Things to see

The city of Murcia has a large number of historical monuments and museums as well as art galleries for those who want to explore the city. The nearby coastal town of San Pedro del Pinatar was made famous for its salt water pools and large scale sea salt production. The town is a beautiful example of traditional Spain and has a number of small museums and monuments scattered around the town.

Thigs to do
The rugged landscape of the Murcia region is ideal for a number of adventure activities and there are plenty of facilities located either in the city itself or the surrounding areas. For the more adventurous there are opportunities to go caving and canyoning in the mountainous regions, you can also go canoeing, kayaking and paragliding. If you'd rather keep your feet on the ground there are plenty of hiking trails that snake through the countryside.

Festivals
The Holy Week Procession is one of the biggest celebrations in the region, especially in the city of Cartagena along the coast. Bando de la Huerta is a large scale spring festival in the city of Murcia that celebrates local produce and local cuisine; most of the city takes to the streets in fancy dress to watch the parades and marching bands. Another strange springtime festival is the Entierro de la Sardina, or Burial of the Sardine, involving processions and fireworks.

Architecture
Murcia is a historic city filled with ancient monuments and beautiful buildings such as the large Cathedral de Santa Maria in the centre of the city. Some other popular sites include the Castle of Monteagudo, situated on a hilltop outside of the city, and the impressive Almudi Palace. One of the older relics of the city is the 11th century fortress, with its excellent views of the surrounding areas.

Beaches
La Manga and the Mar Menor is a long sand bar that shelters the Mar Menor lagoon from the Mediterranean and along the sand bar there are plenty of excellent beaches to choose from. The smaller towns of Águilas and Mazarrón along the coast are also home to some popular beaches. San Pedro del Pinatar is a historic town up the coast known for its salt flats that also has an excellent beach, popular with tourist and locals.

Attractions
Torrevieja is a popular seaside resort of the Murcia region because of its five Blue Flag beaches. The stretches of sandy beach are some of the best in Spain and as such have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness. The lagoon at Mar Menor is home to 70 kilometres of sandy beaches, secluded coves and sheltered bays that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Activities
The sandy beaches of the Murcia region are ideal for soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine and relaxing. The clear blue waters are perfect for swimming, especially the shallow waters of the Mar Menor lagoon. On many of the beaches there are facilities for a range of water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, sailing and jet-skiing. In fact many of the larger hotels on the beaches have their own water sports facilities.

Hotels
There are a huge number of hotels along the coastline of the Murcia region, many of which are situated directly on one of the beaches, and some have their own private stretches of beach. The Ibersol Aqquamarina Hotel is situated moments from the beach in the beautiful La Manga Del Mar Menor region. The hotel has beautiful views of the sea as well as a large tranquil pool for those days when you don't fancy the beach.

Hotel Ibersol AqquaMarina Bay
Things to see
The city of Murcia and the surrounding areas has plenty of attractions that are ideal for couples looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway in the sunshine. The city has a number of beautiful gardens that are perfect for strolling with an ice cream or for relaxing in the shade when the sun is at its hottest. The region is also home to a number of vineyards which run guided tours of the vines or put on wine tasting courses.

Activities
Murcia is modern city that manages to maintain is historic charm. There are a number of historic sites that are well worth a visit such as the impressive Almudi Palace or the Monteagudo Castle. There are also a number of excellent scenic walks in the countryside around the city that are great for those who love to explore and discover some beautiful views.

Nightlife
Murcia is well known for its lively nightlife and there are a wide range of places to choose from for an exciting night in the city. If you can you should really try and catch a flamenco dancing show, you'll no doubt get caught up in the atmosphere and the night will fly by to the sound of guitars and maracas. If you are feeling like a bite to eat head to a traditional tapas bar and try one of the local specialities. For more late night style entertainment head to one of the clubs or there's the casino if you fancy a flutter.

Hotels
The city has no shortage of hotels and accommodation ranging from five star luxury to affordable self-catered apartments, you'll certainly be able to find something to suit you. If you would rather stay in the bustling city there are plenty of hotels to choose from , there are also plenty of hotels along the coast if you'd rather be close to the beach.

Attractions
The region of Murcia has been a popular tourist destination for a number of years and it is in part because of the excellent beaches along the coastline. The nearby town of Torrevieja boasts five beaches that have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness. Murcia itself has a number of traditional style markets that are great for soaking up the atmosphere of the town, not to mention for picking up a bargain.

Things to do
If you are partial to a spot of shopping, whether it's designer labels you are after or a bargain in an independent boutique, there's something to satisfy all types of shopper in Murcia, and perfect if you just want to window shop. The countryside around Murcia and in throughout the region is full of dramatic vistas and views, making it the perfect setting for scenic walks, especially in the evening. For something a little more memorable why not try out horse riding in the countryside around the city?

Nightlife
The city of Murcia is not short of restaurants. If you are looking to sample some traditional Spanish food then make your way to one of the many tapas bars that you can find all over the city. For the best experience sample the specials in a number of the restaurants, preferably partnered with a glass of sherry or wine, let the waiters pick for you, they know what goes best with each dish.

Hotels
Murcia has become an increasingly popular city over the years and it has plenty of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. Many of the hotels are suitably equipped for families with children, by having children's pools and play areas or entertainment throughout the day. The Hotel Costa Narejos is popular with families, situated close to the beautiful salt lagoon at Mar Menor on the coast.