Long sandy beaches alternating with rocks and steep cliffs on the coast, but also vast plateaus, mountainous peaks, vineyards and rice fields punctuating its inland silhouette: in south-eastern Spain, the Costa CálidaThe Costa Cálida, Murcia region, is full of contrasts. An opportunity for multiple discoveries A favourite destination for lovers of water sports and scuba diving, it will also delight those who discover its cultural heritage, its wine routes and its many colourful festivals. And the good news for everyone is that the weather will be particularly mild throughout the year, with an average of 19°C
A cultural destination
Four cities allow you to appreciate the richness of its cultural heritage. During a stay in Murcia, the capital, you can stroll through its historic centre, with its medieval layout and Renaissance and Baroque facades. It is a must to stop and admire its most emblematic monument, the Cathedral of Santa María and its beautiful Baroque façade. Marvelling at the sculptures by Francisco Salzillo, the undisputed master of the Baroque, in the museum dedicated to him, discovering the charm of the monastery of Santa Clara la Real, which houses one of the most important collections of Islamic art in the region, or the Real Casino de Murcia, a subtle blend of all the artistic currents that coexisted in Spain from the mid-19th to the beginning of the 20th century, will also be part of the pleasures of your stay. In Lorca, a small Murcian pearl in the interior and a strategic enclave of the Reconquista, you will discover the Spanish Baroque in all its splendour, with houses such as the Casa de los Guevara or de los Morenos. On the coast, Cartagena will be the opportunity to discover the Roman heritage of the Costa Cálida, Murcia region, by visiting its theatre-museum. Last but not least, a visit to Caravaca de la Cruz, one of the five cities celebrating a jubilee year every 7 years, 2017 being the next one. One of the highlights is the Basilica of the Vera Cruz, which houses a Lignum Crucis, a fragment of the cross of Jesus Christ that attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. But the Costa Cálida region of Murcia also has a long tradition of mining, which you can get to know by visiting the town of La Unión
Green variations..
You can also go green to visit the region. In this case, the Ricote y Cieza valley is the place to be. Very characteristic of the Murcian interior, it was the last Morisco stronghold in Spain. You can bathe in the waters of the river beaches ofrío Segura or visit the rock art sites of Cieza, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for rock art in the Mediterranean arc. Forest lovers can go hiking in the Sierra Espuña National Park, the largest forest area in the region. A little further north, you can cycle from Mula to Caravaca de la Cruz along a 48-kilometre via verde that follows the old railway line. This ride off the beaten track can also lead you to discover the Murcian handicrafts, especially if you go to the pottery area that goes from Alhama de Murcia to Aledo, passing through Totana
... and red
A trip to the interior is also an opportunity to follow the wine route offered by the towns of Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas. On the menu are wines with a Denominación de Origen (DO), the equivalent of our Denomination of Origin (D.O.C.). Wines that will accompany your discovery of Murcian cuisine, a translation of history and geography. Roman texts describe a dish very similar to the Murcian Pastel de carne, a classic traditionally served on Sundays and mixing veal, bacon, chorizo and tomatoes in a shortcrust pastry. The Arabs left the taste of almonds and the culture of the eggplant, stuffed in many ways, with prawns or sausages. The Manchega influence can be found in the preparation of pig dishes and the taste for cold meats, and that of Andalusia in the preservation of fish, which gave rise, for example, to mojamas, dried and smoked tuna. Another great classic not to be missed is the zarangollo, scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes and pumpkin and of course the rice, usually of the bomba variety. The Murcian paella is a mixture of cauliflower, chillies and tender garlic, with the addition of snails or cod.
Coffee colours
In terms of sweetness, you should try the paparajote, a delicious cinnamon fritter wrapped in a lemon leaf, or the pan de Calatrava, a kind of cinnamon and lemon flan. And for coffee, try the Belmonte coffee, with its cloud, or more, of cognac or the Bombón, half coffee and half sweetened condensed milk. With over 250 km of coastline, the Costa Cálida stretches from San Pedro del Pinatar in the north to Aguilas in the south. Here, the horizon is populated by oleanders, prickly pears and wild palms. If it is of course the ideal place for swimming, almost all year round, it is also the destination of choice for the most varied water sports: canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, catamaran, water skiing, snorkelling
Diving in the Big Blue
And, of course, scuba diving, as the Costa Cálida, in the region of Murcia, is considered one of the great destinations in the Mediterranean. With four diving areas and a protected marine zone, diving here will allow you to discover the variety of its fauna and the richness of its flora, while encountering a very large concentration of shipwrecks, the largest in the whole Mediterranean. In the marine reserve of Cabo de Palos-Islas hormigas you will discover fabulous reefs and in Isla Grosa, a real underwater garden, you will contemplate vast meadows of posidonia. Sheltered from the east winds, Cartagena offers you the possibility of discovering the archaeological remains of the Costa Cálida and is a destination to be favoured, whatever your level of diving, as the cliffs of Cabo Tiñoso protect this sea from the currents. A little further south, the 35 km of coastline of Mazarrón offers numerous deserted coves and impressive diving areas with underwater caves. Finally, in the south, the region of Aguilas also gives access to a huge underwater area, from the Peñón de la Cueva de Los Lobos to Punta Parda, where you can swim in the shelter of majestic cliffs or near charming beaches. On the menu of the pleasures of this coast, we will also note the therapeutic benefits of the Mar Menor, a large inland sea that is saltier and warmer than the Mediterranean, which is home to numerous fitness complexes. As well as the presence of natural parks such as the Calblanque Regional Park, covered with beautiful unspoilt beaches, dunes and woods, or Las Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar. A bird paradise that welcomes thousands of birds every year on their way to Europe or Africa, with spectacular flights of flamingos at the end of the summer
Pasos, horsemen and flamenco
And what would a stay in the Costa Cálida, Murcia region, be without enjoying its festivals? Don't worry, the festive agenda is practically year-round. You can choose between the Aguilas carnival, the splendid Semana Santa in Lorca, where blue and white parade, the race of the wind riders in Caravaca de la Cruz, the S0S 48 festival in Murcia, the capital city of the region, which honours graphic and musical creation, the International Jazz Festival in San Javier or the prestigious International Festival of the Cante de las Minas in La Unión. A chance to see the greatest in flamenco
Useful information
When is the best time to visit? Temperatures are mild all year round. For a stay to discover the cities, avoid the summer and its excessive heat and favour the spring or autumn. On the other hand, the coast allows for very pleasant stays in all seasons.
How to get there. Direction Murcia (San Javier airport). The train, car or bus will then take over
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