Murcia

Murcia, Spain

The ancient city of Murcia is located in the mountains, about 25 km away from the Mediterranean Sea. The region is known for agriculture and tourism but also for its charming mountain villages, traditional fishing stations, a green countryside, and unspoiled beaches.

Population:

443,200

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

European Emergency Number: 112

Opening Hours:

Spanish shops are open Mon-Sat 9:30am-1:30pm and 5pm-8:30pm. Shopping malls and supermarkets are open from 10am-10pm.

Newspapers:

Diario De Verdad
La Opinion De Murcia

The City

Like many other Spanish cities, the Moors founded Murcia in the 9th century; under their rule the city developed into the region's centre that it still remained until today. The region stretches from Alicante in the north to Cartagena and Lorca in the south, and towards Moratalla in the west. The Moorish influence is hard to spot in the city itself, as many of the older neighbourhoods were established only in the 18th century when the city further expanded. After centuries of industrial growth, Murcia today holds a large university and, by that, a lively buzz of a considerable student population.

Murcia still remains relatively undiscovered by tourism, especially compared to other coastal towns nearby. The area is mainly provincial farmland but there are also relatively young towns founded by sun starved foreigners. The villages in the surrounding mountains are well worth a visit, and it is easy to take day trips either by rental car, train or bus. The coastal region of Costa Cálida has many interesting destinations: Lorva’s baroque buildings, the quaint village of Moratalla, the glamorous beach community of La Manga, and the medieval neighbourhoods of Cartagena and Orihuela are only a few of them.

Do & See

It is easy to take day trips from Murcia, either by rental car, train or bus. The villages in the surrounding mountains are well worth a visit, and the coastal region of Costa Cálida has many interesting destinations such as Lorva’s baroque buildings and the quaint village of Moratalla. However, do take your time and experience Murcia itself.

Dining

The narrow alleyways of Murcia’s old town are lined with restaurants, and fortunately, they haven’t customised their menus to the tourists' food culture. Instead, they serve genuine Spanish Mediterranean fare with fresh products, smooth olive oil, delicious sausages, and, of course, fish and sea food. The region’s rice dish Paella is famous, as rice is cultivated in the nearby village of Calasparra.

Cafes

Finding a cafe to relax at is not a problem in Murcia but choosing between all those lovely shops indeed is. All of them offer great coffee, delicious desserts and also snacks, so you can enjoy your break during sightseeing for experiencing your own Spanish Siesta.