Driving to Cartegena City and parking . A great day out from Condado

CARTAGENA

Recently we decided to have a few hours in Cartagena as the Queen Victoria Cruise ship was in port ( 26th August ). Decided to try the sceanic route through Mazarron, Pt Mazarron, and then followed all the signs to Cartagena and you cant go wrong . This road leads you into the city by the Port area and with the sea on your right as you drive down a nice tree lined street we reached the Port .

You will see a HUGE Spanish flag on your RIGHT and then in 100 meter a signs pointing to P " Down Ramp " to underground car park. So we headed into the car park and found a space easy even in August and noticed you pay on exit at the machine. Up the stairs or lift and you are right in the city centre , ideal if you cant get about so well . ! Cross the road and you will have miles of beautiful tiled traffic free streets to look around.

After 3 hours in Cartagena whet to pay for car Park Exit ticket and it was only 3 Euros .. fantastic.

We drove back via the toll motorway to the RM3 and home in 40 minutes.

Do give it a try if you fancy something new and at the Port you can also take a 2 hour hourbour tour by boat , which we will do next time.

Rather than take the Cartagena/Vera Toll Road back you could keep going up the A30 for about 5 more mins and take the free RM2 towards Alhama. This route is also 40 mins from Cartagena Marina to Condado. The toll road only saves about a min or 2.

If visiting Cartagena it's worth looking round the Roman Amphitheatre, the access to which is by the Roman Theatre Restaurant opposite the Tourist Info Centre which is the first (magnificent) building on the left hand side of Paseo Alfonso XII by Plaza Héroes de Cavite as you walk up from the Marina.

There's also the Park de Torres above the amphitheatre (when exiting the amphitheatre walk sharply round to the left and walk up the steps).