Murcia Cathedral (Catedral de Murcia)

The basics

Most walking tours of Murcia take time to explain the cathedral’s importance, but many only admire its exterior. You’ll most likely be on your own when you see inside, wander its museum, and climb its bell tower—the second tallest tower in Spain. Depending on how much of the cathedral you want to explore, you can expect a visit to be as brief as 20 minutes or occupy a few hours of your time.

Things to know before you go

• The cathedral, bell tower, and museum each need separate admission tickets; guided tours and audio guides cost extra.

• To climb the cathedral’s bell tower, you need to take a Spanish-language guided tour, but printed English information is provided.

• There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance to the cathedral on its south side across from the Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático de Murcia.

• Mass services are held multiple times each day at the main altar.

• There are nearby restaurants on Plaza Cardenal Belluga with outdoor seating that enjoy views of the cathedral.

How to get there

Together with the Plaza Cardenal Belluga, Murcia Cathedral sits on the southern side of Murcia’s historical center among a series of pedestrian streets. Visitors who aren’t already within walking distance can drive to one of the many parking lots and garages at the Glorieta de España gardens or board one of the many buses that stop outside the gardens, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.

When to get there

Murcia Cathedral is closed to the non-worshipping public on Mondays and Catholic holidays and has reduced opening hours on Sundays. Visit the cathedral as it opens mid-morning to avoid confusion about conflicting opening hours, and give yourself ample time to explore before getting lunch.

The chapels of Murcia Cathedral

Look around the central nave of the Murcia Cathedral, and you might question why people talk about it being ornate or flamboyant. This is because a fire damaged this area in 1854. But the church’s chapels are a different story. The Vélez Chapel features detailed arcosolia (arched Roman catacombs) and an incredible vaulted ceiling, while the Junterones Chapel has clear Italian inspiration and countless figures carved into its marble relief.