Cartagena Population 2026
Cartagena has a population of 213,943, making it the #24 biggest city in 🇪🇸 Spain, located in Murcia. Roughly 0.4% of Spain's population lives here. It is about 15× smaller than Madrid, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
213,943
Rank in Spain
#24
Coordinates
37.60°N, 0.98°W
~1 m elevation · Europe/Madrid
Distance to capital (Madrid)
391 km
243 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Murcia
| City | Population | Rank in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Murcia | 471,982 | #7 |
| Lorca | 93,079 | #72 |
| Molina de Segura | 64,065 | #117 |
| Alcantarilla | 41,084 | #171 |
| Torre-Pacheco | 35,614 | #208 |
| Mazarrón | 35,221 | #211 |
| Yecla | 35,025 | #214 |
| Cieza | 34,889 | #216 |
Cities near Cartagena
- Torre-Pacheco35,614 people · ~16 km away
- Mazarrón35,221 people · ~29 km away
- Murcia471,982 people · ~45 km away
- Alcantarilla41,084 people · ~46 km away
- Torrevieja82,599 people · ~50 km away
- Orihuela101,321 people · ~54 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Cartagena?
Cartagena has a population of 213,943 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #24 biggest city in Spain.
What region is Cartagena in?
Cartagena is located in Murcia, Spain.
Is Cartagena the capital of Spain?
No, the capital of Spain is Madrid, about 391 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.