Spanish Regions

Introduction

Costa Calida, meaning “warm coast” is a superb 250 km stretch of coastline in the province of Murcia. It is an area of contrasts with areas that will suit those looking for a quiet retreat for their retirement, as well as busy resorts to suit those looking for a holiday home.

The Area and Its Climate

The Costa Calida is named for its microclimate that gives warm temperatures all year round (averaging in the high 20s in the summer and rarely dipping below 15°C in winter) and very low rainfall of around 34cm per year.

A highly fertile region characterised by oleanders, prickly pears and wild dwarf palms, the area mixes busy towns with bustling resorts and old fishing towns. Behind the mountains provide ample opportunity for exploration.

Major Towns and Resorts

Mar Menor - Unique and beautiful, the Mar Menor (little sea) is Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, separated from the Mediterranean by a natural breakwater known as La Manga Strip, on which many of the area’s resorts are based.

Dotted along the 73 kilometres of Mar Menor coastline are numerous small towns and villages, San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcazares, Los Narejos, Islas Menores, Mar de Cristal and Playa Honda, offering mile after mile of gentle promenade beaches with numerous bars and restaurants to suit every taste and budget.

Thanks to its 320 days of sunshine a year and shallow, mirror-calm waters, the lagoon with its ‘Blue Flag’ beaches and white sands make it ideal for family holidays and those interested in sailing, diving and water skiing.

Even in the height of the season, the beaches never get ‘packed’ or claustrophobic.

The Mar Menor bay is also famed for its natural mud bath which is reputed to have special healing properties for people with rheumatic or arthritic problems. Almond trees, palms and windmills complete the picture, adding to the beauty of the landscape of this area.

Cartagena - founded almost 2,300 years ago, Cartagena has a heritage to rival that of any European city.

The last Moorish stronghold in Spain, the area is brimming with fascinating history and architecture, including a 13th century church whose remains stand on the steps of a Roman Theatre which dates from the 1st century BC and is one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain.

It was from Cartagena that Hannibal departed with his elephants to cross the Alps an event celebrated each September with a huge Roman festival spanning two weeks.

Still a significant naval port, it was here that the world's first submarine was born in 1884 and now displayed on the city front for all to see.

Apart from its historic treasures, Cartagena offers an active commercial life, rich culture, a wide range of leisure activities and superb cuisine characterised by locally caught seafood and excellent fruit and vegetables.

Murcia - the perfect place to gain a real insight to everyday Spanish life, Murcia is blessed with a rich legacy of art and contrasting cultures. Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Moors have all left their mark on the stunning local scenery.

Founded in around 831 AD by the moors in the centre of the River Segura Valley, the importance of the city over the years can be seen in the many beautiful cathedrals, palaces and other public buildings around its many narrow streets.

Murcia is a great destination for those interested in extreme sports, too, with potholing, white-water canoeing, cave-diving, deep-sea diving, paragliding and hang gliding all readily available.

As well as great shopping, food lovers will enjoy the huge selection of tapas bars to be found in Murcia’s sleepy squares as well as the city’s more formal restaurants.

Introduction

The Costa Blanca, literally meaning “White Coast” is situated on the South East coast of Spain and is a favourite holiday destination for the Spanish and well as being the most popular destination for the British. At the heart of the Costa Blanca is the resort of Benidorm, and it is here where many holidaymakers head. However the whole of the Costa Blanca has a thriving property market. 

The Area and its Climate

The area from Alicante in the North southwards to the Mar Menor is a region of contrasting gentle landscapes and rugged coastline covering every aspect of Spanish life, from bustling cosmopolitan towns to traditional Spanish villages. It has a superb climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 20°C, which enables the farmers to produce four harvests of fruit and vegetables per year. It is also a very healthy, dry climate as there is no heavy industry in the area and the salt lagoons situated 2 kms from Torrevieja draw the moisture from the air, making the climate ideal for people with arthritis, psoriasis and asthma. The benefits are almost immediate and is the reason why the World Health Organisation recommend it as one of the healthiest places to live.

80 beaches in the Valencia region of the Costa Blanca fly the "Blue Flag". This is only awarded to beaches which meet the stringent requirement for cleanliness and facilities. Most have a beach bar open in the summer season and they vary from secluded sand dunes to long flat sandy beaches.

Nature lovers will be enthralled by the region’s wildlife in the many protected reserves and parks. Just a few minutes drive inland from the coast will take you into the glorious unspoilt countryside. The nature reserve of the lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja, one of the most important marshlands in Valencia, serves as a habitat for numerous protected species of bird such as the greater Flamingo, and Montagu´s Harrier. These two beautiful lagoons, know as Las Salinas, the salt flats, date back to the 12th century and are currently one of the most important in the whole of Europe.

Major Towns and Resorts

Benidorm is sometimes known as the “Manhattan of Spain” or even “Beniyork” due to the soaring skyline formed by numerous hotels and apartment buildings. However the city is still incredibly green due to its strict obeyance of planning laws that ensure that an area of land is allocated for leisure around every building. It is also incredibly close to the mountains, which also provide the city’s unique micro-climate with 3,400 hours of sunshine per year, an average temperature of 26°C in summer and 15°C in winter

It has a permanent population of just 65,000 inhabitants which rises to over half a million in the summer. Popular with British, Flemish and Dutch holidaymakers, their influences can be seen in the cuisine and goods on offer in the shops.

Although known for its bars and clubs, Benidorm is also a superb family base, with three major beaches which all carry a blue flag and several theme parks.

Alicante is a historic Mediterranean port, dating back to the fourth century, which is now one of the fastest-growing towns in Spain with a thriving property market.

At the centre of the city lies the wide harbour, fortifications and castle with wide alleys and a central shopping area perfect for strolling.  Stretching along the coast for several kilometres are the beaches which make the city a haven for sun-worshippers.

The airport is easily reached from the city via the airport bus or taxi, and its proximity makes the city an ideal destination for UK holiday makers.

Activities

For the boating enthusiasts there are numerous beautiful marinas from Alicante through to La Manga varying in size and facilities offered. There are also endless opportunities for water sports activities including windsurfing, yachting, snorkeling, diving, jetski-ing, kite surfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding to name but a few.

For those who enjoy a more relaxing experience in luxurious surroundings, there are two excellent spa and health resorts within a short drive in the Murcia region offering a wide range of beauty and health treatments. The medicinal mineral waters of these spas are acknowledged by doctors.

Just over 3 hours away, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada gradually turn into high mountains. Several ski resorts can be found here and in some places there is enough snow on the higher slopes to ski in spring and autumn.

Golf

For Golfers, the southern Costa Blanca is a veritable paradise. There are numerous 18 hole championship golf courses located throughout the area with many more planned. For those wanting to take up the sport or to improve, there are also several driving ranges, and 9 hole courses to choose from. From La Marquesa and La Finca close to Guardamar, through to Las Ramblas, Villamartin and Campoamor at Orihuela Costa, and southwards to the courses in the Mar Menor and Murcia regions such as the Sucina Golf & Country Club, The Mar Menor Golf Resort and La Manga Club there is a course to suit every golfer whether professional standard or novice. The facilities available on most courses are second to none with excellent pro-shops, bars and commercial centres.