Weather lowdown
Murcia is a small province of Spain located in the south east of the country. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with long sandy beaches and rugged mountainous areas. The capital of the region is the city also known as Murcia. Its location makes it accessible from many other cities in Spain yet it is lightly visited by tourists.
March is a great time to visit Murcia. The winter has ended but the peak season hasn't yet begun, so the resort will be relatively quiet and peaceful.
As spring begins, the average temperature in March gradually rises to 14°C. However, the weather is still quite unpredictable at this time of the year; temperatures can drop to lows of 8°C on an evening or rise dramatically to highs of 20°C on occasions. The weather on the coast of Murcia tends to be slightly cooler thanks to the light sea breeze, with an average of around 13°C on the Costa Cálida.
The amount of sunshine holiday makers will experience is the same as February, with 3 sunny hours per day. There's a 52% chance of a sunny day though, meaning that visitors should be able to enjoy the sun around half of the time.
The amount of rain stays the same as February too. March can see some rainfall, with an average of 30mm of rain spread over 6 days. That's an 18% chance of rain, so make sure to bring an umbrella or a jacket just in case. Throughout March, the most common type of precipitation is light rain and drizzle. Some days in March may be overcast, with an 18% chance of clouds.
Murcia's average sea temperature still hasn't warmed up after the cold winter and remains at 15°C, which may be slightly too cold for some swimmers. However, visitors to Murcia have the advantage of being close to the Mar Menor, an enclosed body of water that never drops below 18°C.
Take a look at the 14 day weather forcast for Murcia.
Where to stay
Murcia has some fantastic hotels and in March, tourists should be able to get some excellent deals.
Roda Golf & Beach Resort Calidona is ideally located close to Los Alcázares, just 15 minutes' drive from San Javier airport. The self-contained resort has a golf course, large outdoor swimming pools and a restaurant but Mar Menor beach and the town of Los Alcázares is only a kilometre away.
If you're looking for a beach-side hotel, the Hotel Cavanna will not disappoint. This four star hotel is located in the centre of the exclusive resort of La Manga, a narrow strip of land that separates the Mediterranean Sea from the bay of Mar Menor. For this reason, the hotel boasts stunning beach views from both sides and has a beautiful sandy beach on its doorstep. Facilities here include an international restaurant, water sports, an outdoor pool and a sun terrace.
For city centre accommodation, Murcia has plenty of great value options. Try the highly-rated Zenit Murcia which is located at the heart of the city next to Plaza de las Flores and just a 5-minute walk from Murcia Cathedral. This hotel makes a great base for exploring the attractions of Murcia city centre which can all be reached on foot.
Hit the beach
We've already mentioned the magnificent resort of La Manga and Mar Menor beach which offers guests a slice of paradise in Spain with calm blue waters and golden sand, but Murcia has plenty of other great beaches to discover.
Further south in Murcia, the resort of Puerto de Mazarrón has miles of fine sandy beaches. The area has been awarded a Blue Flag for its clean, safe waters. Playa Rihuete is located in the centre of Puerto de Mazarrón with plenty of facilities nearby, including restaurants, shops and children's play areas. Around the coast towards Bolnuevo, holiday makers can discover a variety of quieter, more secluded beaches. Bolnuevo itself has a 1.5km strip of sandy beach that's been developed without being spoilt.
Eating and drinking
You don't have to look far for great food and drink in Murcia. Located closed to the Spanish coast, the whole region is renowned for its delicious Mediterranean fare, fresh seafood and traditional tapas. Of course, there a variety of other cuisines for holiday makers to enjoy too.
El Girasol is located in Murcia city centre and is a vegetarian restaurant serving fresh and creative dishes. Popular with both locals and tourists, the restaurant is great value for money with a menu of the day for just 12 euros. Get there early or make a reservation as this restaurant is quite small and gets busy.
For those who choose to visit the Puerto de Mazarrón area, Viggos Restaurant is easy to locate as it sits right in the centre of the marina. The restaurant specialises in delicious pizzas and Spanish cuisine that guests can enjoy on the outdoor seating area with beautiful views over the water.
If you're looking for a true taste of Spanish cuisine, discover a hidden gem in the town of Archena. Atempo Weekend Bistrot is rated the number one restaurant in Murcia on Trip Advisor and is renowned for its fantastic tapas and wine list. Try the tasting menu for 27 per person which includes two appetizers, two starters, a fish course, a meat course and two small desserts.
Things to do
The mild climate of March allows plenty of opportunities to explore the region of Murcia.
The nearby Calblanque Regional Park makes for a great day out with the family. The Nature Reserve covers an area of 2400 hectares and has 13 kilometres of coastline with beautiful beaches, cliff tops and salt flats. The area is mostly natural and untouched, so take along a picnic as there are no eating facilities there.
Each month in Spain seems to have its own special and extremely popular festivals and celebrations. Just north from Murcia, in Valencia, visitors can take part in the famous Las Fallas de San José. Held between the 12th and 19th of March, it is one of the biggest and most important festivals in Spain and features bullfights, music, fireworks and celebrations. On the final night, large papier-mâché and wood effigies which are set on fire.
One of the most popular attractions of the Murcia region is its long list of golf courses. Frequent visitors can join Club Murcia which provides access to many of the local golf courses. With temperatures that are warming but not too hot, March is the perfect time for a round on the green.
