What to see and do

Plaza hop

MURCIA is all about plaza hopping. Start at the ornate La Glorieta, home to the city’s pink-tinged town hall and grandiose Bishop’s Palace (Palacio Episcopal). Wander past the towering cathedral via Plaza de los Apostoles. Then go to the flowerstrewn Plaza de las Flores.

Visit the tower at Catedral de Murcia

MURCIA’S decorative cathedral was built on the site of an old

Arab mosque — the Moors founded Murcia in AD 825. A blend of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles, the cathedral has a 95m tower visitors can scale for five euros (£4.50). Two daily tours to be booked in advance, but make sure you request English. It’s worth a visit for views of the city ( catedralmurcia.org).

Tapas with the locals

MERCADO de Abastos de Veronicas and Mercado de Correos are very different markets. The former is a traditional fish, meat and vegetable market where locals pick up their groceries. The latter is a modern food market housed in the old post office. You’ll find a range of options, from tapas to Chinese, Italian or international fare.

Tour the Real Casino de Murcia

FOUNDED in 1847, the iconic Real Casino de Murcia, is perhaps the city’s finest architectural showpiece. A blend of 19th and early 20th-century style, it’s home to an elaborate Arabic courtyard and a French-style neo-Baroque ballroom. Entrance costs £4.30 ( realcasinomurcia.com).