Share The Article

Barcelona may be the most sought-after destination in Spain, with its towering Sagrada Família cathedral, historic Gothic Quarter, and colorful Park Güell, but it’s been actively signaling to tourists they are no longer welcome for some years now:

From significant increases in the tourist tax to widespread anti-visitor protests to the extent that some of the most extremist activists are attacking vacationers with water pistols, the Catalonian hub is far from being the most welcoming place in Spain at the minute.

Still, who said a sunny getaway to Spain has to feature Barcelona or nothing at all?

How About Going To An Underrated Murcia Instead?

Some 365 miles west of Barcelona, Murcia is a lively city near the Mediterranean that’s set to become a tourism hotspot for the ages.

Though less famous and much smaller in size––it has around 460,000 inhabitants, whereas Barcelona is a metropolis home to over 1.6 million––it is by no means lacking in cultural wealth:

It may be no Gaudí wonder, but the Cathedral of Murcia is just-as-impressive as Sagrada Família, and much older, too: built in the Middle Ages, over the ruins of an Islamic-era mosque, it effortlessly blends 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.

As you venture deeper into the historic center, you’ll stumble across pedestrianized lanes flanked by pastel-hued, skinny edifices, laid-back bars serving $5 tapas, and centuries-old bridges spanning a fast-flowing River Segura.

The oldest of them, Puente de los Peligros is an arched stone bridge constructed as far back as 1742.

All these ancient manmade wonders aside, Murcia’s pride and joy has to be its Royal Casino, an ornate 19th-century structure distinguished by its Islamic influences–the Arab courtyard pays homage to Murcia’s period under Moorish rule–and elegant displays of wrought iron and stained glass.

If you’re not adverse to putting on your hiking shoes, the hilltop medieval castle of Monteagudo, some 3 miles northeast of downtown Murcia, makes for a good upward trek. It commands breathtaking views of the urban sprawl in the distance.

It is also crowned with a landmark, 14-meter high Jesus sculpture––an equally scenic dupe if you’re yet to tick Rio’s Christ the Redeemer off your bucket list.

Beautiful Beaches That Are Largely Crowd-Free

Cultural heritage aside, Murcia has been garnering attention lately thanks to its balmy temperatures––it’s a pleasant 68°F even in February––and plethora of beautiful beaches within short driving distance.

Murcia itself isn’t directly on the coast, yet it is only a 40-minute drive to Playa La Concha, a golden sand beach hugged by warm waters that rarely ever feels too crowded, even in the high season.

For a more exclusive beach experience, Calblanque is a regional coastal park offering secluded coves, naturist-friendly swimming spots, where you’re welcome to bare it all and truly soak up the nature, and millennia-old fossil dunes.

Nestled between the small coastal settlements of Mazarrón and Águilas, in the wider province of Murcia, the Calnegre Coves are even more tranquil to visit, and if you’re looking instead for a well-frequented environment, the resort-dominated La Manga is a Spanish Cancun in the making.

A narrow strip of land jutting out into the Mediterranean, it has a central road running from the mainland to its very tip, bordered by luxury villas and golf clubs, and you’re mistaken if you think it’s accessible only to the very few:

A fully furnished studio in an Aparthotel in La Manga del Mar Manor, a 2-minute walk from the beachfront, will set you back from as little as $ 105 a night.

This Is How Affordable Murcia Is To Visit

Overall, Murcia is an incredibly affordable destination by Spain standards:

According to Budget Your Trip, which compiled overnight rates from 17 accommodation providers, the average overnight rate in a 3-star hotel in Murcia is $58.

Meanwhile, the guys over in Numbeo have reached the conclusion the average price of a meal in a local restaurant in downtown Murcia is only $14.39, while a three-course meal paired with drinks in an upscale eatery should run you up an acceptable $41.34.

In general, restaurant prices in Murcia are 23.9% lower than in Barcelona, and for those staying long-term, the cost of living gap is even wider, at 31.9%.

The most obvious downside is that, unlike the Catalonian capital, you can’t fly nonstop to Murcia from the United States.

Nevertheless, there are ultra low-cost flights from larger Spanish and European hubs to Murcia from as cheap as €31 one-way, as seen on Volotea, and the city is well-connected to other regional capitals and provinces in Spain by railway.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Източник за тази статия

Наши спонсори са:

Български трактори на добри цени при изключително качество