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If all you want for Christmas this year is to get away from the throngs of people in the shops and town centres of Murcia, bear in mind that the old saying that true beauty lies on the inside can also be applied to our Region, and that the coastline does not have exclusive rights to the most appealing and tranquil festive landscapes!
In inland Murcia there are countless places which are rich in history and delightfully charming, and in these towns and villages the festive season is celebrated in a more traditional, homespun way. With this is mind the regional tourist board recommends taking a trip to the following destinations…
Villanueva del Río Segura is a haven of peace and quiet in the beautiful Ricote Valley, surrounded by fruit orchards which are enclosed by the mountains. Take a walk around the old centre of the small town and then why not relax still further with a short trip to the Balneario spa centre of Archena – relax in the natural warm spring water which has been used for therapeutic purposes since the time of the Romans!
Close by is Blanca, the heart and soul of the artistic world in the Ricote Valley. In this picturesque town on the banks of the River Segura there are living nativity scenes and plenty of cultural activities to keep both visitors and locals busy over Christmas, and as you walk along the river you can climb up to the old castle of Blanca to admire the stupendous views. When night falls the locals, full of Christmas spirit, tend to congregate around the main square, where the atmosphere is quietly convivial!
In the north-west of the Region of Murcia is the town of Moratalla, where the mountains covered in brushwood and the plentiful country houses give the landscape a true festive feel at this time of year. The town is famous for, among other things, the drumming ritual during Semana Santa, but the atmosphere is equally magical in December and this is the perfect time to explore the impressive old buildings including the castle/fortress and the church of Santa María de la Asunción. End your day with the typical warming food of the north-west, a plate of delicious migas!
Perhaps the most Christmassy scenes of all in Murcia are to be found in Cehegín, also in the north-west, where the whole of the old town centre could be a film setting for a Yuletide blockbuster! Marvel at the cobbled streets, decorated with festive lights and adornments, and discover the old palatial homes and magical squares – and don’t miss out on the atmospheric Christmas market in the Plaza del Castillo, where you’ll find handmade goods of all kinds from clothes and jewellery to kitchen utensils and food.
If you feel like a bracing walk, head out of the town towards the ancient site of Begastri, where the Iberians built one of their most important settlements centuries before the event which Christmas celebrates!
For a hearty mix of gastronomy, culture and tradition, you can’t do much better than Yecla in the north of the Region of Murcia. At Christmas many of the local wineries or “Bodegas” open their doors to allow visitors to enjoy special tasting sessions (accompanied by food), while the Nativity scene route and the special atmosphere in the old town centre epitomize the true spirit of Christmas. End your day in the mountains of Sierra Salinas, watching the sun go down before heading back into town to enjoy a warming plate of gazpachos yeclanos!
Another place where you are guaranteed a glass of good quality wine is Bullas, where the local DOP wines and the warmth of the atmosphere are synonymous with Christmas. The local Wine Route comes alive at this time of year, with many bodegas holding special events, and the best way to appreciate this is with a walk through the old town to the Wine Museum, where you can raise a glass to your loved ones and to the Region of Murcia!
This charming little town in the east of the Region is set in a spectacular landscape, parts of which call to mind the arid area in which the story of Christmas unfolds. Here your options include a stroll through the charming old centre (which includes a public washhouse still in use!), where the locals are fiercely proud of their traditions, a visit to the church of San José, and a walk in the remarkable landscape of the River Chícamo gorge, a truly unique spot and about as far removed from the hustle and bustle of Christmas as you can imagine!
Finally, the tourist board highlights Alhama, in the foothills of the Sierra Espuña, where tradition and nature are perhaps more closely entwined than anywhere else in Murcia. Must-see stops include the old town, the Los Baños archaeological museum and the castle (although this is not fully open to visitors due to structural repair work), and of course if you’re hoping to work off the effects of all the Christmas dining then the mountains of Sierra Espuña offer a myriad of fantastic hiking routes!
So, if you want to get away from it all this Christmas, you don’t have to travel far! Swap the shopping malls for Christmas markets, choose the starry night sky of inland Murcia over the bright lights of the cities and find the true beauty in the heart of Murcia!
Source: ITREM
