Following the lifting of the ban on international cruises in Spain by the central government in June, Cartagena received the AIDAperla on July 14, marking the ship's first stop in the city.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 58 – September 2021
For cruise ship stops in Spanish ports, shipping companies must provide a series of documents, such as the itinerary and characteristics of the ship, the health plan, and a declaration of responsibility with the shipping company's insurance details, health centers and accommodations arranged in the port of call in case of a possible COVID case.
SCTE Safe Destination
The Port of Cartagena has obtained the Advanced Good Practices certificate for the reduction of the risk of contagion by COVID-19, awarded through the Spanish Integrated System of Tourism Quality (SICTED) for the Cruise Terminal and for the port police service.
Promoted by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism and the State Secretariat for Tourism, this certification guarantees compliance with these practices by offering a controlled and safe service at the Cruise Terminal during a stopover.
The Port of Cartagena has implemented a protocol to comply with all prevention, hygiene and health promotion measures, and thus provide a safe and secure experience for passengers.
As a cruise destination, the Murcia region has more than 230 establishments and facilities with this certification, including tourist attractions, guides, shops, restaurants, transport companies, and others.
Safe Tourism
The Port Authority has also obtained the Safe Tourism seal, which guarantees and certifies the implementation of a health risk prevention system against COVID-19
Cruise excursions
The cruise industry has been forced to redesign the excursions it sells on board the ship to maintain health and safety standards while providing unforgettable experiences for its passengers.
Cartagena offers a wide range of excursions dedicated to nature, adventure and outdoor activities.
Castle Routes
Evidence of Cartagena's great military influence can be found in the castles and batteries located along the region's coast, some of which can be visited on foot or by bicycle.
Hiking, cycling routes, horse riding, or water sports are some of the options.
A prime example is the Castillitos Battery at Cabo Tiñoso, built to protect the bay of Cartagena Port. This former military battery boasts spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. It features enormous 18-meter-long cannons capable of firing a projectile weighing nearly a ton up to 35 kilometers. To the east of the bay, the Cenizas Battery was built, a structure with the same characteristics as Castillitos, protecting the region from attacks by sea.
Horseback riding in Calblanque Regional Park.
The Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas and Peña del Águila Regional Park covers approximately 2,800 hectares and is considered one of the most pristine areas in the region. From Cala Reona in Cabo de Palos to the mining town of La Unión, you can enjoy cliffs, unspoiled beaches, dunes, secluded coves, and marshes.
Hiking Trails in Sierra Espuña Regional Park.
In the heart of the Region of Murcia, Sierra Espuña Regional Park offers a variety of landscapes with hiking trails for the whole family. The park boasts paths and forest tracks where you can explore and enjoy the outdoors in an unparalleled setting. From high mountains and lush forests to rivers and reservoirs, and both dryland and irrigated areas, Sierra Espuña is the perfect place to enjoy nature. Among the most emblematic sites are the village of El Berro; the Paredes de Leyva, a limestone formation perfect for climbing; the Pozos de la Nieve (Snow Wells), built in the 16th century to supply ice to nearby towns; and the Barranco de Gebas (Gebas Ravine), a unique lunar landscape that owes its name to the numerous steep ravines, which represent some of the best examples of badlands in the region.
Water sports
In the Region of Murcia you can practice all kinds of water sports throughout the year thanks to its dry Mediterranean climate and warm temperatures.
The Hormigas Islands Marine Reserve, in the fishing village of Cabo de Palos, is an underwater natural area with great biodiversity, a paradise for diving. Its seabed boasts crystal-clear waters that are home to unique flora and fauna, including Posidonia seagrass meadows, corals, and a variety of fish. At different depths, numerous shipwrecks can be found, victims of the strong winds and currents in the area.
In the Region of Murcia you can enjoy nature all year round thanks to its dry Mediterranean climate and warm temperatures.
Next to Cabo de Palos is La Manga del Mar Menor, a 22-kilometer-long sandbar that separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor, a salt lagoon of incalculable natural value, where you can go kayaking.
The beach of El Portús, located in the western part of Cartagena, offers another option for kayaking and visiting the Giant's Cave or Neptune's Cave, which houses a salt lake with crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming.
Cycling route through the salt flats of San Pedro del Pinatar on the Mar Menor.
The Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar Regional Park is a natural area where you can enjoy nature along trails that cross and surround the park. Whether on foot or by bicycle, you can visit this protected area dedicated to salt production and observe a wide variety of birds, from waterfowl to flamingos and seagulls. The area features beaches, sand dunes, pine forests, mud baths, weirs, a bird observatory, a fishing port, and recreational areas.
Falconry Experience on the Private Island of Baron.
Baron Island is a protected natural area and one of the four largest islands in the Region of Murcia. Covering 94 hectares, this volcanic island boasts diverse Mediterranean vegetation and is home to species such as falcons and Sardinian mouflon. A visit to the island offers the opportunity to learn about the art of falconry, a sport in which birds of prey are trained for hunting.
Abarán Waterwheel Route – Ricote Valley.
The Ricote Valley, also known as the Moorish Valley, is an oasis nestled among mountains and limestone rocks, surrounded by lemon, orange, and palm trees. In the town of Abarán, a must-do is the waterwheel route, an excursion along the banks of the Segura River, where these hydraulic water-lifting structures are located.
The Port of Cartagena has obtained the Advanced Good Practices certificate for reducing the risk of contagion by COVID-19.
This irrigation system, although dating back to Roman times, was developed by the Arabs and contributes to the culture and history of the Region of Murcia. Waterwheels were used to raise water to higher channels, store it in cisterns, and then irrigate the fields. Seven waterwheels are preserved in the region, four of them in Abarán, one of which is the largest preserved waterwheel in Europe, with a diameter of almost 12 meters.
