Murcia is a fascinating city in the southeastern corner of Spain that doesn’t often get the attention it deserves. It was founded in 825 AD by the Moors, and it quickly became an important trading and agricultural centre due to its irrigation systems. The city has a rich cultural heritage that’s still evident in its landmarks and streets, shaped by Islamic, Christian, and Baroque influences. It’s a very walkable city, so many of the best things to do in Murcia are close together. This means you can easily enjoy this historic Spanish city in one day if you’re short on time.
While many of the crowds head to cities such as Madrid, Seville, and Malaga, Murcia remains relatively crowd-free, even in the summertime. Yes, Spain’s seventh-largest city does draw in lots of visitors, but it’s nothing compared to other parts of the country. Visitors can enjoy walking through the beautiful streets of the old town and enjoy a year-round sunny climate, all while sampling some of the best tapas in Spain. In Murcia, you’ll get an authentic Spanish experience that still feels undiscovered, but that still has a vibrancy around it.
Things to do in Murcia, Spain
Catedral de Murcia
Sitting at the top of the list of the best things to do in Murcia is visiting the Catedral de Murcia. This is the most iconic building in the city, showcasing a unique blend of architectural styles. It was originally built in the 14th century on the site of an ancient mosque and took centuries to complete. Its most striking feature is the bell tower, which dominates the city’s skyline and is one of the tallest in Spain.
There’s a small entry fee to go inside the Catedral de Murcia, or, if you’re a resident of Murcia, entry is free. Inside, visitors can admire intricate artwork and beautifully decorated chapels. The cathedral is located in the heart of the old town, making it a great place to start exploring the city from. There are also guided tours of the cathedral available for people who want to learn more about this iconic structure.
Plaza del Cardenal Belluga
Plaza del Cardenal Belluga is one of the city’s most important squares, sitting in front of the Catedral de Murcia. This plaza is surrounded by some of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city, including the Palacio Episcopal de Murcia. Plaza del Cardenal Belluga is named after an 18th- century bishop who played a big role in the development of Murcia. Today, it’s a lively meeting place with plenty of restaurants to enjoy, and it’s especially nice in the evening when the cathedral is lit up.
Many of the top things to do in Murcia are located close to the plaza, such as the Real Casino de Murcia and a few historic shopping streets.
Real Casino de Murcia
One of the most unique places to visit in Murcia is the Real Casino de Murcia. It was founded in 1847 as a social club for the city’s elite, and it’s now a major cultural attraction in the region. As soon as you enter the building, you’re met with a stunning Arab patio that’s inspired by the Alhambra in Granada. Visitors can stay in the entryway and admire the Moorish-style arch and ceiling, but to see other rooms, such as the grand Victorian salons or the stunning ballroom, you need to pay the entry fee or join a guided tour.
The building offers an interesting look into the lifestyle of the upper class during this time period, and it’s located just a short walk from the cathedral, too, so it’s easy to add to your list of things to do in Murcia.
Plaza de Santo Domingo
Another interesting plaza worth visiting is Plaza de Santo Domingo. It’s a popular meeting place for locals, and it’s surrounded by restaurants and cafes. The plaza is named after a nearby church, and it’s common to find art installations on display here throughout the year. At the centre of Plaza de Santo Domingo is a statue dedicated to one of Spain’s most influential statesmen. The large trees around the plaza make it the perfect spot to relax in the shade for a few minutes before continuing your tour of the city.
Explore the museums in Murcia
There are a lot of things to do in Murcia for art and history enthusiasts. The museums in Murcia are hugely underrated and cover things such as archaeology, religious sculptures, Renaissance art, and the city’s Islamic past. Many of the museums are located within the historic centre, so they can be combined with visits to other key attractions if you’re spending a day in Murcia. I’d recommend adding Museo de Santa Clara, Museo Arqueologico de Murcia (MAM), and Museo Salzillo to your list of things to do in Murcia if you’re not sure where to start.
Puente de los Peligros
The oldest and most well-known bridge in Murcia is Puente de los Peligros. It crosses the Rio Segura and was completed in the 18th century. The name comes from a small statue called Our Lady of Perils, which was placed at the end of the bridge to offer protection to travellers crossing the river. From the bridge, there’s a lovely river view as well as a view of the cathedral’s tower rising above the historic centre. I’d recommend coming here close to sunset when the lighting is better for photos. You can also join one of the many riverside walking routes or a kayak tour from this area.
Ayuntamiento de Murcia
Across the street from Puente de los Peligros is the Ayuntamiento de Murcia. The City Hall is based inside a historic building, but it now features a modern extension designed by Rafael Moneo, a famed Spanish architect. It caused some controversy when it was completed since it looks very different from the surrounding buildings, but today the area is one of the most photographed in the city. While visiting the City Hall isn’t one of the top things to do in Murcia, it’s worth walking by as you make your way to the riverside.
La Venus en Bicicleta
One of the more unusual things to do in Murcia is to find La Venus en Bicicleta (Venus on a Bicycle). This public artwork creates a playful mix of modern life with classical mythology, and it’s a surprising find for many visitors. It’s conveniently located in front of Palacio Almudi, which is a beautiful 17th-century building that now hosts art exhibitions. A short walk down the street will bring you to Mercado de Abastos de Veronicas, one of the best places in Murcia to find local food and produce. All of these attractions together make the area worth exploring during a day trip to Murcia.
Shop at La Lechera de Burdeos
One of my favourite things to do in Murcia is to shop at La Lechera de Burdeos. It’s a charming independent shop known for its selection of regional and international cheeses, as well as other goods such as wines, home decor, and artisan products. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, the store is worth walking around, and they often have free samples available. You may even luck out and be able to sign up for a cheese tasting session during your trip to Murcia.
Paseo del Malecon
Many people who visit Murcia completely miss Paseo del Malecon. It’s one of the most popular walking areas in the city, offering a peaceful retreat from the busy historic streets. It was originally constructed in the 15th century as a flood defence, and it played a key role in protecting the city from the river. Its design also meant it could distribute water to agricultural lands around Murcia. Today, the tree-lined promenade is ideal for all types of activities, and the adjacent park is nice to walk around, too.
Don’t miss Portada del Huerto de Bombas either, a unique historic arch located right in the middle of the park.
Plaza de Las Flores
One of the most vibrant plazas in Murcia is Plaza de Las Flores. It’s famous for its terraces and beautiful flower stalls, which are active throughout the year. The surrounding bars and restaurants make it a great place to sample traditional Murcian cuisine, too. We visited in the evening when the temperature had cooled down, and the vibe was fantastic with lots of locals enjoying drinks and tapas together. From Plaza de Las Flores, you can easily connect to the main shopping streets in Murcia, as well as narrow streets filled with tapas bars.
Admire the street art in Murcia
Murcia has quite a unique street art scene if you keep your eyes peeled. The city is known for its historic architecture, but the street art adds to its growing urban landscape. As you make your way through the different neighbourhoods, be on the lookout for smaller murals celebrating local culture and history, as well as large-scale artworks on the side of tall buildings. Much of the artwork is created by local artists, so it should definitely make it onto your list of things to do in Murcia.
Walk around the historic streets
To truly experience Murcia, you have to take some time to explore the historic streets. The old town is full of hidden squares, beautiful churches, and elegant buildings, some of which don’t make it into people’s itineraries. Streets such as Plateria and Traperia have been important commercial routes throughout the city’s history, and they’re still worth walking along today.
As you walk through the historic core, you’ll find Moorish influence tucked between traditional bakeries and family-run cafes. Walking without a plan is one of the best things to do in Murcia, so make sure you have some comfortable shoes ready to go.
Enjoy the music scene
Something that surprised me about Murcia was its music scene. It extends beyond traditional Spanish performances to include electronic music, jazz, and rock events – just to name a few. Murcia also stages music festivals and cultural events, where artists from across Spain come to perform. We came across a free outdoor techno event in a small courtyard during our trip that was paired with a unique light show. You never know what you’ll come across during a trip to Murcia!
Places to eat in Murcia
CafeLab
I first came across CafeLab while I was visiting Cartagena, so I was really happy to find one in Murcia. It’s a popular specialty coffee shop known for its high-quality roasts made from carefully sourced beans. How they present their drinks is also a highlight of ordering here.
My iced matcha latte, for example, came in a glass beaker, which added to the experience. Alongside their drinks, CafeLab has a good selection of fresh pastries and light brunch options, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s also located right behind the cathedral, so its location can’t be beat.
Temperato Felice Gelato
If you’re looking for ice cream in Murcia, head over to Tempertao Felice Gelato, who have a couple of locations around the city. This is one of Murcia’s most popular stops for authentic gelato. They serve a wide range of flavours using high-quality ingredients. The texture of the gelato is very creamy, and the portions are generous.
While this isn’t the best gelato I’ve had in Spain, it was the best option in the historic centre based on customer reviews. It’s a nice place to come during a sunny day or to finish your evening before heading back to the hotel.
Miso Restaurante Buffet Asiatico Murcia
For something a little different than traditional Spanish food, try Miso Restaurante Buffet Asiatico Murcia. It’s located in the city centre and offers a diverse selection of Asian dishes. Everything from ramen to sushi and grilled meats is available, including plenty of vegetarian options. I’m not a big seafood eater, so I was happy to find lots of sushi options that included things like vegetables and chicken as alternatives. Overall, we had a nice dining experience here, and it was great value for money.
Levaduramadre
An artisan bakery in Murcia that’s worth trying is Levaduramadre. It’s popular for its fresh breads and sweet treats, though its high prices can be off-putting to some people. There’s a lot to choose from at this bakery, and even if you stop in before closing, you should still have some options available. We took a few pastries to go so we could enjoy them the following morning, and they were fairly fresh considering the time of the day we bought them. If you’re looking for high-quality baked goods, Levaduramadre is worth browsing.
Vacania Burger
Vacania Burger is located in Las Torres de Cotillas, a small town just a short drive from Murcia. However, Street Vacania is located in Plaza Santo Domingo, which serves a smaller but no less delicious menu. Vacania Burger focuses on using high-quality ingredients, with premium beef served alongside homemade sauces and fresh buns. The smash burgers are incredible, and when paired with one of their sides, such as loaded fries or crispy chicken, you really can’t go wrong. It’s hard to disagree with Vacania Burger being one of the best places to eat in Murcia.
Where to stay in Murcia
There are plenty of affordable and modern accommodation options in Murcia. We stayed at Travelodge Murcia, which is located along one of the main roads leading into the city. There’s a tram stop across the road so you can access the historic centre within 15 minutes. Despite the somewhat negative reviews on Google, we had a great stay. The rooms were all very clean, and WiFi was included. We had a slight problem with one of the rooms smelling like smoke, but we were able to move rooms right away.
If you prefer to be more central, Hotel Cetina Murcia is located in the heart of the old town and is reasonably priced. Occidental Murcia Agalia and Hotel El Churra are also good options that balance comfort with value and location. There are a lot of things to do in Murcia, so staying in a good hotel will make your trip more enjoyable.
Planning a trip to Murcia, Spain
Murcia may not be as well-known as other cities in Spain, but it’s still one of the country’s most rewarding hidden gems. From exploring its historic streets to admiring its landmarks and trying its unique cuisine, there are a lot of things to do in Murcia for people of all interests. The historic centre is very compact, making it easy to explore in a day, and it offers a more authentic Spanish city break away from the huge crowds. If you want to experience a different side of Spain, make sure you add Murcia to your travel plans.
If you have any questions about things to do in Murcia, where to eat, or where to stay, please get in touch. You can reach out via email or through the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram and TikTok, where you’ll find more travel tips and ideas about where to plan your next adventure.
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