Costa Cálida

A lemon-growing town east of Murcia city, with a Moorish watermill, the Santomera reservoir and open countryside on the way to the Costa Cálida.

Discover Cehegín in northwest Murcia — its Roman Begastri, red-marble heritage, manorial old town and pilgrimage neighbour Caravaca de la Cruz.

Discover Mula in inland Murcia below the Sierra Espuña — its Vélez castle, Holy Week tamboradas drumming, thermal baths and Neolithic heritage.

Inland farming town in the Campo de Cartagena, about 35 km from Murcia and with no beach: open-air water museum, greenway and the Carrascoy hills.

Inland spa town on the Segura, about 24 km from Murcia and far from the Mar Menor: the Balneario de Archena, river walks and the Ricote Valley.

A Murcian huerta town where the Segura and Mula rivers meet, with riverside walks, palm gardens and the Costa Cálida beaches within easy reach.

What Torre-Pacheco is really like: an inland Murcia town minutes from the Mar Menor lagoon, golf resorts and Spain’s vegetable-garden plains.

What Alcantarilla is really like: the Huerta ethnology museum, a giant working waterwheel and Roman-origin aqueduct near Murcia.

What La Unión is really like: 19th-century mines you can tour, the Cante de las Minas flamenco festival and Costa Cálida access.

What Molina de Segura is really like: a Murcia riverside town of huerta and theatre, near the Ricote Valley, Archena springs and the Costa Cálida.