Get away to Orihuela

Orihuela in southeast Spain has it all. The city itself is of important cultural heritage, while its 16km of beaches, snuggled between the resort of Torrevieja in the north and El Mojon and the start of the Costa Calida in the south, are idyllic.

The city lies in the shadow of the Orihuela Mountains in the Vega Baja region of Valencia. Located at the southern most point of the Costa Blanca and close to neighbouring Murcia in the region Costa Calida, Orihuela basks in hot summers and mild winters. The good news for us Brits fed up with the cold and wet is that it’s only two and a half hours away by plane.

A holiday of choice in Orihuela

The Cathedral de San Salvador dominates the city of Orihuela with its mix of gothic and renaissance architecture. Step inside to see the beautiful baroque organ and Velazquez’s masterpiece ‘The Temptation of Saint Thomas’. The Church of Santo Domingo is another culturally important site in Orihuela and is worth a look just for its beautifully painted ceiling. Escape the heat and head below ground to the Museo de la Murella and discover what remains of the city walls and the Arab baths.

Although not directly on the coast, a holiday to Orihuela means you have easy access to the Blue Flag beaches of Barranco Rubio, Capitan Cove, Campoamor and Flamenca, which are only 30km away. When you’ve had enough of sunbathing and swimming you can always play volleyball or have a go at sailing or windsurfing at the nautical club at one of the Campoamor area beaches. For more information on holidays to Costa Brava click here.

A trip further down the coast brings you to Mar Menor, a large saltwater lagoon renowned for its therapeutic properties. The water park at nearby Torrevieja is the largest in Costa Blanca and is a great day out. Get out and enjoy the fresh air at Parque Natural de El Hondo, one of the parks north east of Orihuela, or take a day trip to the neighbouring historic city of Murcia.

A holiday to Orihuela with lastminute.com

If you want a holiday that ticks all the boxes then choose Orihuela with lastminute.com. A true Spanish holiday needs sunshine and beaches. The added bonus with a holiday to Orihuela is you get the sightseeing and culture of a city break thrown in. Plus with lastminute.com you can rest assured your Spanish holiday will not break the bank.