Attractions in Orihuela
Whether you want to simply sink your toes in the sand or sink a 35 foot hard-breaking put, Orihuela is for you.
Although the sublime sections of white sand frolicking with the playful waters of the Mediterranean Sea are Orihuela's most obvious assets, they are not its only attractions.
Sand, albeit of an entirely different variety, dots several impeccable golf courses in Orihuela. Granted, this sand is not an attraction, but avoiding it with your long driver and rolling your ball onto the pristine green is definitely one of life's most beautiful moments - an attraction indeed! For more information about attractions that require some action, see Activities.
The capital city, which is hewn in two by the attractive Río Segura, is a sight in itself. It boasts an intriguing mix of baroque, Renaissance and Gothic buildings, as well a couple interesting museums.
Just north of Orihuela is Torrevieja and its two lagoons: the famously pink Torrevieja and the blue La Mata. Although the site of continued salt production since Roman times, the lagoon environment is now also a protected nature reserve offering brilliant bird watching (over 200 species including flamingos), walking, bicycling and horseback riding.
To the south of Orihuela is the amazing Parc Natural de Sierra Espuña, as well as the historical cities of Murcia and Cartagena.
Here's a more detailed guide to what Orihuela has to offer:
Beaches
Orihuela's shoreline is blessed with 16km of white sand beaches, including seven prestigious Blue Flag beaches.
Soft sands and superior services - beaches at your beckon
Stretching along Orihuela's coast are seven beaches that fly the Blue Flag, due to their cleanliness, fine environment and lengthy list of services: Barranco Rubio, Cabo Roig Beach (Caleta Beach), Campoamor Beach (Aguamarina), Campoamor Beach (La Glea), Capitán Cove, Flamenca Beach (Estaca Cove) and Flamenca Beach (Mosca Cove).
Estaca Cover, Mosca, Caleta Beach, Aguamarina and La Glea all have helpful tourist information centres and are easily accessible by bus - the latter three are also backed by pleasant promenades.
Tougher access, fewer people - peaceful places
Calas del Cabo Peñas lacks the easy access of the Blue Flag beaches and thus attracts far fewer sun worshippers. The cove's sands are quite nice, the waters are tranquil and the ambience is perfectly peaceful.
Brilliant beaches for kids
With lifeguards, playgrounds and gentle seas, Cabo Roig Beach (Caleta Beach), Campoamor Beach (Aguamarina), Campoamor Beach (La Glea), Flamenca Beach (Estaca Cove), Flamenca Beach (Mosca Cove) and La Zenia Beach (Bosque Cove) are good beaches for children.
Sunbathing missing from your vocabulary? - beaches for sports
Several of Orihuela's have great facilities for water sports. These activities should enthral the children and the child in you. Beach based sports like volleyball are available at all Blue Flag beaches, except Barranco Rubio and Capitán Cove, while waterskiing, windsurfing and sailing are all options at La Zenia Beach (Bosque Cove), Cabo Roig Beach (Caleta Beach) and Campoamor Beach (La Glea).
Full access - beaches for those with reduced mobility
Besides Orihuela's seven Blue Flag beaches, there is also beach access for those with reduced mobility at La Zenia Beach (Bosque Cove), La Zenia Beach (Cerrada Cove), Mil Palmeras Beach and Punta Prima Beach.
Campoamor Beach (Aguamarina), Campoamor Beach (La Glea), Flamenca Beach (Estaca Cove) and Flamenca Beach (Mosca Cove) all offer safe wheelchair access to the beach and sea. Facilities include special walkways to the seashore, amphibian chairs, rest areas with sunshades and special furnishings, and showers with bathing chairs.
Orihuela (the capital)
The Río Segura does more than attractively flow through the centre of this city, it marks the transition from a modern commercial centre to the storied city of centuries ago. You'll find that the old city's historical buildings are as interesting as they are varied... wander through Gothic, baroque and Renaissance structures. Remember, you don't have to rush, you're now on Spanish time.
The 16th-century Convento de Santo Domingo is Orihuela's most splendid ecclesiastical building, with its fine Renaissance cloisters and rich 18th-century tilework in the refectory.
Delve into the Gothic-Catalan 14th-century Catedral de San Salvador and visit the Museo Diocesano, which boasts the Temptation of St Thomas by Veláquez. While in the cathedral, be sure to get a good glimpse of its three finely-carved portals.
The exteriors steel the show at the Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina and the Palacio Episcopal. The former has a lovely Renaissance façade and gargoyles draped from its gothic towers, while the latter's façade is soberly baroque.
Head to the Universidad Miguel Hernandez to visit Museo de la Muralla. There, you'll descend and explore the immense underground remains of the city walls and old Arab baths.
Draped atop the nearby mountain are the remnants of a castle built by the Muslims centuries ago.
Plaza Poet Sansano in the city contains the Circo Theatre, which hosts drama, music, cultural performances and even light opera.
Palmeral of San Antón
This semicircular palm grove is the second largest in the Alicante region and sits north of the city, Orihuela. It's only smaller than Elche, which is Europe's largest palm grove and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historians believe that Palmeral of San Antón is of Islamic origin.
The Torrevieja and La Mata National Nature Reserve
A few minutes north of Orihuela, just inland from the resort town of Torrevieja, are two famous salt-water lagoons that now comprise a 3700 hectare nature reserve. The two lagoons have been used since Roman time to mine precious salt. Although production is lower today than it was in the 19th and 20th centuries, Torrevieja's port continues to ship one million tonnes of the salty stuff around the world each year.
Over 200 bird species have been identified in the nature reserve, including flamingos. Besides bird watching, the nature reserve is an excellent place for walking, cycling or horseback riding. Seeing that the area reserve is a salt flat, you don't have to worry about any hills!
Torrevieja (the town)
This nearby coastal resort, like Orihuela, has more than just beaches on offer. The Sea and Salt Museum, which discusses the sea's endless relationship with the people of Torrevieja, is a worthwhile excursion. Slide beneath the shade of some palms at Plaza de la Constitución, sip a coffee and admire the neoclassical Church of Immaculate Conception. Its vibrant three-tiered plinth towers have played in Torrevieja's blue skies for over a century and a half.
Mar Menor
This 170-sq-km stunning saltwater lagoon (the largest in Europe) is just a few kilometres south of Orihuela. It's separated from the sea by a narrow 22km-long strip of land known as La Manga and boasts crystal clear waters. Thanks to its shallow depths (2m to 7m), the water is always warmer than the Mediterranean - a winter dip anyone? Besides swimming, the Mar Menor is perfect for sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling.
The water's high salt and iodine concentrations are also reputed to have medicinal properties - feel free to cover yourself in the therapeutic mud of the Mota de la Calcetera near Lo Pagan beach (it's supposed to work wonders!).
Sections of the Mar Menor are an important ecological reserve and host numerous bird species. In September, you'll have the chance to witness the extraordinary migration of flamingos (they rest at Mar Menor en route to Africa).
The 44km worth of beaches of Mar Menor are also just heavenly to lounge on. Some of it's nicest sands are found on the beaches of Santiago de la Ribera, San Pedro del Pintar and Los Alcazares.
Murcia
Straddling the Río Segura, just 15 minutes south of Orihuela is this laid-back university city with a remarkable past. Founded by Muslims in 825 AD atop a former Roman colony, the town flourished until being captured by Alfonso X of Castilla and Léon in 1243. Its wealth grew and in 1358 the massive Catedral de Santa María was built. Things reached an apex in the 18th century, when the wealth of its silk and agricultural sectors were booming. It was at this time that the cathedral was bestowed with its sumptuous baroque façade.
Things took a turn for the worse in the 19th century, with Napoleonic troops looting Murcia in 1810 and subsequent outbreaks of the plague and cholera. The first half of the 20th century was equally unkind as the city was the scene of many Spanish Civil War battles in 1936.
Several museums delve into the city's amazing history and thankfully, the enthralling cathedral still stands for you to marvel at. Don't miss the cathedral's stunning 15th-century Gothic Capilla de los Vélez and be sure to climb the 92m tower for an astounding view.
Cartagena
Less than 40 minutes from Orihuela is the seaside city of Cartagena. It has a rich history dating back to 223 BC when Hasdrubal stormed into the tiny settlement with his army from Carthage and made it his new capital. Cartagena's name actually has its origins from this time, when Hasdrubal renamed the village Carthago Nova (New Carthage). The Arabs then smoothed it to Cartajana.
Today its home to Spain's largest naval base (they plan on being ready the next time the Carthaginians attack!). More importantly, it hosts some fascinating vestiges of its Roman and Carthaginian heritage. Climb (or take the lift) up to the Castillo de la Concepción for a panoramic view, explore the Punic Wall or delve into the Roman ruins of Augusteum and Decumanus. There are even remains of a Roman Amphitheatre that lie beneath the old bullring!
Parc Natural de Sierra Espuña
Just over an hour from Orihuela is this amazing park, with its limestone peaks, hiking trails, carrasco pine forests and remote mountain villages. Besides hiking, the park and surrounds offer mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing and kayaking. In the winter, you'll see its mountain precipices gleaming white with fresh snow.
The fact that there's so much to see in and around Orihuela will only enhance your Spanish experience. It also increases the potential for holiday lets if you're simply looking for a property to invest in. Take a look at the quality properties currently available in Orihuela.
