The regional capital and University City on the river Segura is around 20 minutes away by car. This vibrant city was founded by the Moors in 825AD and boasts a beautiful Cathedral and University, as well as Botanic Gardens, Museums and other historic buildings around its narrow, but characterful streets.

The fabulous cathedral in Murcia city is well worth a visit. You can spot it from miles away because of its 96-metre tower which houses no less than 25 bells. Construction work on the cathedral started in the mid 14th century, on the site of a Moorish mosque, and lasted for another four centuries.

The city’s 18th century convent church of Santa Ana is another tourist attraction, partly because the sisters of the convent’s closed order bake cakes and sell them to the public through a revolving hatch (to avoid breaking their vow of no contact with the outside world).

Other places of interest include the magnificent 19th century casino and the Salzillo Museum which houses an impressive collection of life-sized polychrome sculptures. The figures were carved by 18th century Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo and beautifully painted in bright colours (polychrome means “many colours”). The figures are carried through the streets during the city’s famous Easter processions.