Five Things to Do in Murcia, Spain
Spain is at the top of many travelers’ lists. According to the Telegraph, in 2014, Spain was the third most visited country in the world. Spain was the third country that I visited when traveling without my parents, during my first trip to Madrid in 2007. Subsequently I have been to Spain twice, with a second visit to Madrid and a trip to Barcelona.
While I haven’t yet fallen in love with Madrid, Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe and I highly suggest a visit. I hear a lot about the south of Spain, but have yet to visit so when I stumbled upon the Instagram account of Sienna Brown I was instantly intrigued. Sienna, a world traveler in her own right, lives in Murcia, in the south of Spain. Murcia is the seventh largest city in Spain with nearly half a million inhabitants.
On her Instagram Sienna shares pictures of her travels, but I was drawn in by the whimsical images of her everyday life in Murcia, so I asked her to share with us a bit about herself and five things any traveler should do in Murcia.
What do you do and why?
I’m the founder of Las Morenas de España and co-founder of WildSpice Magazine. I’m also a photographer and creative consultant. Professionally, I do a lot of things but my overall mission is to constantly inspire and empower others to live a life that they truly love.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY but also spent a decent part of my youth living in a small town upstate. I think my diverse background and having traveled often since I was a young child, thanks to my mother’s wanderlust, has prepared me for the life I’m living today.
Where do you live?
I’m currently living in Murcia, Spain — a small city in the southeast of the country. It’s quite beautiful, with wonderful weather and beautiful surroundings. The quality of life here is fantastic and I’m grateful to call it home. I made the move from NYC last September, so I’ve been here for almost a year and am planning on staying here until summer of 2016 before making the move back to Madrid (where I was living around three years ago).
Five Things to Do in Murcia, Spain
- Have lunch at El Girasol Vegetariano — This is one of my favorite restaurants in town and definitely one of the best smaller finds in the city. The ambiance and food there are truly one of a kind.
- Grab a café at Socolá — This spot opened up in February 2015 and it’s a must. From their delicious coffee to amazing cupcakes, you’ll want to spend all afternoon on one of their sofas chatting with a friend or getting to meet someone new.
- Take a short trip to the waterfall in Bullas — In a small town, about 40 minutes away from the city center, you can find an oasis. Bullas is one of my favorite getaway spots where you can go to Salto del Usero and swim in a small lagoon.
- Check out an exhibition — Murcia is definitely on the up-and-up when it comes to the arts and culture. There are always different exhibitions and events happening in the city and it’s a fantastic way to get to know some of the locals who are interested in the same types of things as you.
- Go for a bike ride by the river — There is a beautiful park and walkway by the Segura river that is perfect for an evening bike ride. The river goes from the center of the city all the way to surrounding smaller towns so the experience can last for as long as you’d like!
Where can people find you online?
You can find my website at siempregirando.com. You can also connect with me and follow my travels on instagram + twitter @siempregirando.
See more about Las Morenas de España here and WildSpice Mag here.
While Murcia is reachable by air from a number of European cities, Sienna suggests flying into Madrid and enjoying the city for a few hours or days then take a beautiful scenic train ride down to Murcia. It’s about four hours but is the cheapest combination with views to die for! If you are planning to visit the country soon, Las Morenas de España can help you plan your next Spanish holiday!
Have you been to Murcia? Is it on your list?
