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Murcia Guide
Delightfully authentic atmosphere
City breaks in Murcia derive their unique charm from the unhurried nature of this attractive, friendly city that is pleasingly free of large-scale tourism. Murcia city breaks offer fine architecture, truly exceptional tapas bars, wonderfully authentic restaurants and nightlife, and a pleasantly calm, low-key atmosphere for sightseeing. Murcia weekend breaks are a delight for fans of the Spanish way of life: a lunchtime aperitif, a relaxed early evening paseo in pleasant shopping streets, promenades and parks, excellent unpretentious dining, and animated late-night bar-hopping. A city break in Murcia offers a genuine unspoilt atmosphere markedly less touristy than cities like Seville, Palma and Barcelona. Good-looking pedestrian streets and a welcoming, cosmopolitan, almost small-town atmosphere ensure city breaks in Murcia provide an enjoyable insight into the everyday pleasures of life in Spain.
Outstanding tapas bars
The region’s reputation for outstanding market garden produce, rice dishes, hearty Mediterranean stews, fish, seafood and wine ensure eating is a highlight of every weekend break in Murcia. The city’s friendly, atmospheric, characterful tapas bars and taverns can easily rival those of Madrid or Bilbao. Murcia city breaks also offer remarkably authentic, especially friendly, easily accessible nightlife that ranges from traditional cafes and bars to stylish cocktail lounges, eclectic music venues and enthusiastic late-night clubbing.
Terrifically sunny climate
An enviably mild year-round sunny climate means Murcia weekend breaks rival Valencia, Almeria and Palma as a winter sun-seeking and golf holiday option. Murcia short breaks in spring and autumn will almost certainly enjoy long hours of warm sunshine. Summer city breaks in Murcia will find a wonderfully unhurried atmosphere by day and a beautiful warm Mediterranean atmosphere by night. Long weekend breaks in Murcia could explore religious sanctuaries and monasteries on the city outskirts, the region’s attractive towns like Caravaca and Cehegin, the neighbouring cities of Cartegena and Lorca, and the renowned beaches on the Mar Menor and La Manga.
Things To Do
Eating & Drinking
In common with Seville, Palma and Bilbao, Murcia offers a tremendous choice of cafes, bars and restaurants. With far fewer tourists, eating and drinking in Murcia offers a tremendously authentic experience and an excellent range of restaurants from economical family establishments to fine dining in city institutions like Rincon de Pepe. Murcia is a superb city for enjoying classic Spanish customs like the lunchtime aperitif, and is truly exceptional for its tapas bars. Murcia nightlife is equally authentic, with a typically Spanish, late-night choice of enjoyable, friendly music bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs.
Sightseeing
Murcia sights and attractions cannot compete with cities like Madrid and Barcelona but the city is delightfully free of large-scale tourism. Strolling the central city streets will pleasantly reveal Murcia’s attractive collection of fine mansions and attractive squares. Murcia’s principal sight is the impressive Cathedral de Santa Maria, built between the 14th to 18th centuries. Superb doorways, Gothic and Baroque architecture and magnificent medieval chapels. Visit the cathedral museum and climb the tower for excellent views. The Casino (not the gambling kind) has some amazing interior decoration. Don’t miss the ladies toilets. The Plaza is home to a fine 19th century theatre and contains some interesting art. The 18th century Episcopal Palace and gardens are well worth a visit.
Museums & Galleries
Murcia has an enjoyable collection of modest museums and galleries. The Museo de Salzillo on Plaza San Agustin is dedicated to the 18th century Murcia sculptor and image maker Francisco Salzillo. The museum features the charming religious figures used in Murcia’s Easter processions and nativity scenes. The Ramon Gaya Museum is dedicated to the artist of the same name. The archaeology museum is one of the most extensive in Spain, and also features 17th and 18th century ceramics. The Museo de Bellas Artes has a surprisingly wide-ranging collection that includes medieval art and contemporary works.
Excursions
Cartegena has castles, city walls, a fine archaeological museum, exciting Roman remains, a famous amphitheatre and seafront walks. Lorca has beautiful old houses and a fine castle. Or visit attractive villages like Alhama de Murci, Archen, medieval Caravaca de la Cruz, scenic Totan and the museums of Ceuti.
Beaches
The Murcia climate makes a trip to the beach an attractive proposition from early spring until late autumn. Even winter days can be pleasantly warm. Buses run to popular beach resorts on the Mar Menor and La Manga. Excellent seafood restaurants at Águilas and Mazarró.
Murcia Weather – Gloriously sunny all year round
Murcia is one of our sunniest and warmest citybreak destinations. Murcia weather is similar to the weather on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca: hot sunny summers, very agreeable spring and autumn warmth, and mild sunny winters. The weather in Murcia is even milder and sunnier than the classic Spain city break destinations of Malaga, Valencia, Almeria, and Palma. Average sunshine hours in Murcia are very impressive. Even mid-winter days see an average 5 hours of sunshine, while summer sunshine is virtually non-stop. The weather in Murcia is unlikely to present any problems at any time of year, hence the proliferation of golf courses, tennis clubs and low-season beach holidays in the region.
Murcia Weather – Spring and autumn warmth
When to go to Murcia is largely a question of heat. Being inland from the coast, the summer heat can feel pretty relentless. Summer temperatures in Murcia can be as hot as Madrid and Seville. However, the city is pleasantly relaxed and quiet. Follow the locals’ example and enjoy the morning, rest in the afternoon, stroll in the evening, dine late, and enjoy the fabulously warm summer nights to the full. If you are unhappy with the heat, the best time to go to Murcia is the spring and autumn when temperatures are still in the 20ºs and the days are filled with sunshine. The summer season in Murcia is very long indeed. Many Spaniards from Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid head to the Murcia region for their first dose of summer warmth in early spring.
Murcia Weather – Great winter destination
Winters in Murcia are exceptionally mild and sunny, making the region very popular with golf fans, a sizeable community of British residents and Directline-citybreak holidaymakers in search of healthy winter warmth and sunshine. Average Murcia temperatures in winter are a very pleasant 15º. Days as low as 10º are rare! The Murcia climate is amongst the driest in Spain. Murcia rainfall is very low indeed. Summer can be virtually rainless. Autumn is marginally drier than spring. If you venture inland towards the Valencian mountains be prepared for some cooler evenings in summer and much more variable weather in general.
Murcia Essentials & Tourist Information
Currency
Euro
Exchange Rate
Time Zone
GMT = +1 hour
Language Spanish
Voltage 220 V (European two-pin plugs)
National Holidays In Murcia
January 1st – New Years Day
January 6th – Epiphany
April 2nd (2010) – Good Friday
May 1st – Labour Day
August 15th – Assumption
October 12th – National Day
November 1st- All Saints’ Day
December 6th – Constitution Day
December 8th – Immaculate Conception
December 25th – Chrstmas Day
Murcia Tourist Attractions
Located in Plaza Cardenal Belluga, the Episcopal Palace is the main focal point of the city and features stunning 18th century marble sculptures, artwork and lovely flower gardens. It provides an inspiring day for all history lovers and costs €3 with concessions available. There are museums devoted to archaelogy and local customs and folklore which offer a colourful insight into the region’s history and traditions. Featuring centuries old ceramics and artwork, private guided tours are available each day and cost from €4 per person.
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