This lively city with beautiful beaches is the best winter holiday in Spain

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Man, Spain loves to express their opinions! Of course, it is well documented that many public gatherings have been to the dismay of innocent tourists just trying to enjoy their trip.

Spain is and forever will be one of the icons of Europe, but for better or worse, large-scale protests against tourism have captured global attention.

Has it been a holiday repellent? Not exactly. Madrid, Barcelona and countless islands are simply too attractive to pass up, even at the risk of being showered with water guns by the grumpy ‘Karens’…

However, wouldn’t it be nice to visit a vibrant cultural city with easy access to some of the country’s most beautiful coastlines?

The entire team of experts here at Travel Off Path put their heads together to come up with this The best winter accommodation in Spain – one with fewer crowds, magnetizing attractions, incredible beaches and yes, even hospitable locals.

It will come as no surprise that it is not one of the aforementioned household names of Spain; it’s the underrated city of Murcia, equal parts timeless charm and sun-drenched tranquility close to the coast.

Forget Ibiza! Fall in love with beaches you’ve never heard of

There’s no shortage of winter sun to look for in Spain, whether it’s paradise islands, world-famous cities, or what we’d like to reveal here as some of the country’s best-kept secrets…

Before we dive any further, let’s get a geography lesson out of the way – Murcia is both a city and an autonomous community with one province in southeastern Spain.

The city itself isn’t necessarily a beach destination, but it is a great gateway to some of the best, quiet beach towns that most tourists skip.

We briefly dive into the city of Murcia. ‘Until then, we all know that winter brings terrible weather to much of the world, with the Spanish coastline being an exception.

You may know Marbella, a whitewashed seaside resort, or perhaps even Alicante, if you’re a seasoned traveler like us, but chances are you don’t know the cluster of coastal towns that exude the laid-back charm of the Costa Calida, far off the typical tourist path of city-to-city fast trains and guide-led beach circuits.

Costa Calida is the coastal region of Murcia and offers authentic, everyday Mediterranean life where locals still outnumber tourists.

Which beach towns should you visit?

All of the following seaside resorts are located in Costa Calida:

• Aguilas (view of the castle over turquoise bays!)
• Mazarron
• Bolnuevo
• La Azohia
• Cartagena (home of beautiful ruins!)
• Los Alcazares
• San Javier
• San Pedro del Pinatar
• La Manga del Mar Menor
• Cabo de Palos (considered a top level dive site)

It is undoubtedly one of the most famous La Manga del Mar Menor as it is sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the scenic lagoon, along an unmissable, flashy resort trip.

But if you want more Insta credits for pristine gems, you’ll have to come along Bolnuevo. Here you’ll find otherworldly landscapes perfect for the ‘gram and crowd-free golden sands.

The truth is, you really can’t go wrong. Each hideaway has its own unique feel, from underrated resorts to rugged coastlines with a backdrop of natural curtains of staggering cliffs and rolling dunes.

Don’t sleep in the city of Murcia

With temperatures hovering around the mid-60s to late 70s, Murcia is an idyllic winter retreat for both a city break and a seaside retreat.

The city is easily reached by train from numerous Spanish hotspots, making access to remote locations easier than time permits at this time of year.

At least if you want to avoid connecting flights. If not, Ryanair has just launched a new route from London, one of Europe’s most connected cities, to the United States for a seamless stopover.

As far as Spanish cities go, Murcia has been largely underrated in the shadows of the more popular destinations, but as more travelers explore the lesser-known destinations, this is just the place, as it is well equipped to embrace a flood of new visitors.

Murcia boasts architectural wonders such as the Murcia Cathedral and the Baroque Episcopal Palace.

Better yet, you’ll discover an endless maze of beautiful squares that will take you back centuries – the perfect excuse to find an open bar stool to snack on cheap, savory tapas and take in the scenery.

But what’s perhaps most overlooked on a grand scale of one of Spain’s most underrated cities is that the Segura River divides the old and new cityscape with pink, red tiles – it’s truly postcard-worthy.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.

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