This Vibrant City With Stunning Beaches Is Spain’s Top Winter Getaway

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Man, Spain sure loves to speak their mind! Of course, it’s well-documented that many public gatherings have been to the dismay of harmless tourists simply trying to enjoy their trip.

Spain is and forever will be one of Europe’s icons, but for better or worse, wide-ranging anti-tourism protests have garnered attention worldwide.

Has it been a vacation repellent? Not exactly. Madrid, Barcelona, and numerous islands are simply too enticing to pass up, even with the risk of being doused with water pistols by grumpy ‘Karens’…

However, wouldn’t it be nice to visit a vibrant cultural city with easy access to some of the country’s most beautiful shores?

The whole team of experts here at Travel Off Path has put our heads together to come up with Spain’s top winter getaway — one with fewer crowds, magnetizing attractions, incredible beaches, and yes, even welcoming locals.

To no surprise, it’s not any of Spain’s aforementioned household names — it’s the underrated city of Murcia, equal parts timeless charm and sun-drenched serenity in close reach to the coast.

Forget Ibiza! Fall In Love With Beaches You’ve Never Heard Of

There’s no shortage of winter sun to seek out in Spain, whether it be paradisal islands, world-renowned cities, or what we’re here to reveal as some of the country’s best-kept secrets…

Before diving further, let’s get a geography lesson out of the way — Murcia is both a city and a single-province autonomous community in southeastern Spain.

The city itself is not a beach destination per se, but it makes for a great gateway to some of the top hush-hush beach towns most tourists skip over.

We’ll dive into the city of Murcia momentarily. ‘Til then, we all know winter brings dreadful weather to much of the world, with Spain’s coastline being an exception.

You may know Marbella, a white-washed resort town, or maybe even Alicante, if you’re a seasoned traveler like us, but chances are you don’t know the cluster of coastal towns exuding laid-back Costa Calida charm way outside the typical tourist path of speedy trains from city to city and guidebook-led beach circuits.

Costa Calida is Murcia’s coastal region, offering authentic everyday Mediterranean life where locals still outnumber tourists.

Which Beach Towns Should You Visit?

All of the following beach towns reside in Costa Calida:

• Aguilas (castle views over turquoise coves!)
• Mazarron
• Bolnuevo
• La Azohia
• Cartagena (home to stunning ruins!)
• Los Alcazares
• San Javier
• San Pedro del Pinatar
• La Manga del Mar Menor
• Cabo de Palos (considered a top-tier diving spot)

Of the most well-known, it’s undoubtedly La Manga del Mar Menor as it’s sandwiched between the Med and scenic lagoon along an unmissable, flashy resort trip.

But if you want more Insta cred for untouched gems, you gotta go with Bolnuevo. Here, you’ll find otherworldly landscapes perfect for the ‘gram and crowd-free golden sand.

The truth is, you really can’t go wrong. Each hideaway has its own unique appea,l from underrated resorts to rugged coasts backdropped by natural curtains of staggering cliffs and rolling dunes.

Don’t Sleep On The City Of Murcia

With temps hovering in the mid-60s to low-70s, Murcia is an idyllic winter getaway for both a city break and seaside retreat.

The city is easily connected by train from numerous Spanish hotspots, making for easier access than time may permit this time of year for far-flung locales.

That is if you want to avoid connecting flights. If not, Ryanair just launched a new route from London, one of Europe’s most connected cities, to the States for a seamless layover.

As far as Spanish cities, Murcia is largely under-hyped in the shadow of more popular destinations, but as more travelers scope out the lesser-known, this is just the place, as it’s well-equipped to embrace a rush of new visitors.

Murcia boasts architectural marvels such as the Catedral de Murcia and the Baroque Episcopal Palace.

Better yet, you’ll discover an endless maze of sightly plazas taking you back centuries — the perfect excuse to find an open barstool to scarf down cheap, savory tapas and take in the scenery.

But perhaps what’s most overlooked on a grand scale of one of Spain’s most underrated cities is that its Segura River splits the rosy, red-tiled cityscape’s old and new — it’s truly postcard-worthy.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.