The majority of Jumilla wine grapes will remain on the vine until September and October On Monday 3rd August the wine-growing area of the DOP label of Jumilla officially began one of the many crucial phases of the cycle which leads to wine from northern..

Both locals and visitors are surrounded by images recalling the glorious past of Caravaca Over the last few years the Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has been making a concerted effort to promote urban mural art as a way of not only beautifying certain..

The Santa Ana hills are soon to be home to recently renovated mountain hostel The second phase of work has begun on a project to convert the former birdlife recovery centre in the mountains of Santa Ana near Jumilla into a mountain shelter and interpretation..

The high-quality pears grown in Jumilla have been awarded Denomination of Protected Origin status The town of Jumilla in northern Murcia is best-known for the excellent wines produced in and around the municipality and for the charming splendour of..

The Botanic Trail of Santa Ana is a route in the picturesque pine forests of northern Murcia The Region of Murcia already boasts 32 entries in the catalogue of 194 “Blue Trails” in Spain, and that list has now been added to by the recognition..

Mountain scenery, freshwater swimming, spectacular countryside, local tradition and the authentic food of inland Murcia It goes without saying that beach tourism accounts for a very high proportion of visitors to the Region of Murcia every summer..

Calasparra in north-western Murcia celebrates its main culinary and agricultural speciality There are many attractions in and around the town of Calasparra, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, including the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza..

This Caravaca cycling tour includes optional stops at two archaeological sites One of two recommended short cycling trips for those who are not accompanied by small children, this route is entitled “Culture, Water and Roots” and covers a distance..

A protected Regional Park which has barely been altered by human activity over the millennia The Regional Park of the Sierra de la Pila is an area of 8,836 hectares in the north-east of the Region of Murcia, occupying parts of the municipalities of..

ARCHIVED ARTICLE - 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..

A historic town in the captivating countryside of northern Murcia with unique gastronomic, wine-making and fiesta traditions! Yecla is the northernmost municipality of the Region of Murcia, and its inland location means that it is often lower down..

History, wine, breathtaking landscapes, a medieval castle and some of the most widely acclaimed Spanish wine! Jumilla, which lies in the “Altiplano” area in the north of the Region of Murcia, is one of the many towns in Spain which are full of..

Superb winery and vineyard tours, tastings, meals and a wonderful all-round experience in the landscape of Murcia Many places in inland Murcia have recently been celebrating World Wine Tourism Day, with special events such as winery tours, museum..

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..

“Reinas” offers a great night out for all ages in the main beauty spot of the city of Caravaca The Las Fuentes del Marqués beauty spot in Caravaca de la Cruz is once again hosting evenings of theatrical entertainment for all the family this summer..

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..

Ave Oriens at the archaeological museum of Cehegín One of the main events of the Holy Jubilee Year in Cehegín in 2025 and 2026, which is being held to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the figure of the Virgen de las Maravillas in..

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..

Football, running, racket sports, swimming and others as Jumilla harvests the wine grape crop The annual Fiestas de la Vendimia (grape-picking fiestas) in Jumilla take place this year from 14th to 23rd August, coinciding with the time of year when..

The wine battle in the streets takes place this year on Saturday August 22 Jumilla celebrates its annual fiestas in August, combining the celebrations of the feast day of the Virgen de la Asunción (the patron of the town) with the grape-picking fiestas..

Wine, music, food and dancing under the stars at the Pio XII venue in Jumilla The traditional curtain-raiser for the annual fiestas in Jumilla, which culminate this year in the “Cabalgata” wine battle on Saturday August 22, is the “Exaltation..

The Catas del Camino season continues at the Huertos del Vicario venue in Caravaca During the summer of 2026 three special gourmet evenings are being held in Caravaca de la Cruz under the title of “Catas del Camino”, the second of them being this..

Lori Meyers, Malmö 040, Nyno Vargas and others provide the musical backdrop to the annual fiestas and fair in Jumilla During the annual Fiestas and Fair in Jumilla this August, coinciding with the beginning of the grape harvest, a series of live..

Astronomy and fine local produce at the historic church and ruined Roman sanctuary of La Encarnación The special summer events in Caravaca de la Cruz continue on Saturday 15th August with a “Cata con Estrellas”, which combines astronomy with..

An influx of visitors head for Jumilla every August for the Fiestas de la Vendimia The annual “Fiestas de la Vendimia, which coincide with the start of the grape harvest in the wine-producing area of Jumilla, begin in earnest on 13th August and..

Jumilla para el Recuerdo features entries in the annual photography competition in Jumilla The Jerónimo Molina museum of Ethnography and Natural Science is hosting its 35th annual exhibition from August 4 to 30 of photographs which were entered..

The 20th edition of the festival brings folk traditions from all over Spain to the north-west of Murcia The “A la luna de Barranda” season of open-air concerts is being held for the 20th time this year at the Ethnic Music Museum in the village..

Youth culture in the spotlight during the annual fiestas of Jumilla Among the new additions to the annual Fiestas de la Vendimia (grape-picking fiestas) in Jumilla, which take place this year from 14th to 23rd August to coincide with the time of year..

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 20th edition of the festival brings folk traditions from all over Spain to the north-west of Murcia The “A la luna de Barranda” season of open-air concerts is being held for the 20th time this year at the Ethnic Music Museum in the village..

The 20th edition of the festival brings folk traditions from all over Spain to the north-west of Murcia The “A la luna de Barranda” season of open-air concerts is being held for the 20th time this year at the Ethnic Music Museum in the village..

The Catas del Camino season comes to an end at the Plaza de Toros in Caravaca During the summer of 2026 three special gourmet evenings are being held in Caravaca de la Cruz under the title of “Catas del Camino”, the last of them being this one..

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..

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..