Splendid Spain: Murcia – My Travel Notions

I took the 2-hour train ride from Albacete to Murcia. I was able to walk to and from the Albacete train station but at the Murcia train station, I took a taxi. A 25-minute walk in the heat with a backpack and suitcase, even a small one that rolls and fits into the overhead bin of a plane or train, still calls for a taxi.

Although the taxi driver dropped me off close to my booking.com apartment for the next three nights, I still had to figure out what little alleyway the building entrance was located. Wallah! I finally found it after wandering around for 15 minutes. Punched in the door code to enter the building and took the elevator to my second floor unit. Used another code to retrieve the key from a box by my apartment door and then spent 20 minutes trying to unlock the apartment door. Finally the host had to send me a video on how to unlock the door. Guess I’m not the only one who has done battle with the lock. But in the end, I finally opened it.

Except for the iffy WiFi, the apartment is comfortable, clean and in a good but hidden location close to what I want to see in Murcia. But that’s tomorrow’s adventure.

For today, it was the finding food adventure. I studied some places close by for dinner. Found a rather fancy restaurant that required a lot of google translating which for me means out of my very simple taste bud range. So I picked something comfortable, a burger joint just a couple minutes walk away.

And what did I order, well a Texas Burger of course. Angus beef, Chipotle BBQ, lettuce, tomato, Monterrey cheese and American cheese, bacon and a fried onion. I skipped the cheeses, but the burger and side of fries hit the spot. A little Texas in Spain.

Tomorrow will be a more of Spain as I check out Murcia!

Me about to enjoy my, of all things, Texas Burger at Black Urban Grill Murcia, Spain. Angus beef, Chipotle BBQ, lettuce, tomato, Monterrey cheese and American cheese, bacon and a fried onion. I skipped the cheeses, but the burger and side of fries hit the spot. A little bit of Texas in Spain. (Aug. 8, 2024)

The little alleyway I had a difficult time finding that led to the building entrance of the Apartamentos Santa Isabel where I stayed in Murcia. (Aug. 8, 2024)

The coded building entrance to the Apartamentos Santa Isable where I spent three nights in Murcia.

Once I finally got the door to the apartment to open, I was very pleased with, as it turned out, both the location and size of my spacious apartment in Murcia. (Aug. 8, 2024)

My bathroom at the Apartamentos Santa Isable in Murcia. (Aug. 8, 2024)

My bathroom at the Apartamentos Santa Isable in Murcia. Love a walk-in shower, especially one this size. (Aug. 8, 2024)

Took a free Spanish language only walking tour of Murcia. I did not understand most of what the guide said but I did catch a few things here and there. A walking tour is just a good way to get an introduction to a city. Plus, I’m always game to improve my understanding of the Spanish language.

Murcia is a city founded by the Emir of Cordoba in 825 with the Arabic name of Mursiyah. In 2023, the metro area population of Murcia was 512,000 and it’s the seventh largest city in Spain.

The city does not feel like a tourist haven, but more so like a sophisticated, historical, walkable and pleasant one. Murcia’s most notable sight is the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary in the Plaza del Cardenal Beluga, considered the heart of Murcia’s old town. But unfortunately, the Cathedral’s main and most picturesque face is covered by a colorful cartoon-like painting incorporating historical figures as it is being refurbished. I was slightly disappointed but the interior of the Cathedral was still open to the public.

Come check out beautiful Murcia with me.