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Date Published: 11/02/2025

Murcia vies to win National Geographic's Best Gastronomic Destination in Spain 2025

You can vote for the Region to win in the food category of this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards

The Region of Murcia is in the running to be crowned ‘Best Gastronomic Destination in Spain 2025’ by National Geographic magazine, competing against four other top culinary destinations: Seville, Oviedo, Menorca and Cáceres.

The Region of Murcia has a deep-rooted culinary tradition and many local dishes that cannot be found anywhere else in the country, as showcased by its inclusion in the shortlist for this year’s National Geographic award.

As an area that grows a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, Murcia’s gastronomy is built on high-quality local produce to create a diverse range of recipes that blend Mediterranean flavours with the freshest ingredients.

The Region offers everything from hearty stews such as michirones, which uses broad beans, to seafood specialities like the Mar Menor area’s typical dish, caldero, a flavourful rice cooked in a rich fish sauce.

Tapas culture is also a highlight of Murcian cuisine, with signature dishes including caballitos (prawn fritters), the Region’s renowned meat pie and, of course, marineras, which consists of a generous portion of Russian salad balanced on a rosquilla breadstick and topped with an anchovy.

Then, of course, there is the wealth of local wines made using the unique grape varieties grown in the northern Murcia towns of Jumilla, Bullas and Yecla.

This combination of quality ingredients, respect for tradition and openness to innovation has earned Murcia a spot in the National Geographic Travel Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025.

How to vote for Murcia

For Murcia to claim this prestigious title, public support is crucial. Voting is open until February 21, at 23.59pm, and anyone can participate by selecting their favourite destination on the Viajes National Geographic website.

It’s all in Spanish and you have to click through several rounds of voting for other categories by clicking on the various photos before you reach the gastronomy round where Región de Murcia appears.

The results will be announced on April 22, 2025 in the May issue of the National Geographic magazine and on the website. Additionally, anyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win one of ten Samsonite UPSCAPE Spinner Expandable suitcases.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Murcian cuisine or eager to discover its culinary treasures, now is the time to show your support!

Image: 1001 Sabores Región de Murcia

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