GENERAL

Murcia is the vibrant and cultural capital of the Murcia Region. Located in a beautiful and often overlooked part of the country, the city is something of a hidden gem with its fascinating architecture, great cuisine and shopping. With the golden beaches of the region's Costa Calida just under an hour away, holidays in Murcia are a wonderful all-rounder for families, couples and groups.

Murcia has a charming old quarter that dates back to the 9th century, full of fascinating Baroque architecture and narrow alleyways. One of the most important sites is the Catedral de Santa Maria, with its striking blend of Gothic and Baroque architecture. The Museo de la Catedral is well worth visiting for its Moorish relics and religious objects.

From anywhere in the city, you can see the breathtaking Moorish castle, with its mountaintop location overlooking Murcia. You can reach the castle by car and enjoy the magnificent views of the city and surroundings. Murcia Region is a lush and green part of Spain, and its countryside is a wonderful place to walk, cycle and observe nature.

Around an hour from the city is the region's sparkling coastline, Costa Calida. If you're keen on a little sea and sand on your Murcia holiday, visit the popular beach resorts of Torrevieja and La Manga del Mar Menor, with their beautiful white sand and conditions that are perfect for swimming and water sports.

Murcia gets fantastic seafood from its coast, and many of the city's restaurants will serve mouth-watering favourites like lobster. Other regional dishes heavily feature local rice, vegetables, rabbit and prawns. The city has a quality tapas bar scene for more familiar Spanish fare, and the Murcians also have a sweet tooth, so save some room for dessert. There are a number of nightlife spots to visit after dinner, ranging from quiet bars in the old town to buzzing venues that pull in the student crowds.

Find more top deals on city breaks in Spain

For ideas on where to go, check out holidays to Granada here holidays to Albacete here and city breaks in Madrid here.