Murcia is around a 40 to 50 minute drive from the popular beach resorts of Los Alcazares, the Mar Menor, San Pedro del Pinatar and Torrevieja.

Although it is within easy reach of many of the top local holiday resorts, a visit to Murcia city is often overlooked which is a great shame as it offers so much to visitors.

Murcia City

Numerous historic buildings and sites make this an interesting and pleasant place to visit including.

The city offers impressive city walls, churches that were previously mosques and a remarkable Cathedral, arguably the most prized building in the city.

The pick of the places to visit in Murcia include the famed Santa Maria Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, the Convent Church of Santa Ana, the San Miguel Church and re is the impressive Almudi Palace.

Then there is the wide River Segura which meanders through the city, a great place to take a stroll whilst crossing over the ancient bridges along the way.

And if you are looking for shopping and eating out you won’t be disappointed. For the best tapas bars head into the old quarter where you find a whole range of bars plus a fun atmosphere.

The Veronicas Market – Mercado de Veronicas

My first port of call was to the indoor food market, Mercado de Veronicas, located right in the heart of the old quarter and just a couple of minutes-walk from the Cathedral.

I thought it was a great place to start my day trip to Murcia as I wanted to see all the stalls at their best with as much produce as possible.

The Veronicas Market is situated within an impressive building built in 1917, many of the stall holders are still runs by the original families from that era.

The market is situated over two floors and is a perfect way to see all the types of regional produce on offer within a typical municipal market.

There is a huge amount of local fresh produce on offer including fish, seafood, prawns, cheeses and just about every type of vegetables, olives, amazing juicy tomatoes, peaches and locally grown mandarins.

The spice stalls are good for picking up some fresh Thyme, Rosemary and Basil and not forgetting Saffron, one of the most prized spices from this region.

Did you know is takes around 220,000 stigmas from the plant to make just half a kilogram of Saffron.

The local cakes are well worth a try as well, the Pastel de Carne ( Meat-Tartlet ) is a speciality from Murcia.

Opening Times: Mon to Saturday 8 am to 4 pm

Location: Calle Plano de San Francisco, 10 B.

Website: http://www.mercadodeveronicas.es/

Cathedral of Santa Maria – Catedral de Santa Maria

My second place to visit was to the Santa Maria Cathedral, arguably the most prized building in the city.

The first foundation stone of the Santa Maria Cathedral was laid in the late 14^th by Bishop Pedrosa and took four centuries to complete.

The different styles and cultures that have shaped the Cathedral is pretty impressive including 23 uniquely different chapels.

The bell tower is the second highest cathedral tower in Spain and can be seen from all parts of the city and beyond.

Make sure you visit Velez Chapel, the Central Nave, The Bell Tower, the Junteron Chapel and the Gothic cloister, which is now used as a Museum.

It was well worth the entrance fee to spend a couple of hours taking in the culture and atmosphere in such a historic building.

The Cathedral also offers guided tours for around €10 per person ( min 4 people ).

Opening Times: Tues to Friday. 11 am to 3 pm

Entrance Fee: Adults 5€ – Pensioners/Students 3€ . Includes Audio Guide.

Location: Plaza del Cardenal Belluga 1.

Website: https://catedralmurcia.com/

River Segura Bike Ride

My next stop was to hire a bike and go for ride along the River Segura.

I used a local bike company called Sobikes and went for their City Bike rental option at just €3 and hour rentals plus a refundable deposit.

The bike hire pick up point is located about a 5 minute walk from the cathedral.

I Rented the bike for 2 hours which was more than enough time to cycle along the river bank and double back through the old quarter.

Just a couple of minutes from the Cathedral there is a cycle lane right by the river. It will lead you over the two well historic bridges, Puente de los Peligros and the Pasarela Miguel Caballero, from there you can easily cycle right along the Paseo de la Mota. On reaching the Puente de la Fica I turned left and cycled back through the quaint lanes of the old quarter, exploring many historic sites and old buildings along the way.

Bike Hire: Sobikes Bike Rental: €3 an Hour.

Location: Calle Acisclo Díaz 15 (Ground Floor).

Website: https://www.sobikes.com/

Tapas & Drink at the Plaza de las Flores

To say I was hungry after the first three visits including my stimulating bike ride is an understatement.

The popular Plaza de las Flores square is located just a four minute walk from the bike hire drop off point back towards the cathedral.

This is great place to eat and chill out for an hour or two. There is a fun atmosphere and its always buzzing with people eating and drinking.

There are a number of popular tapas bars dotted all around the square. Each one serving up their unique take of this famous Spanish dish.

Very little English is spoken by the waiting staff in Murcia so it’s defiantly a good idea to keep our Spanish/English food glossary guide handy.

I thought Id try a couple of different bars and started at the Parlamento Andaluz, for a few Euros I enjoyed a tapa of marinated fresh anchovies ( Boquerones en Vinagre ) some normal cured anchovies with olives on a slice of white bread, very tasty.

Next stop was the Bar La Tapa which is more of an upmarket tapa bar/restaurant.

Here I enjoyed a plate of grilled prawns ( Gambas a la Plancha ) that were delicious, all washed down with a small Cana, draught beer.

Location: Plaza Flores, 7, 30004, Murcia. 5 Minute walk west of the Cathedral.

Royal Casino – Casino Real de Murcia

My last visit for the day was to the impressive Murcia Royal Casino, a real hidden gem that I would highly recommend visiting.

The Royal Casino is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city located just a few minutes walks from the Cathedral.

The building is quite low key from the outside and you would never think it was the entrance to such a unique and beautiful interior.

Construction of the casino started in 1847 and as is many Casinos in Spain, this is a private members club with areas that are open to the public.

It is home to sumptuously decorated rooms, a remarkable Arabic patio, magnificently decorated rooms, marble sculptures, a music lounge, a charming two-story English style library and a first-class restaurant.

Opening Times: Sunday to Tuesday from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm. Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 12:00 am. Thursday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 2:00 am.

Entrance Fee: Adults 5€ – Children 3€

Location: Calle Trapería, 18 Murcia, Spain

Website: http://realcasinomurcia.com/en

Transportation

Parking: Best to use the Municipal parking which offers over 6500 parking spaces throughout the city. You can choose which one is best for you via their website: https://aparcamurcia.com/

There is also underground parking below the Veronicas food market.

Train: National train service: Renfe

A return train fare from Alicante costs around €20 per adult and takes around 90 minutes each way.

By Road: It is very easy getting to Murcia by car, the roads and motorways are very good and pretty quiet. The national AP7 and A30 motorways lead to Murcia as well as the RM19 & RM23 dual carriageways.

Trip Summary

All in all I was very pleased with my day out in Murcia, I think I got the right balance of places to visit.

To save time I would recommend booking the bike hire online.

For the less energetic I would recommend leaving the bike hire and replacing it with an easy stroll along the river bank.

In all the day costs me less than €45 which included entrance fees, food, bike hire and parking fees. This didn’t include the petrol cost for the trip from San Javier.

Extra Note:

I made this trip in September 2019 before the current Covid situation so many of the historic sites now have limited opening times. If you are thinking of visiting Murcia, like any other place in Spain at the moment, its always best to check the opening times.

Accommodation and fine dining

A couple of nights rest at Hotel La Mariposa, just a few kilometres up the hill from Alhama de Murcia, was just what the doctor ordered. Adventure, tranquility, and socially distanced fine dining made for a wonderful mini-break. You don’t need to stay at the hotel to taste their amazing food, but a reservation is definitely a good idea to avoid disappointment. A four course menu del día for just €10 is incredible value, especially for a meal of such quality. The rooms are very comfortable too, with each based on a particular theme. We stayed in the Africa room full of memorabilia from the continent from which it gets its name. The price of the rooms may surprise you too, and they will certainly tempt you back sooner rather than later. Unfortunately our visit was too soon for the post-Covid measures to be in place for an afternoon by the swimming pool, but everything is in order now.

Adventure

Whether or not you are staying at the hotel, it’s a great place to find a bit of adventure. Espuna Adventure run a wide range of activities from the hotel. There’s kayaking, rafting and down-hill mountain biking on offer, but our choice was quad biking. If you can ride a push bike, you can drive one of these things. It takes a little bit of strength in the arms to manoeuvre at first, but very soon it becomes second nature. Under the tutorship of our excellent guide, Gary, my passenger would hardly have guessed that this was only my second time on a quad bike, and the first time was 17 years ago! We went out into the beautiful countryside and ended up swimming in the crystal blue waters of the Embalsa de la Rambla de Algeciras. It was a fabulous two hour trip culminating in a sumptuous lunch back at the hotel.

Walking The Loop

From the hotel there is an easy one hour circular walk you can do by yourself. Just ask the staff for directions. It takes you out into the countryside where you can admire the views and with a bit of luck, spot some wildlife. Hoping for some jabali (wild boar) we were disappointed but the birds were wonderful. A good pair of shoes, a bottle of water and some sunscreen are all that are required, but some binoculars and/or a camera will add a new dimension to your wandering.

We were not sponsored in any way for our visit, and they didn’t know until the end that I would be writing this post so all that we did was a truly authentic visit. Should you go there because of this blog, please be kind enough to mention it to them, and perhaps leave a comment here saying what you thought of the experience. One thing is for sure, we will be back.

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• Fun stuff to do from hiking to golf and scuba to horse-riding
• Extensive food, tapas and wine guides 
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Wherever you’re thinking of going in Murcia, there’s tons to see and do. Of course, before you arrive at one of Spain’s most South-Eastern regions, and particularly if you’re visiting from abroad, you’ll have to exchange currencies. Murcia is a very affordable part of Spain, especially compared to the metropolises like Madrid or Barcelona.

So what can you do to increase your euro exchange rate when you visit Murcia, to stretch your budget further? Well, find out below with these 10 tips. Keep them in mind for when you’re planning your visit, to potentially increase the amount of euro notes in your wallet.

1. Don’t leave exchanging currencies to the last minute.

This is because, if you buy your euros on the day you need them, you may have to accept whatever exchange rate is available there and then, even if it’s less favourable.

Instead, to increase your euro total for when you visit Murcia, start checking the exchange rate as soon as you know that you’re coming to Spain. This will give you a bigger window, to decide when it’s an advantageous moment to buy your euros for your holiday.

2. Be wary of exchanging currencies at the airport.

This is because the bureaux de change at the airport are notorious for their exchange rates. For example, in recent months, there have been reports of the airports exchange pounds to euros for less than 1.00.

In part, this is because the airport bureaux de change calculate that, if you’re buying euros there, you’re doing so at the last minute, and you’re a captive audience. So this is frequently reflected in their exchange rates.

3. Be realistic about the exchange rate you expect.

After all, if the pound to euro interbank exchange rate currently stands at 1.16, it may be unrealistic to want to buy your euros at 1.25. This would require sterling to jump by nine cents in the time between you start watching the exchange rates, and when you’re visiting Murcia, which would be exceptionally rare.

Instead, it’s arguably better to base your expectations on the exchange rate’s recent range, in the last month or so.

4. Check specialist websites like PoundSterlingForecast.com to stay up-to-date.

To check what’s happening to the euro interbank exchange rate recently, you can use specialist websites. For example, Foreign Currency Direct offers a Live Foreign Exchange Rates page, while Pound Sterling Forecast provides historical graphs and tables of the euro’s performance.

With these, you can stay up-to-date with the euro’s value versus other currencies, ahead of when you decide to visit Murcia for your holiday.

5. Don’t try to buy your euros at the ‘top’ of the market.

If you see that the euro interbank exchange rate is rising, you might be tempted to try and buy your euros at the ‘top’ of the market. However, the foreign exchange rate is volatile and frequently subject to sudden reverses.

So unless you’re glued to the interbank market 24/7, you may not buy your euros at the peak. Instead, to avoid disappoint, buy euros at an exchange rate that meets your expected budget for your Murcia trip.

6. Consult with a money transfer specialist beforehand.

Is this your first time exchanging a significant amount of currency, to visit Murcia? If so, you might like to consult with a money transfer specialist before you go.

They’ll be able to tell you what’s happened to the euro interbank exchange rate recently, and which factors could affect the value of the euro, looking ahead. Then, you can use this information to help you decide when it’s the appropriate time to buy euros, for your holiday.

7. Check trusted news sources, like the BBC or respectable newspapers.

In addition, another way to find out what’s affecting the value of the euro, before you exchange currencies to visit Murcia, is to check a trusted news source like the BBC.

If you type ‘pound euro bbc’ into Google, or visit the BBC’s finance section, you’ll find up-to-date articles on the interbank exchange rate, and what’s influencing the rate. Then, you can make up your mind if now is the right time to buy your euros, or decide to wait.

8. Check your bureau de change’s reviews online beforehand.

How can you be sure that the service and the exchange rate you’ll be offered by your bureau de change are adequate? Well, one way is to check your bureau de change’s reviews online before you go.

This way, you can see if the company’s previous customers were satisfied with the service, what they especially liked and what they didn’t. This is another helpful way to ensure that your visit to Murcia goes as smoothly as possible.

9. Compare the available exchange rates with MoneySupermarket.com.

One way to find out who’s offering the highest euro exchange rate at present is to use MoneySupermarket.com. Here, you’ll find a list of bureau de change, and their euro exchange rates.

Also, you can check whether you have to go in-branch to buy euros, or if you can order them online, to be delivered to you. This way, you can try and maximise your euro total, to make visiting Murcia in late 2019 or 2020 as pleasant as possible for you.

10. Make sure you order your euros well in advance.

If you decide to order your euros to be delivered to you, rather than visit a bureau de change in-person, make sure that you do so early enough for the currency to arrive, before your trip. Otherwise, there’ll only be there once you get back home from Spain.

On most bureaux de change’s website, they’ll tell you how long you can typically expect a euro delivery to take, as well as if you want to order a priority delivery, to arrive faster.

With these tips in mind, you might increase your euro total, for when you visit Murcia. This way, you can make the most of admiring Murcia city’s splendid Cathedral, Cartagena’s stunning Roman amphitheatre, or trying some local cuisine, such as “caldero murciano”.

Please note that the exchange rates within this article are interbank rates and are for indicative purposes only, and are not trading levels which E-Money Institution Pure FX offer. For live trading levels contact one of our currency brokers on +44 (0) 1494 671800.

This article does not constitute advice to any person on any matter and it is not intended as a recommendation to trade. Pure FX makes every reasonable effort to ensure that this information is accurate and complete but assumes no responsibility for and gives no warranty with regard to any loss arising from actions taken as a result of acting on this information.

In 1926, father and son Anastasio and Nicolás Martínez built a statue of Christ on this very spot. It was 10m high and took 14 months to complete. It lasted a mere decade though, as it was destroyed at the start of the Spanish Civil War.
In 1951 a new statue was constructed: the work of that very same son, Nicolás. This time it rose a huge 14m high making it the largest such statue in Spain. It’s a record that still stands today. Well over half a century on and it is an image that has become synonymous with the Murcian landscape.

It is not possible to climb up to the statue today as it is unsafe to do so and the access routes are fenced off. Instead, you can visit the Monteagudo Visitor Centre alongside the San Cayetano church at the foot of the hill. This has been built to allow you to explore the history of the hill, its prehistoric roots and Islamic foundations. Closed on Mondays, it welcomes visitors Tuesday to Saturday 09:30 – 14:00 and 17:00 – 19:30, and Sundays 10:00 – 14:00.

If you have enjoyed this blog and want to know more about visiting the city of Murcia, take a look at our Murcia City Guide.

Where exactly should you head to?

There are three main cities where you will be able to discover the most beautiful artworks within the autonomous community.

• Murcia
• Los Alcazares
• Cartagena

Let’s pay attention to the artists and festivals/events that colored the mentioned locations.

Street art in Murcia, capital city

The walls of the regional commerce of chamber for the metal industry in Murcia hosted 15 national and international artists in 2017.

Travellers may still observe the artworks next to Plaza Academia General del Aire. There are over 600 square meters of amazing murals.

Who are the international artists who painted at FREMM?

• Dale Grimshaw (London)
• Draw (Portugal)
• Mayoly (France)

Other national artists came from Valladolid, Tenerife, Asturias, and of course, Murcia!

Not that far, you can check famous Kobra’s Dali figure.

MUBAM, Murcia’s fine arts Museum

Another location worth to mention is MUBAM, located next to La Condomina’s stadium.

It hosts temporary exhibitions related to the urban & street art industries; being the most recent graffiti related event organized with the local graffiti public office’s help.

Where: Calle Obispo Frutos, 12
When: Tuesdays – Fridays 10.00AM – 2.00PM & 5.00PM – 8.00PM
Saturdays 11.00AM to 2.00PM & 5.00PM to 8.00PM
Sundays & Bank holidays 11.00AM to 2.00PM
Price: FREE

Street art in Los Alcazares

Los Alcazares (over 15,000 inhabitants) recently suffered the effects of a natural flood, which means that part of the artworks that where painted on facades and buildings are now gone.

Still, it is important to mention the effort and work of a local crew called…

La Compañía de Mario

A multidisciplinary group of artists working around different techniques:

• Videoart
• Graffiti
• Urban art
• Muralism

They believe that a different world is possible and thus their artworks are closely related to feminism, social and climate change.

Did you know that they participated in the decoration of 9 school buildings around Murcia region?

Street art Cartagena

Cartagena is well-known because of is Romans-Carthaginians traditional festivity. Thousands of people get to the city to enjoy one of the most beautiful outdoor events in Spain.

On the other hand, Cartagena is also famous in the area because of two graffiti related organizations/projects.

One urban world

Mucho Mas Mayo is an emergent arts festival which celebrated its 10^th edition in May 2019.

Among other areas of work, graffiti and street art were probably the two most notorious.

Kraser, a local artist who now lives in Milan (Italy) was in charge of the curatorial process for the M+M festival.

He helped bring artists such as:

• Mario Mankey (ES)
• Dourone (ES)
• Rosh (ES)
• Suso33

MURAM

An urban arts Museum in Cartagena where to not only observe, but also to participate in experiences related to street art and graffiti.

One of the most popular exhibitions held was ‘Arte Urbano: vándalos y leyendas’ (Urban art: vandals and legends), where visitors could observe the origins of New York’s graffiti and the street art’s new currents from Okudart, Bordalo, Vhils…

Did you know that they featured an original Bansky’s artwork in Murcia?

Where: Plaza de la Merced, 15, Cartagena, Murcia
When: Tuesdays – Fridays 10.00AM – 2.00PM & 5.00PM – 7.00PM
Saturdays 11.00AM to 2.00PM & 5.00PM to 8.00PM
Sundays & Bank holidays 11.00AM to 2.00PM
Price: FREE

Our opinion about the street art in Murcia

We love to see our cities colored. Thanks to the local, national and international artists who have colored our streets, it’s way more pleasant to walk and observe masterpieces as big as 5 floors buildings.

If you want to check more details about the street art in Murcia, check here

About the author:

Javier Garcia is a local street art enthusiast based in Madrid. He offers street art tours in Madrid, and also contributes to a graffiti blog.

Regardless of the origins, these languages have a musical lilt that people around the globe are naturally drawn to. Their countries of origin are favored travel destinations and can provide tourists with a taste of their culture.

Here are the best romance language countries to visit for an incredible cultural experience.

Spain

Spain is a deceptively large country, where many dialects of Spanish are spoken. What many visitors find surprising is that Spanish isn’t the only predominate language in Spain. Many parts of the country are still heavily influenced by Moorish culture, and the Arabic languages also have an essential role in these regions.

While there are many marvelous cities in Spain– Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona, to name a few– getting off the beaten path is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture. Visit the small towns throughout the country or venture into the wild and see animals that exist nowhere else on Earth.

Spain is an easy country to get around, despite the distance between major tourist hotspots. Hop one of the high speed trains to get from one side of the country to the other, or take advantage of one of forty domestic airports to get you where you need to go.

Italy

Italian is one of the well-known romantic languages, which has various dialects depending on the region you visit. From the words spoken in beautiful Tuscany homes to exchanges shared in Sicilian streets, wherever you travel in this gorgeous country, the music of romantic languages will fill your ears.

While in Italy, take some time to tour the magnificent Tuscan countryside, sipping Chianti and viewing the leaning tower of Pisa before heading to Florence to explore the most exquisite art of the Renaissance era. Head to Milan to shop in the fashion capital of the world, and Rome to see ancient marvels of a forgotten world.

Don’t forget to get off the mainland and explore some of the incredible islands off the coast. The Isle of Capri in the Bay of Naples is home to the otherworldly Blue Grotto, where the sea glows electric blue in the darkness of a secret cavern. Venice, the floating city, is one of the most romantic places on Earth. Hop in a gondola, watch the sunset, and experience roads of water without cars.

Portugal

Portugal is an innovative country that offers the best of the old world with new, fresh experiences. With a renewed focus on improving its tourism industry in recent years, Portugal is a fantastic place to explore for those who want something a little different.

Brush up on your Portuguese, and head to Madeira. This island is the perfect destination for exploring the outdoors and catching some sun. With stunning beaches and incredible parties, Madeira is just a taste of what Portugal has to offer.

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and often the first stopping point for tourists. Lisbon is ideal for tourists who prefer the budget approach to travel, rather than the luxury experience. Despite being a bustling tourist destination, prices in Lisbon are perfectly reasonable for budget travelers.

For an authentic Portuguese experience that’s entirely off the map, head to Monsanto. This rural, mountaintop village looks like a settlement from a fantasy novel, as it’s buildings are built to incorporate the massive boulders of the area. In Monsanto, you’ll experience sweeping vistas from houses that have been constructed under or sandwiched between giant rocks in a whimsical, fairytale-like town.

France

When most people picture France, they immediately envision the Eiffel Tower. This romance language country offers so much more than just Paris, though the capital has plenty to offer as well. Plan on spending a few days touring Paris, visiting the typical tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc Du Triomphe, the remains of the Notre Dame Cathedral, and The Louvre before moving on.

After leaving Paris, head to Normandy and pay your respects to those who lost their lives in the war. You can also visit the floating palace of Mont Saint Michel, a fairytale castle off the coast. Plan on venturing to Nice to take in the beaches and Lyon to immerse yourself in the culture.

While the Romance languages may have gotten their title through a bit of a misnomer, the fact remains that they stem from some of the most romantic regions on Earth. Pack your bags and show your love for these amazing cultures.

San Juan Castle

Dominating the skyline above Águilas is the castle of San Juan. The current incarnation was constructed in the 16th century to defend against pirate attacks, but archaeological remains suggest there was a castle on the site as early as 713AD. It’s quite a trek to get to the top but well worth it for the views. Don’t worry too much if you think the climb up there is going to be too strenuous as there is a lift! Various exhibits tell the story of the cannon batteries, the ammunition depot and the artillery terrace. Entry costs just €2 but be aware that it is closed on Mondays.

Railway Heritage

Tucked away underneath the railway station in Águilas is a veritable cornucopia of railway heritage and memorabilia. It may be a small museum but it is packed to the rafters with photos, models and everything to keep a train enthusiast occupied for a couple of hours. For the less enthusiastic an hour will probably suffice but it only costs a Euro and is open every day of the week. There is also an old steam locomotive standing proud over the road from the tourist information office as a monument to the railways.

Industrial Heritage

If you walk from the train station away from the town you can eventually follow the disused tracks all the way to the sea. This is where you can find the impressive Embarcadero de Hornillo which extends out over the water. This is where minerals from nearby mines were brought to the shore to be loaded onto waiting boats. It’s a prime example of the region’s industrial heritage and is fascinating to see even if you can’t get into the museum and visitor centre located in the lower tunnels. Contact the tourist office to find out when the museum is open as this changes throughout the year. During the summer months of July and August it appears to be open on a daily basis now.

Aquarium

CIMAR is the Centro Interpretación del Mar in Águilas. It also houses the local aquarium and a fine collection of tanks containing colourful tropical fish. Free to enter, it provides a fascinating insight into the town’s maritime history with various exhibits on view in the old fishing boat which dominates the shape of the building. The murals outside are pretty cool too.

Football Museum

Football fans really should head to the local team’s museum. Inside there is a treasure trove of football stories and memorabilia from throughout the long history of Aguilas CF. The story behind the replica European Cup on display is particularly fascinating. In 1997 the museum was visited by Lorenzo Sanz, then president of Real Madrid, for its grand opening. He made a promise that were Real ever to win the European Cup again, the Aguilas museum could have the replica. Sure enough, they were crowned European champions again that season after a long wait of 32 years. He stayed true to his word and the trophy sits proudly at the museum’s entrance.

A sports trivia question for you then. What is the oldest football stadium in Spain? Well, Aguilas CF claim to hold that record, but then so do Sporting Gijon. Aguilas’ El Rubial stadium, located just down the road from the museum, was constructed in 1913. There is, however, some debate as to the accuracy of this. Some reports say it was built in 1908 and holds the record ahead of Sporting Gijon’s El Molinón. Let’s not split hairs. The museum proudly displays a picture of the ground proclaiming it the oldest in Spain!!

Windmills

Set just above the promenade you can explore the old fisherman’s quarter. Several of the stairways have been beautifully painted with murals but getting the right angle to see them properly can be a challenge. Look out for signs pointing you towards Molino Sagrera. Once you get to the top, you will not be disappointed.

An old windmill has been fully restored and inside there is a very good visitor centre. In there you can learn all about how the air used to hum to the tune of turning windmills. Looking out over the town you can see at least one more windmill on the panoramic landscape.

Spanish Steps

A fascinating corner of Águilas is Rincon del Hornillo. Tucked out of the way, this hidden gem is reminiscent of work by Gaudi. It’s all the work of Juan Martinez Casuco though, who spent 12 years creating this masterpiece. You’ll be mesmerised just walking up and down the steps. There are benches to rest on and plenty of unusual architectural pieces to enjoy.

All of the locations above can easily be found on Google Maps, linked below. Enjoy your trip to Águilas and let us know what you thought in the comments at the foot of this post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also want to think about visiting Mazarron which is not too far away.

There are four floors in the musem. On the ground floor you should have a look at the information about the exhibition. If your Spanish isn’t great, take a dictionary, as it’s the only language available to you! Then take the lift up to the third and make your way back down via the stairs. A visit will probably take you an hour if you really enjoy this style of art.

Arguably the best know artist with work on display is Banksy, but many others from Spain as well as the USA, Brazil and even Tunisia are on display. Alongside each displayed piece is an informative plaque about the artist, again only in Spanish, but a criticism is that there is no information about the work of art itself. Street art often has a story to accompany it and its a shame that those stories are not told.

The whole exhibition is visually stunning. Please enjoy a selection of pictures and make sure you make a special journey to see them for yourself in Cartagena.

If you want to see more street art, look at our guide to the open air gallery of Los Alcázares. If you are looking for more things to do around Cartagena, why not buy the Cartagena ebook.

Getting There

The Embalse de Santomera is located just a couple of miles from the A7 motorway not far from Murcia city. Look for the Fortuna junction and follow the RM-423 until you see the signposts for the reservoir. Don’t worry if you accidentally stray into the grounds of the Water Authority’s Casa del Agua. This curious building can be visited by prior arrangement if you wish to learn more about how water resources are managed. There are some interesting sculptures and information boards in the grounds too, as well as some great views of the water.

A small car park can be found close to the old hostel which still has its colourful mosaic detailing various aspects of the local environment. A map is handily displayed of the PR-MU82 walking route. Taking a photograph of it is a good idea so that you can keep track of where you are. It clearly illustrates the 6.5km round walk and also shows some other tracks which you can explore.

Walk the walk!

The walk begins with a small climb up to the reservoir’s dam. You could just take a stroll straight down the the waterside and do a bit of birdwatching, but we followed the yellow and white waymarkers over the dam and into the hills. Along the way there were beautiful views of the water and the countryside. If it’s getting a little bit hot in the afternoons a morning stroll is probably better in the summer, and remember to take sensible shoes, a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water with you.

The path is easy to follow and the uphill sections were not too steep or strenuous. Rather than follow the entire length of the route, we turned onto a track marked by a purple spot just after the TV mast. This cut about 20 minutes off the walk, but it wasn’t the easiest descent in places. Just remember to turn right when you rejoin the main path, even though your instincts tell you to go left!

A spot of lunch

You can take a picnic with you and eat it with a view of the reservoir if you wish. That does add extra weight though, and rather than eat at the side of the car park, it may be better to continue a little further along the road where a large open area complete with picnic tables and barbecues awaits. Take a beach umbrella for some shade though as there isn’t a lot of shelter from the sun.

Alternatively, make your way back to the main road and continue into the town of Fortuna. There we can highly recommend the Panaderia La Purisma with incredible cakes and pastries which, having just finished a strenuous walk, you can easily justify sampling!

Nearby attractions

A few kilometres further up the road are the thermal swimming pools of Balneario de Leana. Costing €12 during the week and €16 at weekends, they are the perfect place to cool down after a hard morning of walking. There are three hotels on site if you wish to stay over, and several options for eating. Just a wander around is nice though, as the buildings have been repainted and are resplendent against the cloudless blue sky. It feels almost like a Hollywood film set.

Not too far away you can visit the Olive Oil almazara of Ramón Pérez Monday to Friday, but be aware that they close from 14:00-16:00. A collection of exotic birds can be found at the entrance to the yard. Park up and walk through the door shaped like a bottle of olive oil and buy something tasty to take home. Don’t forget to go downstairs into their bodega where some lesser known local wines can be found. Of course, it’s always nice to chat to the staff, and they may even treat you to some tasting of their lemon infused oil which is out of this world. It’s a product which will be launched in October alongside their new cafe.