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Barcelona is perhaps the most sought after destination in Spain, with its towering Sagrada Família Cathedral, the historic Gothic neighborhood and the colorful Güell park, but it is active to tourists they have not been welcome for several years now:
From a significant increases in tourist tax to widespread anti-visitor protests in the extent that some of the most extremist activists attack holidaymakers with water guns, the catalonic hub is far from the most hospitable place In Spain at the moment.
Still, who said that a sunny outing to Spain should have Barcelona or nothing at all?
What about an underrated Murcia instead?
About 365 miles west of Barcelona, Murcia is a lively city near the Mediterranean Sea that becomes a hotspot of tourism for the centuries.
Although less famous and much smaller in size -it has around 460,000 inhabitants, while Barcelona is a house for more than 1.6 million—––There is by no means lack of cultural wealth:
It may not be a Gaudí wonder, but the Murcia cathedral is just as impressive as Sagrada Família, and much older, also: built in the Middle Ages, over the ruins of a mosque from the Islamic era, it effortlessly combines Iberian gothic and baroque elements.
Sitting on Cardenal Belluga Square, adjacent to the cathedral itself, a striking red episcopal palace has been the headquarters of the diocese of Cartagena since the 18th century.
While daring in the historic center, you stumble against pedestrian strips Flanked by pastel -colored, low -fat buildings, relaxed bars that operate $ 5 tapas and age -old bridges that span a rapidly flowing river Segura.
The oldest of them, Puente de Los Pelightros A curved stone bridge was built as early as 1742.
All these old miracles made by man, Murcia’s pride and joy must be his royal casino, a graceful 19th-century structure that is distinguished by his Islamic influences-the Arabian courtyard is a tribute to the period of Murcia under Moorish rule and elegant displays of forge iron and branded glass.
If you are not unfavorable to put on your hiking shoes, the hilltop Medieval castle of Monteagudo, about 3 miles northeast of the center of Murcia, provides a good upward trek. It orders breathtaking view From the urban proliferation in the distance.
It is also crowned with a milestone, 14-meter high Jesus sculpture-and just as picturesque victims if you don’t have to take Rio’s Christ the Savior from your bucket list.
Beautiful beaches that are largely public
Cultural heritage aside, Murcia has recently received attention thanks to the sultry temperatures – it is a pleasant 68 ° F even in February – and an abundance of beautiful beaches within short driving distance.
Murcia itself is not directly on the coast, but it is Only a 40 -minute ride to Playa La ConchaA golden sandy beach hugged by warm water that is rarely too busy, even in high season.
For a more exclusive radiator experience, Calblanque is a regional coastal park with remote bays, naturist-friendly swimming places, where you are very welcome to look it all and really enjoy nature and millennia-old fossil dunes.
Nestled between the small coast of settlements of Mazarrón and Águilas, in the wider province of Murcia, the Calnegre Coves are even quieter to visit, and if you are looking for a well -milled environment, the La Manga is dominated by Resort is a Spanish cann in the making.
A narrow strip of land that protrudes in the Mediterranean Sea, it has a central road that runs from the mainland to its tip, bordered by luxury villas and golf clubs, and you are mistaken if you think it is only accessible to the very few:
A Fully furnished studio In a Aparthotel in La Manga del Mar Manor, a 2 -minute walk from the beach, you will return Of just $ 105 per night.
This is how affordable Murcia is to visit
In general, Murcia is an incredibly affordable destination according to Spain standards:
According to Budget your tripwho have compiled rates of 17 accommodation providers at night, the average overnight percentage in one 3-star hotel in Murcia is $ 58.
In the meantime, the boys are inside Numbeo have reached the conclusion that the average price of a meal in a local restaurant in the center of Murcia is only $ 14.39, while a three -course meal in combination with drinks in a luxury eatery should yield an acceptable $ 41.34.
In general, the restaurant prices in Murcia are 23.9% lower than in Barcelona, and for those who remain in the long term, the costs of living is even broader, by 31.9%.
The most obvious disadvantage is that, unlike the Catalan capital, you cannot fly non -stop to Murcia from the United States.
Nevertheless, there are ultra cheap flights from larger Spanish and European hubs to Murcia FRom as cheap as € 31 one -way roadas seen on VoloteaAnd the city is well connected to other regional capitals and provinces in Spain by rail.
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This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
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