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This pretty, medium-sized hotel has villa-style rooms, a swimming pool, and a decent restaurant. The attentive staff can arrange excursions to nearby attractions. It’s a 10-minute walk to the beach and the centre of Moraira.

Chef Pedro Morena creates some of the most imaginative fare in Murcia at this excellent chalet-style restaurant. The menu leans toward Basque and French cuisine, with seafood taking pride of place (although there are plenty of delicious options for meat-eaters too).

Creative Mediterranean cuisine with Basque and French influences and a crisply elegant setting make this one of the top dining destinations in Murcia.

Traditional recipes are given a contemporary twist; try the sea bass with caramelized apple.

L’Albufera covers all bases with lots of tapas plus an array of excellent local rice dishes. It offers a good value fixed-price menu at lunchtimes, and, unusually, in the evenings too.

This elegant chalet at the foot of the mountains serves elaborate regional cuisine – succulent lamb, exquisitely fresh fish, heavenly desserts. There are beautiful mountain views from the terrace.

Popular with tourists and locals alike, this pretty café-bar sits right on the pebbly beach. Dine on simple Mediterranean dishes, or just enjoy a cocktail out on the terrace.

This well-known Spanish chain has stylish clothes, shoes and accessories for women, with everything from fashionable suits for the office to jeans and funky clubwear.

There are more weird and wonderful nativity figurines at this traditional workshop.

Held every July in Cartagena, this world music festival has become one of the best of its kind in Europe. Concerts are held in the Roman theatre, the ancient cathedral, and other beautiful settings around the old quarter.