In the south-eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula stretches the region, which earned the fame of the "hot Spanish frying pan." However, Murcia is also called the main "greenhouse" of the state. Despite the small amount of precipitation and the intense heat that stands here in the summer, the autonomous community is rich in lush orchards.

The nearest neighbors of Murcia are Valencia, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha. The land is also washed by the Mediterranean Sea and its own salt sea Mar Menor. By the size of the area - 11 313 square meters. km - this area ranks ninth among the rest of the Spanish provinces. It is interesting that a third of the population of the region lives in the administrative center of the autonomy, a city of the same name.

Capital - Murcia

The largest cities - Cartagena, Molina de Segura, Lorca

How to get

Tourists from Russia can choose as an arrival point the airport near the main city of the province. But you can fly to the airport in Alicante, from this city to go to Murcia for not more than an hour. Between the capital of the province and Madrid, Grenada, there is a direct motorway. Railway communication in the region is developed rather poorly, it is much more convenient to travel by autonomy on a bus, rented car or taxi. The main port of the region and Spain is Cartagena

Climate

"Six months of winter and the same months of hell" - such a saying about the hot climate of Murcia was it is not accidental. The abnormal summer is due to the presence of a close ring of mountains that surrounded these lands. The air circulation in the region is practically zero, and rains on the territory of the region are extremely rare. Nevertheless, the extensive gardens are not threatened by drought due to the waters of the Segura River, its tributaries and irrigation canals

Call the region's climate Mediterranean can only be a stretch. Snow locals see extremely rarely, the average temperature in winter is +11 ° C. In the summer months, depending on the area, the temperature can range from +27 ° C to +40 ° C.

Cuisine

In Murcia, consisting of only one area, gourmets will be offered a lot of unusual dishes. Special love of visitors to local cafes and restaurants is enjoyed by the original "Gypsy Bowler", a dish olla gitana, among which are potatoes, chick peas, carrots and peaches. Also in Murcia, many experiments with seafood, fish.

From delicacies served to the guests of the region, it is worth to mention the Murcian traditional pie with meat, a ram's head - a Christmas hit, dishes with snails. The autonomy is cooked with amazing sausages, paella, gazpacho, rice on rocks

Fun, sightseeing and attractions

Murcia is not so famous among tourists as Barcelona or Navarre, but foreigners in this part of the kingdom can enjoy traditional leisure activities, to devote time to fascinating excursions. The beach season in the coastal zone of Murcia begins in May and lasts until October.

In total there are about 200 refined bathing areas in the autonomy . Among them is La Manga , a state-of-the-art tourist complex with fantastic lagoons, protected parks and upscale hotels . This is a paradise between the two seas - the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor . Murcia Bay offers opportunities for yachting, windsurfing, diving and other active leisure activities . B pores ah and yacht clubs equipment rental points are opened . There are many thalassotherapy centers, spa centers, sulfuric and thermal springs in the region .

Cartagena

This city, as you can understand from the name , was founded by the Carthaginians. In ancient times, he wore another name - New Carthage. Today, it is a large populated area, the territory of which is partly occupied by islands, peninsulas and isthmuses. For tourists, the most interesting is the old part of the city, stretched between five hills. Here once there was a lake, which eventually dried up, disappearing from the map. The new part of Cartagena is built on the island of Tierra Bomba, and celebrities live here.

The Roman theater, restored in 2008, thermae, forum preserved in the streets of Cartagena , fragments of the Curia and other monuments. In addition to the ancient Roman ruins, in the city you can see the Punic wall. On the hill of Concepcion, the Old Cathedral is built, according to legend, it was founded by the Apostle James.

It is worth visiting the Archaeological and Naval Museums, the Castle of Concepcion, at the foot of the Carlos III Fortress Walls, in the Plaza Mercedes, in the Palace of Aguirre. The highlight of the place is the "Blind Tower", the only whole structure left from New Carthage. In September, local residents organize a festival "Carthaginians and Romans" lasting 10 days. A grandiose holiday is stylized as a costumed battle for the defenders of the cultural center of Murcia and the invaders.