Murcia Costa Calida - A Genuinely Unspoilt Region of Spain

Located on the South-East corner of the Iberian Peninsula, between the regions of, Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha and Valencia, the region of Murcia is characterized by its rich Phoenician and Arab history of commerce and agriculture.

The city of Murcia and Capital of the Murcia/Costa Calida region offers superb shopping and an abundance of historical sites. Founded in 825 AD by the Moors, Murcia has matured into a vibrant and dynamic city that hospitable, light-hearted and extroverted.

The province of Murcia is mainly a warm region which has made it very suitable for agriculture. Murcia is irrigated by the Rivers Segura, Murdo and Sangonera which create ideal farming conditions for the many citrus orchards. In contrast the area also has expanses of dry, arid land where olives and vines thrive. Excellent wineries have developed near the towns of Bullas, Yecla, and Jumilla, as well as olive oil production near Moratalla.

The beautiful 155 mile-long coastline of Costa Calida runs from the beach of El Mojon in the north to the beach of La Carolina in the town of Aguilas to the south. The beaches are complimented by a huge range of hotels, casinos, golf courses and everything a holiday-maker could wish for. All along the coast, there are charming traditional fishing villages and peaceful resorts, with the only truly major towns being the historical port of Cartagena and Torrevieja.

The region's brightest gem is the Mar Menor - at 170 square kilometres the Mar Menor is Europe's biggest saltwater lagoon. With warm waters and gentle winds this is one of the best places, not only in Spain, but in Europe to learn water sports. The smaller salt lakes that surround Mar Menor contain a mud rich in magnesium, calcium, sodium, bromide, iodine and flouride, and is very effective against arthritis, rheumatism, tendinitis, nervous and articulatory disorders. As a result many small towns have developed on the shore of Mar Menor, as health and spa resorts.

The Murcia/Costa Calida region is genuinely unspoilt - an unnoticed region, largely kept a secret, until now, and is perhaps the last major region of Spain to yield its secrets!