Murcia, Spain: a cultural city guide Leaving the Casino, I head to a more public place to see and be seen, the large Plaza de Santo Domingo, a popular meeting point. It's a fun and bustling spot, the church and some of the many cafés on its flanks part-shaded by an enormous ficus tree. Murcia has recorded one of Europe's highest-ever temperatures: 115F (46.1C) North of the square is the wide tree-lined Gran Vía Alfonso X, which runs through what were once the gardens of a vast Moorish palace. Today, its main draw is the peaceful convent of Santa Clara la Real, distinguished by its beautiful cloister and a medley of Islamic remains, including some 12th- and 13th-century wooden ceiling panels. In the afternoon I escape the heat at a shady café on the city's most captivating square, the Plaza de las Flores, surrounded by palms, jacaranda and orange trees. It is the perfect place to while away an hour or so. It takes willpower to leave but after visiting the remnants of the old Moorish walls next to the Iglesia de las Verónicas, and the sculptures of the excellent Salzillo Museum, I am pleased that I did. In the evening, I follow 300 years of tradition by joining the locals for a walk down the elegant riverside Paseo del Malecón before watching the sun go down from the stylish Glorieta de España square. Then, of course, this being Spain, there is only one way to round off the day - with some of Spain's finest tapas in the Plaza San Juan. Easyjet (0905 821 0905; easyjet.com) and Ryanair (0871 246 0000; ryanair.com) fly to San Javier airport (aena.es), 27 miles from Murcia. Taxis to the city cost around £60. Alternatively, take a taxi (£10) or bus the short distance to Santiago De La Ribera, where you can pick up regular buses to Murcia (£4). Cities Direct (01241 536900; citiesdirect.co.uk) and Directline City Breaks (directline-citybreaks.co.uk) can arrange good-value breaks to Murcia throughout the year. It is rare that a fortnight goes by in Murcia when there isn't a festival of some description filling a square or street. In spring, the standout event is the Bando de la Huerta (April 10), which concludes with a huge parade featuring a giant sardine as the main character. Take advantage of the fact that most of Murcia's museums, including the excellent archaeological museum, are free or charge a very modest admission. Murcia has recently undergone a bridge-building frenzy. Admire the Manrique footbridge, the Malecón footbridge and the Hospital bridge, especially at night, when they are floodlit. For some of Murcia's best tapas try El Gran Bar Rhin, a city institution near Plaza de San Pedro (vast plate-glass windows look over the square). However, brush up on your Spanish as many tapas places only have Spanish menus. Zenit Murcia £ A small, modern three-star hotel, with 61 smart and pared-down rooms, ideally located near the Plaza de las Flores and its excellent tapas restaurants (0034 968 214741; hotelzenitmurcia.zenithoteles.com; doubles from £60). Hotel Nelva ££ A 10-minute walk from the centre; tasteful, modern and welcoming, with superb gardens and outdoor areas, as well as a large pool (060200; hotelmurcianelva.com; doubles from £80). Arco de San Juan Hotel ££ Occupying the former Floridablanca Palace, this charming four-star hotel is close to the sights and just a stone's throw from the elegant Plaza San Juan (210455; arcosanjuan.com; doubles from £85). La Taberna de las Mulas £ A simple and old-fashioned restaurant that offers a taste of Murcia past; excellent tapas (Calle Ruipérez 5; 220561). Madre de Dios ££ Madre de Dios is a relative newcomer to the tapas scene; it has cheerful and informal service, and tables on the narrow street for dining in good weather (Calle del Arzobispo Simón López 8; 930953; madrededios.es). La Pequeña Taberna Típica £££ Large picture windows at this locals" favourite offer an outlook onto the elegant Plaza San Juan; almost always full and bustling; good fish and tapas (Plaza San Juan 2; 219840).