Enclave Arqueologico de Carteia

Enclave Arqueologico de Carteia

Enclave Arqueologico de Carteia
4.5
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles44 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
18
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Louise Rose
East Riding of Yorkshire, UK12 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
We had wanted to visit this site since viewing a Mary Beard documentary in 2019. You have to book as it’s a guided tour, which is in Spanish- which is fine as we are in Spain- though a leaflet in English is provided. It’s not a huge site and it’s not all Roman - the tombs were Visigoth- but there is a huge and intact font used for baptisms.
It’s not a huge site, it’s a half hour tour, the teatro was omitted from the tour and the museum was closed.
I have to say I felt somewhat let down at the end- we were going to retrace our steps, but an employee made it very clear she wanted us out ! A disappointing end.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MEM315
Horsham, UK113 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
The whole site, which sits between an oil refinery and a coal fired power station, covers 27 hectares, and is bounded by the line of the old Roman city wall. There is a fine Roman staircase to the original Forum, an impressive Bath House, two small areas of residential buildings and the fish factory. This is where the Tuna was salted, and the disgusting-sounding Garum sauce was made from the blood and guts of the fish. These were then exported to the entire Roman Empire.

There is also an old 16th Century Watch Tower, largely constructed from the remains of the nearby Roman City Wall, remains of which can still be seen.

The last part of the visit covers one of over 500 surviving military bunkers, built, but not used, during World War 2, in case Spain had been drawn into the conflict.

We had a bit of difficulty finding the site from the west bound A7, and would recommend going to junction 115, crossing to east bound carriageway and then exiting at 116, from where it is signed.

It's an interesting, hour long guided tour, likely to be busier at weekends and in the summer months. We arrived for an 11.00 tour, and had a personal tour with the excellent guide, who luckily for us, spoke superb English. (There is an English guide on the Andalusian web site, which is recommended for downloading, but we forgot.)

Take your own water, as there is no cafe or bar, though there are toilets (portable ones).
Written 21 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark Grainger
Chelmsford, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
This Roman site feels like it could have been lost forever, surrounded by industrial plants, commercial shipping ports and military encampments.
The site is only accessed with a tour guide and each tour last roughly an hour, which is free of charge. Our guide knew a little English but she was happy to provide each of our group with a photocopied translation for the site visit.
Don't expect to see mosaics or Roman statues, as it feels like a great of the stones have been removed or destroyed. The site has also been subject numerous changes during it's history. At one time a baptism pool was added and later, tunnels were dug to repel a military invasion from Gibraltar.
It's still a fascinating site and I feel with more investment and time there's probably much more to discover.
Written 24 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

memberHolland
Holland625 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Family
This Roman site is difficult to find. It is located near the shore of San Roque next to several chemical plants, but google maps gives the good directions and there are some signs in the near neighbourhood. There are compulsory guided tours every hour from 10.00 till 13.00 hours. Entrance is free.

You can compare Carteia with Baelo Claudia near Tarifa. Bot Roman cities had fish salting factories in the same age and both cities are near the shore. Baelo Claudia has more recognizable excavations however. I think a lot of stones have been reused by local people for new houses.

The guided tour ( 1 hour) was informative and had a visit to an unused World war II Bunker as a bonus. The site was used by Phoenicians, Visigoths, Romans, local peasants who build a farm 2 metres from the temple, military and chemical plants. You can see the traces of this use at the site, but still it is a hidden gem.
Written 10 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick N
Estepona, Spain42 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018
The Roman site itself is fascinating, not at all commercialised, more like an ongoing project. However the whole site is fenced and gated and normally closed. Visits must be organised through the San Roque Tourist Office.
Written 25 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Afunlvr
San Antonio, TX38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. What a hidden gem!!! The tour included discussion in English (and Spanish) from 700BC through early AD and the 1800s farmhouse through a WWII “just in case” bunker! Rather overwhelming when you consider how long we each exist on the planet. All for free, we tried to tip the tour guide and/or offer a donation for the site, both were firmly refused. Beautiful signs on the A7 and one after you get off, then you must look for regular signs taking you to something like Ruinos Carteia. Just a little gate on the right...blink and you might miss it. If you are at all interested in history, highly recommend. I hope more is escavated in my lifetime so I can see more of this beauty as it is uncovered!
Written 20 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

johnincornwall895
St Austell, UK9,108 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Couples
Visited this on a whim on the last day of our holiday (staying near Jimena). Being a Saturday the whole San Roque area was deadly quiet and therefore so easy to drive to Carteia. Historically it's a very significant site in Punic, Roman and Visigothic history, , possibly very significant in the 711 invasion, but very young in archeological terms and underfunded, hence the low profile. In fact, bearing in mind only 7% of it has been excavated, it seems to me to have been far bigger than the likes of Baelo Claudia, Segobriga and Ampurias - but I guess until everything is excavated everywhere who knows?

You can only do a guided tour, which normally puts us off, but as there were only 3 of us on our tour and another 3 waiting when we came back at 12, it was fine. Entrance is free. There are 3 areas as stated by otherss, but in our case the theatre area was closed due to excavations. You also get the added bonus of a medieval watchtower and a nicely set-up WWII bunker, to keep an eye on those nasty British across the water, which was very interesting. Closest to the sea is the Roman garum/fish sauce factory, just as at Baelo Claudia and Ampurias.

It's in the bay about half way between Algeciras and Gib, at a place called Guadarranque.. Recommended - only 4 stars due to the large amount of work to be done and the very, very basic operation.
Written 11 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David B
Assenede, Belgium5 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Couples
If you are interested in historical sites, this one is a must. It's free, there's a very professional and knowledgable guide and it's easy to get there. Max. 2 hours visit. The tour is devided into 3 parts so you can visit only a certain part or on a different day.
Written 2 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sdeen
Colorado Springs, CO7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Couples


Last Friday we enjoyed our visit to the Roman Ruins at Carteia.

Our Guide Alba was very professional and extremely knowledgeable, not only about the site but the history of the Mediterranean area.  It was a pleasure to hear her opinions and observations.  

This site has much to offer.  If possible, it would be helpful to make the site easier to find. The road signage is not adequate. 

We found out about the site from a pamphlet which was left in our apartment. The Tourist Information did not have any brochures, however the Agent was able to eventually find some information for us on the internet.

Although Carteia is not located on the Costa del Sol, I do not understand why there was barely information available. I believe you are missing an opportunity to increase awareness of a treasure.

Sincerely,
Silvia and John Deen
Written 15 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vivienne R
Liss, UK75 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Couples
If you are into Roman or Phonecian ruins then this site is a must.

Because of its location, you have to have a guide - but that really improves the experience. We underestimated time and only had an hour to visit - you really need 2 - but what a site.

In the centre is what looks like a row of shops, but only a month or so ago, they saw some satellite pics, which seem to indicate it could be the centre of a circus - as in Ben Hur Chariot race! Sadly they do not have the money or the contacts for a proper survey of the satellite pics as was recently done of the main port of Rome and of the Nile Valley. They could also do with some LIDAR work as the site is woodland apart from the excavated areas - anyone know any University Archaeology Depts looking for some interesting research work?

The excavated areas have been sensitively treated - not the over enthusiastic restoration that has spoilt so many sites - just enough to preserve what is there and assist with understanding what is happening.

All this is free - which is incredible - so I would suggest you buy a copy of the guidebook to support their work. From the access, I think someone worked quite hard to get the site developed but their successors are not really interested - a great pity! Properly financed further work and development on this site could provide Andalucia with another much needed cultural attraction to help extend the season, moving away from the sun, sea and sand brigade.

It is a city of which a few parts have been excavated, so it is spread over a large area. Normally, this would mean my father has to stay with the car - not here. They have a golf buggy so the guide can take you round. Brilliant. As suggested elsewhere, water, sunscreen and a hat are a good idea in the summer.

Check out the website for directions before you go. This is important as you may think you are in the wrong place or have missed your turning - just as you think you have passed it, the eagle eyed amongst you will spot a small sign saying 'Carteya'. Road surface is acceptable for its whole length.
Written 15 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Enclave Arqueologico de Carteia, San Roque

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Enclave Arqueologico de Carteia is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM


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