Calasparra, a hidden gem of Murcia, Southern Spain
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Calasparra - A hidden Gem of Murcia, Southern Spain
If you love real Spain, Calasparra is a pretty little town in Murcia that is a gem to explore and has retained its Spanish identity - the people here speak Spanish as their first language! Calasparra has breathtaking mountain views and Its location is perfect for many places to visit, and all sorts of exciting recreational activities for the adventurous!
We enjoy clean air and average over 300 days of sunshine a year! During the summer when the temperatures are high the streets are almost empty. Then after siesta the town comes to life. The streets are closed to traffic, and the tables outside of cafes and bars soon fill up with conversation and laughter.
Inside the Sanctuary
The Sanctuary - Sanctuary of Nuestra Senora de la Esperanza - A Place of Pilgrimage
2008 saw the jubilee celebrations of Our Lady Of Hope, Senora de la Esperanza at the Sanctuary. Esperanza is the patron saint of Calasparra. The Sanctuary is a beautiful church set into the side of the mountain, the first records of the Sanctuary date back to the 17th century. The Sanctuary is a place of pilgrimage and many people travel here from all over Spain and beyond. On the way to the Sanctuary there is a viewing point where you can enjoy panoramic breathtaking views of the mountains, the town of Calasparra and the rice paddies. There are facilities at the Sanctuary including souvenir shop, restaurant, bar, childrens play area. You can take a beautiful walk by the river Segura and enjoy a barbecue or picnic.
The local council laid on a road train for the jubilee year that took you from outside Bar San Antonio in Calasparra to the Sanctuary. The train took you on a picturesque journey from the town to the Sanctuary, down by the river then it wound up the mountainside to the Sanctuary showing you the breathtaking views of the paddy fields and the general panoramic views of Calasparra.
Calasparra Annual Fiesta
The main annual fiesta in Calasparra is held the first week of September where the whole town comes out to party. It´s a lively event where most companies close for the week so everyone can let their hair down, There are many colourful parades, daily bull runs through the town and also a run for the children. The beer tents are open most afternoons/evenings along with lively music, street stalls selling jewellery, leather goods, etc. You can choose to be in the midst of the party or soak up the atmosphere with a glass of wine at a nearby cafe. There are also live bands in the auditorium and a fair ground with rides for both adults and children.
Caves to Explore
The caves just outside Calasparra are well worth a visit, The cave of El Puerto where this picture was taken and the Cave of Monigotes which is particularly spectacular with a lake, cave paintings, and a multitude, in shapes and hues, of stalagmites and stalactites.
Barterpoint Murcia & Southern Spain
- Barterpoint Murcia - The exchange of goods or services without the use of money in Murcia region
An online community for social networking, bartering, selling, singles group, events and much much more
Barterpoint Murcia & Southern Spain
Barterpoint Murcia & Southern Spain is a website that I have set up for those that live in Murcia or Southern Spain which offers Bartering, Selling, Social networking, there is an events calendar, daily exchange rates, weather forecast, a singles group, reviews section for restaurants or products etc and much much more.
There is new content being added to the site frequently, take a look and become a member.
Membership is free all we ask is that you invite your family friends to join as well.
World Renowned Calasparra Rice
Surrounding the town are the rice fields where the world renowned Calasparra rice is grown using natural pure mountain water which is fed into the fields by the traditional irrigation system inherited from the Moors, the farmers began growing rice in Calasparra around 1634. Calasparra rice is the first rice in Spain to be given the "Denominacion de Origen" which is a guarantee of quality.
Recreational Activities
If you enjoy recreational activities Calasparra has a lot to offer including canoeing, white water rafting, fishing, cycling, walking, climbing and during the summer months there is the open air swimming pool. If you are prepared to travel by car for approx 40 mins there are the thermal pools of Archena which are very relaxing and also cater for children. There is also quad biking available in Cehegin where you are taken for an exhilarating tour of the local picturesque mountains and there are plenty of places to stop and take in the scenery and fresh mountain air.
- AEmet Agencia Estatal Meteorologia
Calasparra weather forecast
Enjoy Eating out?
There are many good cafes and restaurants in Calasparra that offer a variety of Tapas, snacks and plated meals to tempt you. Although there is also an English bar serving tradional English food and drinks many visitors prefer to savour the more traditional Spanish bars & restaurants. The "Menu Del Dia" at lunchtime which is a set 3 course meal for between 6 & 10 Euro´s. is particularly popular.
- Spanish Property Selection
Spanish property for sale in Spain - Spanish Property in Costa Calida, Costa Blanca, Mar Menor, Costa Almeria, Costa del Sol, Murcia property, Calasparra property
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Thinking of moving to Calasparra?
Calasparra is a wonderful place to live if you are looking for a typical Spanish town and wish to have a laid back life and integrate with the Spanish. You can´t move here and expect anything to be achieved in a British tradition as the Spanish have a Mañana attitude, while this takes some getting used to, once you have been here for a while you come to expect it and take it in your stride. If you do decide to move to this area there are many different kinds of properties available in and around Calasparra, Murcia, ranging from traditional Spanish finca´s to modern new urbanisations, also plots of land where you choose the plot and build your own house and for the truly adventurous, ruins that can be renovated! "Spanish Property Selection" has many properties for your perusal. You can choose a townhouse if you want to be near the hustle and bustle of town life or a more rural property in the countryside among the almond and olive trees. If you decide to move to the area but want to get a feel for the place before you buy, there are plenty of short and long term rentals available both in the town and in the countryside,
Speak Spanish
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You'll love Spanish Market Days!
Friday is a very colourful market day in Calasparra. The streets are filled with the aroma of sun-ripened fresh fruit and vegetables, and traditional Spanish fayre such as variety of typical chorizo saussage and other Spanish delicacies. Clothes, linen and many other stalls that offer all sorts of items, and sought after leather goods that tempt the pocket. There is nothing quite like a market day.
There is a well stocked medium sized supermarket Dia, which now has a selection of English goods, the larger supermarket Mercadona is in Cehegin which is approx 18 kms away, there are a variety of other shops selling goods such as fresh produce, giftware, fashion, perfumeries, and Spanish todo shops to name a few. There are also a couple of very handy Banks you'll need because you'll find so much temptation! If you miss your goodies from the UK there is the British food & goodies shop in Cehegin, opposite Mercadona with a large selection of English goods.
Handmade greeting cards
I have seen a gap in the market here for quality handmade greeting cards so I decided to bridge this gap myself. I have been making cards for over 10 years, up until 2 years ago, only to send to my family and friends, now I make and sell handmade cards for any occasion. Last Christmas proved to be a very busy time for my card business as people were sending cards to family and friends all over the world. I can be contacted through the comment area of my page if you wish to see cards or place an order or enquire about prices or email dezignedforyou@hotmail.com I also make personalised cards which adds a personal touch both for the person sending the card and the person receiving the card.
Airports and Local Accommodation
Calasparra is served by two airports, San Javier airport - Murcia, approx 100 kms and Alicante airport, approx 130 kms. Budget airlines offer flights to both airports and there is another airport due to open at Corvera in 2010.
There is a local hotel, The Argos, which is located between Calasparra & Cehegin and there are more hotels in the nearby towns of Cehegin and Bullas. Calasparra offers plenty of B&B´s and holiday flats, along with camping/caravan/mobile home facilities. There are also plans for a 5 star resort hotel on the outskirts of Calasparra.
Telecommunications Calasparra
The number of homes in rural Spain that have the internet is still low but it is growing, if you live in the town of Calasparra and you have a telephone landline you will be able to get broadband, even on the outskirts this can be true, but go a little more rural where there are no landlines then you will have to look at the alternatives. You can get a radio phone which will offer you the equivalent of a dial up connection, you can also get access to the 3G network via a modem that plugs into a USB port on your computer, this is broadband speed providing you can pick up the signal. There is also a local company called RedNet Wifi who offer a wireless internet solution, they are expanding rapidly in this area where previously no-one has been able to offer a service. So if you choose to move to rural Spain and would like a broadband connection, it is available.
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I think your hub is very informative about Calasparra. I had not heard of it before but certainly sounds as if it is a place well worth a visit. I would certainly visit and look forward to spending a holiday there. There seems lots to do and to see in the area. I have young children and it sounds as if there are things for all of us to see and do.
aaah beautiful spain! have you been to Gibralter? If you have you may have seen my friends there . . .
Hi, Yes I´ve been to Gribaltar, not since living in Spain tho, it was a port of call on a cruise we were on and we went and saw the monkeys and looked out to North Africa, it was beautiful.
very useful informatioj
Wow, Lisa! You could be a travel agent! I would definitely book a vacation based on your writings! :) Great job!
What a wonderful idea Lisa ..... very useful indeed to the tourist discovering Calasperra. We shall use this resource when we visit soon.
Hi lisa, Well as I have some knowledge of Calasparra I would say you got this just right. You would do well as a holiday rep. Calasparra is a beautiful place and your description really highlights a lot of the good things about the place. Well done and I look forward to your next hubpage
Well presented and informative site, Lisa. Show's Calasparra's got more than just sunshine.
This place looks great.
I had not heard of Calasparra either, it looks a lovely place to visit, though I must confess, I am not thinking of moving there!!
I used to live in Calasparra and can say yes, it is a truely beautiful place, the surrounding areas are nice too with just a short drive to the Sierra Espuña, its magical, easy to understand why the Murcia tourist board call it the "Paradise of the region" I look forward to your next pages
Well done Lisa, you have put into words what both Ray and I feel about the place we love. WELL DONE!
Lisa, we have just read your hub and and although we have lived in Calasparra for over 4 years and are well integrated with it and it's many Spanglish residents, were amazed at the lovely content. As you know, after retiring from the UK in 1988 we travelled for 12 years, "living" in 34 countries around the world. We later returned to Benidorm but soon moved to the then much quieter San Javier, however, we absolutely love Calasparra where we can mix with our friends in the ever busy town or return to our country home just 5kms. away where our village neighbours are the best we've ever known. We do have short term rental apartments here so if you have enquiries from people wishing to visit please feel free to pass our details on. Marie and l are very definitely pro-Calasparra and would be happy to show people around. Thanks for your great efforts. Jim & Marie. Tel. 626 022 014. cregeen@gmail.com
Hi. my name is Bingo and l'm Jim & Marie's dog. Just wanted to say how much l enjoy living in Calasparra too. We go out across the campo a couple of times a day and on Sundays we go for a picnic. It's a fabulous place to live. Come and see us sometime soon. Love Bingo. xxx
Hi Lisa
Your pages are a true reflection of Calasparra. We moved to Calasparra 18 months ago and it was the best thing we have ever done. We love it. And not to be outdone our dog Banjo wishes to say he loves it here too. He was a street dog found in Coto Rinales but has certainly made his home with us.
Excellent info on Calasparra and the surrounding areas and attractions. I live in the area and it certainly does speak volumes for what a beautiful part of the world Murcia is! :-)
Hi Lisa
We have visited calasparra on holiday to see Jim Marie and bingo dog and found it a wonderful experience and beautiful place to be,also we can recommend a stay at jim and maries the hospitality was fantastic as well as the apartment we stay in.Keep up the good work.
Thankyou for your kind comments on my hubpage, I really enjoy reading what other people have to say. Nice to hear from so many lucky people who live in the same place as I do and also to hear from people who have heard about Calasparra for the 1st time. Calasparra really is a wonderful place and I would highly recommend a visit.... Lisa
a great page Lisa and really puts the town on the map. agreat place to live and visit.
Yeah a great place to visit - the best during fiesta time!
Well done Lisa. We come out twice a year and look forward to it very much.
Hope to see you in Steve's bar in June.
Hi Lisa,
Really enjoyed your hubpage and will look for future offerings.
Calasparra seems to have a lot going for it.
Not sure if or when we might visit though, as we do enjoy our life here on the Costa Brava. If we do visit it would seem that you should be our guide.
Well done,
Bob.
Thankyou for your comments, Fiesta most certainly is a good time to visit, it seems the whole town comes out to party and there is a great atmosphere.
Well done Lisa!
Sounds a wonderful little place - only wish I had the time to come out and visit !!
Must sort it soon - and I can put your recommendation to the test.
BFN
x
Calasparra is ideal for holidays, sitting in the town square having a few drinks, or making the most of the adventures you can have here, you can do as much or as little as you like, it is very laid back and chilled out
Wow great information. I have really enjoyed your hub and will definately schedule Calasparra in my travel schedule that I am organizing. Thanks a lot..Mici
hi you say about the home made english greeting cards i dont spose you know who owns the shop as my friends have moved to murcia and have opened a card shop there. importing all there cards from england. really trying to get back in touch with them. there names are Carol and Malcolm Bailey
many
Hi there
You say about the home made English greeting cards, i dont spose you know who owns the shop do you as i am looking for my very dear friends who have moved to murcia and have opend a card shop there importing all there stock from england. there names are carol and malcolm bailey
if you noany info on these people i would be so greatful
many thanks
Hi David, the only English greeting card shop I know of in Murcia is in the Nuevo Condominium complex, I don´t know who owns the shop but will see if I can find anything out for you. In the meantime, if you do find them I would be interested as am always looking for new places to sell my cards.... Thanks
Hi There! I have been accepted as an Auxilar de Conversación in Calasparra next year working in a secondary school. I am a little hesitant as I am a recent university graduate and I am curious what the night life is like in Calasparra and how far the town is from the city of Murcia?
Hi, Murcia city is about a 45 minute drive away from Calasparra. The nightlife in Calasparra consists of bars most of which are open late in the summer and they have tables outside and people sit out until the early hours drinking. The fiesta is the 1st week of September each year, thats very lively. Generally Calasparra is a typically Spanish town, laid back and chilled out, we love it for that reason, once you get used to the manana attitude it becomes a way of life.
Lisa
Have you a map to caves in calasparra? Sounds good for young children and old to vist but no idea how to get there. Hope I havn,t missed instructions on your site and perhaps you should do guided tours as I bet most people who live in Murcia know about places to go bu hanvn't a clue how to get there . School holidays ar approcahing fast.
Natasha
Hi Natasha, Do you know the area at all? The caves are off the C3314 about 9kms outside Calasparra by venta reales, they are signposted but only coming from the other direction... The tourist information office in Calasparra give out maps and are good with directions and opening times etc.
Spain is one of those great destinations that most would love to visit. Me too... maybe one day. Thanks!
There are loads of nice places to visit in Spain and with the low cost airlines, if you plan far enough in advance you can get out here cheaply, I hope you make it one day soon.
Great information - just to let you know that the British shop you mention (Mini Mart) is no longer open as the owners did a runner!!! However, Mike and Wendy have an English food shop (the first in the area) called BFG (British Food and Goodies) in Cehegin and they are well worth a visit!!! Cheers Lisa
Hi Lisa, Thanks for telling me about mini mart, I had forgotten to delete this information, I have now replaced it with British food and goodies. Glad you like my page, I do update it frequently with new information, Lisa
This looks and sounds like a wonderful place. It is such a shame that so many tourists visiting Spain and other countries do not take time to expand their horizons beyond the tourist resorts. They simply do not realise the hidden gems that they are missing and denying to themselves.
I Completely agree with you, there are so many beautiful parts of Spain that remain undiscovered by the majority of tourists, Calasparra is most definatly one of them. A lot of visitors who go to the tourist resorts miss out on the traditional Spanish tapas and never get to see the Spanish way of life, Inland Murcia has such a lot to offer.
This is a very good hub. I enjoyed it. I will have my friends visit me here from Spain (Basque Country and Madrid) end of this month. I will ask them about Calasparra.
Hi Elynjo, Thank you, I enjoyed writing the hub page and I do update it when I find out new information. I hope you enjoy your friends visiting you.
In writing hubs about our visit to Spain I noticed your hub to the side. Really enjoyed reading it and learning about an area that we did not get to see. Sounds gorgeous. Will keep it in mind if and when we get to return to Spain. Keep writing more hubs. You certainly offer a good amount of information along with the great photos.
wicked information and loads of help thanks
Planning a 2 week trip to the region of Murcia in March. Will be looking for a rental apartment, preferably not in a gated community. What's the weather like in Calasparra at that time of year.
Bill
Hi Bill, the weather in Calasparra March time is better than the UK, we should have sun, its not hot by then in general but nice days and coldish nights. Do you know where you will be staying?
Weather sounds decent enough. Looking forward to exploring an area of Spain that will be new to us. Not sure where we will be staying. Searching the internet for possibilities. Calasparra or Caravaca seem like good places to base.
Hi Bill, I oan recommend a casita located just outside Calasparra, Villa Sol, it has 2 bedrooms, there is a link to it on my page, if you want any more details let me know yr email address. Thanks. Lisa
Thanks Lisa,
I linked to Villa Sol to have a peek. Not exactly what I am looking for but have it book marked for future reference. What we are really hoping to find is something a bit more genuinely Spanish rather than swimming pools and all the conveniences geared for most English speaking tourists. Still, Vila Sol seems to be the typical holiday rental of the area and we may settle for it or someplace similar. However, I do appreciate the suggestion.
Hi Bill, No worries, if you have any questions about Calasparra please ask and I will do my best to answer. Lisa
Thanks Lisa,
My wife and I will soon be at the point of making firm accommodation arrangements in the Murcia region. Still playing around on the internet for lodging options. Leaving the U.S. in early March. Plan to spend a few days in wonderful Barcelona before heading to the region of Murcia. We are long time spanophiles and have made numerous trips to nearly all regions of Spain, mostly in the fall mushroom season, which is really fascinating in Spain. This will be a different sort of trip, but perhaps not too late to connect with the Spanish truffle scene. It has been both interesting and helpful to connect with your website. Again thanks.....Bill
Hey Lisa,
After considerable searching around, we find that your accommodation recommendation for Villa Sol was as good or better than others and so we are now in the process of reserving. You really have made Calasparra appealing. Looking forward to exploring the town as well as others in the region.
All best,
Bill
can´t the British live without English food items ?
Hi Anita, We can live without English food items here in Spain, our main grocery shopping is Spanish food which we love and I am a coeliac (gluten free) and I find it much easier here as the Spanish don´t tend to add wheat to their meat products so I find it much easier to shop but we have a few English items as a treat every now and again.
A lot of English people here in Spain would be out of business if we stopped having some English food in our cupboards.
That looks beautiful!
extremely well described and a very informative article on calaparra lisa...i salute you!
coming to calasparra for 10 days 11 aug 07. dont know whether to hire a car or just immerse ourselves in village life for the duration as we don't really feel like driving.
will be able to pick up supplies within walking distance from where we are staying at canada verde.
thanks david richardson
Well done Lisa, Murcia is close to me and I will explore this area as you are right it is very under-the-radar and undiscovered as oppossed to many coastal areas.
Hi david im trying to get hold of carol and malcom to i heard from them a few years back but think they must of moved so i lost contact. They 3 card shops in spain called
best wishes. There is a website for there shop if u google it.
Mary
.....British Food ???? Do they really have a Shop dedicated to British Food ???? What do they have "Mash and Bangers" or perhaps the jewel of the English Cuisine "Fish and Chips".....C'mon get real !!!!
L'Elzet Gites 4 years ago
I enjoyed reading your hub about Calasparra. It isn't somewhere I have thought to visit before reading this, but it ticks all my boxes and I think I will put it on my holiday list for 2008!
Annette