Jet2 launches new holidays to one of Spain's cheapest cities known as the ‘Garden of Europe' – with summer highs of 35C
NEW holiday packages from the UK are being launched by Jet2 to a Spanish city that's soaring in popularity.
Starting from this month, Jet2CityBreaks has added the city of Murcia to its holiday packages.
4
Jet2 has new city breaks to Murcia
Credit: Alamy
4
Murcia is often called the Garden of Europe
Credit: Alamy
The
Barcelona
and Seville when visiting Spain.
And according to
However, last year it saw a huge 1,796 per cent rise in holiday searches since 2019, according to Skyscanner.
The Murcia region has seen record tourists this year, with nearly 300,000 tourists between January and March.
Read more on Jet2
Murcia is often dubbed the
It is cheap to visit - head to Bar Fenix to find pints of
beer
for just €2 (£1.75).
Expect high temperatures, with it hitting 24C in October - making it one of the warmest spots in
Europe
that month.
Even in
winter
it rarely drops below 15C, making it a great
winter
sun destination (and much more bearable than the highs of 35C in summer).
Most read in City breaks
The new holiday package launched by Jet2CityBreaks will operate from Bournemouth Airport, flying to Alicante in
Spain
.
Tourists can then go onto Murcia, with a number of three and four star hotels included.
The Spanish city dubbed the 'Garden of Europe' – with 23C winters, €2 pints and cheap flights -
Deals include three nights at the four-star Catalonia Conde de Floridablanca, which has a rooftop
pool
, for just £239 each which includes flights.
A cheaper option is a three-night break at the three-star El Churra
next
month, which is just £209 each.
Jet2 boss Steve Heapy said: "The introduction of Murcia as a new
city break
destination from
Bournemouth
Airport means we are offering customers and independent travel agents a fantastic selection of cultural hotspots to choose from.'
'As the largest operator of European city breaks, we know that today's announcement will be welcome
news
to customers looking to enjoy a city break escape to this Spanish city."
He added that they had been "blown away" by the demand from
Bournemouth
Airport after
All of
Jet2
's holiday packages include 22kg of hold luggage as well as 10kg of cabin luggage.
What is a holiday to Murcia like?
The Sun's Rose O'Sullivan explains why you should visit Murcia last year
:
"Tucked inland between Alicante and Cartagena, the region has plenty to see and do, easy access to some of Spain's most dramatic coastlines and, of course, plenty of sunshine in autumn and early winter.
"The region is known as the Garden of Europe, with fertile plains, mountains and valleys irrigated by the River Segura and towns surrounded by fruit and citrus orchards.
"The centre of the capital city, also called Murcia, is just 20 minutes' drive from the airport.
"But the city also gives easy access to the surrounding dramatic countryside, for its hiking, biking, trekking and kayaking opportunities, as well as lovely coves, beaches and more on the coast."
4
Expect beers for less than €2 and summer highs of 35C
Credit: Alamy
Also new from Bournemouth Airport is
And back in March, Jet2 also launched their first flights
Some of the routes include Majorca, Menorca, Kos and Corfu.
The airline has also been
Due to start this summer, the new route would have connected
Birmingham
and
Manchester
to Salerno Airport.
The cancellation was said to be due to a "lack of bookings".
4
The city is one of the cheapest in Spain too
Credit: Alamy
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight
AFTER years of bouncing between the usual Spanish hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol, there's one beach town I keep going back to - and hardly any Brits know about it. Called El Palmar de Vejer - or just El Palmar by locals - this little surf town on the south-west coast in the province of Advertisement 7 I've found the quieter side of Spain without the Brits Credit: Alamy 7 It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret Credit: Lee Bell 7 There's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts Credit: Alamy It's laid-back, raw, and totally free of the usual Brits-abroad buzz. And that's exactly why it's so good. It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret. Spanish locals love it - especially those from Madrid, who drive down for the summer holidays . But it's rare you'll hear anyone speaking English, and I've never once seen a big group of British tourists here. Advertisement Read more on Spain If you want sun, space, proper Spanish food and a bit of surf, this is the place. El Palmar is all about the beach - and it's a big one. It's long, wide and open, with soft golden sand and a breeze that rolls in off the Atlantic. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' because it's got that same laid-back, surfy vibe you get in And they're not wrong - it really does feel like Spain's answer to the west coast of the US. Just less polished - and no loud Americans. Phew. Advertisement Most read in Beach holidays What's more, there's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts. Instead, you'll find only small holiday apartments, beachside glamping sites and independent surf lodges. A lot of the accommodation is low-key - think bungalows behind the dunes or boutique guesthouses a short walk from the beach. One of Spain's oldest beach bars that was loved by A-List stars forced to close — as fans say goodbye to €4 beers and sea views 7 It feels more like California Credit: Alamy The town itself is more of a strip - a few shops, surf schools , and beach bars, all built into the landscape. There's no real centre, but that's part of the charm. Advertisement It's the kind of place where you can go barefoot all day and no one would batter an eyelid. The whole of El Palmar feels peaceful and raw in the best way. It's not overly polished or fancy, but that's the appeal. You wake up to the sound of waves, stroll out to a café for breakfast, hit the beach, maybe do a surf lesson or just lie in the sun, then head to one of the chiringuitos for lunch. These chiringuitos are what make it for me. These are beach bars right on the sand, serving cold drinks and some of the best seafood I've had in Advertisement You can get a table with your feet in the sand, order a plate of prawns or tuna tartare, and just sit watching the waves roll in and the sun in your face. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' for the surfy vibe Most places also do proper Andalusian In the evenings, some bars have live music - usually acoustic, sometimes a bit of flamenco. It's never full-on party mode, but it's sociable and fun. You won't find bar crawls or club reps here - just locals and in-the-know visitors enjoying the sunsets, which are nearly always amazing. Advertisement El Palmar's great for doing absolutely nothing. But if you fancy mixing things up, there's a lot to explore nearby. About 15 minutes inland is the whitewashed hill town of Here you'll find quaint narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and sweeping views. 7 Visit the nearby Vejer de la Frontera Credit: Alamy Advertisement 7 Make sure to explore the Old Quarter too Credit: Alamy You can head up for lunch or dinner, wander the old quarter, and enjoy a change of scenery without going too far. Further down the coast is It's a great spot if you want something a bit more lively for a day or two - or even to bolt onto your El Palmar trip. Advertisement And just up the coast is Europe . Cadiz is full of history , with colourful buildings, crumbling castles, seafood markets and buzzing tapas bars. You could easily spend a day there before heading back to your beach base. How to get there El Palmar's not the easiest place to reach - but that's why you don't see many tourists there, adding to its charm. Hiring a car from airports Advertisement But if you're lacking a driving licence but have plenty of patience, you can still get there by public transport. From You can also go via Cádiz, which has a direct bus to El Palmar run by Transportes Generales Comes. It takes just over an hour and is fairly cheap, between €5–€14. However, buses aren't super frequent and can be even more limited outside of summer. Coming from Advertisement All doable, but if you want to avoid the faff, just hire a car. Where to stay, when to go You're not going to find anything super lux at El Palmar, but that's part of its appeal. If you want somewhere stylish but low-key, look at Nexo Surf House, it's got spacious, airy rooms, a restaurant and surf lessons all rolled into one. For something more rustic, the glamping options at Kampaoh are worth a look. Here you'll find safari-style tents with proper beds and private bathrooms, all a short walk from the beach. Advertisement There are also plenty of local Airbnbs scattered along the coast, many within walking distance to the beach. Some are simple studios, others are bigger houses that are ideal for groups or families. Wherever you stay, you're never far from the sea - and that's the whole point. In the busier summer months of July and August, however, be sure to book well in advance as rooms do get booked up fast by locals. Even then, it's mostly Spanish families, not hordes of tourists. The beach is big enough that it never feels rammed. It's not built for mass tourism, and that's why it's so good. Advertisement If you want a quieter vibe, I'd opt to go in June or September. The weather's still hot, the sea's warm, and there's lots of space. Flights to Seville from the UK start from around £25 return if you book early enough. If you want a break that's off the beaten track, full of charm, and free from the usual Brit holiday clichés, this is the place to go. 7 The best way to get there is via Seville Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Water pistols at the ready: Irish holidaymakers in firing line for anti-tourism protests
Activists against overtourism are planning protests across Spain, Portugal, and Italy on Sunday, with one group urging people to bring water pistols to the demonstration in Barcelona. Anger has been growing in southern Europe against what protesters say are excessive levels of tourism that they complain are forcing locals out of affordable accommodation, pushing up living costs and clogging up city centres. International travel spending in Europe is expected to rise by 11% to €727bn this year, with Spain and France among the countries set to receive record numbers of tourists. Protests are planned in Barcelona and seven other Spanish cities, including Granada, Palma and Ibiza; Portugal's capital Lisbon; and the Italian cities of Venice, Genova, Palermo, Milan and Naples, according to announcements issued by several of the organising groups. Organisers, some of whom dismiss the counterargument that tourism brings jobs and prosperity, told Reuters that they wanted to build on scattered protests across Spain last year with the coordinated day of action. They are joining forces with groups in Portugal and Italy under the umbrella of the SET alliance - Sud d'Europa contra la Turistització, or Southern Europe against Overtourism - Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, spokesperson for Barcelona's Neighbourhoods Assembly for Tourism Degrowth, said. Some 26m tourists swelled Barcelona's 1.6m population in 2024. A survey conducted by Barcelona last year showed that 31% of residents considered tourism to be damaging, the highest figure on record. "When they (officials) say that we have to specialise in tourism, they are basically telling us that you have to get poorer so that other people can get richer," Pardo Rivacoba said, complaining of low pay and poor or non-existent contracts. Graffiti saying "Tourists go home" has become an increasingly common sight across the Mediterranean city and Barcelona's tourism agency was spray painted on Thursday with a message about the planned protest. The agency said in an open letter published on Friday: "If you hear someone from Barcelona say, 'Tourists, go home', you should know that most of us don't think that way." It said the city welcomed tourists because they brought diversity, while underscoring the challenges brought by mass tourism and the measures taken to address them, such as a ban on tourist apartments and an ongoing tourism tax. Barcelona, which depends on tourism for 15% of its GDP, announced last year it would shut all short-term lets by 2028. The mayor said at the time rents had risen by 68% in the past 10 years and the cost of buying a house had risen by 38%, becoming a driver of inequality, especially among young people. Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, head of vacation rental platform Airbnb for Iberia, said this week that Barcelona's restrictions scapegoated short-lets, which he said can help redistribute visitor flows to less crowded parts of a city. Catalonia's Socialist president also announced the expansion of Barcelona's airport this week, saying it was critical for the airport to become a major hub for intercontinental connections, drawing further condemnation from campaigners. Demonstrators have been urged to bring water pistols to the Barcelona protest, Pardo Rivacoba said, after groups squirted tourists last year in a protest that was criticised by the government and travel companies. A Catalonia regional police source said the force would guarantee the right to protest and citizens' right to move freely, but declined to comment further. The protest in Venice looks set to be more low-key, with one organiser saying members would display banners in two locations to denounce the impact of overtourism. "Each city in the SET network organises a demonstration in its own way," they said. While residents in Rome or Venice have staged anti-tourism protests, in poorer southern Italy a tourism boom is helping make some neighbourhoods safer and bringing much-needed cash. Reuters
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The little-known European sunshine spot that's less than 3hrs from Ireland with 26C heat, fab beaches and €29.99 flights
TAKE a look at this little-known European sunshine spot that is less than three hours from Dublin with incredible streets, amazing food and flights from €29.99. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a resort town located in the southwest of the Principality of Monaco. Advertisement 6 Enjoy a romantic stay in this hidden european sun spot Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 It has stunning views by the port with cruise ships regularly docking here Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 Get a view of the harbor as you stroll the streets of Villefranche on the French Riviera. Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 It is the perfect getaway for couples Credit: Getty Images - Getty And Ryanair is offering flights from just €29.99 during peak season in July. This stunning resort town is less than 20 minutes from Nice Soak up the sun on one of the many beaches in this city with an enchanting setting and a relaxing atmosphere. From the emblematic Plage des Marinières to the more private Plage de la Darse, the Villefranche-sur-Mer bay awaits you for sunbathing this summer. Advertisement READ MORE ON TRAVEL With tickets from just €15, you can witness a stunning light show in the Nice basilica - perfect for Discover the city of Nice and its places not to be missed and follow the coastal road to reach Villefranche-sur-Mer for breathtaking scenery. While also getting to taste the famous French wines on the hills of Nice near waterfalls. This tour is perfect for a girls' trip away with groups of eight people allowed on the tour. Advertisement Most read in Travel Exclusive Exclusive The legacy of the Saint-Elme Citadel and Chapelle Saint-Pierre, decorated by Take a break from the port based town with a day trip to Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations Stroll down the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, explore the historic Le Suquet neighborhood. There's even something for the kids as there are fun activities like movie screenings, shopping on Rue d'Antibes, and enjoying the Forville Market. Advertisement While not known for its club scene, this town offers a more sophisticated Choose from a range of restaurants offering fine dining from seafood to fine French cuisine. Popular spots to visit are La Belle Etoile or the Cave Nature, which is a French tapas restaurant. But you can still party as the city of Monaco is only a 34 minute drive away. Advertisement Stay in one of the many luxury resorts in this beautiful coastal town. You can be based right by the ports at the Hotel La Fiancée du Pirate with a 4.4 star rating on TripAdvisor. Rooms start from €200 and are within a minute's walk from numerous bars and restaurants. 6 Enjoy a meal by the sea in one of the many bars and restaurants Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement 6 History buffs will love the 16th century Citadelle Saint-Elme fortress Credit: Getty Images - Getty
