Murcia is a small, untouristy and traditionally Spanish university town, which is now seeing growing numbers of foreign visitors pay a visit during their holidays on the nearby Mar Menor coastline. Though surrounded by some of Spain's most arid landscapes, which see less than 30cm of rain each year, Murcia sits on a narrow green belt whose vineyards and orchards are irrigated by water wheels, aqueducts and channels installed by the Moors who lived here in the 8th century.

The town's centrepiece is the imposing Santa Maria cathedral, built in the 14th century. For a fortnight over the Easter period, the cathedral and the nearby bridge, Puente Viejo de los Peligros, are the scene of lavish religious processions which reenact local superstitions.

Murcia's medieval streets lie around the main thoroughfare of La Traperia. Here you will also come across the unmissable Casino (www.casinomurcia.com), an extravagant 19th century construction inspired by the Moorish architecture of the Alhambra in Granada, with a world championship billiard hall and an ornate ballroom lit by lavish chandeliers.

There are lots of good bars and restaurants here, streets full of interesting shops and if you come in April or September you'll coincide with the city's major annual celebrations.

Although few foreign buyers look for property in Murcia itself, there are plenty of new developments, many overlooking golf courses, within half an hour's drive of the town, with apartments starting at just over £100,000.

There are beautiful and cheap rural properties to be found in this region, if you don't mind living somewhere a bit more remote (though still within easy access of the motorway). In the town of Lorca, 20 minutes from Murcia, has townhouses in need of renovation for £18,000 or similar properties in good condition for £50,000.

North west of Murcia city, there's an area around Archena known as Spa Valley, with apartments from £55,000 on a development with gyms, pools and great views over the surrounding forests and valley.