Spain has long been a favourite destination for British people looking for a holiday in the sun. Murcia is Spain’s seventh largest city and located in the South East of the country, just a short distance from the Mediterranean coastline.
Image: Juan Carlos Guijarro Moreno
It is an attractive option for British holidaymakers who are looking for somewhere different to relax and bask in the sun. Murcia is a fantastic city with a long and rich history. Its Moorish background is still visible in the city walls which contrast beautifully with the Baroque style churches in the centre, earning it its nickname, “the Baroque city of Levante”.
The region is well known for its vegetables and there are many fantastic restaurants concentrated in the city centre where you can taste freshly prepared dishes made using local ingredients. The city itself has a more relaxed feel about it than other Spanish cities, and walking around the streets during the day is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Image: Grey World
The Moorish castle is a must see on your visit, towering over the city with amazing views of the surrounding landscape. At night, there is plenty of entertainment on offer with charming bars and live music in plentiful supply.
There are also a plethora of attractions throughout the surrounding area. A road trip outside the city is a great way to experience the beautiful countryside or a drive along the Mediterranean coastline. Golf lovers will be in paradise with the wealth of options in the local area.
Whatever kind of holiday you are looking for, Murcia is a very attractive destination . From family holidays to romantic getaways, relaxing breaks to fun filled activity weeks, there really is something for everyone here.
Here are a few essential language, pricing and transport tips for anyone planning a trip to Murcia:
Language: Spanish
Useful Phrases:
|
Hello |
¡Hóla! |
|
Goodbye |
Adiós |
|
Please |
Por favor |
|
Thank you (very much) |
(Muchas) Gracias |
|
Can I have a beer please? |
Quiero una cerveza por favor? |
|
Cheers! |
Saúde! (or) Tchim Tchim! |
|
How much is it? |
¿Cuántos / cuánto? |
|
Where is the toilet? |
Donde esta el baño? |
Cost of living – Typical Prices
|
A Bottle of Beer |
£1.82 |
|
An Average Meal for Two (inc bottle of wine) |
£22.73 |
|
A Coffee |
£1.09 |
|
A Bottle of Mineral Water |
£0.35 |
|
Suncream (Factor 15) |
£4.50 |
Getting There & Around
Just south of the city is San Javier airport, which serves Murcia and the surrounding local region. However, the airport is due to be closed after summer 2012 and moved to Corvera.
Alicante airport is only an hour away and between the two, there are many options to get into Murcia. Both airports have bus services available to take you into the cities.
Rental cars are a great way to see the region and you can rent cars at the airports.
The region is well served by local buses and eurolines offers connections to major cities. The main regional bus operator is Latbus and they offer regular services at cheap prices. www.latbus.com
The city itself is quite small and compact so walking is a great option. Taxis can be hard to find and you would be much better served taking the local bus system.
Renting a bicycle is very easy and available to book online through several operators. They even deliver and pick up the bicycles to/from your resort.
