10 things to do and see in Murcia

When planning a trip to Spain, the city of Murcia is almost never considered, or is rarely one of the first Spanish destinations visited. Yet this small and picturesque southern city, located between Andalusia and the Valencian Community and just a few kilometers from the coast, has many reasons to discover a different and more authentic Spain. Murcia is known as the "Garden of Europe" due to the extensive valleys of gardens and orchards that surround it, making it a green city with a relaxed atmosphere and characterized by genuine, quality cuisine. To reach these wonderful cultivated lands, simply walk along the city avenue, the Paseo del Malecón, which connects the urban center to the gardens.

Like many Spanish cities, Murcia has Roman and Muslim origins. It was founded by the Carthaginians on an ancient Roman settlement named Carthago Nova and later conquered by the Arabs, who renamed it Madīna Mursiya (City of Murcia).

Strolling through its historic center, you will be amazed by the elegance and sophistication of its most interesting monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, characterized by an eclectic architectural style that allows you to admire the most fascinating sculptural decorations of Spanish Baroque, Gothic, and Neoclassicism. Walking through its streets, avenues, and the bridges crossing the Segura River, you will immerse yourself in the heart of Murcian life, animated especially by the young people who attend its renowned university.

If you are passionate about Spanish folk traditions, you should know that every year some interesting festivals and events take place here, including: the parades of floats during Holy Week; the Bando de la Huerta, a folkloric and gastronomic celebration that occurs on the Tuesday after Easter, featuring Murcians in traditional costumes; and the extravagant Entierro de la Sardina, or the Burial of the Sardine, which concludes Carnival with masked parades, toy throws, music, folk dances, and fireworks shows.

On this page, we invite you to discover the 10 must-do activities and sights in Murcia during a weekend or holiday.

1

The symbol of Murcia is the imposing and fascinating Cathedral of Santa Maria, located in Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, in the heart of the historic center, built between 1394 and 1465 on the site of an ancient mosque.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria in Murcia is undoubtedly the most captivating monument in the city, mainly due to its striking blend of architectural styles.

Indeed, while the richly decorated exterior facade represents one of the most interesting masterpieces of Spanish Baroque, the interior of the church is predominantly Gothic, while the dome is in Neoclassical style.

The protagonist of the Cathedral of Murcia is the majestic and tall bell tower, which, at 95 meters, is considered the highest in Spain after the Giralda of the Cathedral of Seville.

Building this splendid bell tower took over two hundred years, from 1521 to 1793, which is why its structure features architectural elements from different styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical.

Inside the bell tower, there are 25 bells, each distinguished by its own name. In the past, their ringing served to alert the population of special events, such as wars, floods, and also celebrations.

The Cathedral of Murcia has three naves and 23 chapels, including the Main Chapel where the remains of Alfonso X the Wise, King of Castile and León from 1252 to 1284, are kept in a sarcophagus.

A visit to the Museum of the Cathedral of Murcia, located in Plaza Amores, is also worthwhile; it partly resides in the cathedral's cloister and houses several archaeological remains, including those of the Islamic mosque, the bell "Mora" removed from the campanile and considered the oldest in Spain, and various sacred and liturgical objects. The museum also organizes guided tours of the bell tower and the cathedral.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address:

Cathedral: Plaza Cardenal Belluga, historic center of Murcia

Museum of the Cathedral: Plaza Amores

How to get there: on foot

Opening hours:

Cathedral:

From September to June

Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Monday, Sunday, and holidays: from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

From July to August

Monday to Friday: from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Museum of the Cathedral:

Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sunday and holidays: from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Ticket prices:

Cathedral: Free entry

Museum of the Cathedral: Full price: €3; Reduced: €2; Children aged 4 to 6: €1

2

In the beautiful Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, there is another important building that represents a true architectural gem: the Episcopal Palace of Murcia.

Its construction was commissioned in the 18th century by Bishop Mateo, who desired a residence from which he could admire the façade of the cathedral. Today, the Episcopal Palace is considered one of the most characteristic monuments of Murcia due to its unique architectural style that blends Renaissance and typical elements of Italian Mannerism.

The structure was built starting from the Palace El Martillo, originally constructed as an observatory for the bishop, from where he could oversee the Segura River and the Glorieta.

From here, the main body of the Episcopal Palace was built, oriented towards the Cathedral Square, featuring a Rococo façade in red brick and an architectural style that evokes Renaissance, Mannerism, and Roman Baroque. Inside the Episcopal Palace of Murcia, one can freely access the courtyard and the grand staircase.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address: Plaza Cardenal Belluga, historic center of Murcia

How to get there: On foot

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Ticket price: Free entry

3

The liveliest and most vibrant place in the city of Murcia is the Glorieta de España, a rectangular square located between the historic center and the Segura River, just a few steps from the Puente Viejo.

The Glorieta is a favorite spot for residents and tourists alike because it is completely pedestrian, rich in large flower beds, trees, benches, and fountains.

Overlooking this square are two important buildings: the Episcopal Palace, which has its back entrance facing the river, and the Ayuntamiento, the City Hall of Murcia.

The Ayuntamiento of Murcia is a recent building, constructed in 1848 in neoclassical style, as evidenced by the columns that characterize the main façade and the triangular pediment that surmounts it.

Since 1998, the Municipality of Murcia has had another more modern location that houses the City Council and is situated in Plaza Cardinal Belluga, contrasting with the "historical" atmosphere of the square.

This is the new Ayuntamiento, called Edificio Moneo, designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo in a rational and minimalist yet flamboyant style, built from sandstone, lacking decorations and featuring geometric and asymmetric openings that give dynamism to the entire structure.

In the Plaza de la Glorieta, there is also a bronze statue of Cardenal Belluga, the bishop of the diocese of Cartagena and a very important figure for the city of Murcia as he promoted urban development, began the colonization of new lands for cultivation, improved schools and sanitary services.

Visiting information

Address: Plaza Glorieta de España, historic center of Murcia

How to get there: On foot

4

One of the most interesting experiences to do in Murcia is to cross the Segura River on the oldest bridge in the city. The Puente de los Peligros is the bridge that connects the historic center with the popular Carmen neighborhood, named after the Virgen de los Peligros (the Virgin of Perils), to whom the people of Murcia are very devoted.

Her effigy is found in a niche inside a small neoclassical temple located at the opposite end of the bridge, at the beginning of Barrio del Carmen, on whose façade the inscription "Salus in Periculis" is displayed, meaning "Health in Perils."

The Puente de los Peligros is also called Puente Viejo because it is the oldest bridge in the city.

The name was chosen in contrast to the Puente Nuevo, which is more modern and was completed in iron in 1901. Built of stone between 1718 and 1742, the "Old Bridge" of Murcia is a strategic point from which to admire some of the most important attractions in the city: the bell tower of the Cathedral, the Glorieta, the white bridge, some archaeological remains, and, in the distance, Los Molinos del Río Segura, 19th-century mills now converted into a Hydraulic Museum.

Overlooking the river, one can see a massive sculpture of a sardine that sprays water from its mouth, a monument to the Entierro de la Sardina, celebrating the famous popular event of the "Burial of the Sardine."

Address: historic center from Plaza de Martinez Tornel / Barrio El Carmen from Avenida de Canalejas

How to get there: On foot

5

The Monastery of Santa Clara la Real is a very important building because it allows visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the city of Murcia, to learn about its origins and various dominations.

This monastic complex, belonging to the Order of the Poor Clares, dates back to the 14th century when it was built on the remains of an ancient Muslim Alcazar from the previous century.

The charm of this monastery emanates from the blend of different styles due to the presence of artistic and architectural elements that are Islamic, Gothic, and Baroque.

The most emblematic place is the Gothic cloister, where one can admire a large longitudinal basin typical of Arab royal residences, surrounded by a portico with decorated white arches, in an architectural ensemble reminiscent of the famous Alhambra in Granada.

The visit to the monastery includes two areas, one dedicated to Islamic art and archaeology and the other dedicated to sacred art. The Arab and Andalusian section houses an interesting collection of ceramics and tools from the Islamic domination period, friezes, decorations, precious gold objects, and a fragment of 12th-century wall painting depicting a flutist.

In the section dedicated to sacred art, among various liturgical works of art, one can admire the famous Cross of Francisco Salzillo, one of the most renowned 18th-century sculptors in Murcia.

The monastic complex also includes the Church of Santa Clara in a typically Baroque style, featuring a golden baldachin created by José Ganga Ripoll and Francisco Salzillo, who also made the altarpiece decorated with rich baroque elements, polychromy, and precious gold.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address: Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio 1, historic center of Murcia

How to get there: On foot

Opening hours:

from September 1 to June 30

Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Holidays and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

closed on Mondays

from July 1 to August 31

from Tuesday to Sunday and holidays: from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

closed on Mondays

Ticket price: Free entry

6

Plaza Santo Domingo is another important meeting place in the historic center of Murcia, a true symbol of the city thanks especially to the buildings that characterize it.

A recommended stop to relax after visiting the nearby Cathedral or the Monastery of Santa Clara, taking advantage of the benches or outdoor tables of the bars and restaurants that animate this entirely pedestrian square.

What attracts visitors' attention in Plaza Santo Domingo is also a gigantic century-old ficus, planted in 1893 and standing tall at 25 meters.

Even in the distant past, the square played a central role in the life of citizens as, during the Christian era, it was the Market Square, where the main trading activities took place and weekly fairs were held.

Only in the 19th century did the square's name become Plaza Santo Domingo, due to the presence since the Middle Ages of the Dominican monastic order.

The true protagonist of the square is, in fact, the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, which, along with the nearby Chapel of the Rosary, makes up a monastic complex now managed by the Jesuits. The main façade of the church is actually located in Plaza Romea, where the Romea Theater is also situated, but the one observed in Plaza Santo Domingo with its two tall towers is the most characteristic.

The Church of Santo Domingo was constructed between 1722 and 1745 at the behest of King Alfonso X at the site of an ancient mosque, while the adjacent Chapel of the Rosary was built between 1543 and 1575 at the request of the Rosary Confraternity.

Another interesting building in the square is the Palacio Almodóvar, separated from the church only by a picturesque narrow alley featuring an arch named the Arco de Santo Domingo. The Palacio Almodóvar is a monumental building in Mannerist and late Renaissance style, which served as the headquarters of the Spanish Civil Government until 1950.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address: Plaza Santo Domingo, historic center of Murcia

How to get there: On foot

Opening hours of the Church of Santo Domingo:

Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Ticket price: Free entry

7

A few steps from the Cathedral, on the famous Calle Trapería, you can admire the splendid Royal Casino of Murcia, which due to its unusual beauty and extremely elegant environments was declared a National Historic Monument in 1983.

The Casino of Murcia was built in 1847 as a luxurious entertainment venue for the wealthy class of the city, a function it still maintains today, as it represents a private club with very selective members. After some renovations, the casino became "Royal" in 2009 at the behest of King Juan Carlos I.

The Casino is open to the public, who, through an entrance ticket, can access some of the sumptuous internal rooms, immersing themselves in the sparkling past of the city's affluent class.

From an aesthetic point of view, the entire building presents an unusual combination of different styles belonging to various eras of the past, making it a unique monument. The sumptuous façade, created by architect Pedro Cerdán Martínez, features classical and modernist decorations, leading to a very eclectic result.

The entrance of the Casino is the most fascinating environment because it is a true Arab patio inspired by the most refined Moorish palaces, such as the Alhambra of Granada and the Alcázar of Seville. The other rooms to visit are:

the English Library, entirely made of wood; the luxurious ladies' room, with a splendid painted ceiling and golden oval mirrors;

the Pompeian patio, decorated with columns and classical statues;

the Ballroom, built between 1870 and 1875 in neobaroque style and equipped with gigantic chandeliers. In addition to visiting the rooms of the Casino, you can also access the restaurant and bar and participate in exhibitions, cultural events, and showcases.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address: Calle Trapería, historic center of Murcia

How to get there: On foot

Opening hours:

Casino: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM

Restaurant: Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to midnight; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM

Ticket prices:

Full price: €5 (includes audio guide)

Reduced: €3 (includes audio guide)

Groups of 10 people: €3 per person

Families (minimum 3 people): €3 per person

8

Not everyone knows that Murcia also has its Redeemer Christ, a 14-meter statue located on a hill, 4 km northeast of the city center. The sculpture is situated in the locality of Monteagudo, at the top of a castle of Islamic origin.

The Monteagudo Castle is a fortress built on a rock 149 meters above sea level, probably constructed after the founding of the city, around 825 AD, serving as a prison and granary, given the presence of enormous cisterns.

After the Muslim reign, the castle was used as residence by the Crown of Castile starting in the 12th century; indeed, King Alfonso X the Wise also lived here. Until the 15th century, it was a frontier castle between the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile.

In 1931, Monteagudo Castle was declared a National Monument, and in 1951 the sculptor Nicolás Martínez built the Monument to the Heart of Jesus, that is, the majestic statue of the Redeemer Christ, 14 meters high, which is actually a replica of a statue built in 1926 by Anastasio Martínez Hernández, which was unfortunately completely destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936.

Today, the entire monumental complex of Monteagudo is a very interesting archaeological site to visit because it allows visitors to learn about part of Murcia's history, also thanks to the presence of a small museum, and to enjoy a breathtaking view over the whole Huerta de Murcia.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address: Monteagudo, 4 km northeast of Murcia

How to get there:

By bus, number 36 from the Murcia bus station

By car

Opening hours:

Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Sunday: from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

closed on Mondays

Ticket price: Free entry

9

5 km from the center is a sacred place for the people of Murcia and highly loved by visitors because it reveals their deep religious devotion and offers an spectacular viewpoint of the city of Murcia.

We are talking about the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Fuensanta, a monumental church situated in a mountainous area in the village of Algezares.

In this important place of worship, there is the image of the Virgen de la Fuensanta, patroness of the city of Murcia and its orchard.

Twice a year, in September and spring, her effigy is transported to the Cathedral of Murcia with a sacred procession.

The church is considered a true pilgrimage destination, and most of the faithful turn to their patroness to ask for water for crops in a region unfortunately affected by long periods of drought.

The Sanctuary was built starting in 1694 near a miraculous spring where, according to legend, the Virgin appeared. This explains the name Fuensanta, which means "Holy Spring." The architectural structure is in Baroque style, with a white façade and lateral towers built by architect Toribio Martínez de la Vega.

The interior of the church was significantly renovated after the Spanish Civil War, but still maintains the image of the Virgin dating back to the 17th century.

Next to the Sanctuary is the Monastery of the Benedictine nuns, while the legendary spring is nestled in a cave, surrounded by a splendid Renaissance structure, in which there is also a niche with the Virgin and Child.

The water from the spring, known as "the Virgin's," is a refreshment for pilgrims who in the past also took it to the sick who could not make it to the Sanctuary.

Visiting the Sanctuary of the Virgin is an opportunity to explore the rural surroundings of Murcia, in a very charming area completely immersed in green, where you can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Address: Algezares, 5 km from Murcia

How to get there:

By car

By bus, numbers 50, 29, and 6 from the center of Murcia

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM

from July 1 to September 15, closes at 7:00 PM

Ticket price: Free entry

10

The cuisine of Murcia is one of the most genuine in Europe because its dishes are made entirely from the fruits and vegetables cultivated in the lands and gardens surrounding the city.

Murcia is indeed known as the Garden of Europe, precisely for the presence of immense orchards that populate the entire region, where high-quality products arise thanks to the fertile soil enriched by the waters of the Segura River.

Traditional Murcian cuisine is rich in fruits, vegetables, and greens, but also in fish and seafood from the Mar Menor, the coastal lagoon of the region separated from the Mediterranean Sea by just a strip of sand.

Among the most commonly used ingredients are tomatoes and peppers found in many varieties, as well as zucchini, eggplants, onions, and citrus fruits. Sea bass, grouper, and shrimp are the most common seafood dishes, but meat, such as pork and lamb, also features in many typical dishes. Many Murcian recipes are influenced by Andalusian and Muslim cuisine.

Gastronomic specialties to try in Murcia include: surtido murciano, a cold appetizer with a mix of Murcian cold cuts; ensalada murciana with tomatoes, onions, eggs, cod, tuna, and black olives; michirones, a soup made from boiled dried broad beans cooked with potatoes, sausage (chorizo), iberian ham, and various spices; zarangollo, a dish made with zucchini mixed with onions and eggs; pastel de carne, which comes directly from the Islamic kitchen consisting of a savory pie filled with meat, egg, and chorizo.

Rice is also widely used in Murcian cuisine, and among the main dishes is arroz al caldero, or rice cooked in a casserole with tomatoes, garlic, and various types of fish. Among the desserts, the paparajotes stand out, lemon fritters made with flour and sugar, always served with a large lemon leaf.

As in much of southern Spain, it is not difficult to find a hotel, hostel, or bed and breakfast at low prices in Murcia. The best option is to stay in the historic center from where you can easily walk to the main attractions and the main bus stops to get outside the city.

In the heart of the historic center of Murcia, also near the Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, you can stay in a three-star hotel or a bed and breakfast starting from €30/40 a night for a double room in low season, while it reaches €50/60 a night in high season.

If you are looking for a hotel in Murcia, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 120 hotels with prices, photos, and comments from previous guests. Visit Booking.com.