Murcia

Like many other Spanish cities, the Moors founded Murcia in the 9th century; under their rule the city developed into the region's centre that it still remained until today. The region stretches from Alicante in the north to Cartagena and Lorca in the south, and towards Moratalla in the west. The Moorish influence is hard to spot in the city itself, as many of the older neighbourhoods were established only in the 18th century when the city further expanded. After centuries of industrial growth, Murcia today holds a large university and, by that, a lively buzz of a considerable student population. Murcia still remains relatively undiscovered by tourism, especially compared to other coastal towns nearby. The area is mainly provincial farmland but there are also relatively young towns founded by sun starved foreigners. The villages in the surrounding mountains are well worth a visit, and it is easy to take day trips either by rental car, train or bus. The coastal region of Costa Cálida has many interesting destinations: Lorva’s baroque buildings, the quaint village of Moratalla, the glamorous beach community of La Manga, and the medieval neighbourhoods of Cartagena and Orihuela are only a few of them.