Visit the Cathedral

Probably Murcia’s most famous landmark, this grand structure is known as a baroque treasure, but it actually features a mix of architectural styles used during the three centuries it took to build. The main façade facing onto Plaza del Cardenal Belluga is stunning, with striking columns and sculptures. Inside, explore the lavishly decorated chapels and discover the tomb of King Alfonso X

Real Casino de Murcia

A famous city landmark, this is actually a plush, private gentleman’s club frequented by those who like to see and be seen. Built for and by the city’s wealthy elite, it’s still a private club today. You can, however, join a tour to see the opulent interior, complete with frescoed ballroom and a grand courtyard modelled on the palaces of Andalusia.

Floridablanca Gardens

During Murcia’s scorching summers, city residents head for this cool oasis on the other side of the river. It has colourful flower gardens and plenty of shaded areas, and its most stunning inhabitants are the old ficus trees. This is the city’s oldest public park, open since the mid-19th century, and one of the first of its kind in Spain.

Terra Natura Murcia

You won’t find any cramped cages here. This zoo has become very popular and well-regarded thanks to its humane approach and focus on conservation, housing endangered species such as the European lynx, brown bear and Iberian wolf among 50 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. All are kept in enclosures that resemble as closely as possible the animals’ natural habitats. The park itself is a green oasis filled with hundreds of trees and shrubs. Terra Natura has several other locations in Spain, too.

Costa Cálida

The Mediterranean is only 50 kilometres away, so you could be chilling on a beach within an hour of leaving Murcia. If you head directly east from the city on the RM-1 you’ll come to the quiet beach communities on the southern reaches of the Costa Blanca. Torre de la Horadada has two sandy Blue Flag beaches, with tempting chiringuitos (beach bars) for when the sea air makes you peckish.

If it’s action you need then the Mar Menor inland lagoon a few kilometres south is one of Spain’s big water sports destinations – plus the mud at Las Charcas on the north shore is supposed to have medicinal properties.

Monteagudo Castle

Outside the north-eastern suburbs stands a rocky limestone mountain 149 metres in height. What you’ll see straight away is a large statue of Christ atop the castle walls. This is from the 20th century, erected in the 1950s after a previous statue from the 20s had been destroyed in the Civil War. The castle beneath it is from the 800s and was a strategic defence for the Moorish Taifa of Murcia for the next 250 years.