The long tradition of producing and exporting fruit, vegetables, and flowers made this region known as Europe's orchard.

Murcia

As an Erasmus exchange student, I have been lucky to live in Murcia, the capital of the Region, for almost half of the year. I remember other Spanish people telling me there is nothing to explore because "Murcia doesn't exist", and I was just excited to delve into everything Murcia had to offer. I truly enjoyed exploring this city on social, cultural, astronomical, and artistic levels.

This beautiful city is home to the "Cathedral de Santa Maria", which was built in 1385 on the foundations of an ancient mosque. It took until the 18th century for it to be fully completed, and it still stands today as evidence of how long the city has existed. The 95 m-tall tower's construction lasted from 1521 until 1791.

Make sure not to miss the city's casino. What's unique about the casino, you may ask? Well, this unique architecture and interior design are just some perks. This casino would turn you into the character in one of those classic golden movies where you can get a notion of how it is to spend time in the actual historical gentleman club. Yeah, I would begin to think about the special outfit too.

After some architectural sightseeing, take a walk along the Segura river and enjoy the sun. You can also rent a little boat and cruise the river itself.

There are many cozy alleys and squares in the old town next to the Segura river. One of the most charming squares is Plaza de Las Flores, a little flower oasis perfect for a stroll, a coffee, or a glass of wine. Prices there are a bit higher than in the rest of the city, so keep that in mind.

Some photos from La Capilla

One thing is inevitable, and that's, of course - tapas! Make sure to try the Murcian traditional one, namely Marinera (tapa with a Russian salad and sardine on top of it) and a typical Murcian dessert - Paparojte (fried lemon leaf).

In the heart of Murcia, you will find another square called Plaza Santo Domingo. I was astonished by the cute flower pots there along with the many coffee bars and restaurants.

Within a few minutes from Plaza Santo Domingo is the campus La Merced, a popular student square to hang out. Whenever my friends and I went out there, we usually went to Trocadero bar and enjoyed Murcian beer Estrella de Levante. Furthermore, if you're hungry and looking for more affordable Spanish tapas, Museo De La Tapa is a great choice. Don't go there during siesta though :)

If you are a sunset lover as I am, you should not miss views from the Sanctuary of Fuensanta and Castillo de Monteagudo. Although these two locations are a little outside of the city center, you can still easily go there by bus from Plaza Circular.

Both are lovely peaceful places to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city. As opposed to Fuensanta, a more touristy area with a charming church and terrace cafe, Castillo de Monteagudo is a viewpoint of cliffs and a statue of Jesus. Although you cannot walk all the way to the top, I think it's still worth a visit. It is incredible to see the views. It was a favorite spot for my friends and me to watch the sunset and drink cheap sangria from Mercadona, a Spanish supermarket chain.

To fully immerse yourself in the Murcian culture I warmly recommend you visit it during festival time. Bando de la Huerta, the most well-known celebration, is a great way to get into the atmosphere. Everyone is welcome to the celebration, so you may take join in the parade or just take in the festive atmosphere that fills the skies. I regret missing it, but I hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future.

City escapes

You may easily travel from Murcia to the nearby beaches to get lost and escape the city’s heat. My two favorite city getaways are most definitely Salto del Usero, a stunning natural pool where you can cool down on hot days, and Bolnuevo, a beach destination known for its natural rocks and crystal-clear Mediterranean sea.