Calle Mayor

Lining the pedestrian-only avenue, you’ll find some of the city’s best architecture, shops, cafés, and restaurants. That said, it’ll come as no surprise that the street is the star of many Cartagena sightseeing tours. Wander the street on a Roman history tour, which typically combines it with panoramic views from the 3,000-year-old Roman Theatre of Cartagena, or dine al fresco on Calle Mayor during a tapas tour, which helps you overcome the language barrier to feast on local delicacies.

• Calle Mayor is around 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) long and mostly flat, ideal for wheelchairs and strollers.

• There are plenty of international and Spanish restaurants to choose from along Calle Mayor, many of which have outdoor seating.

• If you’re looking to shop, you won’t find a better spot for retail therapy than here—browse both independent boutiques and big brands.

Calle Mayor is pedestrianized, making for a relaxing walking experience. However, the public bus route ALSA - L8 runs parallel to the street on the Calle Real highway, with several stops along its length. Buses don’t run too regularly, so you might be better off hailing a cab if you’re short on time.

While you can walk down Calle Mayor any time of day or night, it’s best visited around lunchtime or dinner, when it’s generally bustling with people. This part of Spain still abides by the siesta (short afternoon nap) routine, so you might find some smaller businesses close for a few hours around mid-afternoon.

The grand, Baroque buildings that line Cartagena’s most famous thoroughfare tend to distract you from some of the small monuments on Calle Mayor. Keep your eyes peeled for the seated sculpture of Carmen Conde, one of the founders of Cartagena University, and a statue of a young homeless boy who used to wander the streets of Cartagena holding an anchovy. On Plaza San Sebastian, you’ll also find a group of sculptures dedicated to three members of the Semana Santa procession.