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..

Stars of Spanish pop light up the city of Caravaca on July 11 and 12 After the huge success of the “Noches del Camino” concerts in Caravaca during the Holy Jubilee Year of 2024 it has been decided that the event will be repeated, with this year..

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..

A special San Juan edition of the new arts and crafts event in north-west Murcia  The new monthly arts and crafts market was held for the first time in Cehegín on the last Sunday in April, and the third event returns to the central streets of Dr..

Riverside Blues provide the music on a magical night in the town of Cehegín The Jardín de la Tercia is one of the best- known and most historic public areas in Cehegín, and on Saturday 28th June is hosting a magical evening starting at 21.00 as..

Bop till you drop at the summer dance and music festival in Barranda A night of music and partying in the village of Barranda, in the countryside of the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz, begins at 20.30 with hot snacks and a couple of beers for..

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 June 28 with a “Cata con Estrellas”, which combines astronomy with wine..

The Terrassa 48 Chamber Orchestra 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..

The fascinating story of the most important emblem of the town of Cehegín The Cross of Cehegín is an ancient piece of metalwork which can be seen in the town's archaeological museum and which was found on the site of the City of Begastri, a Visigoth..

Trazos de Alma at the Casa Municipal de Cultura in Yecla A collection of remarkable pencil drawings by artist Paula Marco can be visited at the Casa Municipal de Cultura in Yecla from 20th June to 6th July, featuring a series of hugely detailed drawings..

The geological artwork of Ángel Francisco Cutillas at the Ethnography and Natural Science Museum of Jumilla Ángel Francisco Cutillas has been collecting and studying rocks for many years, compiling knowledge about the whole world but especially..

Tras la Lente y el Pincel at the Museo del Vino in Jumilla An event named “Tras la Lente y el Pincel” (Behind the Lens and the Brush), featuring the work of talented local artists, is being held on Friday 5th July at the Jumilla Wine Museum, with..

A moonlight walk at the magical mountain of Monte Arabí in Yecla Take a special evening stroll around the legendary mountain of Monte Arabí, the site of many local legends and myths as well as unique prehistoric rock paintings and mysterious petroglyphs..

The July market in Bullas features some of the finest artisan woodworkers in the Region of Murcia Bullas is hosting its monthly El Zacatín artisan market on Sunday July 6 between 9.00 and 14.00 in the squares around the Plaza Vieja and Plaza del..

Duncan Dhu, La Casa Azul, Xoel López and Marwan top the bill at the 2025 festival in Caravaca After the huge success of the “Noches del Camino” concerts in Caravaca during the Holy Jubilee Year of 2024 it has been decided that the event will..

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..

Discover the historical heritage of Yecla at the Town Hall and the church of El Hospitalico The town of Yecla in northern Murcia has a long and fascinating history dating right back to prehistoric times, and this guided visit in the centre of town..

Trace the development of early food technology at the Jerónimo Molina Archaeology Museum in Jumilla Since way before the beginning of recorded history the different techniques and tools used to grind and mill cereals and seeds have been of fundamental..

Seven varied events at the open-air venue of the bullring in Caravaca de la Cruz The program has been unveiled for the 44th annual Theatre Week in Caravaca de la Cruz, which is being held from July 17 to 26, with the highlight for non-Spanish speaking..

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 Johan Willen Friso royal military band at the Mercado de Abastos in Jumilla The 32nd annual “Ciudad de Jumilla” musical bands festival in Jumilla features a special guest appearance by the Johan Willen Friso royal military band from the Netherlands..

A guest band from Portugal at the Mercado de Abastos in Jumilla The 32nd annual “Ciudad de Jumilla” musical bands festival in Jumilla features a special guest appearance by the Olivenza Philharmonic, whose home town is in the western Spanish province..

The first event in this summer’s A La Luna de Barranda season features traditional songs from the Region of Murcia The annual “A La Luna de Barranda” season of free summer evening concerts is being held during the month of August with Spanish..

The second event in this summer’s A La Luna de Barranda season features traditional Celtic music with Moorish and Jewish influences The annual “A La Luna de Barranda” season of free summer evening concerts is being held during the month of August..

Free admission to see the legendary Córdoba rockers on their farewell nationwide tour Medina Azahara, named after the historic site just a few kilometres from their home city of Córdoba, were formed in the late 1970s and soon became popular with..

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..

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..

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..