Around Hacienda del Alamo, the Costa Calida
An undiscovered corner of South East Spain with 250 kilometres of Mediterranean coast known as the Costa Calida (warm coast), the region of Murcia is genuinely unspoilt. It is developing fast but the many areas of natural beauty are protected whilst low-rise developments are planned and sensitively slotted into the landscape.
Across the Murcia Region a range of contrasting landscapes are all within easy reach - deserts and arid lands in the high plateau’s of the northwest, crystal clear waters, sandy beaches and coastal mountains can be found along much of the Costa Calida and orchards filled with lemon groves and almond trees are dotted all over the region.
Worth sampling are the excellent local wines from the Jumilla region, this area is is not as well known as Rioja but full bodied and excellent value.
COSTA CALIDA TOWNS & CITIES
Murcia
The 10th largest city in Spain, Murcia has more to offer than first meets the eye. The people are friendly, the narrow meandering streets a shoppers paradise and the cuisine a gastronomic experience with over 1200 restaurants.
Several museums, like the Museo Arqueológico and Museo Salzillo, delve into the city's amazing history and the enthralling cathedral still stands. The cathedral's 15th-century Gothic Capilla de los Vélez is stunning and the view from the 92m tower is astounding.
Cartagena
Cartagena is not only one of the oldest cities in the world with beautiful architecture, wonderful shops and bustling pavement cafes and restaurants but it is also a port which is now a favourite destination for many of the cruise liners.
There is a tourist catamaran which takes visitors on trips round the bay and with the aid of translators the tour is given in different languages. A tourist bus can also take you round the old part of the city so that you can view the historic sites with ease and there is a panoramic lift which takes you up to the visitors centre where you can wander through the gardens amongst the magnificent peacocks and the views over the city, both to the port and inland are stunning
Lorca
The lovely hilltop town of Lorca in the South west corner of the Murcia region is sometimes known as the Ciudad del Sol – the sunshine town – be warned it can get unbearably hot here but even then it is a treasure house of Baroque architecture. Known as the baroque city, thanks to its elegant architectural gems, Lorca sits inland in south western Murcia. Originally a simple stopping point for Romans on their journey between Cádiz and the Pyrenees.
Lorca is famous across Spain for its fantastic Semana Santa celebrations. It's advisable to check with the Lorca Tourist web site for exact dates.
Archena
About 14 miles north west of Murcia is Archena – here the Balneario de Archena is one of the most traditional Spanish natural thermal spas. Relax in the huge thermal spring pool which remains at a very pleasant 35 degrees – it is partly covered and partly open air so is in use all year round. Wonder around the beautiful landscaped gardens and tiled streets or simply sit and sip a beer in the palm shaded squares. But a must is to treat yourself to a thermal treatment, hydro-massage or facial in the spectacular underground Spa.
Jumilla
South west of Yecla is Jumilla, Murcia's wine growing capital. Wineries dot the landscape and produce numerous varieties, though the region is particularly known for its use of Monastrell as a varietal. Guided wine tours are available that you can book onto.
A hint from those in the know... enjoy Jumilla wines with smoked gouda cheese. It's simply divine!
SHOPPING
Whilst Fuente Alamo has all the basic shops you will need including two very good supermarkets and a vibrant street market on a Saturday, serious shoppers should head for Cartagena or Murcia where large department stores and designer label outlets can be found.
Murcia If you love to shop then you can't miss Murcia wide avenues lined with a great selection of high street brand shops plus a very large El Corte Ingles (Spain's best department store). The quaint back streetsd dwindling lanes with exclusive little shops and boutiques. One of the best streets is ‘Calle Jabonerias', where many big designer names have a shop. They can be expensive, but are great for window shopping. Just behind the El Corte Ingles, you'll find a market where you can buy jewelry, clothes, music and much more.
THe largest shopping mall in Spain can also be found in Murcia ‘Nueva Condiminium' is easily found on the A7 (junction of E15) towards Alicante situated next to ‘Real Murcia's new football stadium. Shops are located on on two levels and offer a large range of clothes, sports, toy and household shops with many Spanish and UK high street brands. There is also a large Eroski supermarket that sells food and other items.
The ‘Thader Shopping Centre' situated the other side of the motorway opposite the Nueva Condominium on two levels, offers a wide range of shops including Zara, Intersport and Mango. Stop for lunch at one of the numerous cafes and restaurants. On the 2nd floor is Planet Bowling, a new Health Club and a cinema complex. Opposite the Thader centre is the famous Ikea home store.
Cartagena
As you enter Cartagena you will find a huge Carrefour Supermarket with plenty of underground parking. In the town itself you will find a wide selection of major European retailers including the prestigious El Corte Ingles department store. The town itself has many winding streets that offer a selection of typical Spanish shops and high street brands.
Please bear in mind that local shops will open at approximately 10.00 and close for Siesta at 13.30. They will then re-open at 17.00 to 21.00 approximately.
Street Markets
For those who like to stroll through street markets these can be found at different locations every day.
Monday - San Pedro del Pinatar
Tuesday - La Union, Los Belones, Los Alcazares
Wednesday - Santiago de la Ribera, Cartagena, El Mirador
Thursday - San Javier, Los Urrutias
Friday - El Algar, Torrevieja
Saturday – Fuente Alamo, Los Narejos, Torre Pacheco
Sunday - Cabo de Palos, Los Nieto
BEACHES & WATERSPORTS
Mazarron
Accessible by car from Haciend del Alamo the drive takes you over the mountain range and drops down into the bustling cosmopolitan town of Puerto de Mazarron. In some parts, the mountains go right down to the sea, providing breathtaking views but also forming small, often sandy and secluded coves.
There are numerous beaches, some shingle, some rocky but many are sandy including the immense beaches near the port, Bahía and Bolnuevo. Here the beaches are long, wide and clean. Many restaurants and cafes plus palm trees line the beachfront.
Mar Menor
This famous resort has safe and shallow waters that offer a wide variety of water-sports. The Mar Menor is Europe's largest salt water lagoon and boasts over 170 square kilometres of shallow warm water (regularly 5 degrees centigrade warmer than the Med). It is divided from the open Mediterranean by a long narrow peninsula, which has blossomed into the lively resort area of La Manga. Flanked by mile after mile of wonderfully sandy beaches, there are numerous places for sunbathhing and all types of watersports. In a summer evening you'll find La Manga is alive with a variety of excellent restaurants, bars and nightspots open until the early hours.
Calblanque
Calblanque is an area of exceptional beauty and tranquility with fine golden, sandy beaches and clear, sparkling waters. It stretches along 13 km of the coast and consists of beaches, peaceful coves, ancient sand dunes, stunning rock formations, beautiful walking trails and pine forests.
The peaceful beaches and the clear blue mediterranean waters are the main attractions - the most popular being Playa Calblanque, Playa Larga and Playa de las Cañas.
NATURE PARKS
For the lovers of nature the following nature parks are in the region of Murcia.
Sierra Espuña
The Sierra Espuna National park This amazing park, with its limestone peaks, hiking trails, carrasco pine forests and remote mountain villages, is more than a highlight of Murica, it's a highlight of eastern Spain.
Throughout the park you can see numerous birds, including large birds of prey. There is also a healthy population of mountain goats, foxes, wild cats and genets. There is great hiking and walking, as well as mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing and kayaking. In the winter, you'll see its mountain precipices gleaming white with fresh snow.
Calblanque Regional Park
This park, situated south of the Mar Menor, consists of a beautiful coast with high dunes, long golden sandy beaches and a deepblue sea. But this park also has a lot of birds and plants. Calblanque can be visited on foot, on bicycle or on horse-back.
Salinas y Arenales Regional Park
This park is located in San Pedro del Pinatar and is the most important wetland of the province Murcia. Each year at the end of the summer many flamingos gathers here to fly together to the north of Africa. This park has a surface of about 2250 acres of which only a part is open for public.
Sierra de la Pila Regional Park
This 8836 hectare mountain park sits just north of Fortuna and hosts a wide variety of wildlife and 50 km of hiking trails. Birdlife is especially prolific and there are several areas within the park officially protected to care for certain species. Though they exist in the park, carnivorous animals like the wild cat, beech martin, tejón and genet are notoriously difficult to spot.
GOLF
If you enjoy playing a variety of courses in fanatastic weather then Murcia is the place to come. The Costa Calida is fast becoming a golfing mecca with approximatley 50 golf courses in the region. Some are well known such as La Manga Club while other have only just opened.
The best source of golf information in the region is Club Murcia where you can read reviews on all the courses, get directions and even book your tee times generally at reduced rates to the published green fees
FOR THE CHILDREN
Terra Mitica is a Roman themed activity park which has a range of rides and thrills for all the family. There are lots of benches and places to cool down, along with a good choice of restaurants and cafes for refreshments. There are shows and street entertainers throughout the day.
Aqualandia Waterpark has water rides for all ages. The park is full of pools, lagoons and waterfalls. There are cafes, restaurants, gift shops and changing room facilities.
Terra Natura consists of four different areas, America, Asia, Europe and Pangea. There is also an aqua park area open in summer. There are various shows and entertainers along your journey through the park.
Paramount Theme Park . It's early days but in September 2010 the Murcian governement announced plans to build a Paramount theme park in Murcia to rival Disneyland Paris. Completion of the park is not expected until 2012/3 but what is certain is that it will completely the change the face of this region. UPDATE 15/1/11 the Murcian local press reported today that the Paramount theme park will be built on a site only 10 minutes drive from Hacienda del Alamo Update 25/103/11 It was announced today that a 30 license had been signed and plans were underway to generate the investment needed to complete the project for opening in 2015
INTERESTING MURCIAN RELATED WEB SITES
Visit-Murcia.com –Villa rentals, holiday homes, golfing and walking holidays.
If you’re going to visit Spain, visit Murcia. You may like it so much you will want to stay.
