Murcia

Beaches, golf, tranquil seas

Murcia has a relaxed atmosphere and the locals believe the most important thing is to enjoy life. Visitors sometimes find it difficult to adapt to this Mediterranean 'manana' attitude however, pretty soon they embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle.

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Murcia - Climate & Weather:

Murcia retains an average temperature of 21 degrees centigrade during the year and there are usually 320 sunny days per year. Such stable weather conditions are rarely found in any other part of the world.

Murcia - Historic Sightseeing:

Apart from the excellent beaches, there are many other attractions in this area and Murcia has a rich history. Declared an historic-artistic site in 1964, Lorca is known as the 'baroque city' because of the significant architectural legacy of this style standing in its historic centre.

From the Paleolithic period until Roman times, a wide variety of cultures and settlers converged in the town of Lorca and testimony to this are the great many archaeological sites, the Milaria Column from the Roman age, the Tower of Espolan or the Alfonsina Tower, among others.

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Also worth mentioning are the San Antonio Porch, a gate from the old walled enclosure which guarded the city, from the 10th century; the churches and convents of different ages and styles; and the palaces and baroque stately homes, such as the palace of Guevara, the palace of the Counts of San Julian or the Mula ancestral home.

As for military architecture, there is an outstanding fortress which transformed the medieval citadel into an impregnable enclosure, and as regards popular architecture, we must mention the structures standing on the cobblestone streets which flank Plaza de Espana, such as Zapateria and Cava.

The area is home to various museums including Museum Salzillo (Baroque sculpture), Museum Ramon Gaya (contemporary art) and a Museum of Archaeology displaying one of the most complete preserved Iberian archaeological collections and pieces found at different sites in the region.

Murcia - La Manga:

Less than ten minutes' drive inland from Mar de Cristal is La Manga Country Club, often referred to as one of the most exclusive resorts in Europe. La Manga resort boasts three 18-hole golf courses - one a championship course and, as you would expect, top class practice facilities and a golf academy offering courses for beginners and improvers alike. La Manga resort is also the winter headquarters for the Lawn Tennis Association and boasts 28 top class courts and a tennis academy offering on-court coaching and computer assisted video analysis. Other facilities include a bowling green, a climbing wall, crazy golf, a fitness centre and spa. La Manga resort is also home to the centre for professional football, used by many premiership football clubs for pre and mid season training breaks and is home to almost thirty bars and restaurants. Outside of La Manga resort there are a series of varied and interesting routes waiting to be explored on cycle, foot or horseback.

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Murcia - Costa Calida:

The unique Costa Calida is an area with two seas on one coastline - the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean - along with impressive cliffs, heavenly beaches of endless white sand, lively ports and wild coves with crystal clear water. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and mild temperatures even in winter, the Costa Calida is the ideal location for a relaxing hliday at any time of the year.

From the fishing town of Aguilas to the white dunes of the beach of El Mojon in San Pedro del Pinatar, you will discover mile after mile of beaches and deserted coves stretching all along the coastline.

In addition to these golden sandy enclaves there are delightful picturesque fishing villages, like La Azohia or Cabo de Palos, where you can lose yourself for a few days; ports like the one in Mazarron where you can spend a lively evening and enjoy its magnificent gastronomy after a day on the beach; heavenly areas of natural beauty, unique in the whole Mediterranean, at the beaches of Calblanque and Calnegre; and finally one of the most highly considered tourist complexes in the Mediterranean: La Manga del Mar Menor, a paradise between two seas with infinite beaches, sandy sea beds and crystalline waters.

Murcia - Mar Menor:

Throughout history, the so-called Mar Menor has had different names, all of which coincide in the description of a phenomenon that nature designed as a great coastal lake (originally, an open bay) of 170km2 of warm saltwater with a maximum depth of 7 metres. Throughhout history the wealth of its water, the kindness of the climate and the beauty of the area as a whole attracted many people. The Iberians and Phoenicians and, later, the Arabs had a part in the history of the Mar Menor. Historic skirmishes with pirates from Algeria led to the need to construct watchtowers, some of which are preserved today, such as that of El Ramo or Rami.

Until the 18th century, the area was occupied only by inhabitants dedicated to fishing and to the exploitation of the salt flats. From the 19th century, these areas gradually became centres for recreation and relaxation for the inhabitants of La Huerta, who established their summer residences next to the coast, attracted mainly by the curative properties of its brackish water.

Even today, the Mar Menor remains faithful to the concept of 'residential area' characterised by rest and tranquillity.

Murcia - Cartagena:

The rich legacy of Cartagena stretches along the shores of its marina. The Sea Wall, built by Carlos III (18th century), marks the boundaries of its historic quarter. Facing the Mediterranean are two features which are clearly linked to the sea: the prototype submarine designed by the inventor from Cartagena, Isaac Peral, and the National Museum of Maritime Archaeology. This museum, on the Navidad dyke, also houses the National Centre of Underwater Archaeological Investigation.

Through its discoveries, we can learn about aspects of naval construction, trade and navigation developed in the ancient world.

Murcia - Activities:

Fans of watersports will find Murcia to be one of the best places in the world for practising sailing, canoeing, swimming, water-skiing, jet-skiing, flysurfing, windsurfing, catamaranning, and every other type of watersport activity in its numerous clubs, ports and sailing schools.

The Nautical Resort on the Mar Menor and similar consortiums in Mazarron and Aguilas hire out equipment and offer sailing courses.

Murcia - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged, sophisticated holiday destinations in Murcia. Privately owned villas, apartments, villas with pools, hotels and Paradores, in beautiful coastal and rural locations in Murcia, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Spain.

So, if you're looking for an activity holiday golfing, walking, cycling and trekking; exploring Murcia's fascinating villages and historic towns; enjoying the tranquil beauty of the Mar Menor or a few rounds of golf at La Manga Country Club and Luxury Spa Hotel; fancy a spot of sailing, catamaranning, jet skiing, water skiing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming along the Costa Calida or simply sunbathing and relaxing on great beaches by the Mediterranean sea (much of Spain's south coast is also ideal for a spot of winter sun); or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Murcia, southern Spain, catamaran charters, holiday car hire and insurance.

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