Places
to Visit
Murcia
The regional capital and University City on the
river Segura is around 40 minutes away by car. This
vibrant city was founded by the Moors in 825AD and
boasts a beautiful Cathedral and University, as
well as Botanic Gardens, Museums and other historic
buildings around its narrow, but characterful streets.
The municipal Casino on Calle Traperia might look
like a gentleman’s club from the outside,
but it’s open to the general public - just
ask the commissionaire for a look around and he
will gladly oblige.
Shops include El Corte Ingles, (the Spanish equivalent
of Selfridges or Fenwicks etc) and numerous designer
label shops on the Calles Traperia and Plateria,
dozens of great restaurants and a lively nightlife,
especially during fiestas and carnivals.
In recent EEC research, the region of Murcia was
singled out as the most economically dynamic in
Spain and this is being reflected in the rapid development
of Murcia as a tourist and cultural destination.
For lovers of nature, the Sierra Espuna National
Park is 25-30 minutes drive away. Also nearby on
a hillside about 5 miles from Murcia is the ancient
Santuario de la Fuensanta, the home of Murcia’s
patron saint.
Cartagena
Head south for about 25kms and you will come to
Spain’s oldest port. Cartagena is one of
Spain’s oldest cities, and still of major
maritime importance to Spain, both commercially
and militarily. A multitude of civilisations have
left their mark on the city as numerous archaeological
sites and museums will testify. In the heart of
the city is a modern shopping area, which spills
down past the tapas bars to the recently revitalised
harbour. Here you will find the World’s
oldest submarine on display, built in 1884 by
a local man Isaac Peral.
Santiago
de la Ribera & Lo Pagan are two traditional
Spanish seaside towns at the Northern end of the
Mar Menor. The beach of Santiago de la Ribera
is lined by tall palm trees along the promenade
and there are numerous shops, bars and cafes to
explore. There is also a new out of town shopping
centre called Dos Mares on the outskirts of Santiago
de la Ribera, whilst Lo Pagan has a lively fish
market on the Esplanade every morning except Sunday.
La
Manga Club
Just a 20 minute drive from Los Alcazares is the
world famous resort of La Manga, which boasts
3 championship golf courses, 28 tennis courts
and a football academy set in a 1400 acre corner
of the Costa Calida. It also contains the 5 star
Regency Hyatt Hotel where the rich and famous
spend their vacations. Look carefully and you
might some premier league footballers or a TV
star. La Manga is where the BBC series ‘Superstars’
was filmed.
Cabo de Palos
Immediately recognisable by its famous lighthouse,
Cabo de Palos is situated at the mainland end
of the La Manga strip around a quaint harbour.
It has plenty of bars and seafood restaurants
and a great view of La Manga. On Sundays there
is a market, where you can find plenty of fresh
local produce and other bargains. For diving enthusiasts,
the Hormigas Islands near Cabo de Palos have been
declared a Marine Reserve due to their exceptional
beauty and the conservation of the sea floor,
but they are also acknowledged by scuba divers
as being one of Spain’s premier dive sites,
due to the large number of unfortunate ships that
have come to grief in the rocky waters around
the area.
Orihuela
& Orihuela Coast
About 45 minutes North East of Los Alcazares is
the city of Orihuela. In centuries past, Orihuela
was the Political and administrative capital of
the region and still displays many remnants of
its proud cultural and religious heritage. Inland
from the coast, Orihuela is one of those cities
that doesn’t look much from the outskirts,
but which blossoms on closer inspection, with
a medieval centre stuffed full of historic treasures.
Every week in July they stage a mock battle in
remembrance of the battles between the Moors and
Christians. There are still lots of traditional
narrow streets, plus bars and a busy market for
you to browse. The Orihuela Costa boasts the beaches
at La Zenia and Cabo Roig, plus the marinas at
Campoamor and Pilar de la Horredada as well as
3 of the Costa Blanca’s most popular golf
courses at Campoamor, Villamartin and Las Ramblas.
Lorca
About 1 hour West of Los Alcazares, Lorca, Spain’s
largest town, is a lively and busy place all year
round and it Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations
are the most lavish in Murcia. Huddled around
the ruins of its castle, Lorca retains many beautiful
buildings such as the Collegiate Church of San
Patricio and impressive town houses and mansions
that remind us of it’s opulent past. Lorca
also plays host to an annual Rock Festival, Lorca
Rock, featuring bands such as Iron Maiden, the
Scorpions, Slayer, Lacuna Coil and Dream Theatre
etc.
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