11 Best Sights in The Murcia Coast, Spain

This interesting Roman forum remained buried for over 20 centuries until excavations in 2008 and 2009 into the hillside revealed an entire block of Roman buildings. Highlights here include a thermal bathing complex, atrium, and the Decumano Calzada Romana, a section of the Roman road that originally joined the harbor and forum. The paintings on the walls of the banquet hall in the atrium and the mosaics in the baths are of particular note.

It's well worth the climb up to this castle, which dates from medieval times when it was the most important fortress in the area, due to its strategic position on the frontier between the fighting kingdoms of Christian Castile and Moorish Granada. The two watchtowers and main castle wall are from the 13th century, while the Jewish quarter and lovely synagogue date from the 1500s. Audio guides in English are included in the admission price.

Murcia's cathedral is a masterpiece of eclectic architecture. Begun in the 14th century, the cathedral received its magnificent facade—considered one of Spain's fullest expressions of the churrigueresque style—as late as 1737. The 19th-century English traveler Richard Ford described it as "rising in compartments, like a drawn-out telescope." The 15th century brought the Gothic Door of the Apostles and, inside, the splendid chapel of Los Vélez, with a beautiful, star-shaped stone vault. Carvings by the 18th-century Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo were added later. The museum, housed in the 14th-century cloisters, includes several Gothic paintings, Roman remains, and a walkway over the underground archaeological ruins. The bell tower, built between 1521 and 1792, rises 313 feet and offers magnificent views of the city from the top.

Discovered in 1987, the Teatro Romano dates from the late 1st century BC. This impressive theater was built into the northern slopes of the Concepción Hill and could seat over 6,000 spectators. The museum displays the most important pieces found during the excavation.

A block from the House of Fortune, the Augusteum remains were once two important public Roman buildings dating from the 1st century BC. It's thought that they were used as a place where the priests of the cult of the emperor Augustus met to spread the imperial ideology during his reign. 

At the remains of the Casa de la Fortuna, which belonged to a wealthy family of the 1st century BC, the most attractive feature is the fresco painted on the dining-room walls. It's to the south of the tourist office, down the main road. 

Wander north on the pedestrian shopping street Calle de la Trapería and you soon reach the 19th-century casino, which retains the aura of a British gentleman's club. The facade is a mixture of classical and modern styles; the inside, inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, has a patio arabe (Moorish courtyard), some stunning chandeliers in the ballroom, and a large library with more than 20,000 volumes. Despite the name, this has never been a gambling center—locals come to read the newspaper and play billiards.

Most of what can be seen of the castle today was built by Enrique III in the 14th century, using the remains of nearby Roman ruins. The views from here are astounding, reaching out over the town, harbor, and the Mediterranean. A panoramic lift (€2) on Calle Gisbert (excavated in 1878 to join the center of the city to the sea) rises nearly 150 feet to a gangway that leads to the Concepción Castle. Besides saving a strenuous walk, the gangway also offers great views on the way up.

Across from the tourist office on the San José hill, the Punic Wall dates from 227 BC. The walls enclosed and helped defend the Punic city that became the capital of the Carthaginians on the Iberian Peninsula.

A little distance outside the old town, and built over the 4th-century Roman necropolis of San Antón, the Museo Arqueológico is the headquarters for all archaeological study in this area. Exhibits present Cartagena's history from prehistoric times (there's a large display of fossils) to the Romans whose architecture, weapons, amphoras, and coins dominate the museum.

Cartagena suffered through much aerial bombardment during the Spanish Civil War, since it was the base for most of the Republican fleet. For the safety of its citizens, shelters with a capacity of 5,500 were built into the sides of the Concepción Hill. At the museum, visitors today can see the conditions people had to endure during those harrowing days.