5 great guided tours in the Costa Calida this spring and early summer
From embroidery to medieval castles, from wineries to railway engineering, just some of the fascinating visits on offer in the Region of Murcia
With the lifting of pandemic restrictions there has been a huge resurgence of interest in joining guided tours in the Region of Murcia, and now that the weather at last appears to be making activities out of doors an attractive proposition there are a myriad of visits to choose from.
From wine tours in the north to railway history visits in the south-west of the Costa Cálida, passing through the sightseeing in the cities of Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca, the choice can be almost bewildering, but the regional tourist board has selected the following five favourites (most of them free of charge) as being among the most attractive currently on offer – knowing full well, of course, that everyone will have their own personal favourite!
1. The main monuments of Lorca and the city’s embroidery
This is a chance to get to know something of the history of Lorca through the monumental buildings in the old centre, the narrow streets and the main museums, with the route including the Visitors Centre (housed in an old convent), the archaeological museum, the palace and gardens of Huerto Ruano, the regional Artisans centre and others.
But the highlight is the visit to the embroidery museum of the Paso Blanco, one of the brotherhoods which take part in the spectacular Easter Week parades for which the city is deservedly famed. The exhibits are true works of art in textile form, created in silk, satin and gold thread, and are among the most treasured, delicate and beautiful elements of Lorca’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The “Lorca Monumental y Su Bordado” tour is held on the second Sunday of every month between February and September, and although it is in Spanish the visual nature of the visits means that a through grasp of the language is far from essential!
The visit lasts two hours and is priced at just 1.50 euros: click here for more details of guided tours in Lorca!
2. The history and modernization of Yecla wine
The long history of wine production in Yecla, in the north of the Region, and the modernization of the main “bodegas” today combine to make these visits a unique wine tourism experience.
In some tours the guides take visitors on a trip which appeals to all five senses, including the Roman “lagar” (a grape treading mill) and the modern facilities of Bodegas Castaño, while now that spring is in the air others such as the “Paseo entre Viñedos Ruta del Vino de Yecla” offer a chance to combine a 9-kilometre rural walk which ends with an open-air tasting of the products of Bodegas Castaño.
This event is next being held on May 22 starting at 9.00 in the morning, and the cost is 5 euros (to cover the snacks and wine provided at the end). Bookings can be made online here.
3. Tour of the 4,000-year-old Argaric settlement of La Bastida, “The Troy of the West”
Did you know that in Totana you can still see the archaeological remains of a culture which settled here around 4,000 years ago, in the Bronze Age?
The guided tours of the Argaric settlement of La Bastida will show you the earliest roots of the cultural identity and heritage of the Region of Murcia, and in May there are daytime visits on the 7th, 15th and 21st. Bookings can be made here (cost 5.60 per adult) and with the arrival of warmer weather there is also a series of might-time visits beginning during the month!
4. Mr Gillman and the Hornillo in Águilas
Águilas boasts, among many other things, one of the most extensive collections of railway tunnels and tracks in the Region, including the bridge over the Rambla de las Culebras, the tunnels and installations used in the past to load and unload minerals and the iconic “Embarcadero del Hornillo”, the jetty structure where the products from mines inland were loaded onto ships for transport throughout Europe.
Prepare to discover the railway heritage of the south-west of Murcia in the 2-hour Mr Gillman and El Hornillo” tour, which is free of charge and is scheduled every month throughout the year: bookings should be made online here.
5. Night tours of the castle of Jumilla
An opportunity to see the medieval castle in Jumilla like you’ve never seen it before – under cover of darkness!
The visit begins with the climb up the Camino del Subidor to the esplanade just below the castle to see the magical sunset, and after the sun goes down it’s time to see the fully restored interior of the fortress.
While you’re in Jumilla, take time to visit one or two of the local bodegas afterwards and enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants serving local dishes, accompanied by good Jumilla wine.
The next night-time tours of Jumilla are on June 11, 12 and 25, and although they are in Spanish there is also an audio guide in English is available by downloading the Jumilla 360 app, while the majesty of the castle and its situation speak for themselves! Click here for further details.
