Last-minute Easter bookings fill Murcia hotels almost to capacity
Accommodation in Murcia city, Cartagena, Lorca and the coast is 90% full
There’s no two ways about it – the Region of Murcia does Easter very, very well, so it’s no surprise that thousands of tourists from all over the world jet off to this corner of southern Spain to enjoy the Semana Santa celebrations. And 2025 is absolutely no exception, with virtually every hotel and bed in the Region booked solid.
After the threat of rain earlier in the week, the forecast is promising an almost flawless weekend across the Region, which has led to a flurry of last-minute bookings. As a result, 90% of hotels and other accommodation options were fully booked for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, figures that put this year on par with 2024.
"You can't eat anywhere without a reservation. The good weather has boosted reservations," Jesús Jiménez of HoyTú stressed.
The average price of hotel rooms in Murcia is expected to rise by 5% this long weekend. In the lead-up, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, occupancy was only at 50%, leading many industry insiders to call for “more emphasis” on the Easter tourism campaign to attract visitors earlier in the week.
But in reality, the unsettled weather probably had a lot to do with the lower numbers as well.
In Lorca, hotels and restaurants were full on Holy Thursday with the same numbers forecast for Good Friday night while in Cartagena, hotel occupancy is “between 85% and 87%, the same as last year.”
There were fears that the lack of beach bars would dampen the mood somewhat in Cartagena, but the streets, bars and restaurants are still packed to the rafters.
According to the experts, in Murcia city and Lorca, domestic holidaymakers have had the greatest impact.
From Aloja Región de Murcia, the association of tourist housing and owners, its president, Gregorio Morales, points out that occupancy rates are currently at 85%. He places the central areas of Murcia and Cartagena as the most in-demand, although he also explains that “Mazarrón, La Manga and the Mar Menor have seen a significant increase in recent days.”
In 2024, Holy Week brought in €110 million for the regional coffers, a figure that’s likely to be matched, if not exceeded, this year.
Image: Archive
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