Political controversy could not distract locals and visitors from the festive atmosphere in Jumilla during the Fiestas de la Vendimia The Town Hall of Jumilla, represented by Councillor Asunción Navarro, reports that the Fiestas and annual fair of..

From history to wine-tasting, from rural hikes to the famed December fiestas, Yecla welcomes all visitors to these fascinating tours between August and December! The Tourism department of the Town Hall of Yecla in the north of Murcia has published..

The Convent of San José was founded by Teresa de Jesús 450 years ago The Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has announced that work will begin in the last week of August to restore the former Convent and Church of San José, one of the great historic..

Improvements to hiking and cycling routes, the botanical garden and the 1700-year-old Roman mausoleum of El Casón are among the projects undertaken by Jumilla Town Hall The Town Hall of Jumilla continues to implement its Sustainable Tourist Destination..

The Jubilee celebrates the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the figure of the Virgen de las Maravillas in Cehegín On 25th July 2025 a year-long Holy Jubilee Year begins in the town of Cehegín in the north-west of the Region of Murcia in honour..

Enjoy the city centre as you discover some of the favourite snacks of Caravaca! In 2025 the Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has joined forces with local restaurants to launch a series of five easily affordable gastronomic routes in and around the..

A brilliant healthy way to discover the city and surroundings of Caravaca One of the most enjoyable, healthiest and most environmentally-friendly ways to explore any location is on the saddle of your bike, and these guided excursions in the holy city..

Olive oil tourism in the Region of Murcia Here in the Region of Murcia olive oil is an essential part of our culture and our history, and now of our tourist activity as well! Olive oil is becoming more and more popular and rightly so, representing..

Local restaurants in and around Caravaca join forces to promote their mouth-watering specialities! A new initiative launched by the Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has gained the support of 30 local bars and restaurants, all keen to promote their..

The warmth of romantic settings more than makes up for the cold winter nights in the north of Murcia… It seems as though the extended Spanish Christmas, New Year and Three Kings festivities have only just ended, but already it’s time to look forward..

Hiking, kayaking, birdwatching and the simple joy of the countryside in Caravaca, Cehegín and Calasparra Source: ITREM The River Argos is far from being a major waterway but it is one of the natural jewels of the north-west of the Region of Murcia..

This meat and flatbread meal has nothing to do with Andalusian gazpacho! Those of us who live on the coast tend to think we know about gazpacho, the cool summer drink made from blended tomato, cucumber and other ingredients. But don’t imagine that..

A lovely tasty and filling accompaniment to the Easter Week processions of Jumilla! Particularly popular during the processions and celebrations of Semana Santa in Jumilla, which have been awarded International Tourist Interest status, this humble..

The Animeros de Caravaca perform in Navares, Archivel, Benabón and El Moral The “Animeros de Caravaca” are a traditional folk music and dance group based in Caravaca de la Cruz and during the summer of 2025 they are performing a series of free..

Dorothy travels through the wonderland of the Caravaca park on her quest! Following the huge success of last year’s summer productions of Alice in Wonderland in the beauty spot of Las Fuentes del Marqués, just outside the Holy City of Caravaca..

Juana la Apasionada proposes an alternative theory about the Queen who reigned for 39 years but was never freed from confinement Queen Juana I of Castilla, is perhaps most easily identified for those who know more about British than Spanish history..

Enjoy the cool evening air of Mula as you discover the colourful stories behind the churches of the town As part of a series of Thursday evening events celebrating the historical and culinary heritage of Mula, this guided walk on 24th July is being..

In the city of Caravaca de la Cruz the threads of religious belief and military strength are inextricably intertwined The history of the Holy City of Caravaca is characterized by two main elements: the presence of the Vera Cruz, believed by many to..

The third event in this summer’s A La Luna de Barranda season features an alchemy of musical styles! The annual “A La Luna de Barranda” season of free summer evening concerts is being held during the month of August with Spanish musicians delighting..

Los Villaricos in Mula was an important agricultural villa almost 2000 years ago On Saturday 19th July the tourist office of Mula is offering a free guided tour of the Roman villa site of Los Villaricos, which contains one of the best preserved agricultural..

The picturesque village near Mula has a long history and the remains of 14th century watchtowers can still be seen The small village of La Puebla de Mula is just 5 kilometres east of Mula itself, between the mountains of Sierra de la Almagra and Sierra..

The old church of Yecla, known for its iconic tower, is to be converted into a cultural venue The Iglesia de la Asunción, more usually known in Yecla as the Iglesia Vieja (the old church, since before the construction of the Basilica in 1868 it was..

Teams of 6 youngsters compete over a series of ridiculous obstacle courses in the name of fun and prizes! As August draws to a close a special event is being held for teenagers and young adults on the 30th of the month, when the bull ring hosts “..

The first event in this summer’s A La Luna de Barranda season features Jarocho music from Mexico The annual “A La Luna de Barranda” season of free summer evening concerts is being held during the month of August with international musicians..

Visit the remains of pre-Christian settlements in the countryside of Caravaca de la Cruz Many centuries before the advent of the True Cross in Caravaca and the construction of the sanctuary and castle, the Romans and Iberians were already living in..

The cool evening air and twilight combine to make for an atmospheric walk around the historic town of Cehegín This free tour of the historic and picturesque town centre of Cehegín in the north-west of the Region of Murcia begins at 20.30 in the..

Melodic renditions of traditional songs at the Ethnic Music Museum in Barranda The 2025 “Conciertos Sentidos” series of free musical events at the Museum of Ethnic Music in the Caravaca village of Barranda continues on Sunday 28th September with..

The post-Jubilee year event in Caravaca also features marathon and half-marathon distances As the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz winds down after its 7-yearly Holy Jubilee year in 2024, one of the events maintaining pride of place in the annual..

The city of Caravaca has been attracting Catholic pilgrims since the 14th century Caravaca de la Cruz has attracted Catholic pilgrims and other religious tourists ever since the 14th century and this is still reflected in six monasteries, convents..

A 10-kilometre event takes place alongside the annual 21-km race in Jumilla This year’s half-marathon and 10-kilometre running races in Jumilla will take place on Saturday 18th October, the change to an autumn date intended to make it more attractive..

The Anacronía Ensemble at the municipal auditorium in Yecla The International Chamber Music Festival in Yecla (“Festival Internacional de Música de Cámara de Yecla”, or FIMYECLA), offers a series of free high-quality small-scale concerts throughout..

Celtic music from the Basque country at the Ethnic Music Museum in Barranda The 2025 “Conciertos Sentidos” series of free musical events at the Museum of Ethnic Music in the Caravaca village of Barranda continues on Sunday 26th October with a..

The “Caravaca heráldica” tour includes many of the oldest noble houses in the centre of Caravaca For many centuries now the city of Caravaca de la Cruz has been the unofficial capital of the north-west of the Region of Murcia, dating back to..

The Jubilee in Caravaca is a culturally and socially dynamic event as well as one of great religious significance (Source: ITREM, tourist board of the Region of Murcia) When Pope John Paul II granted a Holy Jubilee Year to Caravaca de la Cruz..

Guitarist Fernando Espí at the municipal auditorium in Yecla The International Chamber Music Festival in Yecla (“Festival Internacional de Música de Cámara de Yecla”, or FIMYECLA), offers a series of free high-quality small-scale concerts throughout..

The musical tradition of Murcia with influences from elsewhere in Europe at the Ethnic Music Museum in Barranda The 2025 “Conciertos Sentidos” series of free musical events at the Museum of Ethnic Music in the Caravaca village of Barranda comes..

A popular rural tourism destination with a prestigious musical museum on the high ground of north-western Murcia Barranda is a small village in the high ground of north-western Murcia on the RM-730 road between Caravaca de la Cruz and La Puebla de..

A chance to see the incredible embroideries of the Running of the Wine Horses up close If you’re in the Region of Murcia on May 2 then take the opportunity to witness one of the most memorable and unique fiestas to be seen anywhere in Spain and..

Up to 72 hours free motor home camping close to the city centre of Caravaca The council-run motor home and caravan park in Caravaca de la Cruz is located 2 kilometres from the RM-15 motorway alongside the RM-715 in Calle Pabellón (click for map)...

A popular walking and picnic area and home to a sleeping giant named Tomir! Peña Rubia is a vertical limestone peak in the Cerro Gordo area of mountainous terrain, surrounded by pine forest and a perfect mountain ecosystem. The escarpments reach..

A picturesque rural retreat, a popular rural tourism destination and a wealth of history shared with Caravaca The village of Archivel lies in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz between Barranda (also in Caravaca) and Campo de San Juan (in Moratalla..

The Museo de Música Étnica y Colección Carlos Blanco Fadol in Barranda The man responsible for this amazing place is a remarkable man by the name of Carlos Blanco Fadol. There are many accomplished musicians throughout the world with a passion..

Caravaca de la Cruz is a focal point for spirituality and culture during 2024 Source: ITREM, regional tourist board of Murcia, “La belleza de lo Extraordinario” It’s always a great time to visit the Region of Murcia but in 2024 that’s doubly..

A 78-kilometre hiking and cycling route full of beautiful scenery and cultural and historical significance The Vía Verde del Noroeste (the Greenway of the North-west) is one of the most important ecological routes in the Region of Murcia and is also..

Millennia of archaeological remains have been found in the picturesque mountain scenery of La Encarnación It has been said that if one place in the Region of Murcia above all others can boast archaeological remains which transcend the centuries..

The second most important place of worship in Caravaca The parish church of El Salvador in Caravaca de la Cruz (Parroquia de El Salvador) plays an important part in the Holy Jubilee celebrations which are held every seven years in the city, and is..

A harder job would be to name reasons NOT to visit Yecla and Jumilla! If you’re one of those whose knowledge of the Region of Murcia is limited to the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor, couple of local watering holes or restaurants..

The Vía Verde del Chicharra covers a distance of 31.6 kilometres The Vía Verde del Chicharra is a greenway which has been created, like many others, by making use of an old disused railway trackbed, this one running from Yecla in the north of the..

100% ecological family-run winery supporting the Ruta del Vino de Yecla Bodegas Evine is an ecological family-run winery operating under the Denominación de Origen de Yecla (D.O. Yecla) which produces small volumes of wine, the emphasis being on..

The mid-May fiestas feature folk dancing, music and the famous parade of floats made from quilled paper Every year in mid-May in Yecla, reflecting the town’s agricultural heritage, the local fiestas are celebrated in honour of San Isidro, the patron..

Caravaca and its neighbours Cehegín, Bullas, Calasparra and Bullas all offer a fascinating range of experiences to visitors The city of Caravaca de la Cruz is one of only 5 to have been awarded the status of “Holy Cities” by the Vatican and is..

Ulea and Abanilla are also added to the itinerary as places where fragments of the True Cross are venerated As preparations continue for the Holy Jubilee Year in Caravaca de la Cruz in 2024 it has been announced that a new branch of the pilgrimage..

Icy cold springs, moonscapes, badlands and enchanted natural cities in the Costa Cálida! Far from being simply a stretch of coastline in the western Mediterranean, the Region of Murcia has a fantastically varied landscape, and the following selection..

Locations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned for its sunshine, the warmth of its climate and its people, the good living and the delicious food, but even the Costa Cálida..

Half a dozen plans for a day away from the beach in the Costa Cálida! School’s almost out for summer, and thousands of families will be heading from all over Europe to the Costa Cálida for their annual dose of sun, sea and sand, but of course..

A green oasis of nature and wildlife in Calasparra in northern Murcia The tourist information point of Cañaverosa in the municipality of Calasparra is located at the entrance to the astonishing Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza, alongside the..

Some of the most demanding ascents in southern Spain are to be found in the mountains of Murcia The Region of Murcia is something of a paradise for nature lovers who enjoy exploring on two wheels, with rides ranging from the flat crop fields of the..

Calasparra is one of only three areas in Spain with Denomination of Origin status for locally grown rice Despite rice being one of the commonest foods on the planet it is a relatively rare sight to see the product being cultivated in Europe, but in..

A small agricultural village in northern Lorca on the old inland route to Andalucía La Parroquia, also known as La Parroquia de la Fuensanta and La Tova, is a small village with around 500 residents in the western part of the “Tierras Altas”..

Wednesday is market day in Cehegín: fresh fruit and veg and a range of other goods For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets..

Saturday is market day in Mula: fresh fruit and veg and a range of other goods For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets, which..

Friday is market day in Calasparra: fresh fruit and veg and a range of other goods For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets..

The main square of the old quarter of Calasparra The Plaza de la Corredera is the most important square in the town of Calasparra and is centrally located in the heart of the old quarter. It has been re-modelled several times and today contains..

Part of the Moorish battlements can still be seen at the majestic hilltop fortress of Benizar The remains of the castle of Benizar, in the north-west of Moratalla close to the boundary with the region of Castilla-La Mancha, are perched magnificently..

The figure of the patron of Calasparra is brought from her rural sanctuary into the town Every 1st May the figure of the Virgen de la Esperanza is brought down from her sanctuary outside Calasparra to the town below, where she remains until the first..

The Order of Saint John the Hospitaller in the Region of Murcia 1244-1851 The Orden de San Juan de Jerusalén is a religious order of knights known in English as the Knights of the Order of Saint John the Hospitaller, which grew from a brotherhood..

Calasparra Fiestas and Traditions Calasparra has a number of local fiestas and festivals throughout the year, intertwining its rich history with the main local traditions which define the town, namely the agricultural links of Calasparra, rice growing..

Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza, Calasparra One of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the Region of Murcia is that of the Virgen de la Esperanza in Calasparra. This little sanctuary is cut into the rock face of a sheer cliff overlooking..