The city of Murcia is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the capital of the autonomous community of the same name which, with an area of 11,317 square kilometers, is the largest of the uniprovincial autonomous communities of Spain, and is also one of the seven most populated cities in the national territory.
Geographically, it occupies a strategic place in the Mediterranean Arc, and is surrounded by orchards and very close to the sea. Within walking distance and well connected by highway are the sunny beaches of the Murcian coast, the beautiful corners of the inland regions and incomparable natural spaces.
Climate in Murcia
The good weather is one more reason to plan a visit at any time of the year. One of the most characteristic aspects of Murcia is its usual blue sky and the bright sunlight that permeates the city and its orchard. Located on the southern limit of the temperate zone, it enjoys a very good Mediterranean climate, since the proximity of the sea acts as a thermal buffer.
The average annual temperatures in Murcia remain around 18ºC. The winters are mild, with an average in January of 10.2ºC and the summers are very hot, with an average of 25.7ºC, exceeding 2,800 hours of sunshine annually.
Natural attractions in Murcia
The region of Murcia has various natural attractions but we are going to mention the most important ones:
Calblanque Natural Park
The Calblanque Natural Park, located on the southern shore of the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea, is an authentic natural treasure in Murcia. It is a protected area, which extends over 2,000 hectares, and is valued for its unaltered nature and its diversity in flora and fauna. Its beaches are spectacular and have golden sand, perfect for enjoying a day outdoors with family, friends or pets. The mountainous environment also stands out, ideal for hiking and enjoying panoramic views, such as that offered by Pico del Águila.
Almadenes Canyon
The Almadenes Canyon, located in Calasparra, is an authentic natural paradise in the Region of Murcia, ideal for lovers of adventure and nature. It is a great place to practice rafting, with areas of strong rapids and calmer areas for the less expert. This impressive canyon is part of a Special Protection Area for Birds, included in the Natura 2000 Network, and is home to archaeological sites that demonstrate the presence of settlers since prehistoric times.
Sierra de la Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán
Sierra de la Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán are a true natural refuge that combines stunning landscapes and outdoor activities in La Azohía, Spain. Travelers highlight the beauty of its quiet beaches, ideal for family enjoyment. However, the environment also allows you to enjoy various water activities, specifically scuba diving. There are several diving centers along the promenade that runs along the beach, which take you to the various coves, which can only be accessed by boat.
Barrancos de Gebas
The Barrancos de Gebas, located in the district of Alhama de Murcia, are an impressive corner that attracts nature and adventure lovers. This protected landscape, known as “badlands”, offers a unique visual experience with geological formations of great interest. The desert landscape of the area surprises those who visit it, offering views that seem straight out of postcards.
Mount of Ashes
The Mount of Ashes, located in Cartagena, is a destination that delights lovers of nature and history. The climb is worth it for the impressive views that can be seen, especially of Portman Bay. The walk, which lasts approximately one hour, is accessible and offers a route surrounded by a pine forest, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Along the way, hikers encounter vestiges of a former military base, including canyons that still loom defiantly out of the arid landscape.
Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar
Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar, is a protected area in Murcia, it is a destination that you will fall in love with for its natural beauty and biodiversity. This place is not only famous for salt mining, but also serves as a refuge for numerous species of birds, such as flamingos, herons and avocets. Nature lovers will find a paradise where they can enjoy outdoor activities.
Sierra Espuña
Sierra Espuña, located in Totana, is a natural paradise that amazes with its rich history and biodiversity. This regional park, which covers 17,000 hectares, has been a place of refuge for various species and an important connection point between man and nature.
Gastronomy of Murcia
Murcian gastronomy is based above all on products from the famous Murcian garden, that is, vegetables that accompany meat and fish.
Among the highlights we can talk about:
- Meatloaf: puff pastry filled with a mixture made with beef, egg, chorizo, ham, peppers and spices.
- Marinera: it is the star tapa that cannot be missed with a good cold beer, it is a donut base that is covered with salad and anchovies on top.
- Caldero: it is soupy rice made with fish that is usually mixed with aioli, typical of the Mar Menor.
- Paparajotes: typical dessert of the Murcia festivals that is made by covering lemon leaves with a dough of flour, egg, cinnamon and sugar.
What to see in Murcia
Now, we will name the most emblematic places to see in Murcia so that you do not miss anything on your next visit to this city in the southeast of Spain:
Cathedral of Murcia
The Cathedral is the main monument of Murcia, an outstanding temple that combines the Gothic style with the Renaissance and the Baroque. It was built throughout the 15th century, notable for its bell tower, 93 meters high and the second tallest in Spain, and for its spectacular baroque-style main façade. Inside, the Vélez chapel and the tomb of Alfonso X El Sabio stand out. For all this, the Murcia Cathedral has been a National Monument since 1931.
Casino of Murcia
The Real Casino of Murcia is one of the best-known and most unique civil buildings in the Murcia capital. Its exterior and interior architecture are of unparalleled beauty, thanks to the eclectic style that combines details ranging from the neo-baroque of its elegant ballroom, to the neo-Nasrid of the surprising Arab Courtyard, for which 20,000 sheets of gold leaf were required. The library, with its spectacular wooden upper floor, is another example of the importance that this institution founded in 1847 gained as the axis of the social and cultural life of Murcia.
Romea Theater
It is another cultural reference in Murcia and was inaugurated in 1862. It stands out for its neoclassical façade with modernist overtones, but above all, for the spectacular stalls, with three levels of boxes and the beautiful paintings that cover the ceiling. It is one of the main theaters in Spain with a capacity of more than 1,100 spectators.
Convent of Santa Clara
The Convent of Santa Clara is the representation of the multiculturalism that history has planted in the south of Spain. Its origins are an Arab palace from the 12th century, later a Castilian fortress and a monastery from the 14th century.
Flower square
It is a busy and lively space in the center of Murcia. There are always people and it is one of the most famous places to go for tapas in Murcia, although what most characterizes the square are the flower stalls.
The Old Bridge and the New Bridge
Of the many bridges that cross the Segura River as it passes through Murcia, two stand out: the Old Bridge (or Bridge of Dangers) and the New Bridge (or Iron Bridge). The Old Bridge is the oldest in the city (1742), it is built with stone and is characterized by the temple of the Virgen de los Peligros located on the south side. For its part, the Puente Nuevo was the second bridge in the city (1894-1903) and stands out for its iron structure, in the style of a railway bridge.
Mercado de las Verónicas
The Mercado de las Verónicas is the main supply plaza in Murcia. It is an elegant modernist building made of brick and white stone built between 1914 and 1922. Inside, more than 100 stalls await with the best products. Next to the market you can see a section of the old Arab wall along with the only tower that remains today.
Along with the main spaces and buildings of interest, there are also a series of museums that you should visit and we cannot help but recommend:
- Salzillo Museum
- Archaeological Museum
- Cathedral Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts
Transportation and infrastructure in Murcia
Getting around Murcia’s historic center and surrounding areas on foot is very easy, and many of the tourist attractions are within a reasonable walking distance. Many of the streets are pedestrian-friendly or have wide, comfortable sidewalks, and the vast majority of the places you need to go are in the city center.
Murcia has excellent communication by road, train and plane, which makes it an accessible and comfortable destination for all travelers: it has trains, trams, buses and an airport very close by.
The rental price in the areas near the urban center, around Juan de Borbón, Juan Carlos I and Ronda Sur, has risen in recent months. The standard home, with a surface area of around 100 square meters, costs about 600 euros per month. This interest reflects the tendency of tenants to settle in these places, either for a certain period of time or to testify to them with the intention of soon acquiring a property.
Murcia Festivals
The Murcia festivals that you cannot miss and are the most notable are:
- Spring Festivals: The spring festivals begin on Easter Sunday with the inauguration of Las Barracas Murcianas. The first Tuesday after Holy Week is celebrated on the day of the Bando de la Huerta (the city becomes a unique Murcian orchard and comes out in regional dress, beginning with a floral offering to the Virgin in the Cathedral of Murcia, where the barracks, some enclosures where you can eat what is typical of the area). During the week the Flower Parade takes place (a parade of floats with essentially provincial decoration), the Arrival of the Sardine, the Certamen de Tunas and the Sardinero Testament will liven up the festivities until ending on Saturday with The Burial of the Sardine.
- September Fairs: In the first fortnight of September the Murcia Fair is held, where various festivities coincide: Moors and Christians, the International Folklore Festival in the Mediterranean, the “Lemon Pop”, the orchards in the Malecón garden, the crafts and typical products fair, or the attractions fair. In the second half of September, the Carthaginian and Roman Festivals are celebrated in Cartagena, to commemorate the historical events that occurred in the city during the Second Punic War.
