If you guessed that Cartagena’s name comes from the Tunisian Carthage, give yourself one history point. This “New Carthage” was founded in the third century B.C., and has continuously been a major naval port ever since. The city’s an enduring symbol of Roman dominance, with Punic walls and an amphitheater that you can still visit today. Don’t miss the Old City neighborhood near the port, but make sure to venture further to get the full experience — regional delights like Murcia’s 17th century Sanctuary of Fuensanta, the Moorish-built gardens of Huerto del Cura, and Lorca Castle’s Fortress of the... Read More

If you guessed that Cartagena’s name comes from the Tunisian Carthage, give yourself one history point. This “New Carthage” was founded in the third century B.C., and has continuously been a major naval port ever since. The city’s an enduring symbol of Roman dominance, with Punic walls and an amphitheater that you can still visit today. Don’t miss the Old City neighborhood near the port, but make sure to venture further to get the full experience — regional delights like Murcia’s 17th century Sanctuary of Fuensanta, the Moorish-built gardens of Huerto del Cura, and Lorca Castle’s Fortress of the Sun, all reward curious explorers of the Costa Calida area. Read Less