A Guide to Murcia

If you're looking for a vacation paradise in the southeast of Spain, look no further than the lovely city of Murcia. This Spanish wonder is home to any number of luxury hotels, perfect for getaways during the holidays, not to mention restaurants serving the most delicious, authentic cuisine of the region. In addition, this city, being the seventh largest in Spain, is also home to a thriving nighlife, and regularly hosts exciting sightseeing tours. Moreover, the city is home to all kinds of exciting famous people, such as tennis star Nicolas Almango, cyclist Alejandro Vaverde, and Ruth Lorenzo, a favorite contestant on hit reality television series "The X Factor." Additionally, the city was the traditional hometown of many famous historical figures, such as medieval Sufi mystic Abul Abbas al-Mursi and the gifted Baroque sculptor Francisco Salzillo.

One of the most popular sights that one may see during typical tours of Murcia is the famous Cathedral of the Diocese of Cartagena. This breathtaking piece of history is a cathedral constructed in the beautiful Castilian Gothic style, and has survived since 1394. It includes a combination of Renaissance and Baroque styles in its various architectural influences, as well as a lovely bell pavilion that exemplifies Neoclassical influences in addition to the more modern Rococo style. Not far from the cathedral are other famous buildings, such as the eighteenth century Bishop's Palace, as well as an extension to the town hall by well-known architect Rafael Moneo. This entire area, known famously as the Plaza Cardenal Beluga, is also home to a stunning view of the Segura River. On the banks of the river, one may see the Glorieta, the traditional center of the town. Other famous sights in and around Murcia include, but are by no means limited to, the Salzillo Museum, the Malecon boulevard, the Romea theatre, both the Monteagudo Castle and the Almundi Palace, and a number of interesting church-museums for tourists interested in exploring religious history over the course of their holidays.

Along a similar vein, they may also want to look into attending the city's Holy Week Procession, which is annually hosted by the city and one of the most famous events of its kind in all of Spain. Other exciting festivals that may attract tourists include the colorful Huerta parade, which celebrates the Bando de la Huerta. This event occurs only one week after Holy Week, so those looking to go on vacation in the city may want to plan their itineraries around that time frame. Also worth attending is the city's Three Cultures Festival, which is held every May, with the intent of overcoming racism through the power of food, music, and fun. On a more somber note, this festival works toward and celebrates peace and reconciliation between the three major religions of the region - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In keeping with this goal, the food, music, and other cultural displays of all three religions are prominently featured each year at this festival.

For those looking for a good time after dark, the city - like any other city of its size and population - is home to a bustling nighlife. Clubs and bars alike are a haven to both locals and expats looking for a good party. Casinos are also widely available, as well as smaller restaurants for more intimate - and potentially romantic - evenings between two. In terms of cuisine, the city offers everything from traditional Spanish food to mouthwatering international cuisine - so no matter what the particulars of one's palate, there are culinary delights available for tastes of any variety, no matter how picky the eater may be.

Now, as for the question of where to stay, hotels of all shapes, sizes, and varieties are scattered throughout the city to accommodate the booming tourism industry of the region. For those looking for a particularly luxurious vacation, there are of course typical luxury suites at four- and five-star hotels and resorts. However, if you are among those living on a budget who cannot afford to be such spendthrifts, never fear! This city will not fail you. Every year, university students peruse youth hostels in and around the area, which will grant patrons a bed and basic amenities for a more than reasonable nightly price. For those looking for slightly more high brow accommodations, the city is also home to any number of standard, nondescript small inns and bed and breakfast style places. In fact, for those really looking to experience the city on an authentic cultural level, it is even possible to rent out small houses. The authenticity - and cost - of the experience depends entirely on the preferences of the particular would-be tourist.

Continuing along the more practical vein of planning a vacation in Spain, there is of course also the question of how to get around the city. Rest assured that there is no reason to worry about having trouble with transportation. Like any other large city, this one may appear to be overwhelming at first, especially to foreign visitors who have never visited Spain before, or who do not speak the local language. However, the size and scope of the city also means that there are countless options for transportation, meant to accommodate all preferences - and of course, wallet sizes. The Murcia-San Javier Airport can be found right on the outskirts of Mar Menor, and is easily accessible from nearby towns Santiago de la Ribera and San Javier. Low-cost airlines are also often flown out of the privately owned new international airport.

As for more localized transportation, LatBus provides buses that will take you anywhere you need to go at quite a reasonable price, as the company operates both the urban bus and various other intercity transportation services. Tramway is also a good option in terms of costs and convenience, and as for those looking to take the train to wherever they need to go, RENFE provides transporation via train on both a short distance and long distance basis.