This popular tour shows many of the hillside defence fortifications which have protected Cartagena over the centuriesThe historical importance of the city of Cartagena is owed to many factors, among them the wealth of minerals in the mountains nearby, but there is no disputing that since ancient and possibly pre-historic times its main role has been that of a port.
Until under 150 years ago the area which is now the old city centre of Cartagena stood on an isthmus, surrounded on three sides by the water of the bay and an inland lagoon and connected to the mainland only on the eastern side. This, coupled with the almost unique protection and relatively deep water of the bay, made it a superb natural harbour for successive cultures and civilizations including the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, the Visigoths and the Moors before Christian forces subjugated the territory in the 13th century.
Since then the ties with the sea have only been strengthened, not only through trade and fishing but also through the development of Cartagena as one of Spain’s most important naval bases throughout Late Medieval and Modern history.
What better way to see Cartagena and to learn about its history, then, than from the sea?
The Tourist Boat operated by Cartagena Puerto de Culturas sets out from the seafront in the city centre and follows a route to the mouth of the bay, outside it and then back again at a gentle speed of 2.5 knots. Illustrating the defence of this key strategic port and city in the past, the route is dotted with castles, fortresses, coastal gun batteries, jetties and lighthouses, dating from ancient times to the 1926 Defence Plan and the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and underlining the importance to successive rulers of maintaining this part of the Mediterranean coastline safe and under their control.
Audio commentary is provided in Spanish and English, explaining the historical significance of the various sites of interest along the way, including the 18th century Naval Arsenal, the docks and jetties of Navidad, San Pedro and Alfonso XII (all dating from the 19th century) and up to the 20th century cruise ship terminal.
A stop-off at the Fuerte de la Navidad, a historic fortress on a headland guarding the entrance to the bay, which has been converted into a small museum, is a highly recommended way to extend the trip and relax while learning a little more about life as a military man in the past, before sailing back to the starting point and admiring the imposing landscape of Cartagena as it was seen by most new arrivals for many centuries.
Route
After setting sail from the Muelle de Alfonso XII (the main seafront in the city of Cartagena) the tourist boat allows passengers to see the following locations:
Ticket Prices
Standard: 5.75 euros
Reduced (online bookings, under 12s, pensioners, students up to the age of 25, unemployed, disabled, large families, groups of 20 or more): 4.75 euros
It is also possible to combine the boat trip with a visit to the Fuerte de Navidad - a highly recommended option!
The standard combined ticket is priced at 8 euros, reduced price for the above categories 6 euros.
Children aged 3 or under are allowed on the tourist boat free of charge.
In addition, the Cartagena Puerto de Culturas "abonos" or multi-visit vouchers include the Fuerte de Navidad District as one of the standard visits, with the possibility of adding on a trip on the tourist boat; click here for more details.
Click here to make an online booking (highly recommended during the summer season and principal holiday weekends)
Timetable for the Cartagena tourist boat
High season (1st July to 15th September): Every day of the week at 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.30, 17.30, 18.30 and 19.30.
Mid-season (15th March to 31st May and 16th September to 1st November): Tuesday to Sunday 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.30 and 17.30. (but every day of the week in Semana Santa or Easter Week).
1st to 30th June: Tuesday to Sunday 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00, 16.30, 17.30 and 18.30.
Low season (2nd November to 5th January and 1st to 14th March): Tuesday to Friday 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 and 14.00, weekends 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00 and 16.00.
The boat is not operated between lunchtime on 5th January and 28th February.
Those planning to take a trip are advised to check there have been no alterations beforehand.
Pre-booked groups are given priority on boarding.
Other activities
The tourist boat is a very popular choice for school trips and excursions and forms an important part of other activities and visits throughout the year. On occasion, for example, the boat is hijacked by marauding pirates who behave in a disgraceful fashion, terrorizing small children and forcing them to help storm the Fuerte de Navidad: mercifully, these occasions are well publicised in advance, allowing you plenty of time to make absolutely sure that your offspring are on the boat at the time.
Accessibility and other services
The maximum capacity for the boat is for 85 passengers and 5 wheelchairs, and as part of the efforts made by Cartagena Puerto de Culturas to ensure that tourism in the city is for everyone great efforts have been made to ensure accessibility.
On board the boat steps have been removed and replaced by ramps, and guide dogs for the blind are allowed assuming the relevant documentation is presented.
There are vending machines on board selling soft drinks and snacks.
Location
The tourist boat departs from the Muelle Alfonso XII , alongside the main road along the seafront in the city centre, very close to the marina, the square in front of the main Town Hall building (the Plaza del Ayuntamiento) and the area where most cruise ship passengers alight.
For those arriving by land there is a paying underground car park no more than 50 metres away on Paseo Alfonso XII.
For full information in English about the Cartagena municipality CLICK HERE
For full information about places to visit in Cartagena city CLICK HERE
