HOME > MURCIA NORTH & NORTH WEST > CALASPARRA
Calasparra tourist information
Calasparra is a municipality of around 10,500 inhabitants which is part of the Comarca del Noroeste, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, sharing its boundaries with Moratalla, Cieza, Mula, Cehegín and the province of Albacete.
Calasparra owes its rich history to its geography. criss-crossed by the rivers Segura, Argos and Quípar. These rivers created fertile riverside agricultural zones, a landscape of rocky outcrops and deep gorges such as the Cañon de los Almadenes, the Cueva 
de los Monigotes, the Cueva del Puerto.
The mountains in the Sierras of San Miguel and San José are surrounded by vast plains of dry crop landscapes, where wheat, olives, carobs and almonds grow amidst the vineyards.
Closer to the water's edge, apricots, peaches, pears, apples and cherries enjoy the benefits of the warm southern Spanish climate and irrigation, two factors which also combine to make Calasparra a nationally renowned rice growing area.
These rich natural resources have attracted inhabitants for thousands of years: the Abrigo del Pozo rock paintings is testament to a prehistoric presence, the Villa Vieja is an abandoned Moorish settlement, the Castle of San Juan a reminder of medieval Calasparra, and the Palacio de la Encomienda de la Orden de San Juan de Jerusalén the seat of 
the religious knights who owned Calasparra for 600 years.
Close by is the sanctuary of La Esperanza, cut out of the rock face and set in riverside gardens, a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people every year and the home of the Virgen de la Esperanza.
The sanctuary is the centre of one of the most important religious occasions in Calasparra every year, the Romería de la Esperanza, although the Fiestas held in honour of the town's patrons, the Fiestas patronales de San Abdón and San Senén, also attract vast crowds due to the encierros or bull runs which form a central part of the events. The autumn Feria is dedicated to rice and bullfighting, while the Semana Santa and Flamenco festival are also important cultural activities in Calasparra.
Agriculture, especially fruit production and canning as well as rice production, remains the most important industry, although rural tourism is also an important element of the local economy, allied with residential tourism, which has attracted various expat residents to make Calasparra their home on two urbanisations built within the municipality. The combination of culture, landscape and tourist activity combine to make Calasparra an attractive municipality which retains the true essence of Murcia and a good base from which to explore the north-west of the Region of Murcia.
9 natural swimming pools in inland Murcia!Northern Murcia is dotted with heavenly locations in water ranging from jacuzzi temperature to icy cold! We are now in the middle of the “dog days” of summer, the month from mid-July to mid-August when the heat is relentless, the beaches are more..
This is the new shopping centre that's opening up in Murcia this SeptemberMore than 30 shops – including Jysk, Pepco and Mercadona – will open at the Los Olivos retail park on September 11 The long-awaited Los Olivos shopping complex in Cieza, Murcia, will officially open its doors on Thursday September.. 28/07/2025
Taster menu on a short walk in Caravaca de la Cruz for just 16 euros!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 city under..
Sabores del Camino gastronomy route in Caravaca de la CruzLocal 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 culinary..
7 hidden gems in the countryside of Murcia!Natural rural treasures in Murcia where you can hear the silent call of Nature this winter! As we tread the same paths and visit the same places day by day the Region of Murcia becomes ever more familiar to us, but do you realize how easy it is to stray.. 30/01/2025
Discover the natural paradise of the River Argos in north-western MurciaHiking, 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..
Spectacular cave visits in the Region of MurciaAdventure for all the family in unique chambers where geology and history combine to provide unique experiences The summer tourist season is drawing to a close in The Region of Murcia and throughout Europe but fortunately in the Costa Cálida there are..
August 23 to September 8 Annual fiestas in CalasparraBull runs and bullfighting along with live music during these most traditional fiestas in the north-west of Murcia Every late August and early September the town of Calasparra in north-west Murcia holds its annual fiestas, featuring six bull runs through the..
September 21 Free guided tour of the Roman and Iberian temples in the Caravaca village of La EncarnaciónVisit 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 what is..
September 27 Free guided evening tour in CehegínThe cool evening air and twilight combine to make for an atmospheric walk around the historic town of Cehegín This free tour of the historic and picturesque town centre of Cehegín in the north-west of the Region of Murcia begins at 20.30 in the..
5 great destinations in the north-west of Murcia during the Holy Jubilee Year of 2024 in CaravacaCaravaca 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..
10 unique natural wonders in the Region of Murcia!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.. 23/10/2023
Six great family days out in the Region of Murcia this summer!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..
Cañaverosa tourist information point at the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza in CalasparraA 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..
The rice fields of Calasparra, a unique day out in the Region of Murcia!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 Calasparra..
Understanding the funeral process in SpainIn Spain it is the norm to plan ahead for your funeral. It’s all part of making things easier for the family and loved ones The cost of a funeral in Spain continues to rise and most Spanish families take out some kind of funeral plan to cover..
