Cartagena's Roman Theatre hits 3 million visitors as excavation accelerates

UK visitors lead the way among international visitors as Cartagena's Roman Theatre passes 3 million visits

2025 has been a big year for Cartagena's Roman Theatre Museum. Visitor numbers keep climbing, with 247,081 people coming through the doors by early December. This brings the total number of visitors since the museum opened to over 3 million.

Most visitors in 2025 were individuals, making up 74% of the total. Group visits accounted for 26%, led by cruise passengers, school groups, and seniors. Just over half of all visitors were from abroad, with the UK still at the top at 40%, followed by France, Germany, the US, and Belgium. The remaining 47% were from Spain, mostly from Murcia, the Valencian Community, Madrid, and Andalucía.

2025 has also been an exciting year for the Roman Theatre. Excavation work has been moving forward and new discoveries are being revealed all the time. These visitor numbers are only set to grow as more of the site comes to light. Mayor Noelia Arroyo detailed plans for the excavation, adding: “The Roman Theatre still has plenty of room for growth.”

She explained that work is now underway to complete the full excavation of the portico behind the stage, a project that will add even more to one of Cartagena’s most iconic landmarks.

Excavation and restoration are progressing on the central and eastern sections of the portico. After the western section was finished in 2023, archaeologists are now restoring the eastern basilica and documenting the old Fishermen’s Quarter, uncovering wells, cisterns, water channels and a 19th-century winery. They also discovered a vomitorium, but don’t worry, it’s not what it sounds like! In Roman theatres, a vomitorium was just an exit passage.

The museum’s exhibitions are still proving popular, with shows like PORTICVS giving people a new way to connect with Cartagena’s Roman past. Academic and cultural activities are also on the rise.
2026 is shaping up to be another interesting year for the Roman Theatre. With more discoveries on the way, it can only mean more visitors, and that’s great news for Cartagena.

Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena