12 Activities
Route to the World Heritage Palm Grove of Elche With a Cultural Stop
Starts from
Murcia
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
12
Duration
13 hours
Length
59 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Murcia
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
13 hours
Length
59 mi
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Visit the Elche palm grove, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
- Contemplate nature in the El Hondo Park.
- Get to know the legacy of the poet Miguel Hernandez in Orihuela.
The palm grove of Elche is unique on the European continent for the number of specimens that can be found in the city, staining much of the city centre with green and covering it with shade.
The route has its main interest in this World Heritage Site, but there will also be time for a cultural visit to the city of Orihuela, where the poet Miguel Hernández, one of the greatest exponents of Spanish literature, lived part of his life and wrote some of his literary works.
Finally, for a breath of fresh air, there is a stop at the natural park of El Hondo with its salt lakes and lagoons that show a characteristic landscape of the area. Ready?
The route has its main interest in this World Heritage Site, but there will also be time for a cultural visit to the city of Orihuela, where the poet Miguel Hernández, one of the greatest exponents of Spanish literature, lived part of his life and wrote some of his literary works.
Finally, for a breath of fresh air, there is a stop at the natural park of El Hondo with its salt lakes and lagoons that show a characteristic landscape of the area. Ready?
The palm grove of Elche is unique on the European continent for the number of specimens that can be found in the city, staining much of the city centre with green and covering it with shade.
The route has its main interest in this World Heritage Site, but there will also be time for a cultural visit to the city of Orihuela, where the poet Miguel Hernández, one of the greatest exponents of Spanish literature, lived part of his life and wrote some of his literary works.
Finally, for a breath of fresh air, there is a stop at the natural park of El Hondo with its salt lakes and lagoons that show a characteristic landscape of the area. Ready?
The route has its main interest in this World Heritage Site, but there will also be time for a cultural visit to the city of Orihuela, where the poet Miguel Hernández, one of the greatest exponents of Spanish literature, lived part of his life and wrote some of his literary works.
Finally, for a breath of fresh air, there is a stop at the natural park of El Hondo with its salt lakes and lagoons that show a characteristic landscape of the area. Ready?
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Visit the Elche palm grove, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
- Contemplate nature in the El Hondo Park.
- Get to know the legacy of the poet Miguel Hernandez in Orihuela.
Day Itinerary
12 Activities
Day 1
59 mi2 mi
Orihuela, Elche and El Hondo Park
The day begins with a journey through the life of Miguel Hernández in Orihuela, the city where he was born and lived. Murals in his honour and the house where he lived are part of the tour.
The second and main stop is Elche, the city of palm trees. In addition to a beautiful orchard, there is a walk through the historic centre.
El Hondo Park with its lagoons, viewpoints and salt lakes is the last stop before returning to Murcia.
Lunch will be a little late to take advantage of the day and the opening hours of the sites to be visited. It is advisable to have a good breakfast and bring a sandwich or fruit to eat on the way.
Regarding the hike through El Hondo Park, trekking clothes are not necessary, but it is advisable to wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, especially in summer due to the high temperatures in the area.
The second and main stop is Elche, the city of palm trees. In addition to a beautiful orchard, there is a walk through the historic centre.
El Hondo Park with its lagoons, viewpoints and salt lakes is the last stop before returning to Murcia.
Lunch will be a little late to take advantage of the day and the opening hours of the sites to be visited. It is advisable to have a good breakfast and bring a sandwich or fruit to eat on the way.
Regarding the hike through El Hondo Park, trekking clothes are not necessary, but it is advisable to wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, especially in summer due to the high temperatures in the area.
09:4530 min
Murals of San Isidro
Public Art
Open Details
An open-air museum! The murals of San Isidro are artistic interventions made by different painters on the facades of houses, in honour of one of the most influential poets of Spanish literature, Miguel Hernández, who was born and lived in Orihuela.
The murals are spread throughout the San Isidro neighbourhood. A very photogenic place!
Parking is available on the streets in the neighbourhood. So, leave your car and head for a stroll.
The murals are spread throughout the San Isidro neighbourhood. A very photogenic place!
Parking is available on the streets in the neighbourhood. So, leave your car and head for a stroll.
2.4 mi
10 min
10:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
It is time to go to the centre of Orihuela and visit the house where the poet Miguel Hernandez lived.
0.2 mi
5 min
10:451 hr
Miguel Hernández House-Museum
Museum
Open Details
House where the poet Miguel Hernandez lived for 20 years. Its interior rooms, such as the kitchen and the bedrooms, as well as the place for cattle breeding (Miguel Hernandez's family was dedicated to this) next to the patio and the mythical fig tree, are kept in a perfect state of preservation.
On the tour you can see furniture from the beginning of the 20th century, photos, history and literary works of the writer. If you are a follower of Spanish literature, this is an essential visit.
On the tour you can see furniture from the beginning of the 20th century, photos, history and literary works of the writer. If you are a follower of Spanish literature, this is an essential visit.
0.4 mi
10 min
12:0045 min
Orihuela Cathedral
Church
Open Details
It is one of the smallest cathedrals in Spain, on the outside it looks more like a church because of its size. Its large bell tower gives a special charm to the whole building.
Built on the site of a former mosque, the interior retains great splendour, reflected mainly in its organ and choir. If you want to extend your visit, you can visit the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, which is located just opposite the Cathedral.
Built on the site of a former mosque, the interior retains great splendour, reflected mainly in its organ and choir. If you want to extend your visit, you can visit the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, which is located just opposite the Cathedral.
24.3 mi
40 min
13:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Welcome to the city of Elche, the main attraction of the route. The parking next to the train station is the ideal place to leave your car and start the route. It's free of charge
0.4 mi
10 min
13:4530 min
Palmeral of Elche
Park
Open Details
Elche has the largest palm grove in Europe. With more than 200,000 palm trees scattered throughout the historic centre and the outskirts of the city, its origin dates back to Arab times when they were used for agricultural purposes.
One place to start your tour of Elche is the public palm grove. The park's paths run between tall palm trees, fountains and waterfalls. In summer, it is an ideal place to take refuge from the heat.
One place to start your tour of Elche is the public palm grove. The park's paths run between tall palm trees, fountains and waterfalls. In summer, it is an ideal place to take refuge from the heat.
0.5 mi
10 min
14:301 hr 30 min
El Trastero Cervecería Centro
Tapas Restaurant
Open Details
Now it's time to eat and what better place to do it than near the Plaza de la Glorieta, the main point of the city centre.
Ideal for snacks, you can try cold meats, salads or its famous piadinas, two thin, crunchy dough tapas that form a sandwich with meat and melted cheese inside. A delight!
Ideal for snacks, you can try cold meats, salads or its famous piadinas, two thin, crunchy dough tapas that form a sandwich with meat and melted cheese inside. A delight!
0.4 mi
10 min
16:1530 min
Huerto del Cura Garden
Garden
Open Details
The Huerto del Cura is the best-kept palm grove in Elche, although there is an entrance fee to enter. The well-marked paths lead past ponds with peacocks, small bridges and waterfalls. There are benches to sit and relax completely in these natural surroundings.
The main feature of the orchard is the large imperial palm tree, a reminder of the visit of the Empress Sissi at the end of the 19th century. Its age, size and bifurcations are surprising.
The main feature of the orchard is the large imperial palm tree, a reminder of the visit of the Empress Sissi at the end of the 19th century. Its age, size and bifurcations are surprising.
0.6 mi
15 min
17:0045 min
Archaeological and History Museum of Elche (MAHE)
Museum
Open Details
Elche has a great historical legacy. The Iberians, Romans and Arabs inhabited this territory. Vestiges of these civilizations can be seen in this archaeological museum, such as the remains of the site of La Alcudia. There is also a replica of the emblematic Lady of Elche (the original is in Madrid).
Opposite and connected to this museum is the History Museum, which is housed in the Palacio de Altamira. Admission to the Archaeology Museum includes the History Museum.
Opposite and connected to this museum is the History Museum, which is housed in the Palacio de Altamira. Admission to the Archaeology Museum includes the History Museum.
0.2 mi
5 min
18:0045 min
Basílica de Santa María
Church
Open Details
It is a large cathedral that does not go unnoticed on a visit to Elche. Its interior vault and altarpiece are of great beauty.
Next to the cathedral, for a fee, you can climb the bell tower. After climbing the many steps, the prize is the fabulous view of the public palm tree. If you arrive at sunset, the view is even better, when the sky turns orange and reflects its colour on the palm trees.
Next to the cathedral, for a fee, you can climb the bell tower. After climbing the many steps, the prize is the fabulous view of the public palm tree. If you arrive at sunset, the view is even better, when the sky turns orange and reflects its colour on the palm trees.
10.1 mi
30 min
19:1545 min
El Fondo Natural Park
National Park
Open Details
Ready for a bit of nature? El Fondo Park contains wetlands with numerous species such as birds and flamingos. It is one of the most important bird observatories in the Valencian Community.
When entering the park, there are different hiking routes to do. To get a general panoramic view, the best thing to do is to walk up to the viewpoint called El Codo.
You can park your car next to the park's interpretation centre.
22.8 mi
40 min
20:451 hr 30 min
Restaurante Bar Del Campo
Grilled Meat Restaurant
Open Details
There is still one more place to go before returning to Murcia, and that is to fill the belly. You can choose between tapas and snacks or more elaborate dishes based on rice, grilled meat or fish.
For dessert, choose between two of the house specialities: the chocolate volcano or Grandma Antonia's cake.
For dessert, choose between two of the house specialities: the chocolate volcano or Grandma Antonia's cake.