Fitting everything a city with more than 1,200 years of history has to offer into 48 hours is no easy task. Even so, we’ve managed it, and this guide to enjoying a weekend in Murcia is proof.

When you’re heading off for a weekend break, Friday is all about arriving at your destination and dropping off your bags. In Murcia, you’ll be staying at Sercotel Amistad Murcia or Sercotel JC1 Murcia. We won’t keep you long: we’re very efficient when it comes to check-in.

We recommend making the most of the evening to get your first taste of the city and admire its illuminated Cathedral. Take the opportunity to have dinner around Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, where the Cathedral is located. Murcia is all about quality local produce, and it’s hard to find somewhere that doesn’t serve good food.

Every visit to Murcia begins with a wander through its old town. You’ll find yourself stopping in front of the Cathedral again, falling in love with its magnificent Baroque façade and stepping inside to discover its blend of Renaissance and Gothic elements. What more could you ask for? The Cathedral itself has the answer: book a guided tour and climb its tower, which, at 90 metres tall—or 95 metres including the weather vane—is the second-highest cathedral tower in Spain.

You’ll need to come back down to earth if you want to explore Platería and Trapería streets. Their names come from the silversmiths who once worked on the former and the textile trade that took place on the latter. The area may look different today, but you can still feel the essence of times gone by in buildings such as the Real Casino de Murcia. Built in the mid-19th century, its stately splendour earned it protected status as a Site of Cultural Interest.

By this point, you’ll have worked up an appetite. In Murcia, going out for tapas is the order of the day, and you simply have to try a marinera: a long, crunchy breadstick topped with Russian salad and an anchovy. The version served at Café Bar Gran Vía, on Gran Vía Alfonso X el Sabio, is said to be delicious. Afterwards, when you’re ready for more, remember that Murcia’s market-garden produce takes centre stage. Dishes such as pisto, Murcian salad, vegetable rice or beans are guaranteed to hit the spot.

You may be tempted to linger over lunch. We understand, but we recommend summoning up the willpower to continue exploring the city. We haven’t even mentioned its museums yet, and you might well fancy delving into Murcia’s past at the Archaeological Museum; admiring the Islamic art of the Region of Murcia at the Santa Clara Museum; or learning more about the city’s most famous sculptor at the Salzillo Museum, provided its opening hours coincide with your visit.

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fuensanta, the patron saint of Murcia, is well worth a visit. The six-kilometre journey from the city centre will certainly be worth your while. Set within Carrascoy y El Valle Regional Park, it is surrounded by greenery and offers unforgettable views over the Segura Valley. You can also spend the morning hiking along its trails.

When you return, you’ll be pleased to know that you can recharge your batteries in Plaza de las Flores, one of the city’s most iconic tapas spots. You could order another marinera, but we encourage you to try matrimonios, a wonderful combination of salt-cured anchovy and anchovy marinated in vinegar; caballitos (battered prawn tails); or a mouthful or two of zarangollo, a delicious scrambled egg dish made with fresh market-garden produce.

For the day’s dose of culture, you could visit the Teatro Romea. As well as offering a varied and carefully curated programme, the building itself is a fine example of Neoclassical beauty with Modernist touches. And don’t think the curtain is about to come down on the city just yet. Murcia still has one final treat in store for you. You’ll find it along the Paseo del Malecón, accompanied by the gentle sound of the River Segura and a beautiful sunset.

If you enjoyed this guide, discover what to do, see and eat during a weekend in Cartagena here.