Murcia City Area Guide

The city of Murcia is situated in the heart of the region, sheltered by the foothills of the Carrascoy, Cresta del Gallo and Pila mountain ranges.  It has a population of approximately 350,000 inhabitants, over half of whom live in the surrounding villages.  It stands on the banks of the river Segura and experiences some of the highest temperatures in the region.

Murcia city has a fascinating history, it stands at the cross roads of a number of different routes and cultures. The area was originally a simple valley covered in marsh grass and water, but this all changed in 825 A.D. when Abderramán II founded the city. The Moorish roots of the city are still clearly evident in the cities architecture and the intriguing narrow twisting streets in the old town.  

The city is full of wonderful buildings to see, shops to visits and beautiful squares, where you can sit in the shade and watch Murcian life pass by. 

One of the most significant buildings in the city is Murcia Cathedral. Started in 1394 and completed in the 18th century it hosts a combination of different styles as it was built over different historic and artistic periods. It houses 23 different chapels, each with their own design.  The main cathedral front is one of the finest examples of baroque art to be found in Europe.  The Plaza de Belluga next to the cathedral offers an excellent opportunity to sit with a coffee and admire the beautiful West front, shaded by orange trees.

Walking away from the Cathedral you find one of the busiest streets of the city, Calle Trapería.  This narrow, bustling street is reminiscent of the old Moorish lanes, now it is filled with shops, cafes and people. 

Here, in the Casino you can find a Moorish Courtyard which takes inspiration from the Alhambra Palace in Granada.  The casino also houses a ball room which has ceilings adorned with frescoes and opulent lamps.

Shoppers will enjoy wandering around the streets near the cathedral; boutiques, gift shops, clothes shops - they can all be found here.  Interspersed among them are plenty of cafes and bars, serving cool drinks and excellent tapas.

Driving and parking in the city is generally fairly straightforward, although like any city it gets busy doing rush hour periods.  Most surrounding towns and villages have a bus service into the city centre and there is a train service which runs from many local towns to Murcia.

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