Murcia's Costa Cálida hides a seafaring haven surrounded by quiet coves, dreamy golden beaches, exquisite cuisine and an 18th century castle on the edge of a cliff with sea views. All of this seasoned with Roman sites and good weather, making it the perfect getaway for quiet walks and enjoying the Mediterranean.
Castle of San Juan de Águilas
Águilas is a beautiful coastal municipality in Murcia, where we can soak up history close to the sea. They have an Arab defensive tower from the 10th century and a fortress that has watched over the Mediterranean from above since the 18th century. It is called Castillo de San Juan de Águilas and it was built to defend the town from pirates, but today it offers a beautiful walk and spectacular views.
But its history goes back further than the pirates or the Arabs. In Águilas they found Roman sites even under the sea, as well as some hot springs from the 1st century AD inside a house, which can be visited for free. Its entire history is easy to understand if we go to the town's Municipal Archaeological Museum, where they keep prehistoric and Roman remains found in the town itself.
Along with its history, Águilas is rich (millionaire) in beaches. It has 35 beaches and coves, many of them awarded the blue flag for their cleanliness and care. The most famous is La Carolina, a beautiful cove of golden sand surrounded by volcanic cliffs, ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle and practicing snorkeling. It is part of the so-called 'Four Calas' with Calarreona, Higuerica and Los Cocedores, all of them natural and virgin.
If you prefer an urban beach full of services, Playa de las Delicias is next to the port and has many beach bars where you can enjoy a little fish fried, a baked octopus or a good cauldron from the Mar Menor, the typical seafood rice of the region.
At dusk, its promenade wakes up and is filled with locals and visitors who enjoy a quiet walk with views of the sea at dusk. It begins in La Lonja and offers, throughout the entire journey, a panoramic view of the Levante Bay and the Pico de L'Aguilica, with the castle above. Impossible to improve this getaway.
