Car Rental in Murcia

Why rent a car in Murcia?

Often overlooked in favor of its more popular neighbors, Valencia to the north and Andalucia to the south, the region of Murcia and its namesake capital, is the perfect place to get a taste of authentic Spain. Swim in the warm waters of two seas, play a round of golf on one of the many prestigious courses, go hiking in lush national parks and marvel at the impressive Baroque architecture of Murcia City.  

The best way to explore the beautiful region of Murcia is by car, you can drive from the very north to Águilas in the south in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some of the most beautiful natural wonders, such as the Enchanted City of Bolnuevo and Bullas Waterfall, are most easily accessed by car. It’s the perfect destination for a Spanish road trip!

Top ways to enter Murcia

• Región de Murcia Airport: Serving the city of Murcia as well as the larger region of the same name, the airport was opened in January 2019, making it one of the youngest international airports in Europe. Also known as Murcia-Corvera, it replaced Murcia-San Javier Airport. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it hosts flights by six different airlines, all of them low-cost carriers. Located 27km (17 miles) south of the city, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Alicante Airport: Serving the popular beach destination of Alicante in the Valencian Community, Alicante-Elche Airport is the fifth-busiest in Spain. The airport is a focus city for many companies, including low-cost airlines like Vueling and Norwegian Air. Located just 72km (44 miles) northeast of Murcia, the airport can be reached in 40 to 50 minutes.
• Almeria Airport: A small and cozy airport on the Mediterranean coast, it served 1 million travelers in 2019. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it has flights by nearly 20 different airlines. Located 213km (132 miles) south of Murcia, Almeria Airport can be reached in two hours.
• Valencia Airport: Serving Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia Airport is a large hub for Ryanair. It is also served by around 20 other airlines, providing flights to and from the rest of Spain, other European countries, and North Africa. Located 235km (146 miles) north of Murcia, the airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
• Granada Airport: Also known by its full name Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport, it served 1.25 million travelers in 2019. The airport is served by five different airlines, including low-cost companies Vueling and easyJet. Located 290km (180 miles) southwest of Murcia, it can be reached in about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

City facts

• Murcia has a hot semi-arid climate with Mediterranean influences. The city experiences very hot summers and mild, pleasant winters. The average high temperature is 34°C  (94°F) in August, the warmest month. Murcia is one of the hottest cities in Europe and remaining properly hydrated is absolutely essential in July and August. The average high temperature is 17°C  (62°F) in January, the city’s coldest month. Murcia has very low precipitation throughout the year and about 320 sunny days annually. There is practically no rain in July and August.
• With 447,000 inhabitants, Murcia is the seventh-most populous city in Spain, which is larger than cities like Palma de Mallorca, Bilbao, and Las Palmas. Another 240,000 thousand live in its wider metropolitan area. Murcia is also the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Murcia, one of Spain’s regions.
• Although the region of Murcia has seen human settlement since prehistory and has had inhabitants like the Phoenicians, Romans, and Visigoths, the city of Murcia was only established in the 9th Century as part of the Islamic Caliphate of Cordoba. The city was recaptured by Christians in 1243, but Murcia’s Moorish roots are still noticeable in its architecture and cuisine.

Top sights and activities

• Murcia City. The heart of Murcia is the beautiful, historic Old Town set around Plaza del Cardenal Belluga. Santa María Cathedral, considered a highlight of the Spanish Baroque period, towers over one side of the plaza. Construction of the impressive building started in 1385 and was first finished in the 18th century, meaning it today demonstrates a variety of architectural styles, including a Gothic interior. Make your way to the top of the bell tower for panoramic views across the city or sit down at one of the many cafés outside and enjoy the exciting mix of old and new architecture.
• El Valle. A large and green nature reserve, El Valle is best known among foreign visitors as a location of an 18-hole golf course. Even if you’re not a fan of this sport, El Valle is still an amazing place to visit for the impressive views of the city and valley below. Come here right before sunset - El Valle is only about a ten-minute ride from the city center.
• Castle of Monteagudo. Dramatically located on the top of a rocky mountain, Castillo de Monteagudo was originally built by the city’s Muslim inhabitants in the 11th century, but archaeological research shows that the mountain has been inhabited for more than 4,000 years. When the Reconquista invaded Murcia, the city became one of the summer residences of the Spanish king. A large sculpture of Christ was put on top of the building. The Castle of Monteagudo remains of the symbols of Murcia to this day.
• Beaches. Like many other Spanish cities in the region, one of Murcia’s main attractions is its proximity to the Mediterranean coast. There are a number of popular beaches in nearby Cartagena and San Javier, such as Playa Conde, Calblanque Nature Reserve and the popular La Manga strip. And with a rental car, you can travel even further and explore the stunning coastal stretches between Mazarron and Aguilas. Be sure to stop by the Enchanted City of Bolnuevo, an otherworldly landscape of sandstone formations, while you are in the area.

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car’s documentation and proof of insurance always has to be inside of it.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.03% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads in Spain are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The methods of payment accepted may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km. See the official Spanish toll road website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Cartagena. Named after ancient Carthage which was located on the other side of the Mediterranean, Cartagena is one of the most interesting historic cities of Spain. Like the great cities of Andalusia, Cartagena has plenty of Moorish heritage, but there are also even older sites and relics from Punic and Roman times. Some of Cartagena’s other  landmarks include buildings by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi, the city’s promenade and harbour, and the National Museum of Subaquatic Archaeology. Located just 50km (31 miles) south of Murcia, Cartagena can be reached in about 35 minutes.
• Alicante. So famous are the beaches of the city of Alicante and the villages that surround it that the area’s population is said to nearly triple during the summer months. If you ever get tired of the sun and the sea, you can also visit the Castle of Santa Barbara, the Museum of the City of Alicante, and the Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria. Located 80km (50 miles) north of Murcia, Alicante can be reached in about 50 minutes.
• Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. Located in the sparsely populated province of Jaén, Sierras de Cazorla is the largest protected area in Spain and the second-largest in all of Europe. Made up of two steep mountain ranges, large valleys, and rapid rivers, the area is home to such species as the Spanish ibex, the bearded vulture, and wild sheep. 160km (99 miles) east of Murcia, the nature park can be reached in about two hours.
• Ricote Valley. Murcia City is the perfect base from which to explore one of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of the region, Valle de Ricote. The towns of Ricote, Ojós, Abarán, Blanca, Ulea, Villanueva del Segura and Archena lie side by side on the banks of the Segura River, surrounded by fruit and citrus orchards. Cave drawings, Iberian settlements, and Roman ruins are just some examples of its rich cultural heritage. And to top it off, every year in February and March, the valley transforms into a wonderland of pink and white almond and peach blossoms, called Floración de Cieza. It’s an experience you can’t miss that's just 30 minutes from the city center.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental cars in Murcia are the Fiat 500, the Fiat Panda, and the Ford Fiesta. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and standard.

Further destinations

• Granada. Known for the magnificent Alhambra and other Moorish architecture, Granada is, for many, the most beautiful city in southern Spanish. Most of Granada’s landmarks are architectural, but there’s also plenty of contemporary culture going on. The city is 278 km (173 miles) from Murcia, a drive that can be made in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• Madrid. Grand and imperial, Madrid is world-famous for its architecture and for the holy trinity of its amazing museums, Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofia. But there’s another side to the city as well, from the El Rastro flea market and its many distinct neighborhoods to some of the best street food from all over Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Whichever Spanish capital you’re most interested in, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll have a great time. Located 400km (250 miles) northwest of Murcia, Madrid can be reached in about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
• Castile-La Mancha. Landlocked and sparsely populated, Castile-La Mancha gets overlooked by most foreign visitors, but those searching for an off-the-beaten-track adventure will find it a logical next step after visiting Murcia. Known for its distinct cuisine, hospitable people, and well-preserved historical cities like Cuenca and Toledo, the region is just a short drive away – Albacete, one of its main cities, can be reached by car in about 90 minutes.
• Portugal. Spain’s western neighbor is a fascinating place to visit. Influenced more by the Atlantic Ocean than the Mediterranean, the weather in Portugal is harsher, the coastline more rugged, and its traditions proudly unique. Visit it for the endless beaches of Algarve, beautiful cities like Porto and Lisbon, and 100 different ways to make bacalhau (or cod fish) taste delicious. Faro, the nearest large city, is 720km (447 miles) west of Murcia and takes about seven hours to reach, but there’s plenty to see on the way, so the long trip is worth it. To go from Portugal to Spain, you’ll have to cross an international border, so make sure in advance that your rental car provider permits it.

Car rental prices in Murcia

• Medium cars - from $8 per day
• Small cars - from $6 per day
• Large cars - from $41 per day
• Station wagons - from $20 per day
• SUVs - from $11 per day
• Premium cars - from $54 per day
• Vans - from $136 per day

Money-saving and other tips

It’s easy to find a good rental car in Murcia if you follow these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Murcia is the cheapest in January when renting a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 64% cheaper than renting a car in July. Start your year with a vacation to Southern Spain!