Murcia to Cartagena and Lorca: Private day trip

One of the best harbours in Western Europe, the city has been settled since at least the 3rd century BC. Today, it offers visitors a wide range of attractions from various stages of its history. At the historic harbour, visitors can still see the 18th century sea wall built by Charles III, and the prototype of the world’s first submarine, and visit the Naval Museum or National Museum of Underwater Archaeology for more maritime history. The city has a slew of Roman sites such as the 1st century Roman theatre, which is considered one of the most important in Spain, with a museum for the artefacts found on the site. There’s also the remains of the old forum, which still has its luxurious marble floors, and the adjoining Roman baths. For something more recent, the city also offers some gorgeous modernist buildings, such as the Belle Époque town hall.

From Paleolithic times the town of Lorca has hosted a wide array of cultures and settlers, as can be seen from the numerous archaeological sites - from the Roman milestone, to the post-Reconquest Espolón and Alfonsina towers. The city was extensively damaged by a major earthquake in 2011, and later won the Europa Nostra Award for working to conserve its heritage with the restoration of six of the churches in its historic centre. Visitors to Lorca can also view the gate that granted passage through the wall that once surrounded the city in the 10th century, numerous churches and convents dating from different periods between the 15th and 18th centuries, and an array of stunning baroque palaces and stately homes. Whatever your interests, a visit to Lorca is sure to be one for the books.