The 12 Best Things to Do in Murcia, Spain

Not far from the cathedral you’ll find the city’s most beautiful square, Plaza de las Flores. It got its name from its many florists’ shops, which are still in business today. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee, do a bit of people-watching and check out the Art Nouveau townhouses. One of the most beautiful is the Edificio de Tejidos Abad, with its striking white bay windows.

During Murcia’s scorching summers, city residents head for this cool oasis on the other side of the river. It has colourful flower gardens and plenty of shaded areas, and its most stunning inhabitants are the old ficus trees. This is the city’s oldest public park, open since the mid-19th century, and one of the first of its kind in Spain.

This working convent is as intriguing as it is beautiful. Built in the 1300s on the site of Murcia’s Moorish Alcazar (fortress palace), it features elements of Arab architecture such as horseshoe-shaped arches. Only part of the complex is open to visitors, but it’s very much worth a visit.

One of Murcia’s most impressive sights is found just outside the city. This 9th-century castle perches atop a rugged and dusty crop of limestone, and is dramatically topped by an oversized white statue of Christ that gleams under the Murcian sun. The castle, designed to withstand long sieges, was used for defence by the Moors for 250 years. After the Christian reconquest, King Alfonso X took the castle as his Murcian residence. The statue of Christ was added only in the 1950s.

A lesser-known spot for tourists in Murcia, this museum is a delight for those interested in all things historical. You’ll see artefacts from the city’s Roman and Moorish heritage and further back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Plus there many more treasures to discover from around the Murcia region, which is home to no fewer than 2,000 archeological sites.

You won’t find any cramped cages here. This zoo has become very popular and well-regarded thanks to its humane approach and focus on conservation, housing endangered species such as the European lynx, brown bear and Iberian wolf among 50 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. All are kept in enclosures that resemble as closely as possible the animals’ natural habitats. The park itself is a green oasis filled with hundreds of trees and shrubs. Terra Natura has several other locations in Spain, too.

If fresh mountain air and tranquillity are more your thing, do as the Murcians do and head for the large natural parkland just six kilometres (4 miles) south of the city. Follow scenic (and beautifully scented) trails lined with wild rosemary through the pine forests, or take the short, easy walk to the Santuario de la Fuensanta, known for having one of the most Instagram-friendly panoramas around.

This museum is dedicated to the Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo, known as the ‘celebrated sculptor of Spain’. Born in 1707, he was one of the great masters of Renaissance sculpture and created mostly religious icons. Recommended by Esme Fox.

Like any sun-drenched city, Murcia is crammed with culinary treasures waiting to be discovered, and there are few better ways to spend an afternoon than by hopping from bar to bar sampling the city’s finest dishes. Head to Bar Los Zagales for ensaladilla Rusa (a typical Spanish salad called a Russian salad), fried squid and spiced octopus, washed down with a local wine. Crunchy cod fritters, wild mushroom croquettes and barbecued meats are on the menu at Restaurante Salzillo, while La Pequena Taberna is the place to go for tocino del cielo – a dessert made from egg yolks, sugar and cream – the perfect way to end your foodie discovery on a sweet note. Recommended by Esme Fox.