The joys of the festive season as you discover other towns and traditions in the Region of Murcia Christmas is the same everywhere, isn’t it? Santa, presents, carols, a family get-together for lunch or dinner, and then perhaps a brisk walk to shake..

Restaurante Barahonda sits among vineyards at the Yecla winery of the same name Restaurante Barahonda in Yecla has been awarded the coveted Michelin star in recognition of the excellence of its menus, service, atmosphere and presentation, becoming..

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..

LED lights highlight the beauty of the buildings at the heart of Caravaca’s identity At a ceremony on 17th November which was attended by Fernando López Miras, the president of the regional government, among others, the new exterior lighting 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..

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 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..

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 fake archaeological relics created by two enterpirising fraudsters in Totana are now viewed as works of art Unfortunately (in the eyes of most people), the history of fake archaeological relics dates back almost as far as the history of archaeology..

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..

Plenty of hearty warm food in the high plateau of Caravaca as the December fiestas come to Archivel! The village of Archivel in the high ground of the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz is holding its annual fiestas in honour of Santa Barbara between..

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..

Rigid tradition, the smell of gunpowder and the deafening sound of arquebus fire in the early December fiestas of Yecla There are many fiesta traditions in Spain which seem bizarre to those from elsewhere in Europe, and the Fiestas de la Virgen in..

Pupaclown present Caperucita Roja at the Teatro Vico in Jumilla Caperucita Roja is the Spanish name for the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood and is brought to Jumilla on Sunday 7th December by the Pupaclown company, who bring their own character..

A Christmas theme with traditional festive sweets on offer throughout the morning in Bullas Bullas is hosting its monthly El Zacatín artisan market on Sunday December 7 between 9.00 and 14.00 in the squares around the Plaza Vieja and Plaza del Castillo..

Jousting and other challenges for knights in shining armour during the Medieval Market of Caravaca One of the biggest annual events in Caravaca de la Cruz is the early December medieval market, which is taking place this year from 5th to 8th December..

The Patron Saint’s Fiestas in Yecla are always held during the second week of December The patron saint’s fiestas in Yecla, which take place every year starting on 5th December, are the continuation of a tradition which began almost 400 years..

A host of concerts and other entertainments during the festive season in Jumilla The program of events over the Christmas and New Year season in Jumilla, in the north of the Region of Murcia, features a large number of musical events as the key dates..

Concerts, shows, Santa, New Year and of course the Three Kings parade in Caravaca The Christmas celebrations in Caravaca de la Cruz, the capital of the north-west of the Region of Murcia, are something of a nostalgic throwback to the “true” Christmases..

Relive your favourite TV show of the 1990s and 2000s at the Teatro Vico in Jumilla! Saga Producciones, in collaboration with Theater Mogul and Iria Producciones, bring to Jumilla this adaptation of the parody musical which was won the hearts of audiences..

Take part in the “Azul y Blanco, la Basílica de la Purísima” guided visit to one of the main monuments in Yecla The Basilica de la Purísima de Yecla is one of the most emblematic buildings in the northern Murcia town, mainly because of..

Explore the hiking paths of the Sierra de la Pila in Abarán and see a dramatized re-enactment of Jaime’s death in 1824 On 5th July 2024 it was exactly 200 years since the renowned bandit Jaime “El Barbudo” was executed in the Cueva de la Excomuni..

One of the seeds from which the post-medieval town of Yecla grew in the 16th and 17th centuries This free visit in Yecla, in the north of the Region of Murcia, traces the monuments left to the town by the Franciscan Order in centuries past, including..

A special anniversary for the town of Cehegín and the devotees of the Virgen de las Maravillas 2025 marks the 300th anniversary of the reception in Cehegín in 1725 of the carved figure representing the Virgen de las Maravillas, which has been revered..

Julia Lorenzo pays tribute to the master of Impressionism in “Pinceladas con melodía” at the Ethnography museum in Jumilla Local artist Julia Lorenzo presents her own homage to the impressionist painter Claude Monet at the Ethnography and Natural..

The spirit of Christmas invades the narrow old streets of Cehegín in the festive season! Cehegín is one of the most picturesque towns in the Region of Murcia, both in terms of the panoramic view of the hilltop settlement from afar and as far as..

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..

Symphonía Deitania promises an evening of great music in the magnificent church of El Salvador Symphonía Deitania is the name of a small orchestra of 33 professional musicians from Caravaca de la Cruz and the other municipalities in the north-west..

The Asociación Musical Julián Santos at the Teatro Vico in Jumilla Jumilla’s very own version of the famous New Year’s Concert which is held in Vienna, this event is presented by the local Julián Santos music society conducted by Salvador P..

Explore the hiking paths of the Sierra de la Pila in Abarán and see a dramatized re-enactment of Jaime’s death in 1824 On 5th July 2024 it was exactly 200 years since the renowned bandit Jaime “El Barbudo” was executed in the Cueva de la Excomuni..

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..

Explore the hiking paths of the Sierra de la Pila in Abarán and see a dramatized re-enactment of Jaime’s death in 1824 On 5th July 2024 it was exactly 200 years since the renowned bandit Jaime “El Barbudo” was executed in the Cueva de la Excomuni..

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..