Region and Lifestyle
The Costa Calida (The warm coast) is aptly named with temperatures varying between 8 – 19 degrees in the winter and 18-29 degrees in summer. We also benefit from at least 315 days a year of sunshine. This climate, complemented by the clean mountain air is highly recommended and provides excellent healthy living conditions.
The seasons of Costa Calida all have something special to enjoy. In the spring and autumn the cooler air makes an excellent climate for exploring the city of Murcia or the town of Lorca. The blossom on the Almond trees is a site to behold and the open air markets can provide some excellent bargains. During the heat of the summer months it is best to visit the shady areas of the pine forests and natural parks or the beaches with their cooling costal breezes. Winter months are not the kind you experience in the UK and it’s not unusual to still be able to find a suntrap in your garden or on your roof terrace to catch some winter rays. Another pass-time for the winter months is skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains just a little under a 2 hour drive from Lorca.
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Lorca Region
In the west of the Murcia province, the Lorca region takes in the huge expanse of Lorca which is sprawled across the valley and the coastal area around Aguilas where some excellent, unspoilt and remote beaches are waiting to be discovered.
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Lorca Town
The largest town in Spain by area, Lorca stretches across an entire valley and its municipal district reaches the coast. The attraction of Lorca lies in its history and archaeology, present in the character of its streets, its living crafts (textiles, woodwork, ceramics) its different offerings for festivals and cultural events. A hilltop castle presides over the city, which is a former frontier town. Lorca has numerous historical buildings including churches, Roman villas, palaces and also artistic treasures.
Lorca is well known for its enthusiastic and lavish fiestas.
Lorca is well connected with a coach station, a rail station and the main N340 motorway that runs next to the city. Lorca is 120km from Alicante airport, 150km from Almeria airport and 60km from Murcia’s airport at San Javier.
The nearest golf courses are in the Valle del Este and Desert Springs, about half an hour away and Lorca has a championship golf resort due for completion in 2008.
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Puerto Lumbreras
Puerto Lumbreras (the port of lights) is located approximately 10 minutes drive from Lorca on the N340 motorway between Murcia and Almeria. This bustling little town has a population of around 10,500 inhabitants and is largely agricultural, with olives and almonds being the main crop. The town is spread around the base of a hill, which is crowned by an old castle. There are some fantastic walks to be taken in the countryside around the town. A market is held in the town on Fridays.
There are several hotels, bars and restaurants in Puerto Lumbreras, with excellent Spanish and International cuisine, and there is a local market on a Friday. Puerto Lumbreras is 12km from Lorca and 60km from Murcia.
Almeria airport is 105km away, Alicante airport is 135km away and Murcia Airport is 85km away.
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Aguilas
20 minutes from Lorca, Aguilas is a coastal town with many unspoilt secluded beaches, situated in one of the least developed coastal areas of southern Spain. At the Western end of the Golfo de Mazarron, the town is bordered inland by fields of tomatoes and villages surrounded by the polythene tunnels used to grow fresh produce intensively. The tunnels are not particularly attractive but they are, for the most part, away from the coast. Increasingly popular with northern Europeans, Aguilas is made up of 2 bays separated by a rocky headland. There are 28km of numerous different beaches in the area, catering for all types of aquatic sports or just good old fashioned relaxation. The University of the Sea is also located in Aguilas. The carnival of Aguilas is a renowned fiesta where the entire town comes out onto the streets and some fantastic costumes are on display.
