Influenced over centuries by ancient civilisations, its abundance of varying countryside with vast tracts of forests, rivers, cave paintings, make this region the jewel of the Murcian province for those seeking a large variety of outdoor activities.
Information about the “Casco Antiguos”.
Most towns in the north west region of Murcia have their “old town”, “casco antiguo” or “antique quarter”; these are usually situated around the castle and/or church.
Mainly steep narrow lanes, some driveable, others with steps, (no traffic). The houses, from 100 to 300 years old, are mainly stone built (thick sound - proof walls) with roman tiled roofs and wood beamed ceilings and have a lot of character and charm.
In the coastal areas and islands (Ibiza) these properties are now sought after and
command very high prices but here there are still many opportunities.
ie:
- a neglected property needing restoration (but saveable), for € 15.000 or a 3
storey, renovated, furnished, house with excellent views at € 80.000.
These properties, some with roof terraces or small patios are ideal for those who
prefer to drive or walk out to the country side (a few minutes) when they wish and
have all the amenities, shops, bars, schools, medical centre at hand all the time. The smaller properties make good weekend retreats, letting units or holiday homes, whilst the larger town houses can be used as permanent homes for large families.
Two good examples of towns with fine antique quarters are Mula and Moratalla.
The Altiplano Region takes us into Castilian Murcia, an area of sprawling fields that betoken the proximity of the plains of La Mancha. This landscape meets the eyes of the visitor with its ubiquitous vineyards (the winegrowing areas of Jumilla and Yecla), towns steeped in history and tradition such as Abanilla, or the generous hot springs of Fortuna. The possibilities offered by this region are plentiful. One option is to visit the archaeological sites from the Bronze and Middle Ages, and Roman times, as well as a curious collection of Iberian artefacts. The breeze from the nearby Sierra de El Carche refreshes the heat of Jumilla\'s vine-covered territory, with its fiestas such as the Vendimia, or Grape Harvest. Yecla too, in the shadow of its emblematic Monte Arabí, is drawn into this festive tradition when in December the town pays homage to the Virgin, or Purísima, amidst the purifying rituals of gunpowder and harquebusades. Everyone is welcome.
Some Information about the major towns in the North East.
FORTUNA
Not far from the capital of the Murcia Region, Fortuna is famous for the abundance of its hot springs. Water, scarce in this area, flows freely in Fortuna, giving rise to a number of fountains such as la Higuera, la Cueva Negra or los Baños, thermal springs that were already popular in Roman times and which have today converted Fortuna into an important spa town.
The history of the town goes back to Iberian settlements, the remains of which can still be seen in outlying districts such as Caprés, Castillejo or Cortao de las Peñas. The Arab domination is still visible in the Castillico de los Moros (Moors Castle). The town\'s cultural heritage is enriched with the Baroque-style Parish Church of La Purísima, the Convent and the Town Hall (which conserves some beautiful panneaux), all constructed in an aesthetic modernist style.
ABANILLA
Regarded by many authors as the "Palestine of Murcia", this municipality, thanks to its climate and the good work of its inhabitants, has come to be an oasis in the Murcian desert. Its situation between Aragon and Castile made it a strategic location during the Reconquest; the festival of the Holy Cross in May evokes these battles between Moors and Christians. To walk around Abanilla is like going back to the Middle Ages: the monuments lining the streets, its ancestral homes, etc. Numerous hermitages evoke the piety that prevails in this municipality, particularly the Church of San José, the patron saint of Abanilla, which was consecrated by Cardinal Belluga in 1712. Visitors to Abanilla can see the tradition of the town\'s water mills and oil presses, the legacy of its forefathers, as if the town were wishing to recover its past. Nature spots include an attractive landscape, where you can enjoy a pleasant swim in the waters that flow through it. The surrounding countryside (at times desert-like) is covered with the water that flows from its thermal springs. Visitors can admire the Cortao de las Peñas (two mountains split apart by the movement of the earth), or the Humedal del Ajauque and Rambla Salada, protected wetland areas of great beauty.
YECLA
Yecla is a town with a singular spirit, due mainly to its enclave situation, and is the living image of Castilian Murcia, the area of transition between the coastal zone and the plains of La Mancha. Preceded by the fame of its inhabitants, it is naturally a town of enormous character which has impressed such writers as Azorín or Pío Baroja. The town is watched over by the Castle and the Sanctuary of La Purísima, which locals troop up to every 7th December the day of the Alborada firing volleys of gunpowder with their ancient harquebuses.
Yecla has some rather unique sights, such as the Church of La Purísima or the Plaza Mayor; others of great beauty, like the Church of El Salvador, the Marketplace and the Clock Tower. This region offers a number of hiking, cycling and potholing alternatives. Take a bike along the track that leads to Monte Arabí (a mountain propitious for fables and legends) to see the Neolithic rock paintings that decorate the caves of the Canto de la Visera and Mediodía. A long-distance hiking trail (the GR7), which comes down from the North of Spain to the Levant, passes through the region.
Aside from these attractions, Yecla has a very intense economic activity, based mainly on the manufacture of furniture, which is the object of an important world-famous fair. Also of note are the local wines, which have their own Denominación de Origen and have won numerous awards in competitions both in Spain and abroad.
The 3rd.largest town in the province of Murcia with a population of approx. 80.000 and one of the largest municipal territories in Spain, (approx. 1.676 km2) Typical Mediterranean climate with very little rainfall. The town is steeped in history with innumerable churches, museums, galleries etc. worth the visit. The modern down town area is full of shops, bars and restaurants whilst the antique quarter has many modest taverns and hostelries. Good local transport with bus and train to Murcia capital.
LAS SIERRAS DE LORCA
The area known as the Sierras de Lorca is situated between the large towns of Lorca and Caravaca de La Cruz. The landscape is varied, consisting mainly of vast fields used to grow cereals, and vineyards to make the local wines. These fields are surrounded by the “sierras”, Espuña, Cambron, Pericay, Torrecilla, etc. craggy hills and mountain ranges. The whole area is dotted with many small villages and scattered “cortijos”. All completely unspoilt, with the Sierras making a beautiful backdrop for the villages. Access is very good, either from the motorway at Caravaca de la Cruz from Murcia or from the motorway at Lorca from Murcia or Granada. Most of the properties we have to offer are within 15 – 20 of Caravaca de la Cruz (holy city with all amenities) or Lorca (large town with all amenities and of historical and touristic interest). The nearest coastal resorts are the pretty town of Aguilas, appox. 40 minutes drive, mostly dual carriageway.
LORCA COAST
The Borough of Lorca’s considerable size obviously bestows it with a gateway to the sea. This stretch of the coast, Puntas de Calnegre to give it a name, is a part of the Cabo Cope – Puntas de Calnegre Regional park. The main attraction of the thirteen beaches which make up the Lorca coastline is their excellent level of conservation. Anyone who is keen on nature and adventure tourism will enjoy following the route of the GR 92 (Great Footpath 92) which runs parallel to the coast as it crosses gulleys, dry river beds and coves along dirt tracks and natural paths..
The Ricote Valley was the last Moorish redoubt in Spanish Levante. This is one of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of the fertile irrigated plains around the River Segura. The towns of Ricote, Ojós, Abarán, Blanca, Ulea, Villanueva del Segura and Archena, surrounded by fruit and citrus orchards, transport us to an ideal world. A fertile plain that clings to its Arab heritage, as shown by the numerous remains from this period, including its irrigation systems. Ricote maintains a rich gastronomical tradition in which the local wine is the protagonist. Blanca has retained its legacy as a producer of esparto grass.
In Abarán, visitors can follow a route that will lead them to four of the many waterwheels, or "ñoras" as they are known in the area, which transport water from the river to irrigate the most distant plains. From this area the landscape changes and we enter a more open area famous for its fruit orchards, particularly peach, and its contrasting landscapes, making it particularly attractive for engaging in sports such as hiking, BTT or rock climbing. Other open-air sports that can be pursued here include rafting on the River Segura or horse-riding along routes offered by various horse riding centres.
Two seas on one coastline - the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean - , impressive cliffs, heavenly beaches of endless white sand, lively ports and wild coves with crystal clear water, more than 3,000 hours of sun a year and mild temperatures - even in winter - with a yearly average of more than 18ºC. This is the Costa Cálida, the ideal place to spend some days relaxing both in winter and summer.
From the fishing town of Aguilas to the white dunes of the beach of El Mojon in San Pedro del Pinatar, stretch kilometre after kilometre of beaches and deserted coves awaiting the arrival of the bather, the sailor, the diver or the fisherman. In addition, there are delightful picturesque fishing villages, like La Azohia or Cabo de Palos where you can lose yourself for a few days; ports like the one in Mazarron where you can spend a lively evening and enjoy its magnificent gastronomy after a day on the beach; heavenly areas of natural beauty, unique in the whole Mediterranean, at the beaches of Calblanque and Calnegre... and one of the most highly considered tourist complexes in the Mediterranean: La Manga del Mar Menor, a paradise between two seas with infinite beaches, sandy sea beds and crystalline waters, and endowed with an excellent hotel infrastructure.
Furthermore, fans of water sports will find one of the best places in the world for practising sailing, canoeing, swimming, water-skiing, jet-skiing, flysurfing, windsurfing, catamaranning, and every other type of watersport activity in its numerous clubs, ports and sailing schools. The Nautical Resort on the Mar Menor and similar consortiums in Mazarron and Aguilas offer the chance to hire out equipment, book sailing courses and reserve accommodation at extremely interesting rates.