Ideas for a romantic trip to Murcia: six ideas to enjoy as a couple

Murcia is one of the regions of Spain that combines the beauty of the sea, the magnificence of its natural spaces, and a fabulous gastronomic tradition to create the perfect stay with your partner. In this guide, we offer you six romantic activities that you can enjoy at any time of the year.

1. 1. A selection of ideas
      • A walk along the river Segura/a>
      • Wine tasting in Jumilla
      • A bicycle ride around the San Pedro del Pinatar salt flats
      • Sunset at Calblanque
      • Balneario de Archena

1. 2. Where to stay in Murcia

A selection of ideas

A walk along the river Segura

Murcia’s history and its way of life have always been linked to the river Segura. The Segura has not always symbolised romance, or even health and well-being. Nevertheless, Murcia’s historic centre has always managed to achieve a perfect balance with this river, which has become the perfect spot for couples to stroll, on a par with the Seine in Paris.

The river walk is the perfect activity for couples. The restored and pedestrianised river area provides a different perspective from which to enjoy Murcia, while having a drink or walking along the riverbank.

Moreover, you can now also enjoy the experience of a trip along part of the river in a rowing boat, thanks to El Tío de la Barca. This romantic trip starts at the eighteenth-century Puente de los Peligros or Puente Viejo [Old Bridge], and takes you on a tour of the city’s history without losing sight of its most emblematic buildings.

It is an experience which, thanks to Murcia’s pleasant climate, you can enjoy at any time of the year.

Wine tasting in Jumilla

Murcia has three wine Appellations of Origin: Yecla, Bulla  and Jumilla, and in all three areas there are wineries where you can visit and taste the wines.

Seeing how the wine is produced, enjoying a tasting and walking around the vineyards is one of the most romantic activities on offer in this region, where the sun and the land always seem to work in close harmony.

One of the prettiest places to make this dream come true is Jumilla, with a visit to the Hacienda del Carche Wine Museum. This is a perfect spot in which to enjoy the world of wine and learn a few of its secrets.

This museum recounts chronologically the history of the fruit of Bacchus in Jumilla, and how traditions and the land have been employed to ensure that the finest, highest quality vines grow and flourish.

Once you have had a chance to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into producing wine, the best plan is to taste some wines, accompanied by a few tapas, to enjoy this fabulous gastronomy in the best possible company.

The Castillo de Lorca Parador

Lorca is a fantastic city to visit, and perfect for a stroll with your partner around its historic and Jewish quarters, with their narrow streets and pretty squares. The ideal climax to this visit is to spend a night at the Lorca Castillo Parador (luxury, state-run hotel), a nineteenth-century building with one of the best views of the whole city.

The hotel is located in the same area as the Castle, known as the Fortaleza del Sol [Fortress of the Sun], a former Moorish Alcazaba and the emblem of Lorca, with its cistern and the Almohad wall that protected the hill. The hotel also has a superb spa, one of the finest in the network of Paradors, and a covered swimming pool that will tempt you to go for a romantic swim at any time of the year — even if only to enjoy the views.

The Helios del Parador restaurant offers a comprehensive menu of typical Murcian cuisine, a blend of Arab, Jewish and Andalusian cuisine, which showcases local products such as Calasparra rice, cured meats and chato (breed of pig originating in Murcia).

A bicycle ride around the San Pedro del Pinatar salt flats

The Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar Regional Park is one of the best conserved natural sites in Murcia, and the perfect place to encounter nature in its unspoilt state.

If you enjoy cycling, the San Pedro del Pinatar dunes and salt flats in this lovely corner of the Mediterranean are a great landscape to tour with your partner, thanks to the cycle path that takes you all over it.

During your ride, you may have the pleasure of seeing a great number of birds that live in this regional park, and others that are just passing through, all depending on the time of year. Most eye-catching are the families of flamingos that you may see soon after you start your ride.

These pink wading birds lend a colourful touch to the blue sea that tones with the sand of the dunes. In the winter, you may also see avocets, stilts and black-necked grebes, great cormorants and sandpipers.

If you are visiting during the summer, don’t forget to pack a swimsuit in your rucksack, as it is amazing to go for a swim from the wild beach of Torre Derribada.

Sunset at Calblanque

All Murcia’s coves and beaches are a great attraction for couples in search of a romantic getaway, but some things are particularly enjoyable as a shared experience. One example is Calblanque, one of the most spectacular places to enjoy a sunset in peace with very few people around.

This regional park, located in Cartagena, is one of Murcia’s most important unspoilt areas, and offers a wide range of options for visitors: coves, fossil dunes, salt flats, and even black cliffs separating Punta Negra from Cala Reona. But whatever activity you choose, this has to be one of the most romantic spots in Murcia.

Balneario de Archena

This Spa is one of the most highly regarded in Spain, thanks to the curative properties of its waters which spring out at 52º after having been below the surface of the Earth for 15,000 years. Everyone talks about the benefits for relief of pain, injuries and respiratory illnesses. But most of all, this oasis located inside the Valle de Ricote Regional Park is the perfect shock treatment for stress.

Archena also has a very mild climate almost all the year round, making it the perfect setting for a fun, romantic break.

The complex itself offers a special package which includes a couples massage and use of the thermal circuit for an hour and a half. For those who would like a more complete experience, visitors can also choose to stay the night here to take advantage of all that the spa offers by day and by night.

Where to stay in Murcia

If you’re looking for a romantic hotel in Murcia, the best option is the four-star Occidental Murcia Siete Coronas. The hotel’s fully-refurbished building is located in the heart of the city of Murcia, and very close to the Segura river walk.

It is a great place, combining excellent service with a rich history both inside and outside the hotel, as it is only a few minutes’ walk from Murcia’s most emblematic buildings.

In addition, many of its 156 rooms have views of the city and guarantee a quiet stay, complemented by the most efficient service.

The Occidental Murcia Siete Coronas also has a fantastic restaurant, El Bistro, with a terrace. The hotel offers a car park as well as the possibility of bringing your pets if there are three or four of you.