The Flavours of Murcia

Travel Talk with Ed Finn

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Saturday, 9 May 2026 - 10 minutes

This week on Travel Talk we were delighted to meet Michelin-starred Chef Juan Guillamón from Almo in Murcia, who travelled to Dublin to host a truly unforgettable masterclass in Murcian gastronomy and wines at Picado Mexican

Juan’s culinary journey began in the UK where he trained in some of Britain’s top kitchens before going on to work within Ferrari and Formula 1 hospitality — experiences that helped shape his elegant, modern and highly creative approach to cooking. Today, Almo has become one of Murcia’s most exciting dining destinations, earning a Michelin Star for its innovative interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine and local Murcian produce.

The evening in Dublin was a real celebration of Murcia’s food culture — from superb regional wines and olive oils to beautifully prepared seafood and vibrant Mediterranean flavours. It was also a reminder that Murcia remains one of Spain’s great hidden gems for Irish travellers seeking authentic food, sunshine and relaxed coastal living.

And the good news? Murcia is now easier than ever to reach from Ireland, with direct summer flights from Dublin to Region de Murcia International Airport operated by Ryanair and you can also fly from Dublin to Alicante with Aer Lingus which is just 50 mins approximately from Murcia.

You can discover more about Murcia — including its gastronomy, beaches, golf and cultural experiences — at Region of Murcia Tourism

Thanks to the owner of Picado Lily Ramirez-Foran and Miquel and the team for their wonderful hospitality.  

Local's Top recommendation 

Cabo de Palos is one of the absolute gems of Murcia’s coastline — and probably the most atmospheric seaside spot in the region.

Why people love it:

• Dramatic lighthouse and rocky coastline
• Fantastic seafood restaurants beside the harbour
• Crystal clear Mediterranean water
• One of Europe's top diving destinations
• More authentic and relaxed than many Costa Blanca resorts
• Close to the famous La Manga del Mar Menor strip

It has a lovely “old fishing village meets foodie escape” atmosphere and is especially popular with Spaniards in summer rather than mass-package tourism.

That’s one of the reasons Cabo de Palos is becoming increasingly popular for short breaks and foodie/diving escapes — you can be from the airport to the lighthouse and harbour in well under an hour.

From Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport it’s roughly:

• 1 hour 10 mins to 1 hour 20 mins by car
• Around 125 km

From Murcia airport it is approximately 50–55 km from Region de Murcia International Airport (Corvera Airport).

Typical journey times:

• By car/taxi: around 35–40 minutes
• Very straightforward drive via the RM-12 motorway

It’s also very close to:

• La Manga del Mar Menor — about 10 minutes
• Cartagena — about 30 minutes
• Calblanque Regional Park — around 15 minutes, with stunning wild beaches.

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