Murcia
Murcia is a southeastern Spanish city with a Baroque cathedral, tapas bars and irrigated orchards at its edge, and it works well as a short food-focused stay.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Murcia is the capital of the Region of Murcia in southeastern Spain, on the Segura River. The city sits in the huerta, a plain of irrigated orchards and market gardens that reaches close to the city edge and shapes local cooking, which relies on seasonal vegetables and fruit. The cathedral was begun in Gothic style in the late 14th century and received its Baroque facade in the 18th century. It stands in the old town.
Tapas are a good reason to visit. Many bars serve a free tapa with each drink. Holy Week processions in spring fill the old streets. Summers are very hot, so spring and autumn suit walking the city best. Give Murcia two or three days, and add Cartagena and the Mar Menor by road if you have time.
Murcia in five
- Fly into Alicante or Murcia airportMurcia has its own airport at Corvera, with limited routes, and Alicante is a much larger gateway about an hour away by road or train. Compare fares and the transfer time before you book.
- See the cathedral facade at the golden hourThe Baroque facade on Plaza del Cardenal Belluga faces the plaza and glows in the evening. Check the cathedral's visiting hours and any tower access before you go.
- Eat the vegetables, not just the hamMurcia's huerta, the irrigated garden around the city, supplies local specialties such as zarangollo, a courgette and egg dish. Ask for the day's market dishes in tapas bars.
- Visit in spring or autumnMurcia is one of the hottest cities in Spain in July and August, often beyond 35°C. Spring brings the Easter processions and spring festival, and October is warm and quiet.Murcia Province
- Use Murcia as a base for CartagenaThe Roman and naval port of Cartagena is under an hour away by rail or road, and the Mar Menor and the beaches of the Costa Cálida are close. A car helps on the coast.Cartagena
Things to do in Murcia
See all attractions in Murcia
Need to know
- Airport
- Región de Murcia (RMU) at Corvera; Alicante (ALC) is the larger gateway
- Getting there
- Train or bus from Madrid, Alicante and Valencia; check high-speed times
- Getting around
- On foot in the old town; buses and a tram line beyond
- Best base
- Old town or around Plaza de las Flores
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; 3 with Cartagena and the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Mild, quietFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Spring, mildMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Easter, fiestasAprilClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, fiestas
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Warm, idealMayClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Hot, dryJuneClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low22°Very hotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh34°Low22°Very hotAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Hot, stillSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, still
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Mild, idealOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, ideal
- NovemberClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Mild, quietNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, lightsDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Murcia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Murcia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Murcia Province
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°12°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue23°14°30%Tuesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Wed18°13°30%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Thu22°12°15%Thursday: Fog. High 22°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Fri24°14°8%Friday: Fog. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat24°14°8%Saturday: Fog. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun24°14°15%Sunday: Fog. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 15%.
Updated 07:14 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JunBonfires of Saint John in AlicanteAlicante, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Cartagenaabout 45 min by train or busA Roman theater, a harbor and a naval museum.Read the guide
- Alicanteabout 1 to 1.5 hours by trainA castle, a promenade and a beach, plus the big airport.Read the guide
- Mar Menor and the coastabout 45 min by roadA shallow saltwater lagoon and a long strip of sand.Read the guide
Before you go to Murcia
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Murcia, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travellers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the current rules before you travel.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Spain. The number works from a mobile phone without credit.
Plan around Murcia
The Mar Menor, Cartagena and the Costa Cálida
Read the guideCartagena travel guideA Roman theater and a naval harbor
Read the guideAlicante travel guideThe larger airport and a city beach
Read the guideValencia travel guideA larger city, with paella and a fast train
Read the guideAll of SpainMadrid, Andalusia and the rest of the country
Read the guideGetting around EuropeTrain, bus and car options across Spain
Read the guideMurcia FAQ
Is Murcia worth visiting?
Yes for food, an authentic city atmosphere and a cathedral that rivals bigger cities. It has fewer tourists than Valencia or Alicante, so it suits a quiet city break or a base for Cartagena and the coast.
How many days do you need in Murcia?
One to two days cover the cathedral, the old town, the riverside and a tapas crawl. Add a day for Cartagena and another for the Mar Menor or a beach.
When is the best time to visit Murcia?
Spring, from March to May, and October. The Easter processions and spring festival are major local events, so book early for those weeks. July and August are very hot.
How hot does Murcia get in summer?
Highs often pass 35°C in July and August, and nights stay warm. Sightsee early and in the evening, and plan a beach day on the coast during the afternoon heat.
How do you get from Murcia to Cartagena?
By train or bus in about 45 minutes, or by car in a similar time. Cartagena is an easy day trip, with Roman sites and the harbor within walking distance of the station.