Located in the heart of the historic quarter, behind the Almudí Palace, the Plaza de las Flores is an iconic place in Murcia and a favourite spot of lovers of tapas and good times. Bustling and lively, this popular urban space invites you to enjoy the colourful capital of Murcia between each mouthful, to feel the city’s rhythm, and to let yourself be captivated by the boundless charm of a place full of history.
After a pleasant stroll along the banks of the Segura, a visit to the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga and the Cathedral, a morning’s shopping in the streets of Platería, Trapería, and Jabonerías, or enjoying any of the many options that this wonderful city has to offer. There’s nothing like leaning against a bar or sitting on a sunny terrace in the Plaza de las Flores to enjoy life as it should be enjoyed.
- History of the Plaza de las Flores
- What you can find at the Plaza de las Flores
- Bars and restaurants at the Plaza de la Flores
- What to see in the surrounding area
- Where to stay in Murcia
History of the Plaza de las Flores
Since medieval times, and even earlier, in the times of the ancient Hispano-Muslim Madinat Mursiya, this space in the heart of the historic centre of Murcia has been a real crossroads. It has served as a connecting point between different areas of the city, from the royal roads coming from the north and east to the banks of the Segura itself and its crossing by the Puente de los Peligros to continue towards Cartagena and the Mediterranean coast.
The many narrow streets that lead to it, as well as the neighbouring squares of San Pedro and Santa Catalina (the latter was for centuries the city’s true main square) emphasise the rich history of an urban fabric that has been forged over time and has witnessed the life and times of different civilisations.
Notably, from the 17th century until the 19th century, a large part of the square was occupied by the building of the Carnicería Mayor de Murcia, or the main butcher’s shop, and the consequent hustle and bustle that this brought with it. The comings and goings of merchandise and merchants also began to make use of small flower stalls, a tradition that’s still present today and which finally led to the area being officially named the Plaza de las Flores in 1968 (the name literally translates to Flowers Square).
What you can find at the Plaza de las Flores
This famous square, one of the liveliest and most typical in the city, is surrounded by beautiful 19th-century buildings in an eclectic style, such as the one at number 9, on the corner of Calle Ruipérez, with its flowery balconies and viewpoints topped with cresting. Or the building on the corner of Calle San Joaquín, which also has wrought iron balconies and beautifully decorated windows. The bar Fénix building and the building on the corner of Calle Jiménez Baeza also add to the attractive appearance of the Plaza de las Flores.
There are also a couple of flower stalls in the square that serve as a reminder of how this picturesque corner of Murcia got its name, and in the central fountain you can see “La niña de la flores”, a bronze sculpture by the sculptor José Fuentes Aynar.
But, above all, the Plaza de las Flores is home to an array of bars, restaurants, and terraces that invite you to enjoy the best tapas and Murcia’s exceptional cuisine.
Bars and restaurants at the Plaza de la Flores
This picturesque square and its surroundings have become one of the best places to go for tapas in the city. Canapes of all kinds, typical “marineras” (doughnuts with salad and anchovies), “matrimonio” (salted and pickled anchovies), “zarangollo” (scrambled eggs made with courgette and onion), “michirones” (a stew made with dried beans), and potato stew with garlic. As well as more elaborate dishes, from rice dishes and roasts to meat pasties, Murcia meatball soup, migas, stew, meatballs with sauce and a whole range of fried foods, salted meats, Iberian cured meats, and products from the vegetable garden and the sea make the tables and bars in Murcia a real delight.
Places like Bar Gran Rhin, La Tapeoteca, El Pasaje de Zabalburu, El Parlamento Andaluz, La Tapa, La Esquina de las Flores, La Bodega Pepico del Tío Ginés, Las Mulas, El Secreto, and Bar Fénix, among others, are the perfect place to sample the best of the local cuisine and have a great time enjoying the good atmosphere that they’re known for.
What to see in the surrounding area
If the Plaza de las Flores is a place that must be visited, its surroundings also offer places you can’t miss. Starting with the two neighbouring squares, Santa Catalina, to the north, and San Pedro, on the opposite side (the three together form one continuous pedestrian area).
The Plaza de Santa Catalina, was the city’s original main square and is crowned by a monument dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The place also has several places to eat and drink, as well as the parish church that gives its name to the complex, the large 17th-century building of La Unión y el Fénix, and a museum dedicated to the brilliant painter and writer from Murcia, Ramón Gaya.
In the small Plaza de San Pedro is the parish church of the same name, built on the site of a former mosque. It’s one of the most traditional churches in the historic centre and inside it houses an important artistic collection. And a couple of streets further on, the Almudí Palace is one of the most remarkable examples of civil architecture in the city. After its restoration at the end of the 20th century, this unique building, which is built on one side against a stretch of the old Arab wall, has been converted into a fascinating exhibition hall and home to the municipal historical archive.
Next to the Palace, on the same Plano de San Francisco, the Mercado de Verónicas is also worth a visit. It’s a modernist style building, which was built in 1919 by the local architect Pedro Cerdán. Considered the main market place in Murcia, this popular market offers the best products from the orchards and the coast of Murcia, including meats, pickles, preserves, salted meats, and charcuterie. It’s a real foodie’s paradise!
Where to stay in Murcia
On Paseo de Garay, a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de las Flores and very close to major attractions such as the Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the Bullring, you’ll find the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable stay in the heart of the city. This is the Occidental Murcia 7 Coronas Hotel , a real “classic”, founded in 1971, which has undergone a complete refurbishment in recent times.
With its 156 fully-equipped rooms and a range of first-class complementary services, such as a modern gym and the best of local and international seasonal cuisine at the bistro bar restaurant, among others, this Barceló Group establishment is a perfect choice for every type of traveller.
