Recently I had the opportunity to tour Valencia, Cartagena and Murcia. These cities were fabulous to visit and a must for your Spanish bucket list.
Valencia is a port city. It’s bigger than I expected and has loads of interesting shops and shopping malls, however it’s largely known for its arts and sciences and its futuristic architecture. It has a fabulous planetarium, an aquarium and an interactive science museum. Valencia is a great place to take the kids, with the beaches nearby and the various museums to entertain.
Cartagena, in the Murcia province, is another picturesque port city and naval base. We took a drive down La Manga (a seaside spit approximately 22 kms long) and enjoyed a fabulous lunch of seafood paella and a walk along the strip. Also in Cartagena there is a historical military museum, a beautiful cathedral and a Roman Theatre. Just wandering the streets and the port/marina section is a must in this lovely city.
Nearby is the capital of the Murcia province (also called Murcia). This city is full of surprises. A university town, well known for its spectacular cathedral but it is also considered the city of contrasts — garden, sea and dessert. Beautiful and interesting, even just strolling around its streets is a delight. Enjoy tapas and a drink in one of the many gardens or picturesque squares. Walk around Santo Domingo Square and stop for a coffee in Romea Square — and don’t miss a visit to the Romea Theatre! Murcia has much to offer and would be well worth some independent investigation before a visit.
These really are cities that offer something for everyone, whether you want to lie on the beach, stroll around the city or hit the museums and cathedrals — you’ll find something here.
