, it offers a perfect first impression of the historic Cartagena and port.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century by architect Tomas Rico, it stands out for its elegant white marble facade, metal domes and decorative richness of its architectural details. From the outside you can see the prosperity Cartagena experienced during the mining and industrial boom.

Discovered in 1988 after centuries hidden under later constructions, this impressive 1st century B.C. theater was ordered to be built in the time of Emperor Augustus. The tour begins at the museum, designed by architect Rafael Moneo, where the history of the find and the importance of the old Carthago Nova are explained, to continue with access to the theater itself, one of the best preserved in Hispania.

xt to the Roman Theatre and is one of the oldest temples in Cartagena. Its history dates back to the 13th century, after the Christian reconquest of the city. Although it was severely damaged during the Civil War, its remains retain great historical value and evoke the different religious and architectural stages of the city.

The Calle Mayor is the main artery of Cartagena’s historic quarter and an authentic open-air museum of modernism. Along this elegant pedestrian street line some of the most representative buildings of early 20th century bourgeois architecture, built during the time of economic prosperity of the city. Walking through it allows you to appreciate the decorative richness of its facades, balconies and viewpoints.

Designed by architect Victor Beltrí at the beginning of the 20th century for an influential family linked to mining, the building stands out for its lush facade, ornate balconies and rich sculptural details. Today it is one of the architectural symbols of the city.

The Gran Hotel is another masterpiece of modernism in Cartagena, also designed by Victor Beltrí. Opened in 1916, it was conceived as one of the most luxurious hotels in the city at the height of economic splendor. Its facade, richly decorated with sculptural elements, wrought iron and ceramics, reflects the refined and cosmopolitan taste of the Carthaginian bourgeoisie of the early twentieth century.

Plaza San Sebastián is a key point for understanding Cartagena’s urban expansion in the 19th century. In this space is the historic Puerta de Madrid, one of the entrances to the walled city, and several buildings representative of the growth of the city beyond its original walls.

The remains of one of the oldest fortifications in the Iberian peninsula are preserved in the surroundings of the Punic Wall. Built by the Carthaginians in the third century BC during the Second Punic War, this wall was part of the defensive system of the city founded by Asdrúbal. The visible remains allow us to understand the strategic importance of Cartagena in the ancient Mediterranean.

The port of Cartagena has been, since ancient times, one of the most important natural ports in the Mediterranean. Today the promenade combines history and contemporary life, overlooking the Military Arsenal, the lighthouse and the hills surrounding the city. Walking through this space allows us to understand the deep link between Cartagena and the sea, present from Phoenician, Roman and even today.