Murcia

Day 1: Murcia city – baroque heart, huerta soul

Slow into Murcia’s rhythm among palm-lined avenues and the scent of lemon blossom from the huerta. The old town is compact, so you can wander between masterpieces, markets and river promenades with ease. Festival weeks transform the centre with road closures and pop-up venues—plan extra time.

• Morning: Step into the cathedral and the lively Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, then visit the Salzillo Museum to understand how Holy Week here became living art. Coffee at Plaza de las Flores before a short amble to the Teatro Romea.
• Midday: Graze at Mercado de Verónicas (try marineras, michirones, and a glass of local wine). If it’s Spring Festivals week, eat at the barracas in Jardín del Malecón—go early (around 13:00) or late (after 16:00) for a table; enjoy paparajotes but don’t eat the lemon leaf.
• Afternoon: Stroll the Paseo del Malecón into the huerta; in early March you’ll see blossom-bound orchards on the city’s edge. On Bando de la Huerta Tuesday (the week after Easter), dress in huertano attire if you can—avoid novelty costumes—and book parade chairs (€5–€15) on Gran Vía.
• Evening: If it’s Entierro de la Sardina Saturday, bring a bag to catch toys and keep a respectful distance during the sardine burning and fireworks. On non-festival nights, enjoy tapas around Plaza Julián Romea and a riverside paseo; check the city’s festival app in season for maps and live timings.

Day 2: Cartagena – Punic shores, Roman stones, naval pulse

Just 45 minutes from Murcia, Cartagena layers Punic ramparts, a Roman theatre and a working navy into a very walkable port city. It shines after dark, especially during processions and reenactments when drums and torches echo off stone.

• Morning: Explore the Roman Theatre Museum and climb to the castle for harbour views. During Carthagineses y Romanos (mid–late September), drop into the Campamento Festero when it opens to see legions and troops setting up—families are welcome and stalls serve hearty fare.
• Midday: Lunch in the fishermen’s quarter of Santa Lucía or, during the festival, at the encampment; September sun is fierce—hat and water essential. If you prefer museums, pair the Naval Museum with ARQVA to trace the port’s maritime story.
• Afternoon: Time your visit to a reenactment—the Wedding of Hannibal and Himilce or the Battle on the Cuesta del Batel—arrive 45–60 minutes early for a good spot. Outside festival weeks, take the harbour boat for sea-breeze views and WWII battery panoramas.
• Evening: In Semana Santa (March/April), watch the precise, silent processions—phones on silent and voices low as pasos pass. Otherwise, dine in the historic centre and take a late train/bus back to Murcia, noting road closures during big events.

Day 3: Season-led day trip – Caravaca, Lorca, or bloom and coast

Tailor your final day to the calendar: spring adrenaline in Caravaca, Easter pageantry in Lorca, late-winter blossom in Cieza, or carnival by the sea in Águilas. All are 45–90 minutes from Murcia and easy to combine with leisurely meals.

• Morning: If it’s 1–5 May, head to Caravaca de la Cruz to tour the hilltop sanctuary and museums; on 2 May for Caballos del Vino, learn the route early and never stand on the inside of the final curve. If it’s Easter week, go to Lorca first to visit the embroidery museums (muBBla and MASS) before crowds; book tribuna seats for the processions well in advance.
• Midday: Caravaca calls for migas and local vino; Lorca for a relaxed menú del día near Avenida Juan Carlos I. If late Feb–early Mar, choose Cieza’s Floración—book a guided orchard walk and picnic amid pink-and-white blossom.
• Afternoon: Caravaca race day demands an early spot and respect for animal lanes; the day before, see the horses a pelo for calmer viewing. In Lorca, arrive early to see stables and chariots, then cheer your colours (Blanco or Azul) along the grandstands. Alternatively, in Águilas (late Feb/Mar), enjoy carnival parades and a cuerva in Plaza de España—family-friendly earlier, exuberant later.
• Evening: Return to Murcia for a celebratory meal at a peña huertana if open in festival weeks, or a mellow terrace in the old town. For future trips, note: big-event hotels sell out 6–12 months ahead; city centres close to traffic—use trains/buses and allow time to walk.

By Air

• Region of Murcia International Airport (RMU, Corvera): ~25 km SW of Murcia city; 25–35 min by taxi/car. Shuttle buses (timed to flights) run to Murcia (30–40 min) and Cartagena (40–50 min). Car hire available on site.
• Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC): ~75 km NE; 50–60 min by car. Frequent direct ALSA buses to Murcia bus station (about 1–1¼ hours). Alternative is bus/train via Alicante city.
• Alternatives for wider connections: Madrid-Barajas (approx. 3½–4½ hours by car; fast AVE trains to Murcia in roughly 2¾–3 hours) and Valencia Airport (about 2½–3 hours by car; direct trains to Murcia).

By Train

• Main station: Murcia del Carmen (city centre).
• High-speed: AVE between Madrid-Chamartín and Murcia in about 2¾–3 hours (several daily).
• Long-distance: Direct Intercity/Talgo services to Valencia (around 3–3½ hours) and Barcelona (about 6½–7½ hours).
• Regional: Regular Media Distancia/Cercanías to Cartagena (45–60 min), Alicante (about 1–1½ hours), Lorca (≈1 hour) and Águilas (≈2 hours).
• Operator: Renfe (tickets via renfe.com and station offices).

By Bus

• Main hub: Estación de Autobuses de Murcia (central). Major operators include ALSA and Interbus.
• Key direct routes: Alicante Airport (about 1–1¼ hours), Alicante (≈1–1¼ hours), Cartagena (45–60 min), Madrid (≈4½–5½ hours), Valencia (≈4–5½ hours), Granada (≈3–4 hours), Almería (≈2½–3 hours).

By Car

• Primary routes: A-30 (Albacete–Murcia–Cartagena), A-7/AP-7 Mediterranean corridor.
• Typical drive times: Alicante ~50–60 min; Cartagena ~45 min; Valencia ~2½–3½ hours; Madrid ~3½–4½ hours; Granada ~3–3½ hours; Almería ~2–2½ hours.
• Notes: AP-7 is largely toll-free in this area; check for tolled stretches further north. Expect parking restrictions in the historic centre—use public car parks or park-and-ride options.