Out & About

The inland area of Murcia is one of Spain’s best kept secrets. There is an enormous variety of places to see and things to do. For tourist information about the towns of Murcia province, have a look at the Murcia Tourism website.

Barranda is the nearest village, approximately 1 mile from the villa, with around 865 inhabitants. There are a few local shops, a number of bars and restaurants, a bank, doctor and dentist. There is also a Museum of Ethnic Music.

Caravaca de la Cruz

Ten minutes from Casa de las Palmeras is the holy town of Caravaca de la Cruz. One of only 5 Holy Cities of the world (as declared by the Vatican), Caravaca shares this honour with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liébano. For eight centuries pilgrims have been travelling there to venerate the Vera Cruz, a piece of wood belonging to the cross on which Christ was crucified which is kept in a reliquary in the shape of a cross with twin arms. 2010 will be a Jubilee year, an event that occurs every seven years.

The legend relates that in 1232, Ceyt-Abuceyt the Moorish king at that time along with his Arabic subjects, all became Christians upon witnessing the appearance of the cross being lowered from the heavens by two angels, enabling an imprisoned priest to perform the mass. Since then the Catholic Church has acknowledged it as the True Cross (Vera Cruz) and it has been carefully guarded by the Christian faith ever since. The Cruz de Caravaca has become the symbol of the town and is now housed in the church sanctuary (see photo left).

More information is available from the Caravaca de la Cruz Tourist Office website

Lorca

For a slightly more cultural day out the picturesque old market town of Lorca is not to be missed. Lorca sits in the South West of the Murcia region and boasts a wealth of Churches, Roman villas, works of art, palaces and monuments; along side all of the usual Spanish bodegas, bars, cafes and restaurants. However the town is dominated by the large hill top castle and is worth a visit.

Calblanque regional park

This national park, situated below the Mar Menor, exists of a splendid coast line with high dunes, long golden sand beaches and a deep blue sea. Calblanque can be visited walking, by bicycle or horse-riding.

Sierra de Espuna

Designated a National Park in 1995, this pine-clad mountain range is criss-crossed with walking and mountain-biking trails. The park is rich in bird life, particularly raptors, among them golden, booted and Bonelli’s eagles, eagle and tawny owls, peregrine falcon, Dupont’s lark, goshawk and hawk owl. You may also see wild sheep, squirrels, bats and wild boars. Try a quad biking tour from the Hotel Mariposa.

Aguilas

This is a lovely coastal town, with beautiful harbour and wide sandy bay, and a variety of good restaurants overlooking the sea.

City of Murcia

The regional capital, Murcia City, is known as the “Baroque capital of Spain” for its wealth of fine buildings and is a fantastic place to explore. It is shopping heaven with many up market shops and department stores. You can wander through the pedestrianised areas to beautiful squares, and there is a magnificent cathedral, a monastery, gardens and parks.

With a water park and zoo for the children, and Nueva Condomina, the large out of town shopping centre, you will find something for everyone.