Guide book Rico's and Henry's
Sightseeing
Águilas has a subtropical desert climate with very mild winters and very hot summers. Águilas has one of the few truly desertic climates in Spain. The rainfall is very scarce and albeit not having any wet season, summer is the driest season, being almost rainless. The area around the city is very arid, most of the natural vegetation in the area and nearby hills is characterized by shrublands.
Aguilas is a year round destination with events and concerts taking place throughout the year, with a carnival in February and August all accessible from Henrys Apartment.
Restaurants and bars are all within easy walking distance as are the amazing blue flag beaches and long promenades.
Lorca, whose urban centre was declared a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest- in 1964, is described as "the baroque city", due to the important baroque heritage of its historical centre, one of the most important in the Region, and the historical events that have shaped modern Lorca from the Iron Age to our time.
Visitors are always made more than welcome in Lorca, and its year-round good weather, restaurants, hotels and first-class tourist infrastructures, all combine to add to the rural tourism on offer in the largest district in the Region of Murcia. The city and its nearness to its many mountain chains and areas of great natural beauty make Lorca a place to really have a good time.
Lorca, whose urban centre was declared -a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest- in 1964, is described as "the baroque city", due to the important baroque heritage of its historical centre, one of the most important in the Region, and the historical events that have shaped modern Lorca from the Iron Age to our time.
Visitors are always made more than welcome in Lorca, and its year-round good weather, restaurants, hotels and first-class tourist infrastructures, all combine to add to the rural tourism on offer in the largest district in the Region of Murcia. The city and its nearness to its many mountain chains and areas of great natural beauty make Lorca a place to really have a good time.
25 當地人推薦
Lorca
Lorca, whose urban centre was declared -a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest- in 1964, is described as "the baroque city", due to the important baroque heritage of its historical centre, one of the most important in the Region, and the historical events that have shaped modern Lorca from the Iron Age to our time.
Visitors are always made more than welcome in Lorca, and its year-round good weather, restaurants, hotels and first-class tourist infrastructures, all combine to add to the rural tourism on offer in the largest district in the Region of Murcia. The city and its nearness to its many mountain chains and areas of great natural beauty make Lorca a place to really have a good time.
Cartagena is a city with more than 2,500 years of history. Each corner, street and square of the city offers travellers monumental examples of its splendorous historical past, of the civilizations that put in at its port.
The visitor will also be able to enjoy the local gastronomy which, in the case of Cartagena, is special in that it is a port, but with the country right nearby. Both fresh and salted fish and seafoods, the very typical "caldero" - a type of fish stew served with rice and garlic - as well as meat and agricultural produce from its fertile inland, all washed down with local wines and accompanied by the traditional drinks of the area such as the asiatico coffee (coffee with condensed milk, cinnamon, lemon and whole coffee beans), which delight the palate of all those who come to find out about its traditional cuisine.
The Cartagena project, "Port of Cultures" is working to increase the city's tourist potential, by making accessibility easier and by enabling people with reduced mobility to enjoy its sightseeing resources to the full: a good example of this is the panoramic elevator which connects the Port with the Castle of the Conception; by improving the street signs in the city, by providing excellent transport for the tourist both by land and sea, and in short, by valuing and giving importance to the whole tourist experience for any visitor who arrives in the city.
Cartagena "Port of Cultures" is the perfect opportunity for this city to become an exceptional tourist destination: we are talking about a well-designed thematic area which enables its visitors to find out all about the invaluable cultural attractions which Cartagena possesses.
But Cartagena also adds the opportunity to do some rural tourism in some of its inland villages in the district. Quiet areas near natural spaces of environmental interest, ideal for getting closer to nature have the added boon of their proximity to the coast.
360 當地人推薦
Cartagena
Cartagena is a city with more than 2,500 years of history. Each corner, street and square of the city offers travellers monumental examples of its splendorous historical past, of the civilizations that put in at its port.
The visitor will also be able to enjoy the local gastronomy which, in the case of Cartagena, is special in that it is a port, but with the country right nearby. Both fresh and salted fish and seafoods, the very typical "caldero" - a type of fish stew served with rice and garlic - as well as meat and agricultural produce from its fertile inland, all washed down with local wines and accompanied by the traditional drinks of the area such as the asiatico coffee (coffee with condensed milk, cinnamon, lemon and whole coffee beans), which delight the palate of all those who come to find out about its traditional cuisine.
The Cartagena project, "Port of Cultures" is working to increase the city's tourist potential, by making accessibility easier and by enabling people with reduced mobility to enjoy its sightseeing resources to the full: a good example of this is the panoramic elevator which connects the Port with the Castle of the Conception; by improving the street signs in the city, by providing excellent transport for the tourist both by land and sea, and in short, by valuing and giving importance to the whole tourist experience for any visitor who arrives in the city.
Cartagena "Port of Cultures" is the perfect opportunity for this city to become an exceptional tourist destination: we are talking about a well-designed thematic area which enables its visitors to find out all about the invaluable cultural attractions which Cartagena possesses.
But Cartagena also adds the opportunity to do some rural tourism in some of its inland villages in the district. Quiet areas near natural spaces of environmental interest, ideal for getting closer to nature have the added boon of their proximity to the coast.
Aguilas has some of the best beaches on the coast, a long promenade to walk along past the marina with bars and restaurants to stop off at. Aguilas also has a range of independent shops situated around the main square "Plaza Espana" and hosts some of the best carnivals in the region, including the biggest carnival in Murcia every February.
The municipality has a population of 35,000 people , and an area of approximately 253.7 km2, with some 28 km of coastline. It is 105 km southwest of the provincial capital, Murcia.
Águilas is built on the landward side of a small peninsula, between two bays—the Puerto Poniente on the south-west, and the Puerto Levante on the north-east. The Puerto de Aguilas, close to the centre of the city, is flanked on its western side by a large rocky hill. On its top sits the Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas castle, built in the 18th century on the site of a much older Carthaginian fortification. King Charles I ordered its refurbishment in 1530 to help protect the coast from Turkish and Algerian incursions. The rock cut from the south side of the castle's hill, and which left it with an almost vertical wall up to the castle on that side, was used to expand Aguilas' port in the early 20th century. The city sits at the end of the Murcia to Aguilas RENFE train service.
Águilas has numerous beaches along a 25-kilometre stretch, including Cala de la Cueva de las Palomas, Cala de la Herradura, Playa Amarilla, Playa de Calabardina, Playa de Calacerrada or Playa de Los Cocedores, Playa de Cope, Playa de la Cañada del Negro, Playa de la Casica Verde, Playa de la Cola, Playa de la Colonia, Playa de la Galera, Playa de la Higuerica, Playa de la Rambla Elena, Playa de las Pulgas, Playa de Poniente, Playa del Arroz, Playa del Barranco de la Mar, Playa del Pozo de las Huertas, Playa del Pocico del Animal, Playa del Pozo, Playa El Rafal, Playa del Charco, Playa del Sombrerico, Playa Ensenada de la Fuente, Playa de Calabarrilla, Playa El Hornillo, Playa de Las Delicias, Playa de Levante, Playa del Matalentisco, Playa La Tortuga, Playa de Calarreona, Playa La Carolina and Playa del Pino. Most are small and intimate.
Three kilometres northeast of Aguilas is la Isla del Fraile (Monk Island), so named thanks to the similarity of the island's silhouette to a monk's hood. The island has a small rocky beach and a very steep geography. The top of the island gives way to a sudden drop down to the sea on the island's south side. The island was inhabited by the Romans, who used it to export fish byproducts to Rome in amphorae. The remains of a Roman wall are still visible, as are a couple of structures of the early 20th century built by an eccentric British lord who lived on the island and used it for contraband purposes.
Adjacent to the island, on the mainland, is la Playa Amarilla, which is the coastal delineation of La Isla del Fraile residential development. This property was initially developed by Dr. Antonio Sáez Jimenez with basic infrastructure, including construction of the first road over the mountain and down to the beach, as well as the planting of thousands of trees; the development was known as Playa Niagara through the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1970s, graves from the Roman era were discovered near the property's coast, facing the island. The flora in the area is very dry, mostly characterized by shrublands such as the Ziziphus lotus, named Azufaifo locally.
Climate
Águilas has a subtropical desert climate according to the Köppen climate classification with very mild winters and hot summers. Águilas has one of the few truly desertic climates in Spain. The rainfall is very scarce and albeit not having any wet season, summer is the driest season, being almost rainless. The area around the city is very arid, most of the natural vegetation in the area and nearby hills is characterized by shrublands.
33 當地人推薦
Aguilas
Aguilas has some of the best beaches on the coast, a long promenade to walk along past the marina with bars and restaurants to stop off at. Aguilas also has a range of independent shops situated around the main square "Plaza Espana" and hosts some of the best carnivals in the region, including the biggest carnival in Murcia every February.
The municipality has a population of 35,000 people , and an area of approximately 253.7 km2, with some 28 km of coastline. It is 105 km southwest of the provincial capital, Murcia.
Águilas is built on the landward side of a small peninsula, between two bays—the Puerto Poniente on the south-west, and the Puerto Levante on the north-east. The Puerto de Aguilas, close to the centre of the city, is flanked on its western side by a large rocky hill. On its top sits the Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas castle, built in the 18th century on the site of a much older Carthaginian fortification. King Charles I ordered its refurbishment in 1530 to help protect the coast from Turkish and Algerian incursions. The rock cut from the south side of the castle's hill, and which left it with an almost vertical wall up to the castle on that side, was used to expand Aguilas' port in the early 20th century. The city sits at the end of the Murcia to Aguilas RENFE train service.
Águilas has numerous beaches along a 25-kilometre stretch, including Cala de la Cueva de las Palomas, Cala de la Herradura, Playa Amarilla, Playa de Calabardina, Playa de Calacerrada or Playa de Los Cocedores, Playa de Cope, Playa de la Cañada del Negro, Playa de la Casica Verde, Playa de la Cola, Playa de la Colonia, Playa de la Galera, Playa de la Higuerica, Playa de la Rambla Elena, Playa de las Pulgas, Playa de Poniente, Playa del Arroz, Playa del Barranco de la Mar, Playa del Pozo de las Huertas, Playa del Pocico del Animal, Playa del Pozo, Playa El Rafal, Playa del Charco, Playa del Sombrerico, Playa Ensenada de la Fuente, Playa de Calabarrilla, Playa El Hornillo, Playa de Las Delicias, Playa de Levante, Playa del Matalentisco, Playa La Tortuga, Playa de Calarreona, Playa La Carolina and Playa del Pino. Most are small and intimate.
Three kilometres northeast of Aguilas is la Isla del Fraile (Monk Island), so named thanks to the similarity of the island's silhouette to a monk's hood. The island has a small rocky beach and a very steep geography. The top of the island gives way to a sudden drop down to the sea on the island's south side. The island was inhabited by the Romans, who used it to export fish byproducts to Rome in amphorae. The remains of a Roman wall are still visible, as are a couple of structures of the early 20th century built by an eccentric British lord who lived on the island and used it for contraband purposes.
Adjacent to the island, on the mainland, is la Playa Amarilla, which is the coastal delineation of La Isla del Fraile residential development. This property was initially developed by Dr. Antonio Sáez Jimenez with basic infrastructure, including construction of the first road over the mountain and down to the beach, as well as the planting of thousands of trees; the development was known as Playa Niagara through the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1970s, graves from the Roman era were discovered near the property's coast, facing the island. The flora in the area is very dry, mostly characterized by shrublands such as the Ziziphus lotus, named Azufaifo locally.
Climate
Águilas has a subtropical desert climate according to the Köppen climate classification with very mild winters and hot summers. Águilas has one of the few truly desertic climates in Spain. The rainfall is very scarce and albeit not having any wet season, summer is the driest season, being almost rainless. The area around the city is very arid, most of the natural vegetation in the area and nearby hills is characterized by shrublands.
A chain of mountains surrounds the plain which Murcia sits upon, a city of Arab origin whose existence is closely linked to the fertile lands around the river Segura. From among its streets of guilds emerges the tower of the Cathedral, one of the symbols of the city.
Although Murcia has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years, the capital, Murcia, was not founded until 831, when the Emir of Cordoba Abderraman II commissioned a walled city on the banks of the Segura River and turned it into the Caliphate of Murcia.
It was then that the Moorish region of Mursiya started to gain importance, until it became part of the Kingdom of Castile in the 13th century. Today there are many places that speak of its Moorish past. Some important architectural remains are the Almunia Real or the second residence of the Moorish monarchs. They are about five kilometres north of Murcia and many pieces collected there can be seen at the Santa Clara Museum. There are also remains of monuments from the Moorish wall in different parts of the old quarter in Murcia.
The old town is situated next to the Segura River, with historical streets that keep the names of the guilds that used to work there, such as the commercial names of Platería (silversmith's), Trapería (drapers) and Vidrieros (glaziers).
In Plaza Cardenal Belluga there are two architectural gems - the Episcopal Palace (18th century), with a Rococo façade and Churrigueresque courtyard; and the Cathedral. The latter, the construction of which began at the end of the 14th century, stands out because different styles are superimposed. For example, the unique Baroque façade is impressive, with rich sculptural details, and next to it is the formidable tower, which is 92 metres high. Inside the Vélez Chapel stands out - a magnificent example of flamboyant Gothic.
There are many examples of Murcian Baroque, with religious buildings such as the Church of La Merced, built in the 16th century and rebuilt in the 18th century, the Santa Ana Convent Church, and the Santo Domingo, San Nicolás and San Miguel churches.
Some of the most relevant 19th-century buildings are also worth visiting. The City Hall, the Romea Theatre and the Casino, the latter with a Neoclassical façade and beautiful interior courtyard with Moorish influence.
The neighbourhoods of San Pedro, Santa Catalina and the surrounding area of the Plaza de las Flores offer some of the most picturesque corners of the capital of Murcia. The route round the city can end in the beautiful Paseo del Malecón, which joins up the city with the irrigated region.
Murcia has a broad range of museums and exhibitions. The Cathedral Museum stands out because of a spectacular processional monstrance from Toledo, while the Salzillo Museum has a beautiful collection of processional sculptures by this artist, who is one of the most emblematic of the 18th century. At the Murcia Archaeological Museum we can admire remains of the different cultures that have lived in this land, including the Tesoro de la Finca Pinta treasure, made up of Moorish and Christian coins. The Fine Arts Museum displays works by Giordano and Madrazo, amongst others.
Other museums of interest are the Santa Clara Museum, the Museum of the City, the San Juan de Dios Museum, the Science and Water Museum, the Museum of the Water Mills, the Craft Centre and Bullfighting Museum.
Festivities, gastronomy and the surroundings
The Easter week celebrations in Murcia stand out especially amidst the city's the traditional fiestas. The "salzillos" procession, held on Good Friday, is well worth seeing. Also outstanding is the "Entierro de la Sardina" (burial of the sardine) celebration held during the Spring Fiestas. It has the International Tourist Interest designation and includes a parade.
But one of the most deeply-rooted traditions in the capital is probably the "Bando de la Huerta", which has been celebrated every Holy Tuesday for over a century and a half. This celebration exalts regional gastronomy and folklore, with parades, regional costumes, tasting of typical products and reading of verses in panocho (language of the irrigated region of Murcia). Another quite popular festivity is the Virgen de la Fuensanta Pilgrimage, where a procession takes the virgin from the cathedral to the shrine, five kilometres from Murcia.
The gastronomy of Murcia is based on excellent fruit and vegetables that come from the irrigated region. Casseroles and typical dishes are made with these raw materials, such as pisto huertano (fried vegetables, with pepper, onion and tomato), chickpea and Swiss chard stew and zarangollo (courgette, egg and onion). And to accompany our meal, we can choose any of the Murcia wines with Designation of Origin label: Bullas, Yecla and Jumilla.
One of the main tourist attractions in Murcia is the coast, known as the Costa Cálida. The Menor and Mediterranean Sea bathe the 250-kilometre long coast and there are many beaches where you can take part in a wide variety of water sports: sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, scuba diving, etc. Águilas and Mazarrón have some of the best seabeds in the country. Their clearness and visibility enable us to discover underwater flora and fauna in a place where is it also common to find remains of sunken ships. Cartagena is another place of tourist interest, where visitors will be able to enjoy the National Submarine Archaeology Museum, as well as the coast and the monuments.
La Manga del Mar Menor is very close to the town of Cartagena and is one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa Cálida coast. This area is unusual because it is a narrow strip of land running for some 24 kilometres (from the village of La Punta del Mojón to that of Cabo de Palos), dividing the great Mar Menor Laguna from the Mediterranean Sea. If you like water sports, here you will find a full range of facilities and services at the Marine Resort, where you can hire equipment, sign up for courses and book accommodation. Furthermore, La Manga del Mar Menor is almost a natural beauty centre in its own right, on account of the excellent therapeutic properties of its renowned marine mud.
Inland there are historical towns such as Caravaca de la Cruz and Lorca. This town is very attractive because of the many Baroque buildings - parish churches, convents, houses with coats of arms and palaces. San Patricio Collegiate Church and Lorca Castle are National Monuments. A few kilometres from this town is the Parador de Puerto Lumbreras, halfway between Levante and Andalusia, an exceptional place to stay if we want to visit these regions.
The province of Murcia has a rich landscape and environment, protected by regional parks. Golden sand beaches, with dunes and unspoilt coves are the places we find in Las Salinas and Arenales of San Pedro del Pinatar, Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila, and Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre. The mountain ranges and valleys inland are the main features of the regional parks of Sierra de Carche, Sierra de la Pila, Sierra de Espuña, and Carrascoy y El Valle. These places are the perfect setting to practise sports with a low impact on the environment and to discover more about nature in Murcia.
253 當地人推薦
Murcia
A chain of mountains surrounds the plain which Murcia sits upon, a city of Arab origin whose existence is closely linked to the fertile lands around the river Segura. From among its streets of guilds emerges the tower of the Cathedral, one of the symbols of the city.
Although Murcia has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years, the capital, Murcia, was not founded until 831, when the Emir of Cordoba Abderraman II commissioned a walled city on the banks of the Segura River and turned it into the Caliphate of Murcia.
It was then that the Moorish region of Mursiya started to gain importance, until it became part of the Kingdom of Castile in the 13th century. Today there are many places that speak of its Moorish past. Some important architectural remains are the Almunia Real or the second residence of the Moorish monarchs. They are about five kilometres north of Murcia and many pieces collected there can be seen at the Santa Clara Museum. There are also remains of monuments from the Moorish wall in different parts of the old quarter in Murcia.
The old town is situated next to the Segura River, with historical streets that keep the names of the guilds that used to work there, such as the commercial names of Platería (silversmith's), Trapería (drapers) and Vidrieros (glaziers).
In Plaza Cardenal Belluga there are two architectural gems - the Episcopal Palace (18th century), with a Rococo façade and Churrigueresque courtyard; and the Cathedral. The latter, the construction of which began at the end of the 14th century, stands out because different styles are superimposed. For example, the unique Baroque façade is impressive, with rich sculptural details, and next to it is the formidable tower, which is 92 metres high. Inside the Vélez Chapel stands out - a magnificent example of flamboyant Gothic.
There are many examples of Murcian Baroque, with religious buildings such as the Church of La Merced, built in the 16th century and rebuilt in the 18th century, the Santa Ana Convent Church, and the Santo Domingo, San Nicolás and San Miguel churches.
Some of the most relevant 19th-century buildings are also worth visiting. The City Hall, the Romea Theatre and the Casino, the latter with a Neoclassical façade and beautiful interior courtyard with Moorish influence.
The neighbourhoods of San Pedro, Santa Catalina and the surrounding area of the Plaza de las Flores offer some of the most picturesque corners of the capital of Murcia. The route round the city can end in the beautiful Paseo del Malecón, which joins up the city with the irrigated region.
Murcia has a broad range of museums and exhibitions. The Cathedral Museum stands out because of a spectacular processional monstrance from Toledo, while the Salzillo Museum has a beautiful collection of processional sculptures by this artist, who is one of the most emblematic of the 18th century. At the Murcia Archaeological Museum we can admire remains of the different cultures that have lived in this land, including the Tesoro de la Finca Pinta treasure, made up of Moorish and Christian coins. The Fine Arts Museum displays works by Giordano and Madrazo, amongst others.
Other museums of interest are the Santa Clara Museum, the Museum of the City, the San Juan de Dios Museum, the Science and Water Museum, the Museum of the Water Mills, the Craft Centre and Bullfighting Museum.
Festivities, gastronomy and the surroundings
The Easter week celebrations in Murcia stand out especially amidst the city's the traditional fiestas. The "salzillos" procession, held on Good Friday, is well worth seeing. Also outstanding is the "Entierro de la Sardina" (burial of the sardine) celebration held during the Spring Fiestas. It has the International Tourist Interest designation and includes a parade.
But one of the most deeply-rooted traditions in the capital is probably the "Bando de la Huerta", which has been celebrated every Holy Tuesday for over a century and a half. This celebration exalts regional gastronomy and folklore, with parades, regional costumes, tasting of typical products and reading of verses in panocho (language of the irrigated region of Murcia). Another quite popular festivity is the Virgen de la Fuensanta Pilgrimage, where a procession takes the virgin from the cathedral to the shrine, five kilometres from Murcia.
The gastronomy of Murcia is based on excellent fruit and vegetables that come from the irrigated region. Casseroles and typical dishes are made with these raw materials, such as pisto huertano (fried vegetables, with pepper, onion and tomato), chickpea and Swiss chard stew and zarangollo (courgette, egg and onion). And to accompany our meal, we can choose any of the Murcia wines with Designation of Origin label: Bullas, Yecla and Jumilla.
One of the main tourist attractions in Murcia is the coast, known as the Costa Cálida. The Menor and Mediterranean Sea bathe the 250-kilometre long coast and there are many beaches where you can take part in a wide variety of water sports: sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, scuba diving, etc. Águilas and Mazarrón have some of the best seabeds in the country. Their clearness and visibility enable us to discover underwater flora and fauna in a place where is it also common to find remains of sunken ships. Cartagena is another place of tourist interest, where visitors will be able to enjoy the National Submarine Archaeology Museum, as well as the coast and the monuments.
La Manga del Mar Menor is very close to the town of Cartagena and is one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa Cálida coast. This area is unusual because it is a narrow strip of land running for some 24 kilometres (from the village of La Punta del Mojón to that of Cabo de Palos), dividing the great Mar Menor Laguna from the Mediterranean Sea. If you like water sports, here you will find a full range of facilities and services at the Marine Resort, where you can hire equipment, sign up for courses and book accommodation. Furthermore, La Manga del Mar Menor is almost a natural beauty centre in its own right, on account of the excellent therapeutic properties of its renowned marine mud.
Inland there are historical towns such as Caravaca de la Cruz and Lorca. This town is very attractive because of the many Baroque buildings - parish churches, convents, houses with coats of arms and palaces. San Patricio Collegiate Church and Lorca Castle are National Monuments. A few kilometres from this town is the Parador de Puerto Lumbreras, halfway between Levante and Andalusia, an exceptional place to stay if we want to visit these regions.
The province of Murcia has a rich landscape and environment, protected by regional parks. Golden sand beaches, with dunes and unspoilt coves are the places we find in Las Salinas and Arenales of San Pedro del Pinatar, Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas y Peña del Águila, and Cabo Cope y Puntas de Calnegre. The mountain ranges and valleys inland are the main features of the regional parks of Sierra de Carche, Sierra de la Pila, Sierra de Espuña, and Carrascoy y El Valle. These places are the perfect setting to practise sports with a low impact on the environment and to discover more about nature in Murcia.
The easternmost Andalusian capital dominates a coastline dotted with almost virgin beaches and an interior marked by peculiar semideserted ecosystems. Formerly one of the most important ports in the Caliphate of Cordoba, Almería reveals its Alcazaba (citadel) and its cathedral, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Narrow streets with whitewashed façades are elements of its picturesque historic quarter. In addition to history and culture, Almería offers beaches, mountain and coastal nature reserves and a gastronomy that will make this journey unforgettable.
Almería originated with the need for a better defence system that the Arab towns in the area had. It was Abd-al-Rahman III who founded the Alcazaba (the Citadel), which gave this city its name: Al-Mariy-yat (the Watchtower). It is the biggest fortress ever built by the Arabs in Spain and it housed —within its triple wall— palaces and mosques. During this time (10th century), Almeria was the main commercial port in the Caliphate of Cordoba, with more than 10,000 textile mills in its medina.Also on top of the San Cristobal Hill are the Walls of Hayrán, which provide excellent views over the historic quarter and the port. It was built back in the days of the Taifa Kingdoms. Next to them is the Saharan Fauna Shelter.
Furthermore, as in most towns of defensive origin, the rest of the village stretches along the Alcazaba - in this case, all the way to the Mediterranean. One of the troglodyte dwellings that make up the La Chanca district was dug on the side of the San Cristóbal Hill.
Religious Architecture
The Almeria cathedral is another spot that visitors must not miss. Its powerful structure rises in the heart of the ancient city. The cathedral, with its towers, crenellationsand thick walls, resembles a fortress rather than a temple. This peculiar layout responds to the continuous Berber pirate attacks that this coastal town had to endure. Located nearby are the convent of Purasand the Episcopal Palace.
Spread throughout the main streets you can also see the most important churches in Almeria. The church of Santiago the Elder is located in the busy "calle de las Tiendas" (the shopping street). Its main characteristics are a plateresque main front and a slender tower that rises next to it, more than 50 metres high. The Neoclassical church of San Pedro, built on top of an ancient Arab mosque, was finished in the 19th century. Another important temple is devoted to San Juan, where it is possible to see remains of the old mosque, on top of which the present construction was erected.
In this historic quarter –delimited by the Alcazaba, the Purchena Gate, Rambla de Belenand the Port— are the principal institutions of the capital of Almeria, namely the Military Government, the Provincial Hospital, the City Hall, the Cervantes Theatre, the Civil Governmentand the Courthouse.
Strolls and Tours
You must not leave Almeria without first taking a stroll under the shade of the Palm trees at Nicolás Salmerón Park, which runs along the seashore. From here you will have some of the best panoramic views of the marina and the port. You can also sit outside in one of the terraces to watch people stroll by along the streets of Tenor Iribarne and Concepción Arenal, enjoying the incredible climate that this city has all year round. Another choice is to take a walk by Paseo de Almería and Real street and gaze at the colourful façades and the "terraos" (uninhabited top storeys), to feel the pulse of one of the most charismatic cities in Andalusia.
Not far from Almeria, you can enjoy excellent beaches and nature trails at the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Reserve, the first marine-land reserve in Andalusia. Sierra Nevada Nature Reserve is not much further away.
And finally, you must try the heavenly delicacies of the cuisine of Almeria. The city's major crop is grapes, although you will also be able to try "ajo colorao" (a stew with potatoes, red bell peppers, egg, sausages, cod, garlic and olive oil), breca a la uva (Pandora fish with grapes), rape a la barraca (monkfish with leek and mushrooms), etc. Worthy of special mention is the seafood from Garucha and the sponge cake with dates.
56 當地人推薦
Almería
The easternmost Andalusian capital dominates a coastline dotted with almost virgin beaches and an interior marked by peculiar semideserted ecosystems. Formerly one of the most important ports in the Caliphate of Cordoba, Almería reveals its Alcazaba (citadel) and its cathedral, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Narrow streets with whitewashed façades are elements of its picturesque historic quarter. In addition to history and culture, Almería offers beaches, mountain and coastal nature reserves and a gastronomy that will make this journey unforgettable.
Almería originated with the need for a better defence system that the Arab towns in the area had. It was Abd-al-Rahman III who founded the Alcazaba (the Citadel), which gave this city its name: Al-Mariy-yat (the Watchtower). It is the biggest fortress ever built by the Arabs in Spain and it housed —within its triple wall— palaces and mosques. During this time (10th century), Almeria was the main commercial port in the Caliphate of Cordoba, with more than 10,000 textile mills in its medina.Also on top of the San Cristobal Hill are the Walls of Hayrán, which provide excellent views over the historic quarter and the port. It was built back in the days of the Taifa Kingdoms. Next to them is the Saharan Fauna Shelter.
Furthermore, as in most towns of defensive origin, the rest of the village stretches along the Alcazaba - in this case, all the way to the Mediterranean. One of the troglodyte dwellings that make up the La Chanca district was dug on the side of the San Cristóbal Hill.
Religious Architecture
The Almeria cathedral is another spot that visitors must not miss. Its powerful structure rises in the heart of the ancient city. The cathedral, with its towers, crenellationsand thick walls, resembles a fortress rather than a temple. This peculiar layout responds to the continuous Berber pirate attacks that this coastal town had to endure. Located nearby are the convent of Purasand the Episcopal Palace.
Spread throughout the main streets you can also see the most important churches in Almeria. The church of Santiago the Elder is located in the busy "calle de las Tiendas" (the shopping street). Its main characteristics are a plateresque main front and a slender tower that rises next to it, more than 50 metres high. The Neoclassical church of San Pedro, built on top of an ancient Arab mosque, was finished in the 19th century. Another important temple is devoted to San Juan, where it is possible to see remains of the old mosque, on top of which the present construction was erected.
In this historic quarter –delimited by the Alcazaba, the Purchena Gate, Rambla de Belenand the Port— are the principal institutions of the capital of Almeria, namely the Military Government, the Provincial Hospital, the City Hall, the Cervantes Theatre, the Civil Governmentand the Courthouse.
Strolls and Tours
You must not leave Almeria without first taking a stroll under the shade of the Palm trees at Nicolás Salmerón Park, which runs along the seashore. From here you will have some of the best panoramic views of the marina and the port. You can also sit outside in one of the terraces to watch people stroll by along the streets of Tenor Iribarne and Concepción Arenal, enjoying the incredible climate that this city has all year round. Another choice is to take a walk by Paseo de Almería and Real street and gaze at the colourful façades and the "terraos" (uninhabited top storeys), to feel the pulse of one of the most charismatic cities in Andalusia.
Not far from Almeria, you can enjoy excellent beaches and nature trails at the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Reserve, the first marine-land reserve in Andalusia. Sierra Nevada Nature Reserve is not much further away.
And finally, you must try the heavenly delicacies of the cuisine of Almeria. The city's major crop is grapes, although you will also be able to try "ajo colorao" (a stew with potatoes, red bell peppers, egg, sausages, cod, garlic and olive oil), breca a la uva (Pandora fish with grapes), rape a la barraca (monkfish with leek and mushrooms), etc. Worthy of special mention is the seafood from Garucha and the sponge cake with dates.
Puerto Lumbreras is a small district in terms of area situated about 80 km from the city of Murcia. However, it has surprisingly varied landscapes for its size, the plains of El Esparragal being mainly dedicated to intensive agriculture, and the contrast of the upland area of Cabezo de la Jara. This area of great environmental interest contains predominantly Mediterranean type vegetation and woodland, Mediterranean pine, and even wild olive woods of great age. Among note of its wildlife are the Mediterranean tortoise, the eagle-owl, and several birds of prey.
Having a mainly agriculturally-based economy, its position as strategic point in land communications have also made the town an important transport hub and almost obliged stopping place for road transport between the Spanish Levant and the south of the country, giving rise to an important hotel and catering business. Additionally the town has developed important industries serving tourism, high-quality pottery production, carpets, fabric and articles made from esparto grass, all characteristic of the area.
Additional interest for the tourist is provided in the form of rural tourism, with the extensive availability of rural accommodation throughout the region and organised routes for visitors who fancy getting closer to nature. The Old Part of the town can be divided into various zones: the nucleus gathered round a hill consisting of cave houses at present under renovation, the old part straddling the Nogalte gully, and the modern part, stretching along the N-340 trunk road, and where it is easiest to stop off for a break, meal, or some local craft products, in any one of a number of restaurants and other establishments.
Puerto Lumbreras
Puerto Lumbreras is a small district in terms of area situated about 80 km from the city of Murcia. However, it has surprisingly varied landscapes for its size, the plains of El Esparragal being mainly dedicated to intensive agriculture, and the contrast of the upland area of Cabezo de la Jara. This area of great environmental interest contains predominantly Mediterranean type vegetation and woodland, Mediterranean pine, and even wild olive woods of great age. Among note of its wildlife are the Mediterranean tortoise, the eagle-owl, and several birds of prey.
Having a mainly agriculturally-based economy, its position as strategic point in land communications have also made the town an important transport hub and almost obliged stopping place for road transport between the Spanish Levant and the south of the country, giving rise to an important hotel and catering business. Additionally the town has developed important industries serving tourism, high-quality pottery production, carpets, fabric and articles made from esparto grass, all characteristic of the area.
Additional interest for the tourist is provided in the form of rural tourism, with the extensive availability of rural accommodation throughout the region and organised routes for visitors who fancy getting closer to nature. The Old Part of the town can be divided into various zones: the nucleus gathered round a hill consisting of cave houses at present under renovation, the old part straddling the Nogalte gully, and the modern part, stretching along the N-340 trunk road, and where it is easiest to stop off for a break, meal, or some local craft products, in any one of a number of restaurants and other establishments.