Camping in Murcia

During a holiday at one of Murcia's campsites, travellers can combine a beach holiday with discovery tours through the cities of the autonomous region. The metropolis of the same name, for example, impresses with its Gothic church and palace architecture as well as Baroque façades along the large shopping streets. The coast between Águilas and Cartagena is ideal for swimming and water sports.

Special features of camping in Murcia

Most holidaymakers are drawn to the Mediterranean coast for camping in the Region of Murcia. On the so-called Costa Cálida, up to 250 kilometres of beach await visitors. In places like El Mojón, La Manga del Mar Menor and Almería, holidaymakers can relax under Spain's hot sun or take advantage of the water sports on offer. Activities such as kitesurfing, sailing and surfing are popular here. Various harbour towns are the best starting points for these sports, while away from the coast, shallow hills and vast agricultural fields await visitors. Here you can go hiking and cycling, among other things. Historically and culturally, the architecture of the city of Murcia is particularly worth seeing.

Journey

The journey from Germany takes you across France and Catalonia to the south-east of Spain. The distance from Berlin to the destination is around 2,500 kilometres. From Hamburg you should plan on travelling 2,400 km, from Cologne 1,900 km and from Stuttgart 1,800 km. After crossing the border into France, it is advisable to use the roads in the east of the country. After a short stop in Alsace, you can head for the second largest city, Lyon, from where many travellers take a short detour to the Alps and take a look at Mont Blanc near Grenoble. Take the A6 motorway to the Côte d'Azur. Marseille is an important traffic junction there, where you change to the A9 coastal motorway. At this point, there are still around 1,000 kilometres to go. It therefore makes sense to spend the night in Marseille or a southern French city such as Montpellier or Perpignan. Barcelona, which is on the way, is also an interesting stopover with its modernist architecture. On the Spanish side, the Autopista Ap7 takes holidaymakers to the Murcia region. Tolls are charged in France and Spain.

Destinations in the Region of Murcia

Those who come to Murcia for camping usually park their motorhome near the coast, more specifically on the picturesque Costa Cálida with its fine beaches. However, the hinterland with historic towns such as Murcia is also worth a visit.

Murcia

The city of Murcia is located inland and is an important centre for the sale of regional fruit and vegetables. You can buy fresh produce at the local markets, for example. In the old town, it is worth taking a look at the Gothic cathedral from the 14th and 15th centuries. Shops and restaurants can be found around the Cardinal Belluga square.

Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the coastal and seaside resorts in the Region of Murcia. The city of 220,000 inhabitants offers excellent opportunities to relax on the idyllic beaches of the Mediterranean. From the harbour, you can set off on a sailing tour or an excursion by motorboat. The centre fascinates with its ancient Roman theatre and an ensemble of Art Nouveau buildings.

Costa Cálida

Located in the south-west of the Region of Murcia, the Costa Cálida is a favourite destination for all beach lovers. Places such as Águilas, El Mojón and the headland of La Manga offer the best conditions for relaxing on the beach. Mazarrón is one of the most important harbour towns and cultural centres in the area.

Top 5 sights

• Murcia Cathedral: The Gothic building was built in the 15th century, mainly in the Castilian style.
• Cartagena Roman Theatre: The port city of Cartagena has the second largest Roman theatre on the Iberian Peninsula.
• Mazarrón: The bay of Mazzarón is a popular holiday destination in Murcia with 35 km of beaches and hidden rocky coves.
• La Manga: The headland is almost 21 kilometres long and separates the Mar Menor area from the open Mediterranean.
• Lorca: In the medieval town, you can admire the castle with its Moorish architecture from the 13th century.

Top 2 insider tips

• Caravaca de la Cruz: The municipality is one of the five holy places of the Catholic Church. Legend has it that a miracle took place under Moorish rule in the city around 1231. After the Christian Reconquista, several churches were founded, such as the basilicas of El Salvador and Santa Clara. The cross that is said to have protected Caravaca from the Moors is worshipped in the Vera Cruz church.
• Águilas: The town is a popular destination, especially for beach holidaymakers. The clean, fine beaches are well worth a visit. Hiking fans can go on excursions to hidden rocky coves.

Activities and excursions

The Costa Cálida and the small sea with the headland of La Manga is one of the best places for a beach holiday in Murcia. Various organisers offer water sports and horseback rides into the hinterland.

Swimming fun on a dream beach

The beaches between Cartagena and Águilas are ideal for a relaxing beach holiday on the Mediterranean coast of Murcia. Here, travellers will find white beaches and first-class leisure facilities. Many campsites are just a few steps away from the water.

Sailing and kiting on the small sea

You can set off on a sailing trip along the coast from the harbour towns. Beginner courses are popular on the "small sea", the Mar Menor, which is separated from La Manga. Many holidaymakers also enjoy activities such as surfing and kitesurfing here. Local providers hire out the relevant sports equipment and offer courses.

Riding like Don Quixote

You can ride across the vast plains of the Region of Murcia in the style of Don Quixote. Just like in La Mancha, visitors will find the best conditions for excursions on horseback and can stop off at idyllic country inns on such a trip. Various farms offer guided tours.

events

March - April

• Easter: The Easter processions are a particularly important event in Catholic Spain. In Murcia, you can visit the cities of Cartagena and Lorca in particular to take part in the processions, especially on Good Friday.
• Entierro de la Sardina en Murcia: The Burial of the Sardine of Murcia is a special spring festival in which a parade of men in women's clothing ceremonially hand over an oversized sardine sculpture to the fire.
• Bando de la Huerta: The festival is more than 150 years old and marks the beginning of spring.

May

• Santisima y Vera Cruz de Caravaca: At the beginning of May, the miracle from the Middle Ages is commemorated in the holy city of Caravaca. The programme includes a procession to the cross, a parade with Moorish and Christian costumes and a horse race.

September

• Carthagnineses y Romanos: At the fiesta in Cartagena, the battles of the Punic War between the Carthaginians and the Romans are re-enacted. Visitors can expect exciting historical games in the ancient theatre. The spectacle is of course accompanied by music, entertainment for the children and traditional food

Gastronomy

Traditional agriculture has been practised in the Region of Murcia for many centuries. The hot temperatures provide particularly good conditions for growing fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, courgettes, oranges and olives. The produce can be found in country restaurants in salads or as an accompaniment to wine and beer, among other things. Tapas, small snacks such as tortillas, fried potatoes, chorizo sausage and olives are particularly popular. The smoked ham, which is sliced wafer-thin directly from the leg and tastes perfect with white bread, is also a speciality. With its proximity to the sea and Catalonia, paella has also become a classic in the Region of Murcia. The rice pan with fish and seafood can be purchased on the region's seafront promenades, among other places.

Best time to visit

Murcia is one of the hottest places in Spain. Temperatures reach an average high of 34 degrees Celsius, especially in summer. These values are reached in July and August in particular and can even be significantly higher at times. In June and September, you can still expect temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, while the Mediterranean heats up to 25 degrees Celsius due to the high levels of sunshine. If you want to enjoy somewhat milder climatic conditions at Murcia's campsites, you can travel between March and May, for example, with maximum temperatures of between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius, or between October and November under similar conditions. You can also spend the winter at an average of ten degrees Celsius from December to March.