About this experience
In sunny Murcia, surrounded by orange and lemon orchards, it is worth coming just to get acquainted with the stunning lace architecture of Spanish baroque. In a day, you will visit the main architectural dominants of the city, understand the interweaving of styles of the Cathedral, learn what happens behind the walls of the Royal Casino, and how the local residents differ from other Spaniards. And after tasting pastries at a cafe on Flower Square, you will be completely convinced that Murcia is worthy of admiration!
What to expect
Spanish Baroque Masterpieces
We will walk through the city center and visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary—one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Spain. The cathedral has been expanded and rebuilt several times, so you will find a kaleidoscope of architectural styles from Gothic to Neoclassicism in its appearance. On the central square of the city, next to the cathedral, you will see two baroque palaces—the magnificent Bishop's Palace, whose walls are adorned with bright fresco ornaments, and the austere Almudí Palace.
Murcia in Details: Casino, Fountains, and Cafes
Baroque is not the only pride of Murcia: along the way, you will encounter the grand building of the Town Hall, the Romea Theater named after a Murcian actor, and the famous Royal Casino—a brilliant modernist style building. Inside the casino, we will explore the ceremonial halls where to this day, members of the closed club gather—literary evenings, meetings, dances take place here, and multimillion deals are made at gaming tables. We will then walk along the Segura River, see the Sardine Fountain and the old 17th-century bridge, and then stop at one of the numerous cafes on Flower Square, a favorite relaxation spot for Murcians, to try the signature meat pies or pastries.
Understanding the Peculiarities of Local Culture
Murcia was founded by Muslims in the 9th century, and during the Reconquista, the city changed hands multiple times, which, of course, left its mark on its culture. You will learn how Murcia became part of the Crown of Castile, and also meet the peculiar local residents who speak with a charming accent, use diminutive endearing words, and love good food.
Who Will Enjoy the Walk
Travelers who want to escape the crowds of tourists, enjoy good Spanish cuisine, and admire Baroque style architecture.
Organizational Details
You can get to Murcia:
- by the regular bus of ALSA company from Alicante. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes. Round trip ticket cost: 10-15 euros.
- by suburban train (departures every hour, journey time—1 hour 20 minutes, round trip ticket cost—10 euros).
- we can go to Murcia in my car. In this case, there will be two of us—me and the driver, and the cost of the tour will increase by 60 euros.
- the tour is also possible on your car: in this case, the cost of the tour remains the same.
During the tour, there is a planned stop at a cafe (30 minutes). If you want to have lunch in Murcia or spend more time here, we can extend the duration of the tour—in this case, the surcharge will be 25 euros per hour.
