The Top 10 of Magical Murcia

This weekend I visited Murcia for the first time and visiting at Christmas time was such a good idea!  The whole city was lit up and it was magical and really put me in the festive spirit as Benidorm has approximately zero Christmas lights. (Okay it might have one street with some half hearted attempt at decoration.)

Here are 10 things I liked about Murcia :).  

Sorry if I missed out something you love about Murcia but please do tell me in the comments :)

10.  Plaza de Toros

I'm not sure if the Plaza de Toros is normally open for viewing but when I was there it unfortunately was not as I would have loved to see inside!  However it looks pretty big and impressive from the outside and I have never seen a bullring before so I thought it was pretty cool to see.














9.  Mercadillo Artesana Navideño

Although, again, season-related the Artisan Christmas Market on Gran Vía Alfonso X El Sabio is really nice.  There are lots of stalls selling handmade Belén figurines and crafts, jewellery, homemade jams, wine, honey, baked goods and much more. Nice for a wander and to taste some treats! The street also leads up to the Plaza Circular.


(image from www.regmurcia.com)






8.  Plaza Circular

The Plaza Circular is essentially a pretty plaza in the middle of a huge roundabout.  There's a big fountain surrounded by cute little palm trees and benches, a café bar and a children's play park.  I liked it!






























7.  Belén

Belénes (which means Bethlehems) are really popular in Spain and are like huge, intricate and detailed Nativity scenes.  I saw two in Murcia and I was really surprised how much detail went into them.  People were queuing outside to see the larger one when I left!  If you're in Murcia at Christmas I would suggest you go and see the one in the Episcopal Palace on Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, outside the Cathedral - whether you're religious or not! I'm not religious at all but I'm still glad I went to see one, especially after realising how popular they are in Spain.









6.  Imperial Pizzeria y Spaghetteria

This place was amazing! Inside the decor is modern and fresh and if you opt for outdoor seating you are on the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga with stunning up-close views of the cathedral!  The food is delicious and I was spoilt for choice and it's also very reasonably priced with most pizza/pasta dishes costing from €9-13 and seafood/meat dishes costing up to around €20.  I honestly loved this restaurant and if you live in/are travelling to Murcia you should definitely eat here.


(this is my friend Anna with her massive seafood pasta dish)






5. Gran Vía Escultor Francisco Salzillo (and onto Avenida Libertad)

This large shopping street, known locally as just 'Gran Vía', has every well-known Spanish high-street shop, some more upmarket shops and it also home to two El Corte Inglés' (a giant department store).  

I bought some Turrón from the Corte Inglés here to take home and some other Christmas gifts from the surrounding shops.  Also at night during December the Christmas lights look stunning! Really, gorgeous.












4.  Pan Moreno

Pan Moreno is a little tea-room and bakery on Calle Jara Carillo that has a wide range of quirky tea infusions and sell home-made empanadas (like pasties), croissants, pain au chocolats (gigantic), bread and other bollerias (cakes and stuff).  Anna and I went twice in one weekend!  First we tried champagne and strawberry flavoured green tea (10/10 would recommend) and also a mixed fruit and 'passion' flavoured tea which was also really nice! Very cute, if you like tea - go here for sure. 

- Oh also, an infusion and cake/pastry/empanada is only €2!!!!! I thought it was a mistake.




3.  Plaza de Las Flores

 This is honestly a must-do.  This little plaza is stuffed full of outdoor seating with heat lamps in the winter! :) ) for various tapas bars.  We ate lunch (at 5pm lol,.. España) at a bar called Fenix where the food was really nice and cheap!  We had a drink at a different bar on our second night just because we loved the atmosphere of the area so much the first time round. 




2.  Casino Real

This is not actually a gambling establishment as you may be thinking haha.  No, I am not suggesting that the second best thing to do in Murcia is go to Spain's equivalent of Nobles Amusements.  The Casino Real (Royal Casino) on Calle de la Trapería is surprisingly easy to miss despite its grand facade (We walked past it twice :/) as it is just another building on a long and narrow side-street.  However once you get inside this is no ordinary building!  It is one of the most historical buildings in Murcia and is home to library, billiards room, ballroom, dining room and reception (which can be rented out for weddings and other occasions, as I witnessed) and many original artworks.  It's stunning inside and definitely a must-see.





1.  Catedral de Santa María

The impressive cathedral is the heart of Murcia and definitely it's most spectacular attraction.  We saw it at night and in the day and it was equally as stunning both times.  You can also go inside and be blown away all over again.











I hope this was of some interest to anyone wishing to visit Murcia!  Also a summary of everything I loved over this weekend!

You can also read Anna's blog here if you wish!

I can't wait to go back to England this saturday for Navidaddddddd!!!

Beth xx