Murcia, Spain’s orchard and much more
Expert travel tips!
Published 23 July 2025
All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.
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An introduction to this great region
Murcia has always been a popular beach destination for Spanish and European visitors, making areas like La Manga del Mar Menor or Águilas crowded in the summer. But the region has a lot of history (it was an independent Kingdom in the middle ages), art, nature and delicious food. Murcia is nicknamed “La Huerta” (The orchard) in Spain, as it has an important agricultural production. And Murcian cuisine is the one in Spain that uses the most vegetables.
Getting to Murcia is relatively easy, with a new high-speed train line that connects Madrid and Murcia in less than three hours. There is an airport in Murcia, mostly for domestic flights, but the nearby Alicante airport has connections to many European cities, especially in the summer.
Click here for more in depth guides by region. But for now, here are some of our top things to do in Murcia Spain from our team at Spain Less Traveled.
Where is Murcia?
Murcia Spain, shown in light purple on this map sits on the Mediterrantean coast, between Comunitat Valenciana and Andalucía. Image courtesy of VectorStock.
Our top recommendations for Murcia Spain
Murcia has a lot to explore and discover, so we have curated a selection of things to see, do, hear, eat and drink. Admire beautiful cathedrals and churches, drink delicious wines or soak in thermal medicinal waters… Murcia is a feast for the five senses.
And of course, we would love to help plan your dream trip to Spain!
Murcia, the not so quiet capital
One of Murcia’s many tree covered plazas
Murcia, the capital of the region, has a reputation of being a quiet city where nothing happens. And that’s so wrong! Murcia is not only the 7th largest city in Spain (with a population a little under 500,000), it’s a vibrant city full of art, culture and joy of life.
The main attraction is its massive cathedral. The vast interior is of Gothic style, but the façade is a masterpiece of Spanish Baroque architecture. It was restored two yers ago and now it looks more splendid than ever. The city center revolves around the cathedral up to the Segura river, with many charming and lively plazas. Some points of attention are the Casino (not a gambling one but a social club), a feast of architecture styles, the Convent of Santa Clara, with some remains of the old Islamic palace, and the Salzillo Museum, dedicated to this Baroque sculptor, probably Spain’s best.
Murcianos enjoy strolling along tree-covered Gran Via, a great place to see locals while having an ice cream.
And if you visit during the Holiday season, Murcia has the best display of “belenes” in all of Spain, “Belenes” are nativity scenes made with small figurines. It’s a tradition to have one at home during Christmas. But churches and public buildings also display “belenes”, and the ones in Murcia reach heights worthy of Cecil B DeMille.
You can discover the city’s charms and attractions with this private walking tour.
Cartagena, a blast from the past
The impressive Roman theater in Cartagena
Cartagena is the second largest city in the region, and it had a reputation for being an ugly city. Not anymore, as in recent years the city has undergone a massive urban renewal focused on three areas: the port, the Belle Epoque city center, and the Roman remains. Now it looks splendid.
Cartagena (or Cartago Nova), was a very important city first for the Phoenician, the Carthaginian and then the Romans. Among the many ruins form that time, the most important is the Roman theater, one of the largest in Spain, located on the hills near the city center. There are several museums dedicated to the Roman times, and also Casa de la Fortuna (House of Fortune), the remains of a 1st century villa with many frescoes.
This puts Cartagena on the map for having some of the the top Roman ruins in Spain!
In the beautiful promenade facing the port you can admire a replica of the first electricity-powered submarine ever, designed by Cartagena born Issac Peral and launched in 1888.
If you are foodie interested in a more off the beaten path food tour, you can combine a tapas tour with a visit to the Roman theater. Such a cool experience!
And if you want to go even more Roman, this tasting of Roman-style food and wines is for you!.
“Vamos a la playa”
The secret coves of Costa Cálida
The portion of Mediterranean coast belonging to Murcia is named “Costa Cálida” and it has been a popular summer destination for many Spaniards and other Euopeans. This has made the area a bit overcrowded, but still attractive for those looking for sun and fun.
The most popular beach areas are La Manga del Mar Menor (a long isthmus that creates a sea lagoon), Aguilas, and Mazarrón.
But if you have a car, south of Mazarrón you can discover small less crowded coves, like Cala Blanca, Cala de Calnegre or Playa del Ciscal. The landscape is almost a desert, but the water is so blue and calm.
And if you like scuba diving or snorkeling, Cabo de Palos is your place, with pristine water and lots of sea life.
You can also explore the area by boat, for instance with this water excursion departing from La Manga.
A land of hot springs
Enjoying the hot springs in Fortuna
Murcia is famous in Spain for its hot springs that you can try in the regiom’s two spas: Balnerario de Archena, and Balneario Leana, in Fortuna.
Archena, the largest one, has Roman origins, as Romans were the ones who discovered its sulphuric hot springs and started using them for therapeutic purposes. The present spa dates back to the late 19th century, and it’s a beautiful building of Neo-moorish style.
Leana, located in Fortuna (about 10 km from Archena) is like a small town from the Belle Epoque. Besides soaking in its curative waters, you can also visit the ruins of its Roman baths.
Caravaca de la Cruz, the holy town
The Catholic church has five holy cities in the world, two are in Jerusalem and Rome, of course. The other three are all in Spain: Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, Santo Toribio de Liébana, in Cantabria, and Caravaca de la Cruz, in Murcia.
Caravaca de la Cruz has been a pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages, as it has a “lignum crucis” on display (a wood relic considered to be a piece of Christ’s true cross). The relic is presented inside a magnificent Baroque basilica, located inside a castle on top of a hill. It’s a beautiful building with great works of art.
And if you go down, you’ll discover a beautiful town with many medieval traces.
Lorca, rising from the rubbles
Overlooking Murcia’s landscape from Lorca’s castle.
In 2011 Lorca suffered a big earthquake that affected most of the city. It made the news in many countries. SInce then, the city has been reconstructed to its former splendor.
The city is dominated by its Nasrid castle, that you can visit. In the lower town you can admire its beautiful churches, such as San Patricio and Santiago, its many charming plazas, and the aristocratic Palacio Guevara.
Lorca has one of the most important “Semana Santa” (Easter) celebrations in Spain. Even if you don’t visit the city during that time, there is a great museum about it in the old convent of San Francisco (Museo Azul).
And if you want to splurge, Lorca has a beautiful modern “parador” at the site of the castle, overlooking the town.
Sierra de la Pila and other natural spots
Great views from Sierra de la Pila
Murcia is also a great place to enjoy nature. The region’s semi-dessertic landscapes are really impressive. But also there are natural parks such as Sierra Espuña with many forests and hiking paths.
Sierra de la Pila is another natural reserve that you can explore. On its summit, on clear days, you can see four different regions of Spain: Murcia, Comunitat Valenciana, Castilla La Mancha, and Andalusia.
And if caves are your thing, you can explore Cueva del Puerto, the largest in the region, going deep almost one km into the Earth. Or the more open Cueva de la Horadada, close to Fortuna.
For an extra adventure, you can enjoy this rafting experience on the Almadenes Canyon, with a visit to Cueva del Puerto included.
La Unión, a Flamenco all-stars festival
Flamenco is usually associated with Andalusia, where it originated, but it’s also popular in other regions of Spain, including Murcia.
La Unión is a mining town close to Cartagena, famous for its silver mines. The miners who worked there developed a particular type of flamenco singing, or “cante”.
In 1961, as mining activty was in decline, a festival of “cante” started to be held annually in the town’s market. The festival evolved along the years, becoming a full flamenco festival including singing, dancing and guitar competitions. Winning here can make a difference for young flamenco artists, such as Miguel Poveda, the most famous flamenco singer nowadays in Spain, who started his career here.
The festival, taking place in August, also grew in size, with more spaces added, including a small performing cave inside the mine.
Murcian wine, the new discovery
For years, Murcian wines were considered bellow average, just good to make sangría or tinto de verano.
Not anymore, as wine makers in the region have worked hard and now their wines can compete with other more famous wine regions. There are three “Denominaciones de origen” in Murcia: Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas. (“Denominación de Origen” is a certification give to wines that are produced in a region, using local techniques and following strict quality controls.)
Also, the wines from the region are not expensive, for instance you can find an excellent “Juan Gil”, one of our favorite Jumilla wines, for a little over 12 euros in a liquor store or supermarket.
Of course there are many wineries open for visit and tasting in the three regions.
Murcia is making its way to be one of the most loved wine regions in Spain.
Vegetable paradise
Murcia’s delicious tomatoes, and quirky sense of humour
Murcia's nickname is “La Huerta” (the orchard) because of the huge production of fruits and vegetables in the region. And this reflects on its cuisine, rich in vegetables. The region is also one of Spain’s up and coming culinary hotspots!
The most famous dish of the region is “zarangollo”, a plate made with scrambled eggs and different vegetables, especially onions and zucchinis.
Murcia has its own “cocido”, very similar to “cocido madrileño”, but with all the ingredients served together. It’s served with “pelota”, similar to a matzo ball. You can also have “michirones”, a stew made with fava beans (or broad beans) and different pork meats.
Rice dishes are also very popular in Murcia. Actually the best rice grains in Spain are produced in the Murcian town of Calasparra. The best specialties are the “mountain” rices, that use vegetables, mushrooms and rabbit meat. But there are also “sea” rices, such as Caldero del Mar Menor.
And “paparajote” is the ultimate Murcian dessert. It’s made with large lemon tree leaves, battered with flour and eggs, then deep fried and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. You don’t eat the leaf, you just lick it when eating the batter to get the flavour.
“El Bando de la Huerta”, a beautiful tradition
“Murcianos” celebrating Bando de la Huerta.
The city of Murcia has one of the most beautiful traditions in Spain: Bando de la Huerta. The festival is held the Tuesday right after Easter Sunday, to celebrate the end of Easter and the arrival of Spring.
As in most Spanish festivals there are many activities, such as masses, parades, different pageants and music and dancing. But the most unique aspect of the celebration is that absolutely everybody in the city is dressed with the typical Murcian peasant costume, including a white shirt and a colored vest. Actually the origins of the celebration are in the 19th century, when rich gentlemen dressed as peasants to mock them. Nowadays it’s a more respectful and democratic celebration.
Bando is one of our favorite festivals in Spain.
“¡Acho!”, mastering one of Spain’s thickest accents.
The Murciano accent is the thickest in all of Spain. It’s even difficult to understand for Spaniards. In fact, many nationwide television programs use subtitles when interviewing someone with a thick Murciano accent.
The central word of Murciano slang is “Acho”, that means “dude” but it’s used almost for everything. But there also some funny words such as “canguelo” (fear), “cipollo” (similar to “gilipollas” in the rest of Spain), “estufío” (being angry) or “espatarragao” (the local manspreading).
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Murcia’s gorgeous cathedral at night
In summary, Murcia is a fascinating region where you can experience the real Spain with less tourists than its neighbors Alicante and Andalucía. Lots of history, great food and wines and very friendly people are waiting for you.
Murcia is a little remote region in Spain, so you may require some extra planning to fully enjoy it. The good news is that we can help plan your dream trip to Spain including Murcia!
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