Murcia hotels

Hotels in Murcia

Located in the southeast of Spain, Murcia hotels are ideal for holidaymakers who want hot weather, unspoilt natural parks, long sandy stretches of beach and a laidback town with a rich heritage.

Murcia City

The provincial capital of Murcia City is not the place to go if you're looking for fast city living. The pace of life here is pretty laidback, with locals relaxing in the shade and students from the University of Murcia taking it easy in cafés and bars dotted throughout the centre. Originally a Roman settlement, the city was colonised by Muslims in 825 and renamed Mursiya. In 1243 Alfonso X conquered the city and Murcia grew from that point until it peaked in the 18th century.

Museums

In terms of historical landmarks, the Catedral de Santa María is an impressive sight to behold. Built on the site of a mosque in 1394, the cathedral was subsequently redesigned with a Baroque style in the 18th century. For an insight into the archaeological and religious heritage of the cathedral head to the Museo de la Catedral.

The Ermita de Jesús is another striking Baroque structure in Murcia, and the chapel holds the Museo Salzillo where you'll find a number of detailed religious icons and figures. For something less religious, the Museo de la Ciencia y del Agua has excellent hands-on exhibitions about science and is a great choice if you're travelling with kids.

Further afield

If you travel outside of Murcia City you'll find the area boasts an array of interesting historical villages to explore, alongside a beautiful coastline. In the town of Lorca there's the Plaza de España, a picturesque plaza surrounded by 16th- and 18th- century buildings, as well as La Fortaleza del Sol, a stunning castle that offers breathtaking views of the town itself. In Cartagena you'll come across a selection of excellent museums, including the underwater archaeology of the Museo Nacional de Arqueología Subacuática and the Roman and Moorish remains of the Museo del Teatro Romano.

For sun worshippers, the Costa Cálida (or Hot Coast) is an aptly named destination with over 300 days of sunshine each year.