| |
Guide to Murcia, Spain
|
Click to go to Flight Prices for Murcia
|
MurciaOne of the most beautiful, historic, and serene cities in Spain, Murcia is romantic, friendly, and sensual. The farming industry of which the city is known for has been a great economic success. The citys location, straddling the Segura River, allows it have great fertile soil, which in turn leads Murcia to churn out top quality produce then distributed to markets throughout Europe. Settlement of the region dates back to ancient times, and the citys classic Moorish architecture is still widespread, giving the fairly-modern Murcia an historic feel, especially evident in its old quarter. Take a stroll through the gardens by the Segura River, and youll swear youre in a wonderland; walk through the fields of fruit and vegetables take in the sweet smell of the Spanish countryside; find your way through the mazes of narrow streets, where a fascinating surprise is always just around the corner.
When to go:
The ideal time to visit Murcia is during summer. Long days will greet you, little or no rain will soak you, and the air is so warm youll almost feel like youre in the tropics. If you cant make it during summer, spring and autumn, though a bit chilly, are still quite pleasant. One thing is for sure - you want to avoid winter. Its rainy and chilly; you dont want to visit such a beautiful city under gray skies. Murcia is not a very popular travel destination either, so no matter what time of year you choose to visit, the only people youre bound to run into are locals and merchants.
Getting there and around:
Murcia shares an airport with the neighboring town of San Javier, and though it is not quite busy, it receives a decent number of flights from Spanish locales everyday. Most flights to Murcia from international locations fly into Madrid or Palma de Mallorca before heading over. At arrival youll be pleased by the terminals proximity to the city (5km), and both the buses and taxis available outside are good transportation choices. In the end, the choice is up to you, but we prefer a taxi simply for the comfort and space. Budget-minded people will want to spring for a ride on a bus instead.
Getting around Murcia is relatively the same. While many attractions can be found within walking-distance of each other, there are a few places where you definitely will need some form of transportation. Buses are good because theyre cheap, and they go just about anywhere taxis go. You may have to alter your schedule to work well with the bus schedule, but we suspect youd like to save as much cash as possible, as would anybody. If you must get somewhere quickly, call a cab company.
Attractions:
Murcia is big on classic architecture, so before you visit any one set place we recommend a tour of the city. While there are no organized tours of Murcia, taking a buses to various parts of the city and acquainting yourself with the sights is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities you can do. Take a walk along the riverfront among the lush gardens, pick a few flowers (dont get caught, though), and walk among the historic buildings connected through the narrow roads that signify this old city.
The Museo de Salzillo is a fascinating place centered around one man, Francisco Salzillo. It is a museum dedicated to one of the greatest polychrome-wood sculptors throughout history, and while not every piece he ever created is on display here, his best work is, and it is fantastic. Salzillo was not only known in the region, or even only in Spain; sculpture connoisseurs throughout Europe sought out his work with great frenzy, and at the museum you can witness his best.
Not many people visit the Museo de Arqueologico for that matter Murcia itself but those who do immediately exclaim the citys Museo de Arqueologia as one of Spains finest. The extraordinary array of artifacts, ranging from mosaics to ceramics is displayed brilliantly, and though the collection is so tightly woven around pre-historic life in Murcia, you understand how great an impact the civilizations here had on the world.
|
|
|
