Theatre

Best cultural experience:

Teatro Villa de Molina

If you’re interested in music, opera, theatre or dance, then Teatro Villa de Molina, in Molina de Segura near the Murcia capital, has an agenda to suit your tastes. It’s a huge tunnel-shaped auditorium where every seat gets an excellent view. The agenda encompasses classical music, flamenco, recitals, plays, ballet, modern dance and theatre and comedy, attracting performers from around the world. Prices are excellent (tickets for less than €15), with some events free of charge.

Where: Teatro Villa de Molina, Careterra del Chorrico, Molina de Segura, Murcia, Tel: +34 968 640 268.

Website: www.molinadigital.es; tickets from www.ticketmaster.es

Food

Museum

Best place to see modern art:

MURAM

The Museo Regional de Arte Moderno (MURAM) is one of the newest museums in the region, opened in April 2009. It houses permanent and modern art exhibitions in the architecturally eclectic Palacio Aguirre, a palace built in 1901 in a rococo style, with a domed, panelled roof with floral motifs (think Gaudí). With over 800 square metres of exhibition space in eight rooms, plus a hall, classroom workshops, a shop and the terrace, the MURAM museum is a good way to spend the day – for free!

Where: Museo Regional de Arte Moderno, Plaza de La Merced 15 & 16, Cartagena, Murcia, Tel: +34 968 123 490.

Best for culture:

MUBAM and Babel

For any culture vulture planning a trip to Murcia, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia (MUBAM) should sit right at the very top of the must-see list. Housed in a former convent, visitors to the city’s premier art gallery can see some wondrous examples of pre-20th century local art. From the Renaissance work of Jacopo Florentino (whose works are also on display in the city’s cathedral) to 19th-century depictions of daily life in Murcia, this is an unmissable glimpse into the city’s past. If something more modern floats your boat, then head over to Babel. Just a short stroll from MUBAM, this is where <la nata> (or the crème de la crème) of Spain’s modern artists exhibit. Although past shows have featured works by international heavyweights such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Antoni Tapies, this gallery is unafraid to give relative unknowns serious wall space.  
Where:MUBAM: Calle Obispo Frutos, 12. Murcia. Tel: +34 968 239 346. Babel, Calle Apostoles, 24. Murcia. Tel: +34 968 212 898
Website: www.murciaturistica.es/museos; http://www.babelarte.com/

Family

Best way to investigate Cartagena:

Geocaching – Fuertenavidad

A multi-part “geocache” (treasure hunt in the city) takes you around most of the interesting sites of the port town of Cartagena (just 20 minutes from the airport) in the south of the region. Everything in the city is walkable, but you might want to jump in a car for the last part of the hunt, which ends at the wonderful Fort of Fuerte Navidad in the Cartagena bay, about 4km away. It’s an excellent way to get to know the city and see some of the highlights, including the castle, Roman remains and the amphitheatre – we promise you it will be a fun day out with your family!

Where: Cartagena City, Murcia.

Website: http://www.geocaching.com/ (search for “fuertenavidad”)

Outdoor

Best for day trips:

El Palmeral palm tree forest, Elche

Just a short drive up the E15 road from Murcia is Elche, a modestly sized town that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. But it’s not for its monumental castle, quaint winding streets or cheap eats of paella, rabbit and fish that cause visitors to flock here. Nor is it August’s vibrant fiesta, which has been recognised as an important cultural event by UNESCO. No, the main attraction is the humble palm tree – or, rather, all 15,000 of them. Elche is home to El Palmeral, the only palm tree forest in Europe. Said to date back to 5BC, this veritable jungle of dates and fronds surrounds and intrudes right into the heart of town. To appreciate El Palmeral at its best, do as the locals do and head for Huerto del Cura. This forest clearing in the centre of Elche has been transformed into a botanical garden, where, in early winter, you can sit on the terrace of the nearby Els Capellans restaurant and watch with amusement as people dodge the ripened dates fall from above.
Where: Els Capellans, Porta de la Morena, 14. Tel: +34 966 610 011
Website: www.huertodelcura.com/restaurante

Best for a breath of fresh air:

Sierra Espuna regional park

If you’ve pounded the streets under Murcia’s searing sun, you may well want to escape the city for a blast of cool, fresh mountain air. Found to the west, the Sierra Espuna regional park is a vast expanse of pine and oak forests. Ideal for a brisk hike, the park is also where you go if you want to spot some of the region’s protected fauna and flora. If you’re lucky, you could catch a glimpse of an imperial eagle or two and even the notoriously shy Mauremys turtle. The more energetic may want to take advantage of the park’s steep inclines and take in a rad bit of mountain biking; if so, the Espuna Adventure offers bike hire and guided routes as well as other outdoor activities.
Where: The Espuna Adventure, Hotel La Mariposa, Gebas, Murcia. Tel: +34 968 631 008
Website: http://www.espuna-adventure.com/