Nice trips in Murcia

Murcia center

Murcia, the capital, is located on the banks of the river to the east of the region. The impressive baroque-style Gothic Cathedral Santa María and Plaza del Cardenal Belluga are the city's main tourist attractions. Climb to the top of the bell tower where you can get a panoramic view of the city or sit in one of the many cafes outside and enjoy the fascinating mix of old and new architecture. On one side of the Plaza you will find the controversial Moneo building that houses City Hall and the beautiful, pink Episcopal Palace from the 1750s.

Cartagena

No visit to Murcia is complete without exploring Cartagena, a beautiful port city where every turn tells a story about its rich history. Thanks to its strategic location on the Costa Calida, Cartagena has been inhabited by different cultures, such as the Arabs and the Romans, all of whom have left their own mark on the city's cultural heritage.

The city's main attraction is the ancient Roman theater dating from between the 5th and 1st centuries BC. Only in 1988 were the first remains of the theater rediscovered during the demolition of another ancient building. Today you can visit not only the Roman theater itself, but also a large museum that takes you on an exciting journey through time.

Bateria de Castillitos

Built between 1926 and 1933 to defend Cartagena Bay, these Disney-like battery emplacements offer breathtaking views and the thrill of exploring the artillery bunkers, several towers and huge cannons up close. The cannons, built by the British, were the best of their kind at the time and were placed so that they could not be seen from sea level. Although proven capable of firing a projectile more than 35 miles away, they were only fired once during the Spanish Civil War.

Don't be put off by the winding, narrow road to reach this interesting place. Pack a picnic bag and enjoy lunch with 1 of the best views in the region.

San Pedro del Pinatar Nature Reserve

The region's main nature reserve is home to flamingos and other migratory birds, such as albatrosses, herons and seagulls. A must-see for bird lovers! The part of the park open to the public consists of salt pans, reed beds and pine forests, not to mention the high sand dunes at Torre Derribada beach. You can opt for a leisurely walk or hop on a bike. There are bicycles for rent in Lo Pagán and at the mud baths of Baños de Lodo.

On the edge of the nature reserve is an upscale marina, Puerto Marina de las Salinas. Here you can dive, rent a jet ski or yacht or just sit back and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants.

Castle of Lorca

The castle of Lorca or the Fortaleza del Sol (the fortress of the sun) is the main attraction of Lorca, also known as the "baroque city." Strategically located between two Christian kingdoms and the Moorish kingdom of Granada, the castle has had a lot to endure over the years. Today, the castle houses a museum where you can learn more about its turbulent past through a series of multisensory exhibits. A fun day out for the whole family!

In 1931, Lorca Castle was declared a National Historic Monument, so after it was damaged during the 2011 earthquake, its repair was a top priority. At 640 meters long and 120 meters wide, it is one of the largest and most impressive castles in Spain and a must-see on any itinerary through Murcia.

Mazarrón mijnen

Iron, lead, silver, copper and alum have been widely mined in the Mazarrón area since Roman times. The rich deposits in the area were formed by the eruption of two volcanoes. Mining in Mazarrón peaked in the 1840s and continued until the 1950s when most of the mines were abandoned. The many years of successful mining were the reason for the explosion of wealth in Cartagena and other nearby cities.

Today the landscape around the mines glows with a multitude of colors, due to the sulfur of the mined minerals and the waste that was left behind. And it is these colors against the backdrop of the ancient ruins that make this place so cool, especially if you are an avid photographer.