ESSENTIAL

Visit the route along the axis of the Monumental Historic and Artistic Monumental Site, starting with the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Monserrate, a Baroque style temple built in the 17th century, with a neoclassical central nave from the 18th century.

Parish Church of Santiago Apóstol, a Gothic church with a single nave, chapels between buttresses, an Elizabethan Gothic doorway and a Renaissance presbytery. In 1488, the Catholic Monarchs convened courts in the Church of Santiago in order to undertake the great enterprise of the Reconquest, the conquest of Granada.

St. Justa and St. Rufina, built over one of the mosques of the Islamic city. It is a Gothic temple with a single nave, with chapels between buttresses, built in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is worth mentioning the clock that was ordered to be installed by the municipal council in 1439.

Royal Monastery of the Visitation and Saint Mary (Salesas), in neoclassical style built between 1826 and 1832.

Episcopal Palace, a Baroque palace from the 18th century. It was the palace where the Bishop of Orihuela resided until his transfer to Alicante.  It currently houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.

Holy Cathedral Church of El Salvador and St. María, built on the site of the old Aljama Mosque, initially as a parish church, it went on to become an Archpriestly (1281), Collegiate (1413) and finally a Cathedral (1510). Its construction began at the end of the 13th century. The tower, built between the end of the 13th century and the middle of the 14th century, stands out.

St. Domingo Diocesan College, nicknamed "El Escorial de Levante", its construction began in the 16th century. It was the Royal, Pontifical and General University of Orihuela from the beginning of the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th century, and again from 1998 with the Archbishop Loaces Chair, dependent on the University of Alicante. The building is a clear example of the synthesis of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo. It is the largest B.I.C. in the Valencian Community. During their stay, visitors can enjoy the different Museums:

Open Air Museum, "Murals of San Isidro", created in May 1976 by painters, writers, musicians and artists as a "Tribute of the people of Spain" to Miguel Hernandez.

Regional Archaeological Museum of Orihuela, conserves materials of varied and extensive chronology, from the Palaeolithic period to the beginning of the 19th century.

Museum of the Reconquest, dedicated to the Moorish and Christian side, in its different aspects related to the Moors and Christians festival, as well as its history, legends, groups, festive positions and music.

The Wall Museum, houses an important archaeological site in a museum. It conserves an important archaeological heritage of the wall and four towers dating from the Almohad period, Arabic baths, Islamic and late medieval streets and houses.

The Museum of Sacred Art exhibits paintings by artists such as Velázquez (The Temptation of Saint Thomas by Velázquez), José de Ribera, Luis de Morales, Juan de Juanes, Sánchez Coello, Paolo de San Leocadio and Mathías Stommer. Sculptures by Francisco Salzillo and José Vergara adorn various rooms, while a very important collection of liturgical textiles completes a collection that spans from the 15th century to the present day. It is worth mentioning its excellent goldsmith's work, which includes pieces from the end of the 16th century.

Miguel Hernández House Museum, in this house the poet lived with his parents and siblings from 1914 to 1934. It is a house with a livestock farm, similar to others that existed in the same street at the beginning of the 20th century.

MOVE

The Palmeral de Orihuela, also known as Palmeral de San Antón, is a large expanse of palm trees that borders the urban and historic centre of Orihuela. It is the second largest palm grove in Europe and has been declared a Site of Community Interest by the European Union as part of the Natura 2000 network. It has also been declared a Site of Cultural Interest of the Spanish Historical Heritage.

It's natural heritage with its orchard, together with the offer of sun and beach, makes a place with numerous recreational alternatives.

Along its 16 km of coastline with 11 coves and beaches of fine golden sand that are bathed by the warm Mediterranean. The privileged geographical location and excellent climatic conditions make it possible to enjoy and practice water sports all year round.

Orihuela's beaches are recognised and accredited by the official certifications of the bodies and institutions that monitor and control the quality criteria. Blue Flags, "Q" Certifications for Tourist Quality, SICTED distinctions, Qualitur Flags, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. The awards obtained position Orihuela as a quality tourist destination, with the highest number of distinctions per kilometre of coastline in Spain.

Orihuela is the most awarded municipality in the Valencian Community in terms of blue flags, with a total of 11: Punta Prima, Cala Bosque (la Zenia), Cala Capitán-Cabo Roig, la Caleta-Cabo Roig, Aguamarina, Campoamor, Barranco Rubio, Cala Estaca, Cala Mosca, Cala Cerrada and Mil Palmeras.

In addition, together with two marinas and golf courses, with a total of 90 holes distributed in five excellent courses of recognised international prestige, it is also an ideal destination to experience unforgettable emotions.

The Circus Theatre began its activity at the beginning of 1908. The building of the Circus Theatre is one of the few remaining examples of the French Circus Theatre typology in Europe. Restored in the early 1990s, it was officially inaugurated on 6 November 1995 by Her Majesty Queen Sofia.

ALTERNATIVE

Orihuela's festivities include Holy Week, declared to be of International Tourist Interest. It is one of the most traditional Holy Weeks in Spain, having its origins in the events promoted by the Council of Trent. Of special notoriety is the Procession of the Holy Burial, on Holy Saturday, highlighting the unique figure of the "Covered Gentleman".

Festivities of the Reconquest of the Moors and Christians, declared to be of National Tourist Interest, are held in the month of July. The main day is the Day of the Reconquest (17th July). The Oriol is one of the signs of identity that make up the idiosyncrasy of the Orioles and is carried by the Trustee Bearer of the Glorious Ensign,

Medieval Market, held the first weekend of February. The old town returns to medieval times, where music, crafts, puppets and fantastic characters are the protagonists of Medieval Orihuela.

Festivities of San Antón, which take place on the weekend of 17 January, with numerous events such as the National Charlatan Competition, the appointment of Knights and Ladies of the Royal Order of San Antón, among others.

TO TASTE

Orihuela is a remarkable gastronomic destination, which can be enjoyed all year round thanks to the products of its rich garden and the sea, which are used to prepare traditional dishes as well as the latest avant-garde ones. Artichokes, broccoli, potatoes, vegetables, oranges, lemons, and also salted fish such as dried tuna, fish roe and mojama, give a very special touch to the good food. There are an infinite number of typical dishes that can be prepared and tasted, including Stew with Balls, Rice with Crust and rice with vegetables and anchovies, and other dishes of purely local cuisine rooted in the seasonal products of the land.

Also important in the gastronomy is its confectionery, with a convent tradition that dates back to medieval times and in which, in every festive season, its handmade sweets stand out, such as almojábanas, paparajotes, gachas con arrope, pastel de gloria (glory cake), tortada de almendra (almond cake), and other sweets that make this "culinary art" fill our palate with pleasure.

DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT

Visit the Town Hall (former Palace of the Marquis of Arneva) and a few metres away the San Juan de Dios Museum and admire the "Diablesa", a sculpture by Nicolás de Bussy.

Walk through the historic centre of the city and its adjacent streets, and let yourself be carried away to discover the unique character of each of its shops.

Visitors will find a wide and varied range of shops, fusing the traditional with the innovative.

Walk through the historic centre of the city and its adjacent streets, and let yourself be carried away to discover the unique character of each of its shops.

Visitors will find a varied and wide range of shops, fusing the traditional with the innovative. 

Not forgetting the traditional street markets, where you can find the freshest products from Orihuela's market gardens, which are another alternative to the commercial offer.

Likewise, for those who like the convenience of shopping centres, we cannot forget the two large shopping centres that Orihuela and Orihuela Costa have to offer.