The provinces second city is Cartagena. This is an ancient coastal city and the old part of the city is quite spectacular and many of the buildings go back to Phoenician times.

For walkers and lovers of nature, the Sierra Espuña National Park is within 25 minutes drive or even closer, just by the city of Murcia is the Sierra de Carrascoy and the ancient Santuario de la Fuensanta, the home of Murcia’s patron saint.

So if you are looking for the “real” Spain, if you want to experience a different way of life and embrace the Spanish culture, then Murcia and the Costa Cálida is for you.