Let me introduce you to one of my most favourite places on earth, Murcia, Spain! I first visited Murcia a few years ago and have now been back there twice and it's somewhere I don't think I'll ever be finished exploring. Today's post is all about the hidden gems Murcia has to offer so if you're looking for some holiday inspiration, this post is for you!
1. Cartagena
First up is Cartagena, a port city located right at the bottom of the region of Murcia and not to be confused with the Columbian city of the same name!
Cartagena has so much to offer and everytime I go to Murcia I always find myself spending the most time in this beautiful city. It's got a large port and marina with a few bars and restaurants right by the ocean and there are often super yachts (you can see a few in the background of the picture above) in the port too.
The city centre is full of the most beautiful Spanish architecture and the town hall which can be seen in the first picture of this post has featured waaay too many times on my Instagram but I can't help it, it's just gorgeous.
2. Roman Theatre, Cartagena
It may not be the Colosseum, but the Roman Theatre in Cartagena is a definite must-visit place if you're coming to Murcia. It was built between 5 and 1 BC and holds so much fascinating history. There's a museum built right next to the theatre which has ancient artifacts from when the theatre was excavated and as you walk out to the theatre you can see the inner walls and the layers of the different buildings that have been there over the years.
3. Boat Trip, Cartagena
As well as the beautiful streets and the fascinating history, Cartagena also has a boat trip that costs under €10 (it's cheaper if you book online). It takes you out around the bay of Cartagena's port with the guide talking you through lots of interesting points around the bay like the many forts that were built high up on the hills that surround the city.
4. Mar Menor & La Manga
In the south east of the region of Murica is the Mar Menor & La Manga. The Mar Menor is a 'coastal salty lagoon' that is cut off the from sea by a small strip of land called La Manga which is Spanish for 'the sleeve'. There's so much to do on the Mar Menor, from water sports to diving and there are so many gorgeous beaches to visit too if you just want to chill. When you're coming in to land in Murcia's airport you get a birds eye view on the Mar Menor and it's really quite something when you see it for the first time.
5. Zenia Boulevard
If you're reading this blog, then you're obviously into fashion/shopping, so I couldn't write this post without mentioning Zenia Boulevard. It is the shopping centre of my dreams and I could easily spend days on end in there! They have literally every shop you could imagine, including a pretty big Primark, so if you're in Murcia and love to shop, it's definitely one to put on the to-do list.
6. Lo Pagan
Even though it took me a while to pluck up the courage to cover myself in stinky mud the first time I visited Lo Pagan, it is now one of my favourite things to do when I visit Murcia.
The mud stinks of sulphur, but it's said to have healing properties and people come from all over Spain to cover themselves in it. There are special platforms built so that once you collect your mud (I'd recommend bringing some type of bucket for that), you let the mud dry and then you can walk down the steps into the super salty water of the mud lakes.
The mud leaves your skin feeling amazingly soft, so even if there aren't really any actual healing properties, I still love giving it a go purely for how nice my skin feels afterwards! I wasn't brave enough this time to put it on my face (the smell was just a bit too much) but as you can see from above, Dara went all out and was loving it.
7. Santiago de la Ribera
Like I mentioned above, the Mar Menor has so many beautiful beaches but Santiago de la Ribera has to be my favourite. It's just so beautiful and picturesque and during the summer months it's full of life in the evenings. There are stalls selling authentic Spanish ornaments/food/jewellery (perfect if you need to bring home any presents) and there is often live music too.
8. Cathedral de Santa Maria, Murcia
I don't go into Murcia city too often when I go to Spain, I prefer the southern part of Murcia, but if it's your first time in the region, make sure you check out Cathedral de Santa Maria. It is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen, the architecture and the detail is just breath taking and it's so peaceful inside. Murcia city has lots of gorgeous tapas bars too so it's definitely worth making a trip into the city at least once.
Have you ever been to Murica? Is there anything I've missed out or should check out next time I'm back in Spain? Leave a comment below or on Facebook!
