14 Activities
Explore the Beautiful Villages of the Sierra de Moratalla
Starts from
Murcia
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
14
Duration
10 hrs 10 min
Length
44 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Murcia
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs 10 min
Length
44 mi
- History and Culture
- Arts and Creativity
- Gastronomy
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Explore the house museum of the wine horses, a tradition of dressing up the horses for the festival.
- Get to know three of the most beautiful rural villages in inland Murcia.
- Visit the wine museum in Bullas.
As we approach the hills of Moratalla, the rural villages loom along the road. This one-day route aims to cover three of Murcia's main inland enclaves: Cehegín, Caravaca de la Cruz and Moratalla.
The ancient buildings, which are terraced over the hills, give a particular charm to these three villages, crowned by medieval buildings such as castles and basilicas.
Traditions and gastronomy also have a strong influence in the area. You will get to know a typical and curious festivity that takes place in Caravaca de la Cruz, and you will visit the wine museum in Bullas. Are you ready to be amazed?
The ancient buildings, which are terraced over the hills, give a particular charm to these three villages, crowned by medieval buildings such as castles and basilicas.
Traditions and gastronomy also have a strong influence in the area. You will get to know a typical and curious festivity that takes place in Caravaca de la Cruz, and you will visit the wine museum in Bullas. Are you ready to be amazed?
Categories
- History and Culture
- Arts and Creativity
- Gastronomy
As we approach the hills of Moratalla, the rural villages loom along the road. This one-day route aims to cover three of Murcia's main inland enclaves: Cehegín, Caravaca de la Cruz and Moratalla.
The ancient buildings, which are terraced over the hills, give a particular charm to these three villages, crowned by medieval buildings such as castles and basilicas.
Traditions and gastronomy also have a strong influence in the area. You will get to know a typical and curious festivity that takes place in Caravaca de la Cruz, and you will visit the wine museum in Bullas. Are you ready to be amazed?
The ancient buildings, which are terraced over the hills, give a particular charm to these three villages, crowned by medieval buildings such as castles and basilicas.
Traditions and gastronomy also have a strong influence in the area. You will get to know a typical and curious festivity that takes place in Caravaca de la Cruz, and you will visit the wine museum in Bullas. Are you ready to be amazed?
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Explore the house museum of the wine horses, a tradition of dressing up the horses for the festival.
- Get to know three of the most beautiful rural villages in inland Murcia.
- Visit the wine museum in Bullas.
Day Itinerary
14 Activities
Day 1
42 mi3 mi
Rural Wonders of the Province of Murcia
The first stop on the route is in Cehegín to admire the architecture of the place with its typical arcades and to take a walk uphill to the main church.
The second stop is in Caravaca de la Cruz, a town where the basilica of the Vera Cruz stands out and where the deep-rooted customs of the population can be seen in the house museum of the wine horses.
Then it's on to Moratalla with its medieval castle at the top and views of the surrounding countryside, ending on the way back to Murcia with a last stop at the wine museum in Bullas, one of the strongest products of the region.
The second stop is in Caravaca de la Cruz, a town where the basilica of the Vera Cruz stands out and where the deep-rooted customs of the population can be seen in the house museum of the wine horses.
Then it's on to Moratalla with its medieval castle at the top and views of the surrounding countryside, ending on the way back to Murcia with a last stop at the wine museum in Bullas, one of the strongest products of the region.
09:555 min
Parking
The first stop on the route is in the town of Cehegín, in the parking area closest to the historic centre.
0.3 mi
10 min
10:1530 min
City of Cehegín
One of the main emblems of Cehegín is the building where the town hall currently stands, but which was once the home of noble families.
Its main façade is decorated with jasper marble from the area, which earned the place the name of Casa Jaspe.
Inside, the original decoration is maintained with a grand central staircase, a huge chandelier and the main hall in rococo style from the end of the 18th century.
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 14:00.
Its main façade is decorated with jasper marble from the area, which earned the place the name of Casa Jaspe.
Inside, the original decoration is maintained with a grand central staircase, a huge chandelier and the main hall in rococo style from the end of the 18th century.
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 14:00.
0.2 mi
5 min
10:5015 min
Soportales de Cehegin
These charming arcades are located at the highest point of the village and were originally built to provide a privileged view of the events that took place here centuries ago.
From here you can see almost the entire historic centre of Cehegín with the reddish roofs of the houses.
From here you can see almost the entire historic centre of Cehegín with the reddish roofs of the houses.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:1530 min
Parish St. Mary Magdalene
The main church of Cehegín is located at the highest point of the town. Although it is small, inside it has charming details, such as the altarpiece.
If you decide to spend the night in Cehegín you should also take a stroll when the lights illuminate the main façade of the religious building.
Open Hours: Saturday: 11:00 - 14:00, 18:00 - 20:00. Sunday: 11:00 - 14:00.
If you decide to spend the night in Cehegín you should also take a stroll when the lights illuminate the main façade of the religious building.
Open Hours: Saturday: 11:00 - 14:00, 18:00 - 20:00. Sunday: 11:00 - 14:00.
0.3 mi
5 min
11:505 min
Parking
After visiting the main sights of Cehegín, return to the parking to continue the route.
6.3 mi
15 min
12:105 min
Parking Salones Castillo
The next stop is in the town of Caravaca de la Cruz. This open-air parking allows you to climb in a few minutes to the Basilica-Castillo de la Vera Cruz and walk through the historic centre.
0.5 mi
10 min
12:3045 min
Horses Wine Museum
What is this about the wine horses? Every 2nd of May the town of Caravaca de la Cruz celebrates this traditional festival, where the horses are adorned with hand-embroidered costumes with details in gold, silver and bronze.
There are guided tours in the museum to learn more about the history of this patron saint festival, see the different costumes with which the horses are adorned, and two videos to make the visit even more illustrative. Highly recommended!
Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 8:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Sunday and Monday: 10:00 - 14:00.
For more information: Caravaca Tourist Office from the cross
There are guided tours in the museum to learn more about the history of this patron saint festival, see the different costumes with which the horses are adorned, and two videos to make the visit even more illustrative. Highly recommended!
Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 8:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Sunday and Monday: 10:00 - 14:00.
For more information: Caravaca Tourist Office from the cross
0.4 mi
10 min
13:3030 min
BASILICA SHRINE OF VERA CRUZ
Built on the site of a 16th century fortress, the basilica is impressive in every way. It is located at the highest point of Caravaca de la Cruz, which allows you to contemplate all the hills that surround the town and the staggered constructions of the houses in the historic centre.
Inside, the basilica houses a relic: the cross of Caravaca. This symbol is venerated by thousands of parishioners year after year, to which miraculous powers have been attributed since the reconversion of the Sayid Ceyt-Abuceyt to Christianity in the 13th century.
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 19:00.
Inside, the basilica houses a relic: the cross of Caravaca. This symbol is venerated by thousands of parishioners year after year, to which miraculous powers have been attributed since the reconversion of the Sayid Ceyt-Abuceyt to Christianity in the 13th century.
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00, 17:00 - 19:00.
0.5 mi
10 min
14:151 hr 30 min
Plaza Massima
A fusion of bar, café and restaurant, it is a modern place with an extensive menu that includes pastas, meats, pizzas, salads and even sushi.
Generous portions, good prices and a variety of local beers and wines to accompany the food.
Their homemade desserts are a real treat. Be sure to try the three-chocolate cake or the so-called death by chocolate.
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 – 0:00. Saturday: 8:00 – 3:00. Sunday: 8:00 – 1:00.
Generous portions, good prices and a variety of local beers and wines to accompany the food.
Their homemade desserts are a real treat. Be sure to try the three-chocolate cake or the so-called death by chocolate.
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 – 0:00. Saturday: 8:00 – 3:00. Sunday: 8:00 – 1:00.
0.6 mi
15 min
16:005 min
Parking Salones Castillo
After the tour and lunch in Caravaca de la Cruz, return to the parking to pick up the car and continue the route.
8 mi
20 min
16:3030 min
Castillo-fortaleza de Moratalla
The castle is located in the highest part of the village and is in perfect condition. The tower of homage, which can be climbed to get the best views of the village, and places such as the cistern, are preserved inside the castle.
Its legacy spans several centuries, as the first records of the fortification are from the Iberians, later passing into Roman and Arab hands until the Christian reconquest.
If you visit on a day when the castle is closed, it is still worth seeing it from the outside and taking in the panoramic views of the valley and the village.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 - 13:30. Also, Friday and Saturday 16:00 - 17:30.
There is parking space in the streets around the castle.
Its legacy spans several centuries, as the first records of the fortification are from the Iberians, later passing into Roman and Arab hands until the Christian reconquest.
If you visit on a day when the castle is closed, it is still worth seeing it from the outside and taking in the panoramic views of the valley and the village.
Open Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 - 13:30. Also, Friday and Saturday 16:00 - 17:30.
There is parking space in the streets around the castle.
0.3 mi
10 min
17:1530 min
Mirador de Moratalla
The castle of Moratalla stands out at the top of the village and is surrounded by medieval houses built on the base of the hill.
To get a close-up view of this image, you have to go to the village's viewpoint, where the reddish roofs of the houses and the brownish colour of the buildings create a unique postcard.
To get a close-up view of this image, you have to go to the village's viewpoint, where the reddish roofs of the houses and the brownish colour of the buildings create a unique postcard.
19.3 mi
30 min
18:1545 min
Museo del vino
On an old cellar of the XIX century completely restored and where the original vaults and jars are preserved, the museum exhibits the great relationship that wine has with the town of Bullas.
There is an exhibition of antique objects that were used for the production of wine, bottles that were marketed many years ago and explanatory posters on the production and storage process used from Roman times to the present.
Open Hours: April to October: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 20:00. Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00. November to March: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00.
There is a place to leave the car in the streets around the wine museum.
There is an exhibition of antique objects that were used for the production of wine, bottles that were marketed many years ago and explanatory posters on the production and storage process used from Roman times to the present.
Open Hours: April to October: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 20:00. Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00. November to March: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00.
There is a place to leave the car in the streets around the wine museum.
8.2 mi
10 min
19:151 hr 30 min
Casa Paco 1 el Ventorrillo
Restaurant of reference in the area with daily menu and different regional dishes to try. It is a typical bodegón without great luxuries where homemade food is served, abundant portions and excellent treatment.
It highlights the Murcian sausages, regional dishes and grilled meat.
Open Hours: All days: 7:00 - 23:00.
There is parking space next to the restaurant.
It highlights the Murcian sausages, regional dishes and grilled meat.
Open Hours: All days: 7:00 - 23:00.
There is parking space next to the restaurant.