Murcia

About Murcia

Murcia, in the south-eastern coast of Spain in Andalucia, is the name of both the wider province and a chic city dotted with gorgeous rococo buildings. Start your visit at the Plaza Flores or Plaza Cardenal Belluga Square in the old quarter where you can enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by. Get an idea of the region’s rich religious and cultural heritage by exploring the magnificent 18th century Episcopal Palace and Gothic cathedral.

Other highlights include the grand Romea Theatre and the opulent Casino de Murcia as well as public parks like the gorgeous Floridablanca public gardens and Jardín Botánico del Malecón.

If you’re here to shop, Calle Jabonerías is the place to go for high-end designs and you’ll find a branch of Spain’s top department store, El Corte Inglés, on the Avenida de la Libertad. Behind that, there’s an interesting street market piled high with cheap and cheerful trinkets. If you’re a fan of traditional European food markets, don’t miss Veronicas Market on Calle Plano de San Francisco.

Murcia is arguably streets ahead of the competition when it comes to tapas which come with a distinctly Moorish influence here. And you must try the local tinto de verano, a refreshing mix of red wine and lemonade - like sangria but without the fruit.

You might be lucky enough to catch one of Murcia’s traditional festivals during your visit. Los Caballos del Vino, or the running of the wine horses, takes place in February when horses in lavishly decorated costumes dash through the town’s medieval streets. In July, Festival de Cante Flamenco de Lo Ferro, held in San Pedro del Pinatar just outside Murcia, is the place to come if you want to see flamenco dancing in all its flamboyant glory.

With 300 days of sun a year and little precipitation, Murcia is the place to come for plentiful rays and clean, dry heat.