'''Murcia''' is a sizable city (according to Spanish average) with 439,000 inhabitants by 2009, ranking seventh in Spain. It's located in southeastern Spain, inland but not far from the coast. It_fs mainly a services city and an important university town. Murcia is known for its Huerta and its famous products (fruits and vegetables) exported all over Spain and Europe, its folklore (mainly based around its Huerta), its festivals and its several baroque churches. It's the capital of the Murcia region, one of the seventeen autonomous communities in which Spain is divided into.

Understand

The city of Murcia was founded in 831 by Abd-Al-Rahman II in the center of the Segura river valley. The remnants of this Moorish rule can be seen in the still-visible city wall, which contrasts strongly with the city's numerous churches, mainly of baroque style, on which cause is known for being "the baroque city in Levante (southeastern Spain)".

Murcia city itself is typical Spanish. Not very cosmopolitan, it is more of a peaceful place to live: lots of safe, pedestrian streets, large green areas, very kind people, and neither too quiet nor too busy. Since it's placed inland, Murcia tends to be calm during the holiday season when people move to the coast, and lively during the school year, especially since it is an university town.

The most famous thing about Murcia used to be its vegetables; neighbors from Cartagena call residents of Murcia "green stomach".

Get in

By air

Murcia is served by San Javier Airport, with many international flights including Belfast, Bergen, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, Brussels, Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter, Helsinki, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oslo, Southampton, Stavanger and Trondheim. Domestic flights are also available from Barcelona, Madrid and Palma de Mallorca.

Alicante Airport is an hour away and has a larger choice of domestic and international flights, including many low cost airlines.

Get around

See

  • The '''cathedral''' (mainly baroque)
  • The '''Salzillo Museum''' (sculpture)
  • The '''Palacio del Almudi'''
  • The '''Iglesia de San Esteban'''
  • For a good '''view of Murcia''' and the surrounding valley, the best place to go is ''El Valle'' or the ''La Fuensanta'' Sanctuary, both of them in the mountains behind the city. ''Directions'': Go toward Cartagena, and before the mountains (only 5 or 10 km away from Murcia), head towards ''La Alberca'' and pass straight by. You will see signs for ''Santuario de la Fuensanta''. Try going there for sunset; the view is incredible.
  • Another place that shouldn't be missed is the '''Moorish castle''' on top of the ''Monteagudo'' mountain that can be seen from almost anywhere in Murcia. It was converted to Christianity by placing an "open arms" image of Christ on the top. ''Directions'': leave Murcia by the old Alicante road and it will take you 5 minutes to reach. The motorway to Alicante will also take you there. Park the car down the mountain and walk to the top. You can touch Jesus's feet and toes (bigger than footballs!) while having a look at Murcia and his ''huerta''.
  • Murcia has a lot of beautiful '''beaches'''. Some of them are still virgin territory, like those between Mazarron and Aguilas, whilst others are very busy places in summer, like ''La Manga'', a strip of land that separates the Mediterranean from a small inland "minor sea" (''mar menor'').
  • Museums

  • The most famous one is dedicated to the great sculptor Salzillo, who made most of the ''pasos'' that are used in the Easter Holy Week (''Semana Santa''). His polychromed wood bodies of angels, biblical personalities and virgins, with faces and hands carved of wood, are simply alive! Don't miss the ''Belen de Salzillo'', a fine reproduction of the story of the birth of Jesus made of small sculptures. ''Directions'': C/San Andres, at the ''Plaza de San Agustin''. Leave the motorway bypass in the ''Ronda Norte'' direction. At the traffic lights take the street at your right (''San Anton''), and follow it straight along. It becomes C/San Andres without notice and then you reach the ''Plaza de San Agustin'' at your left. There is the museum, on your right, clearly indicated.
  • Do

  • '''Sierra Espuna'''[http://www.sierraespuna.com/index.asp?idioma=2] If you like walking through '''pine forests''', go to ''Sierra Espuna'' . ''Directions'': Take the motorway toward Andalucia for about 30km to ''Alhama de Murcia''. You will find directions there to ''Sierraespuna''. You can stay at Hospederia Bajo El Cejo in El Berro, Sierra Espuna, which is an atmospheric renovated water mill with mod cons and also at Camping Sierra Espuna in El Berro which has cabins.
  • A walker/cycle friendly hotel in the area with fantastic views of the Barrancos de Gebas and only 2 minutes walk and you are in the regional park of the Sierra Espuna is Hotel la Mariposa in Gebas, a renovated farmstead and tobacco outlet converted into a beautiful mountain hotel.

  • '''Paredes de Leiba''' Nearby is also one of the best places to practice '''wall climbing'''. It is like a big wall of stone, half a kilometer long and 60-80 meters tall, full of routes to climb: some very easy, others only for trained people. Every year people open new routes.
  • '''Caravaca''' and '''Cehegin'''. An easy half day trip to these Murcian towns. The ''Iglesia de Mary Magdalena'' is a medevial church in Cehegin with magnificient views. The ''Castle of Saint Cruz'', the full name of the town is Caravaca de la Cruz, is a grand castle and has a cross with healing powers. You'll need your own car to get around.
  • Buy

    Eat

    '''Restaurante Via Apostolo''', Calle los apostoles, 22. Tel: +34 968 212 379. On the south-eastern side of the cathedral. A nice place for pizzas, pastas, and good wine or beer right next to the cathedral with outdoor seating on a pedestrian street. Check opening times in July and August.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Hotel Rincon de Pepe''' Aposteles 34, Murcia. Now run by the NH chain, the hotel is well situated in the heart of Murcia, steps away from the Cathedral. Restaurant; Bar. 4 Star.
  • '''Arco de San Juan''' Pl. Ceballos 10, Murcia. Set in an old colonial style building, the Arco de San Juan is a charming hotel close to the cathedral and river. 3 Star.
  • There are two NH [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/murcia.html hotels in Murcia]- the Amistad Murcia Hotel on Condestable (Tel.+34 96 8282929) [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/murcia/nh-amistad-murcia.html] and the Rincon de Pepe on Apostoles (Tel.+34 96 8212239) [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/murcia/nh-rincon-de-pepe.html].
  • Get out