Murcia Travel Guide: Murcia Tips

Explore Murcia in Spain. Travel tips for the city & region / Murcia Travel Guide

If you are looking for an insider tip for your holiday in Spain, you should visit Murcia. Located in southern Spain, the city and autonomous region of the same name enchant with culture and nature. Combine a knowledge trip with relaxation in the fresh air and swimming.

Murcia: Overview

In south-eastern Spain, the province of Alicante is best known to holidaymakers. But something else can inspire in the immediate vicinity: the autonomous region of Murcia, which offers a varied mix of idyllic landscapes and places worth seeing. If you want to devote yourself to a nature holiday full of hikes and excursions to cliffs and beaches, Murcia is just as right as culture travelers.

The city of Murcia forms the center of the region of the same name. Founded as early as the 9th century, it was under Moorish rule for a long time before becoming part of the Kingdom of Castile in the 13th century. Despite today’s more than 400,000 inhabitants and the character of a capital, only a few holidaymakers have Murcia and its rich cultural heritage on their radar. We’ll show you why that’s a mistake and what beauties await you in the city on the Segura River!

Sightseeing features

Those hungry for culture will get their money’s worth in Murcia – even on holiday you can quickly run out of time! Because here it is really difficult to make a selection from all the highlights. Set off for an extensive tour of the city, which has so many cultural treasures to offer that you will look around every street corner in amazement and excitement.

Cathedral

Officially known as the Santa Iglesia Catedral de Santa María, this magnificent 15th-century church stands in the center of the old town. The sacred building is often only described as the “Cathedral of Murcia”. It doesn’t matter what you call the church: it’s worth a look for the architectural styles alone. Elements from the baroque, renaissance, gothic and neoclassical periods are present.

This mix of styles is the result of the expansions that the church has undergone over the centuries. Even those who are not familiar with the individual epochs will be impressed by the cathedral; if only because of the bell tower, which is over 90 meters high and is one of the highest in the country!

Teatro Romea

More than 150 years of history and the status as one of the most important Spanish theaters characterize the Teatro Romea. This was inaugurated in the 19th century and named after an actor who was part of the opening play. Unfortunately, the original facade can no longer be admired, as it fell victim to several fires. The theater seen today, with a capacity of more than 1,000 visitors, dates from just after the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite the comparatively recent past, it offers an impressive photo opportunity!

If you can’t really warm to the building itself, the varied program that the Teatro Romea has to offer will certainly convince you at the latest. Dance performances, plays, concerts and much more can be seen here and, depending on the time of arrival, can be perfectly integrated into the evening activities.

Casino of Murcia

Several architectural trends are also represented by the Casino of Murcia near the Cathedral that you have already met. The casino is one of the most visited civic buildings in the city. Contrary to its name, however, it is not an official casino, but a privately accessible club that you can visit for an entrance fee. The building, which was renovated in the 2000s, dates from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Palacio Episcopal & Palacio Almudí

Historical palaces will certainly encourage one or the other sightseeing fan to take interested tours through Murcia. The bishop’s palace “Palacio Episcopal”, built in the 18th century, is the official seat of the diocese of Cartagena and is also an important must-see in the city. After all, the building was officially declared a cultural asset of the region in the 1990s. Inside, highlights include a 24-hour rococo-style chapel and a lavish staircase.

Another palace worth mentioning is the Palacio Almudí, whose history dates back to the 15th century. After a devastating fire, the building was rebuilt in the 17th century. Today it is an art center presenting exhibitions of changing themes.

Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta

If you don’t just want to find out more about the past within the city center of Murcia, you can also visit the sanctuary of the “Virgen de la Fuensanta” (= the Virgin of Fuensanta). This is idyllically situated in the middle of nature and only about five kilometers from the center.

The place of pilgrimage, which can also be easily reached by a short hike from Murcia, was dedicated to the city’s patron saint. A picture of her is inside the building, which was built in the 17th century on the remains of a medieval hermitage. In addition to the image of the patroness, the frescoes and reliefs by various Spanish artists are also worth seeing. The trip to the monastery is worthwhile in several ways, because in addition to the cultural status of the place, the view of the landscape and the picturesque nature are also inspiring.

Activities in Murcia

Think Murcia is a typical sightseeing destination? That may be true, but off the beaten track there is also a lot more to experience. A small selection can be found below. With this you should be well prepared to be able to successfully fulfill the wishes of all fellow travelers!

Murcia museums

The museum world of Murcia revolves around much more than the exhibitions in the Palacio Almudí and not only tempts you to spend several hours full of curiosity and knowledge transfer on rainy days. The Archaeological Museum, for example, should arouse the interest of history lovers. In several rooms, exhibits from the Murcia region are presented, some of which come from the El Argar culture, i.e. from a time well before the beginning of our era. The exhibits impressively tell the history of the region and town based on the finds. There are also changing exhibitions about the interesting specialist areas of archaeology.

Artistic visitors, on the other hand, will probably prefer to devote themselves to the Museo Salzillo, which was founded in honor of the sculptor of the same name. Here you can see, among other things, a famous crib made by the artist from Murcia, which has around 500 figures. The Museo de Bellas Artes, which covers three floors, should definitely be on the agenda for art lovers. The building, called “MUBAM” for short, contains paintings from the 16th to the 20th century, among other things.

Hike in Murcia

Especially the beautiful days in southern Spain might draw you out into the surrounding area. While Murcia itself can be easily explored on foot, the surrounding area also attracts with its fantastically beautiful hiking and walking trails. Some take you to the coast, others to dense forests, others combine both scenarios.

One place that is definitely one of our favorite hikes is Calblanque Regional Park. It is about 45 minutes’ drive from the city and covers around 2,500 hectares. As it is on the coast, you will be rewarded with views of the dunes and the sea, depending on the hiking route. Other paths lead you through a barren mountain landscape and stony landscapes. The paths are well signposted and mostly easy to manage even for beginners. The diverse fauna, which is mainly characterized by waterfowl, also makes the regional park a destination for animal watchers and nature photographers.

Murcia Beaches

About 30 to 40 minutes drive from the city of Murcia you will find the beaches of the Costa Cálida, which stretches from the border of the region in the west to the border of Murcia in the east. The stretch of coast translates as “warm coast” and alludes to the fact that the water temperature is higher than on the neighboring Costa de Almeria or Costa Blanca. The reason is that the water flowing in from the Atlantic at Gibraltar hardly or not at all reaches the Costa Cálida. This is the best way to endure the Gulf of Mazarrón, where there are many beautiful beaches. The coast has wide sandy beaches as well as small bays or rocky, steep sections.

The alternative for those who don’t want to go all the way to the Mediterranean Sea: the Aqua Natura Murcia water park! This also allows a pleasant cooling off on hot days and also scores with its exciting water slides. It shouldn’t be left out, especially on family vacations.

Shopping in Murcia

Traditional shops as well as internationally known shops are represented in Murcia. There are popular shopping streets on the one hand and covered shopping centers on the other. With regard to the shopping routes, the streets can be roughly divided into thematic areas. Calle Platería is more dominated by decoration, souvenir and accessory shops, while Calle Jabonerías is lined with various boutiques and fashion shops.

Tip: We recommend taking a closer look at the traditional handicrafts in Murcia, which are sure to be taken home as souvenirs. The region is famous for its silk embroidery, but clay and wood products are also common. With this selection you will definitely find what you are looking for when it comes to the ideal souvenir for your loved ones!

vicinity

Murcia is in a prime location for exciting day trips. Places like Cartagena, Alicante and Torrevieja are each a maximum of an hour’s drive away. Here the focus can be further expanded to include a cultural, adventure or recreational holiday. Conversely, a day trip from these cities towards Murcia is worthwhile, should you be staying there.

Cartagena

Cartagena can be reached in around 40 minutes by car. The second largest city in the region after Murcia itself will delight you with sights from Roman times and a picturesque harbour. Walks full of knowledge, culture and relaxation are therefore essential to-dos. If you catch a rainy day on your trip, museums will keep you busy.

Alicante

You have to calculate about an hour’s drive for the trip to Alicante – a city that can be found on the aforementioned Costa Blanca. The mixture of beaches and a nostalgically beautiful old town has already cast a spell over many holidaymakers. You can see the sights here in the morning, relax on the beach at lunchtime and stroll around the harbor in the evening to taste the local fish dishes – does that sound good enough for a day trip?

Torrevieja

Also just an hour’s drive from Murcia is the town of Torrevieja with its impressive churches and towers. Those who have seen enough can relax in the city park or on the beach. Torrevieja also has a port district where typical fishing traditions are still alive.

Murcia Travel Info

Perhaps your travel pleasure has already begun in your head. High time to finally realize it! Pack your bags and head towards the Costa Blanca or go on vacation directly to Murcia, preferably with our travel information in your luggage. Because they contain a few things worth knowing for successful planning.

Best time to visit Murcia

The best travel time for Murcia cannot actually be determined, because the temperatures are pleasant all year round and the rainfall is limited. Sightseeing tours are therefore always an option! With average temperatures of around 26 degrees Celsius, August is the warmest. The summer months are ideal for a bathing holiday with culture.

Arrival & getting around on site

For example, you can fly non-stop from Düsseldorf to Alicante airport. After three hours of flight time you are already there. From the arrival airport it is about a 45 minute drive to Murcia. Buses also take you into the city, they take a little longer than a car and drive about an hour. If you visit Alicante first and then travel on to Murcia, you can also use a direct train connection.

Murcia is most easily explored when the car is allowed to stand still. We recommend bike tours as well as walks. Alternatively, a bus network is available. You can travel to the surrounding area by bus or train, so there are direct connections to Alicante and Cartagena, for example. You can also discover the region in a wonderfully informal way by rental car.

language & understanding

Not all residents of Murcia speak English, so at least the most important sentences should be memorized in Spanish before the holiday. The fact that Spanish is spoken almost exclusively in the region is of course also due to the fact that it is more of an insider tip for travellers. So, to be on the safe side, you should have a dictionary handy.

Food & Specialties

You will most likely enjoy “Zarangollo” in Murcia. It is a scrambled egg dish that is combined with zucchini, onions and sometimes potatoes and aubergines. The region is also known for “Tapa Marinera” or “Murcian Marinera”. It is a dish with salad, anchovies and tuna.

Hotels & Accommodation

Holidaymakers reside in various city hotels directly in Murcia. Some of these are rooted regionally, but some are also internationally known. In the center, the starting point is ideal for sightseeing. If you like it a little less lively and also want to save money on your travels, you can stay in the surrounding area. There you will find retreats in nature, which allow a relaxed holiday without hustle and bustle.

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