Tourists keen to enjoy healthy outdoor pursuits are being invited to visit one of Europe’s sunniest destinations. During promotional tours around Europe this winter, the Murcia regional ministry of tourism has been showcasing the Costa Cálida’s charms as a Mediterranean holiday paradise, highlighting its alluring mix of gastronomy, culture and nature.
At the same time, Murcia has just been named among the top-10 European cities for sun-seekers. According to the results of a study by holiday rental search engine Holidu, seven Spanish cities made the list, led by Alicante (just across the border) – with Murcia ranked third. The study took into account World Weather Online statistics covering the number of hours of sun per month.
Noting that Murcia had an average of 346 hours, Holidu said the region was known as the Costa Cálida (Warm Coast) thanks to a microclimate that ensured pleasantly warm temperatures and sea waters throughout the year.
“The endless beaches with small coves are perfect for swimming, water sports and leisurely sunbathing. The city also has a historic centre and wonderful works of architecture, such as the Plaza Cardenal Belluga.”
The Holidu top-10 (or 11, with two sharing 10th place) was completed by: 2 Catania, 5 Messina and 10 Palermo (Italy), 4 Málaga, 6 Valencia, 8 Las Palmas, 9 Granada and 10 Sevilla (Spain), and 7 Nice (France).
Nature Parks and Greenways
Meanwhile, earlier this month the ministry attended the Travel Match event in Oslo, to promote Corvera Airport Murcia’s scheduled summer connections with Norway: weekly flights from 18 June between Murcia and Oslo, and from 19 June connecting with Bergen. During the workshop they were able to highlight the region’s appeal as a Mediterranean destination where holidaymakers can enjoy the finest cultural, gastronomic and natural experiences.
The latter was the main item on the agenda when the ministry took part in the GECO virtual fair on sustainability (in Italy), with a special focus on the Sierra Espuña and Calblanque regional parks.
Sierra Espuña is the first protected natural space in the region endorsed by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, which has renewed its membership until 2026. The park offers visitors spectacular natural spaces, festivals of touristic interest, crafts and artisanal traditions, and a wide variety of top-quality accommodation.
The Calblanque park is the only area in Spain included in the Inherit network of European coastal areas, whose main objective is to promote respect for nature and heritage.
The region is also known internationally for its network of Greenway (Vía Verde) hiking and cycling routes.
The region is currently collaborating with a project to promote biodiversity and wildlife conservation along the North-West Greenway.
Drinking and feeding troughs have already been installed to facilitate the survival and reproduction of wild birds, and in the future these will be complemented by temporary ponds for amphibians, structures designed for invertebrates and nesting boxes.
