A Day in Cartagena City

From Villa Martin just outside Torrevieja it takes around 40 minutes to drive to Cartagena city. The new motorway is often empty and takes you directly there although the tolls are quite expensive.


We usually park on the outskirts of the city by Cartagena port and walk in past the oldest Submarine in the world. The Peral Submarine is quite impressive to look at, built 124 years ago in Cadiz Spain, the first of its kind.


From the submarine we walk along the cities old defence walls into the centre past lots of Spanish boutiques, with great and unusual fashion accessories. This can while away many hours, but quite often when we are shopped out, we head of lunch on one the little narrow cobbled streets bustling with people where there are many restaurants, and cafes.


I always order and highly recommend the "menu de dia" or in English Menu of the day. For the price of a main course on the normal menu you receive three courses of freshly cooked fish, or meat with a salad to start and a local desert to finish and it often includes a glass of wine in the price. Very good value, and not too heavy if you are planning on a busy afternoon sightseeing or shopping!


After lunch is it nice to go for a stroll along the central tree lined walkway with fountains and lots of children's climbing frames and swings. It is a beautiful area of the city an additional bonus is this esplanade leads to the El Corte Ingles. El Corte Ingles is Spain's equivalent to Selfridges. Not to be missed on any shopping trip in Cartagena!


There are also many sights to be seen in Cartagena including Castillo de San Felipe an ancient fort built in the 1600s. There are also a couple of museums, such as the Naval Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art.


When you feet are tired mid way through the afternoon popping into a small Spanish café often gives you a second wind. Some serve chocolate delicacies, such as chocolate fondue, hot chocolate and chocolate waffles. If almost every girls dream after a hard days sightseeing and shopping!


For a real treat on the way home we have been known to stop for supper along the Mar Menor in a little seaside resort called "Santiago de la Ribera". It is well sign posted and situated quite close to Murcia airport. Santiago de la Ribera is a hidden gem on the Costa Calida. Miguel Pescaderia (fish restaurant) does not look very special at first glance. You walk through the fish mongers to the Restaurant. There are huge windows that open up for a feel of alfresco dining. There are also several tables 'on' the beach during the summer months. There are fantastic views of the sea and the little Spanish wooden fishing boats swaying by moon light. The service is excellent, and the fish is very fresh and cooked subtly to perfection. We have been there several times, with friends, family, and children, and also for a romantic evening.


Cartagena

Fay Oleary is 28yrs old and lives in Essex with her husband and 2 boys.