Orihuela - Costa Blanca

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You can reach it following the national road N-322, highway A-7 and highway Alicante-Murcia (exits 80 and 81). There are also regular buses, as well as Alicante-Elche-Orihuela-Murcia train line.

The surrounding landscape is diverse and dominated by Segura river. There are a lot of olive, orange and almond groves and cotton fields in the countryside. Close to the northern part of the town, you can enjoy the shade of thousands palm trees in El Palmeral. Like similar parks in Alicante and Elche, it has a Muslim origin and a characteristic form of a half moon. The Muslim influence is evident in the agricultural development of this region. Maintaining a good irrigation systemsduring centuries, people used to say "Rain or no rain - corn in Orihuela".

Climbing up nearby hills, such as Hurchillo, you can have a magnificent panoramic view over the landscape. The wholecoastal area is in harmony with the nature. A lot of attention is put into environmental issues, in accordance withEuropean regulations.

Between Santa Pola and Torrevieja, there are numerous beaches, which alternate between the cliffs - framed by the Mediterraneanvegetation and transparent water. Mil Palmeras, Cabo Roig, Campoamor, Playa Flamenca - just to name the most important of them. You can find a room in many family homes and holiday villa resorts available for rent during the summer season. You can practice water sports, use services of nautical clubs, as well as enjoy quality golf facilities.

The cultural heritage of Orihuela Spain is fascinating. It is one of the richest is this part of Spain - second to Valencia. Founded by Carthaginians and named Orcelis, this town became the capital of the Visigoth province of Aurariola and of the Kingdom of Tudmir in the 8th century. During the following centuries it was controlled by the Emirate of Cordoba and kingdoms of Denia, Murcia and Valencia. Today we can appreciate numerous monuments from those remote times.

The most important one is the Cathedral - built almost 1000 years ago on the place of an old mosque. Originally it was a Gothic church with a dark interior - remodelled later in the Baroque style in the 16th century. Other sacral buildings of interest are the old monastery Santo Domingo, Episcopal Palace, the Church of St. Justa and Rufina the Church of Santiago and Sagrada Familia.

Among other cultural monuments, numerous palaces stand out by the beauty of their ornaments. Palace of Count de Pinohermoso, Palace of Marques de Rafal, Palace of Count de la Luna (today Hotel Tudemir), Palace de Rubalcava and other mansions and residences impress by their facades with balconies, gardens and rich interiors. Orihuela Spain is also a city of museums. Ethnology museum, the Museum of Reconquista, the Museum of the Sacral Art and the Museum of Semana Santa invite you to learn more about the history of Orihuela and discover its long traditions.