Due to the restrictions for COVID-19, many of the usual events in the area have been cancelled or changed. Street Markets have been reinstated with the usual conditions such as keeping social distancing and the wearing of masks. Please adhere to these conditions for everyone’s safety. Check at Tourist Offices to confirm that events are still taking place.
Organised Tours
The health and safety measures established by the health authorities for the prevention of COVID-19 must be respected. The minimum safety distance must be maintained (2 metres) and a mask must be used, as well as disinfectant gels. During the visit, if you sneeze or cough, discard the tissues once they have been used and if you don’t have a tissue at hand, do so in your elbow.. Physical contact with the guide is not allowed. If you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19 do not go on the tour. Avoid crowding and walking in crowded places.
South Murcia
Aguilas www.aguilas.org Tel 968 493 285 – Sat Market
Every Saturday – Antique & Collectable Market near the Railway Station. From 10am.
Organised walks and guided tours are limited to 15-20 people depending on the route during the COVID-19 restrictions.
Every Sunday in September – Cuarto Calas Walk 10am from Playa Calarrona 5€. Tel 616 411 061 for more information.
Every Monday in September – Visit Mysterious Aguilas 5€ (under 8yrs free) 10pm from Fishing Port (Icarus)
Saturday 5th September – Visit Historic Aguilas 5€ (under 8yrs free) 10am from Fishing Port (Icarus)
Tuesday/Wed/Thu during September – Guided Tour to Embarcadero del Hornillo 5€ (under 8yrs free) 6pm from roundabout near cinema
Every Wednesday in September – 5€ Guided Tour of Historic Aguilas – 10am from Tourist Office
Sunday 20th September – Ruta del Ferrocarril (Railway Route)
Saturday 12th & 26th September – Route through the Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre Regional Park, allowing you to enjoy the natural and cultural sites. You will pass through nesting areas for different species of birds, numerous coves of singular beauty, remains of Roman settlements, a crypto wetland located on Saladar Beach and even a hole in the ground from which thermal water emanates. The use of mask is mandatory with social distancing between people from different families. Hydroalcoholic gel will be provided by the guide. A maximum of 15 people will be permitted on the walk. Comfortable clothing and footwear, hat, bottle of water and sunscreen are recommended. In good weather we also recommend swimming clothes to enjoy a good dip at the end of the route on one of the visited beaches. 4.7km/low difficulty/2½ hrs.
Alhama de Murcia http://turismo.alhamademurcia.es/ Tel 968 633 51 – Tues Market
There are some fabulous walks in the Sierra Espuña National Park.
Go to http://turismo.alhamademurcia.es and click on Paths of Sierra Espuña. You will find full details of all walks available and a map that you can download.
Photographic History of Alhama
Exhibition at Los Baños Archaeological Museum. Learn about aspects of the history of the municipality through the documents preserved in the Municipal Archive. Free admission.
Open: Tues-Sat 10am-2pm & 4.30pm-7.30pm, Sun 10am-2pm
Fuente Alamo – Sat Market
Every Wednesday – Hacienda del Alamo Women’s Association Coffee Morning @ The Club House 10am-12pm
Lorca – www.lorcaturismo.es Tel 968 441 914 – Thurs Market
Lorca annual fairs take place in the month of September. During the second week, Lorca Saint Patron Festivity is celebrated in the Virgen de las Huertas area.
Lorca Castle – general entry 6€. Guided Tours available in English for 4€ on Thursdays at 10.30am for 22€ to include lunch, with special packages Mon-Fri (15€). Check at Tourist Office for full details.
Sunday 4th September – 75 min Free Spanish Dramatized Tour – The Irishman’s Secret
This tour is carried out by actors walking through the monumental centre of Lorca following a mystery plot. 11.30am from Plaza de España Tourist Office. Reservation essential.
Saturday 5th September & 3rd October – Visit Virgin of las Huertas Convent 4€ (discounts available) 12.30pm. Booking essential.
The Church has a set of paintings of the Franciscans that form a unique pictorial cycle in the Region of Murcia. Details will also be given on the ongoing restoration of the temple after the earthquakes of 2011. You can also see the Tota Pulchra staircase, located inside the Convent, a place of special recollection and devotion of the Franciscan Fathers. See the remains of the impressive Caliphal Palace that are under part of the church and the convent, receiving a complete explanation of the excavation processes that allowed these very important remains to be brought to light.
Thursday 10th & Sunday 13th September – 45min Free Guided Tour of Old Town of Lorca
Friday 2nd October – Aureo @ Guerra Theatre – a balanced mix of beauty, harmony. The UpArte company puts on its second show with an innovative and surprising technique: the Russian barre. The bodies of the acrobats fly gracefully above the heads of an astonished audience that will hold their breath on more than one occasion.
5€ 6.30pm
Mazarrón www.mazarron.es Tel 968 594 426 – Sat Market
Free Guided Tours in Mazarrón area.
Visit the Tourist Office or www.visitamazarron.es for full details of all tours.
International Youth Day was celebrated with a series of water activities aimed at young people between 14 and 35 years old. The activities, with all the safety and hygiene measures against COVID-19, began on the morning of Tuesday 11th August with diving activities, with kayaking on Wednesday 12th August and on Thursday 13th August the diving activity was repeated. Friday 14th August was the most intense; during the morning sailing, dolphin watching and paddle surfing. Finally, the week dedicated to Youth ended on Saturday 15th August again with sailing and dolphin watching.
Puerto Lumbreras – Tel 968 436 153 – Fri Market
Saturdays (6.30pm) & Sundays (11am) discover the historical and patrimonial wealth of Puerto Lumbreras through Medina Nogalte visiting its cave-houses and the Nogalte Castle. From Craftsman workshop cave house, reception of Medina Nogalte. 7pm. 3€ (under 10’s free). Payment due 2 days prior to visit @ ES 12 3058 0204 15 2732000020-City Hall of Puerto Lumbreras. Wednesdays & Saturdays in September (until 16th) & Saturday 26th September – 1hr Night visit to the Astronomical Observatory of Cabezo de la Jara
Get closer to the stars with the astronomical activities that take place around the Astronomical Observatory. 9pm from Astronomical Observatory
Wear warm clothes and take a flashlight.
Reservation essential – 2.50€, (children up to 10yrs free) by bank transfer or deposit (a/c number: ES 12 3058 0204 15 2732000020-Puerto Lumbreras Town Hall).
Totana – www.totana.es Tel 968 418 153 – Wed Market/Fri in El Pareton
Saturdays in September – Free Guided Visit Museum Of The Tower Of Santiago 10am
The first level hosts the chapter house that refers to the lands of Totana; the Order of Santiago. The second level is the choir of the church, which shows the Mudejar coffered ceiling of the temple and the explanation of its chapels. The next level is known as ‘the bride’s room’, which was the old house of the bell ringer. The fourth level cannot be visited as it contains the current clock. The last level is the bell tower, where the second oldest bell of the Diocese is located, dating from 1470.
Saturdays & Sundays – Guided Visit to La Bastida 4€. 10am/12pm. 10 people required for the tour. Book at the Tourist Office
Right on your doorstep is one of the most important discoveries in European Prehistory, famously known as the Troy of Murcia. The historical site of La Bastida was built4,200 years ago and archaeologists believe that the fortification was designed by people with advanced military knowledge from the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, after a crisis laid waste to their regions 4,300 years ago. Constructed using a design never before seen in the West, the military innovation of the postern gate was not adopted by the Hittites and Mycenaeans until 400 and 800 years after the Murcian fort was built.
The fort was built on the rise of a hill and protected a city of four hectares, constructed with three metre thick walls, square towers that reached over seven metres high, a monumental entrance with a postern gate and a pointed arch, which still remains intact. This Bronze Age fortification was built for defence and combat and was unique in the art of conducting and resisting sieges (poliorcetics). Strong evidence suggests the emergence of a state structure and hierarchy which then caused a spectacular increase in violence.
“La Bastida was probably the most powerful city in continental Europe during the Bronze Age.”
North West Murcia
Bullas www.bullas.es Tel 968 652 244 Market Tues
Sunday 6th September – Artisan Market
El Zacatin artisan market 9am-2pm in the squares of Plazas Vieja and Castillo, along Calle San Anton. Workshops for the family, demonstrations, costumes and street entertainers together with crafts and produce.
Casa-Museo Don Pepe Marsilla.
Guided tours (in English) for only 2 persons (5€ pp) or there is an audio guide system in English.
Museo del Vino has a shop with bodega prices.
To visit either/info, tel 968 657 211, Tourist Office, or email casamuseodonpepe@bullas.es
Calasparra www.turismocalasparra.es Tel 968 745 325 Market Fri
Support the Royal British Legion established in Calasparra. Murcia.secretary.rbl@gmail.com
Caravaca – www.turismocaravaca.org Tel 968 702 424 Market Mon
Sunday 27th September – Artisan Market
A museum gem explores Caravaca’s history of skilled craftsmanship and remarkable engineering. An amazing collection of miniatures portray these skills, including Caravaca’s manufacture/export of espadrilles. Located at Calle Puentecilla No 3, Bajo.
Tel 968 795 620 for opening times.
The Carlos Blanco Fadol Museum of Ethnic Instruments in Barranda is signposted and has easy access for mobility issues. 5% of his 4,000-piece collection rotates in the space available. 3€ (reduced 2€/child 1€). Check opening times with Tourist Office.
Cehegín – www.turismocehegin.es Tel 968 723 550 Market Wed
Sunday 20th September – El Mesoncico Artisan Market in the historic Plaza del Castillo with produce, crafts, music, food and demonstrations. Open from 10am-3pm with a carnival atmosphere including drumming groups, mask-making workshops and free chocolate-drenched tortas fritas.
The Archaeological See of Begastri open Saturdays & Sundays for tours: 10am-2pm. A video presentation is followed by a guided tour to see the remains of the Iberian culture before the IV century BC. 2€ pp.
Eco Park ‘Coto de las Maravillas’ for family activities including zip lines, archery, nature walks and many other organised outdoor activities. They can host any type of event. Campsite, BBQ area and kiosk-bar offering a great menu – and you can book.
Open weekends 10am-5pm; weekdays prior booking.
Tel 968 069 202 Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Email info@conexioncultura.es
www.cotodelasmaravillas.com
Saturday 26th September – Follow The Footprint of Iberians, Romans and Visigoths
11am from Begastri 2€. Returning to Old Town of Cehegin
Booking essential at Tourist Office
Jumilla – www.jumilla.org Tel 968 780 237 Market Tues
Lovers of art should visit the Saorin Painting Museum, a small museum of works by the local artist, Jesus Lozano Saorin and others from the area. Includes sculptures and canvases.
Reserve guided visit on 660 959 631.
Check out the Archaeological Museum (tel 968 757 379) and the Ethnography & Natural Sciences Museum (tel 968 780 740) which also offer various workshops for all the family at various times.
Moratalla – www.ayuntamientomoratalla.net Tel 968 730 208 Market Sat
Tours to the Rock Art of Moratalla are available encapsulating prehistoric to medieval styles and worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status. There are several routes and modes of transport – details on www.turismomoratalla.com, info@turismomoratalla.com, or tel 696 807 037
Mula – www.mula.es Tel 968 661 501 Market Sat
Sunday 13th September – Artisan Market
El Cigarralejo Museum and Casa Pinatada with relatively new exhibitions may have escaped your attention to-date – info from Tourist Office.
Murcia – www.turismodemurcia.es Tel 968 358 749
Saturday 5th & 12th & 26th September – Guided Tour of Classic Murcia
Yecla – www.turismo.yecla.es Tel 968 754 104 Market Wed
Visit Deortegas Almazara to learn about their olive oil production. Limited places – they will try to fit you in with a group or accommodate your group. 8€ pp includes a blind tasting of various oils, a healthy breakfast and a comprehensive guide to the nutritional benefits, origins, production techniques and much more. English-speaking staff has to be pre-booked on request.
Tel 968 969 644
Email info@deortegas.com
www.deortegas.com