Murcia, in the region of the same name, is some 75km south of Alicante and 30 kilometres inland from the Costa Cálida. Lying in the River Segura valley and sheltered by the Carrascoy, Cresta del Gallo and Pila mountain ranges, the town enjoys nearly year-round sunshine, and some of the highest temperatures in the region, with annual averages of 17.5ºC.

Murcia, a stunning, cosmopolitan and bustling city, lies at a crossroads of cultures and routes and is steeped in history. Surrounded by fields growing flowers and fruits, it has earned the title ‘Market Garden City of Europe’. Today, its dozens of historical sites, monuments, bars, restaurants, good shops and Mediterranean feel make Murcia a popular one- or two-day destination for tourists.

A little history
Murcia was founded in 825 AD by Abderraman II, and was at the time covered in marsh grasses and stagnant water. During this period, intense commercial relations between these ancient Iberian tribes and the Phoenicians and Greeks commenced, which can help explain the city’s present agriculture-based and seafaring economy. Later on, the area was occupied by the Moors, who set up an advanced system of irrigation on the land, which helped transform Murcia into a huge crop growing area. Today, Moorish influence is still apparent in the city, and can be seen around the towns - in the Arab walls, remnants of old Moorish market lanes, bath houses as well as influences in the local cuisine.

Murcia today
Open plazas, dozens of terraced cafés, shops, flowers and sunshine mix with grand cathedrals, theatres, churches, universities and music schools - the perfect recipe for a great day out. Today, many tourists by-pass the city and head for IKEA or Mothercare, which is a great shame considering that Murcia makes an ideal one-day destination. In fact, the city has so much to offer that you’ll be hard-pressed to see all the sites in one day - that is if you wish to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the slow-paced feel of the historic old town centre, much of which is now pedestrianised.

What to see and do
Divided in two by the River Segura, there is plenty to see and do in Murcia, the capital of the region. Its best-known sites include the beautiful baroque cathedral, the Almudí Palace and Monteagudo Castle (where the Arab influence can be appreciated), the Malecón Gardens, the Veronicas market, the University of Murcia and the Museum Ramón Gaya.

A trip to Murcia starts in the old town. Park your car near the river and cross into Plaza Cardenal Belluga, which houses the city’s cathedral – one of the most stunning plazas in Murcia. Have a beer or coffee, or sample some of the exquisite local cuisine in one of the many restaurants, such as a plate of mussels in the town’s famous mussel bar ‘La Mejillonera’- the perfect pick-me-up on a warm afternoon.

The city’s main Cathedral Santa María (photo) stands in the centre of the old town, and is one of the city’s most impressive buildings. Bishop Pedrosa laid the foundation stone of the cathedral in 1388, and at the time, no one could have predicted that it would take four centuries to complete – which explains the widely differing styles of architecture.

However, the most beautiful admired jewel of the collection in the West Façade, which dates to 1736, work of sculptor and architect Jaime Bort, and has been catalogued a work of art of international baroque.

The Ramón Gaya museum in the Plaza Catalina, dedicated to the artist of the same name, was opened in 1990 when the artist was 82 years old. The museum houses works by other famous artists such as Vázquez and Rembrandt, and is definitely worth a visit.

No visit to Murcia should be complete without a walk along the city’s Malecón, a delightful walkway along the river, with views of the city and the surrounding market garden area and away to the mountain chains that embrace the city on either side.

Food
Proximity to the sea, fertile surroundings and Arabic influence have all played their part in creating the sumptuous cuisine of Murcia of today. Stews, salads, hot and cold tapas such as zarangollo – stewed courgettes, potatoes and onions scrambled with eggs, as well as fried broad beans with chunks of cured ham, pickled sardines, salted fish and cooked meats, crushed olives, chard stems with pine-nuts are all commonly found in the city’s many restaurants. A good meal wouldn’t be complete without a good Spanish wine. And the Murcia region with its fertile lands is producing better wines year after year: today the region is becoming a strong competitor in the wine industry both at home and abroad.

Fortuna spa
Lying just thirty minutes drive north west of Murcia is the ancient spa town of Fortuna, which houses one of the oldest thermal spa resorts in Spain, and has been popular for decades. During the war, the resort was used as an army hospital, before falling into a state of disrepair. It was renovated to its present glory in the 90s. Visit luana dot es for more information.

How to get there
Take the AP-7 from Alicante towards Murcia. As with many Spanish towns, signing to the old town seems to disappear once in the city, but head for signs to El Corte Inglés or the Cathedral, which are both right in the heart of the casco antiguo, the historic city centre.

Further information
For more information on Murcia and its tourist attractions, visit the town’s tourist office at murciaturistica dot es or call: 96 83 57 006