Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Spain / Costa Calida - Murcia / Murcia
 |  | Travel Reviews : Murcia |
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| | | | Review by stewart carnegie from bothwell , glasgow
old town in Murcia city a must see...only 20 mins. drive from Villa
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| | Destination Guide : Murcia |
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| | | Murcia |  | Why go on holiday to Murcia?
It's one of Spain's least visited corners but Murcia's diversity encompasses everything from beaches, spa and activities to Moorish medinas, castles, watchtowers, Christian temples and churches.
It's an easy region to explore by car, meaning you can cover a large area and really make the most of your holiday.
How much will it cost?
Look out for low cost airline deals from Ryanair and easyjet. Hotels are available to suit all budgets and range from mid-market to five star. Prices for a three star hotel in Murcia start at around £13 per night. A room in a five star hotel is around £100 per night.
When should I go?
The year round average temperature is 19C while there's around 315 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures reach a sizzling 35-40C in the summer, while in winter the mercury hovers around a pleasant 12/13C.
Who is it for?
Culture vultures; city break fans seeking an alternative to Valencia or Granada and beach-lovers hoping to top up their tans. The region is great for families and couples.
What are the must-sees?
Sun-seekers will adore the 250km long Costa Calida (Warm Coast) which stretches from Mar Menor to Aguilas. La Manga is one of the top hotspots on this stretch of coastline, mainly thanks to the saltwater lagoon of Mar Menor, which boasts year-round warm, shallow, calm waters. Taking a dunk in here is just as good as having a bath and is popular among families and kids.
Other resorts like Los Alcazares heave with package tourists in summer, which is fun if you're one of them – and hell if you're not. To escape the crowds, head westwards. Mazarron has an attractive old town whilst Aguilas is renowned for its dive spots and stunning scenery. Water sports such as canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing are also available.
The therapeutic waters have promoted spa and thalassotherapy breaks within the region. So if your idea of pampering involves stripping off and getting sweaty, visit the newly-opened Patnia centre in San Pedro del Pinatar. Situated on the Med, visitors can enjoy hot baths, saunas, steam rooms and – if you're brave enough - ice pools. Or visit the north-eastern town of Fortuna where thermal baths date back to the time of the Roman Empire.
Inland, head to the region's capital city, Murcia, which is surrounded by lemon groves and rolling fields. Attractions include its sumptuous 600-year-old Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Casino originally built in the 19th century as a gentleman's club which boasts a magnificent ballroom and Salzillo Museum with its impressive range of sculptures.
Architecture buffs should also head to the second largest city Cartagena. Pick up the excellent free pamphlet Cartagena Guide-Plan, a useful way of getting around the main sights. These include the Castle of La Conception which is reached via a spectacular 45-metre panoramic lift and a walkway, a Roman amphitheatre, the 2000-year-old House of La Fortuna and the Augusteum Temple. Stroll around the old quarter lined with historical and elegant buildings and then down to the harbour front where you can take a sunset catamaran trip for superb views of ancient fortresses and batteries.
To the west, Lorca makes another good historical pit stop. This riverfront town has an attractive old quarter stuffed with Baroque buildings, pretty plazas and a 13th century castle. It's also near to the Parque Natural de Sierra Espuna where unspoilt, sprawling pine forests and limestone formations provide perfect territory for hiking, climbing, horse riding and biking. Go to theTorre Vigia or Lookout Tower for fantastic views.
What will I spend?
Bottle of beer 75p, a film for your camera £2.50, moderate meal £5-£8, litre of petrol 45p, short taxi ride £5.50. All prices are approximate.
Any special events?
Party animals looking to get involved in local fiestas have come to the right place. Murcia hosts tons of events throughout the year. Choose your destination and your holiday could be extra special.
Locals in Cartagena don ancient battledress for 10 days in late September to play war games during the spectacular annual Carthaginians and Romans festival. In addition to battle re-enactments, there are also marches, a circus and fireworks.
The colourful, lavish Semana Santa festivities in Lorca are one of the best in the country. Known as Easter Week, or The Passion of Christ, it is the most important religious event in Spain and involves locals getting dressed in wonderful embroidered costumes. Accommodation can get booked up well in advance so think carefully about where you're staying if you plan to watch this event.
Every May, the people of Caravaca de la Cruz celebrate the Festival of the Holy Cross with the race of the "wine horses". Riderless horses, wearing beautifully embroidered coats, race from the bottom of the town up to the castle.
Also in May, Murcia dances to the beat of the annual Jazz Festival which takes place in the Roman theatre. Tickets are free for the three-day long event. It's followed in early September with special celebrations to honour the city's patron saint, La Virgen de la Fuensanta. Bullfights, concerts, golf tournaments, competitions, parades and plenty of parties make the whole city come alive. Children's activities are also included, making it great for families too.
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| | Fact File : Murcia |
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| | | Murcia | | Did you know?
Murcia derives from the Latin word murtae which means mulberry. The trees once provided a diet for silkworms and led to a flourishing silk industry, which eventually declined after the Second World War.
Language
Spanish
Visas
None for UK passport holders.
Getting there
Look out for budget airline deals to Murcia St Javier airport, a 20 min car ride to Murcia city. Alternatively, you can fly into Alicante airport which is about an hour away. Ryanair, easyJet, bmibaby and Jet2 are among the low cost airlines which fly to Murcia.
Flying time from London
Two hours and 35 mins.
Getting around
Good bus and train connections link the major cities in the region. Hiring a car is another excellent option.
Currency
Euro
Costs
Bottle of beer 75p, a film for your camera £2.50, moderate meal £5-£8, litre of petrol 45p, short taxi ride £5.50. All prices are approximate.
Weather
The average annual temperature in Murcia is 19C, making it a pleasant destination to visit year round. Summers get scorching hot with the mercury hitting 35C-40C, whilst winters are a none-too-chilly 12C/13C.
Time difference
One hour ahead of GMT
International dialling code from the UK
00 34
Voltage
220V AC
Opening hours
Large supermarkets and department stores Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm; other shops and businesses 9am-2pm and then 4.30/5-8pm. Banks Monday-Friday 8.30am-2pm, Saturdays 9am-1pm (some not on Saturday in summer).
Health - Before you go
Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Make sure you have an EHIC card (from post offices).
Health - When you are there
The fierce heat in Spain's cities can reach 35C (95F) - so drink plenty of water and be sensible about exposure to the sun.
Warnings
Very occasionally, people may attempt to short-change you so, so without being paranoid, keep an eye on your transactions.
Emergency
Police – 091
Customs
Drinks after dark are as popular as tapas for lunch. In summer, many city dwellers make trips to the taverns in the villages just outside the city, known as ventanas sevillanas.
Tipping
Service charge is included in restaurants, so tipping is a personal choice: 5% is plenty, or odd change in cafes and bars.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel. 020 7486 8077; brochure line, 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Murcia |
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| |  | | La Manga Apartment
NEW 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT, on the fist floor, large communial pool, 2 seas within a minutes walk, (Mar Menor, one side & the Mediteranean
|  | | Casa Millie-mai
5 bedroom luxury detached Villa - airconditioned / heating - 5 shower rooms - 3 large terrace's - own 10x5 pool, games area with pool table , pool house with bbq bar and kitchen
|  | | Casa Tianah
3 bed luxury villa set in large plot with own private pool outside pool house & bbq and tennis court set in small exclusive development ( tennis court yet to constructed)
|  | | Casa San Cayetano
top quality 3 bedroomed 2 bathroom quarter villa with 5 person hot tub in a well laid out garden with private balcony, satellite TV and air conditioning
|  | | Cara Mekida, Fuente Alamo
2 bedroom (sleeps 4) self catering apartment with large swimming pool. 5 mins Hacienda del Alamo golf complex. 30 mins beach, Murcia and Catagena.
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Holiday Rentals in Murcia |
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