Inland Area Info
You can find general information about many local towns here - if there is anything you particularly want us to include on these pages for your reference please tell us!
BEDAR, Almeria
Bedar is an authentic traditional beautiful white washed Moorish village snuggled in the hills of the Los Filabres mountains and yet just 15kms to the beaches of Mojacar and Garrucha. It was an old mining area and you can now walk the route of the mines in stunning scenery. Its elevated position means it has spectacular views of the Sierra Cabrera, and the coastline from Carboneras all the way to Aguilas.
LUBRIN, Los Filabres, Almeria
Lubrin is an attractive largely cobbled whitewash village with lovely squares and a very impressive central church. The streets are full of architecturally interesting properties of all shapes and sizes including the Old Mill restaurant and bar. The town is full of tapas bars and restaurants most with ample outdoor /rooftop terraces offering great views and a sense of timelessness. Lubrin´s famous bread fiesta in January every year is something not to be missed, it involves throwing bread rolls at one another from first floor level!
Lubrin is “real” andalucian Spain in the sense that its main income and activities are still largely agricultural and olives and almonds are key sources of income. There is an olive press on the edge of the town so every year olive farmers from far and wide come to turn their olives into genuine first pressed virgin olive oil.
This very traditional village is now a lot easier to reach. All routes are through the most spectacular countryside offering numerous different views. There are several routes to Lubrin. The spectacular but windy road from Bedar, the road from Sorbas, the road from Zurgena and the road up from Antas. The nearest beach is about 45 minutes away and Almeria airport is just under one hour. Alicante and Murcia airports are 2 hours distant, mostly on motorway.
ANTAS, Almeria
Antas is a traditional spanish town, previously dedicated to the production and export of oranges and other citrus fruit. This still plays a large part in the life of the town but it has become a transport centre for all kinds of good as well. The area around the town is mostly is planted with olive and fruit trees. The town itself is clearly delineated with the main centre, a mini "industrial" area and some beautiful detached properties in the rural surroundings. Antas town is still predominantly agricultural with a lovely main street and cobbled streets and the old town off to the left, it has all the facilities you could need (banks, shops. hairdresser etc) and is full of interesting places to eat and watch the world go by.
The nearest beach is at Vera, an easy 10 minute drive away.
Antas is easily located from the E15 / A7 coastal motorway and is 50 minutes from Almeria airport and 105 minutes from Alicante and Murcia airports respectively.
Puerto Lumbreras
Literally translates as the "port of lights" and it is located to the far west of Murcia province on the E15/A7 motorway at 12km from Lorca (towards Almeria). The port element signifies the first main town into another province within Spain, albeit land locked. The town is in the centre of a widespread agricultural area and a thriving source of carnations. The town centre is widespread around the base of a hill, which is crowned by an old castle and offers an (externally unappealing) yet interesting Parador (with excellent food and service). Puerto Lumbreras is a modern airy town with clean easily accessible wide streets, many of which are pedestrianised in the centre. It offers every facility you could need along with a wide selection of restaurants and leisure facilities (as well as martial arts, reiki, massage yoga etc) There is a huge "urgencias" (24 hour medical centre) and the local hospital is just a 12 minute drive away (Rafael Mendez).
Market day is every Friday and there is a Sunday market in La Estacion.
Lorca and the Surrounding Area
Lorca is a historically significant town located in the south west of Murcia and covers an enormous area reaching as far as the Costa Calida coastline (the port of Aguilas just 30 minutes easy drive). Lorca has the attractions of a modern city with a wide range of restaurants, hotels, leisure facilities, hospital and cosmopolitan living all located beneath the famous 13th century hill top castle which overlooks the entire area. It is set in an expansive valley between the mountains and has many historical buildings including churches, Roman villas, palaces amongst others.
Lorca is well known for its love of cultural life and its passionate and lavish fiestas, especially during the Semana Santa (Easter) when the Holy Week processions are televised nationwide in Spain. These are enlivened by the tradition of the two brotherhoods, the blue and the whites (azules y blancos). The main streets are converted into elevated areas with each brotherhood representing just one side of each street! The brotherhoods compete against each other in terms of horsemanship, and their floats (or pasos) which carry realistic life size reproductions of the Last Supper, the crucificion, the suffering of the Virgin Mary and Christ and so on. It's a unique spectacle that defies written description and must be experienced at least once in your lifetime.
Lorca is easily accessible with a coach station, a railway station and the main A7/E15 motorway that runs next to the city within easy reach of the following airports (120km from Alicante airport, 150km from Almeria airport and 60km from Murcia's airport at San Javier).
Lorca is surrounded by the beautiful rural and agricultural areas of Aguaderas and Purias where broccoli, artichokes etc are grown for international sale. The new Lorca golf Resort is located mid-way between Lorca and Aguilas and Valle del Este and Desert Springs Golf Resorts in the province of Almeria are both about 40 minutes drive away.
Lorca's urban centre was declared 'a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest' in 1964, and has an important baroque heritage. Local restaurants such as Casa Candido have incredible vaults below the main dining area and a polite request at a quiet time could allow a closer look. Lorca still retains its traditional craftwork heritage producing items such as ceramics, wall and floor carpets, intricate embroidery and iron forging. During the 18th c., a number of baroque style churches were built in Lorca and the locals are very proud of their town and its historical monuments.
Market Day is every Thursday.
