THE MURCIA / COSTA CALIDA REGION OF SPAIN
A genuinely unspoilt region of Spain
The Murcia / Costa Calida region in the south-east corner of Spain (between the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca) is genuinely unspoilt - an unnoticed region, largely kept a secret – until now, that is. Although the region has now hit Spanish tourism and the international property market, and is growing fast, it has no intentions of loosing its charms.
This astonishingly fertile, temperate and historic area of Spain has escaped the mistakes that have so marred other areas of Spain. You can expect no high-rise horrors or neon nightmares here, neither along its 250 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline (known as the Costa Calida or warm coast) nor amid its ruggedly beautiful mountains inland.
Murcia is keeping a keen eye on the long-term. Its many areas of outstanding natural beauty are strongly protected, and its archaeological, architectural and cultural heritages are treasured and preserved.
Residential property developments here are subject to strict planning and quality controls. They are typically: sensitively planned, low-rise, low-density and of a high quality, and, more often than not, a short distance inland from the coast.
The infrastructure is already in place in Murcia / Costa Calida, or approved and in progress
Murcia / Costa Calida is already served by its own airport at San Javier, which has recently been extensively developed, and will soon have another brand new airport at Corvera, a short distance south of the ancient city of Murcia. The well known airport at Alicante is also less than a one hour drive.
An ultra-modern high-speed rail link is also due to open in the near future, shrinking the journey to the capital, Madrid, to a mere two hours.
A modern motorway network links the area with the glories of Granada to the south-west and to the city of Valencia to the north-east.
A truly magnificent Spanish climate
The area has a magnificent climate, boasting the best all-year-round weather in mainland Spain, bettered in Spain only by the Canary Islands. It enjoys well over 300 days of sunshine a year and an average annual temperature of 21 degrees Celsius (an average of 18 in the winter and 28 in the summer).
Spain - An ideal place for an all-year-round outdoor life!
The all-year-round weather has made Murcia / Costa Calida a paradise for those who like the great outdoors. There is a rapidly growing number of golf courses, many designed by the sports biggest and most famous names; ample facilities for nautical sports of every kind, many of which can be enjoyed in the warmer and calmer waters of the Mar Menor, and a whole host of activities, from horse riding to cycling, and from walking or trekking to climbing, that can be enjoyed not only on the coast but in the glorious Sierra Espuña National Park.
If you choose a property for sale in the Costa Calida in one of the golf resorts, you will have a golf course literally at your fingertips, not to mention beautiful views of the manicured greens and fairways from your terrace or garden. One of two of the even more complete sports and leisure resorts also offer cycling tracks and horse riding, not to mention football pitches, athletics stadiums and theatres.
If all that sounds just a bit too energetic, Murcia / Costa Calida also boasts fabulous stretches of truly unspoilt beaches, a number of which have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status. This is only awarded to beaches that meet exacting standards of cleanliness, stringent environmental criteria, and that also provide safe bathing. Access roads to some of the best beaches are gravel tracks – tarmac is considered development (you’ve been warned)!
Murcia has the added attraction of “two seas” on the one coastline: the Mediterranean, with its endless beaches of white sand, crystal clear water, magnificent cliffs, lively ports and picturesque coves; and the Mar Menor, which is effectively a huge salt water lagoon virtually cut-off from the Mediterranean by a 30km strip of land known as La Manga. The water in the Mar Menor is crystal clear and very rich in minerals, flora and fauna. It is also several degrees warmer than the Mediterranean which, when combined with its calmness and mild winds, make it an exceptional place for water sports.
Murcia / Costa Calida - One of the healthiest regions in the world to live
The Murcia / Costa Calida region is considered to be one of the healthiest regions in the world to live, offering “almost as perfect an environment as it is possible to obtain”, according to the World Health Organisation. The grey and black mud baths of Lo Pagan attract numerous people suffering from rheumatism and arthritis.
The region also offers conservation areas with a wide range of bird life. A nature reserve on the salt flats to the north of the Mar Menor is one of the prime areas of ecological importance in the region, serving as a resting place for migratory flamingos on their way to Africa.
Murcia / Costa Calida - The Garden of Europe
Because of its glorious weather and its rich fertile soil, the Murcia / Costa Calida region is also known as the Garden of Europe, producing outstanding fresh fruit and vegetables all year round, both for local consumption and for export. Its orange, lemon and almond groves make some very lush landscapes. The wine here, too, is something special, if less well known than Rioja. Succulent fish and sea-food is caught daily in the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor.
Ample Facilities of International Standing
For those choosing to live here or to spend extended periods here (perhaps the winter months), there are ample modern medical facilities throughout the region, including18 hospitals.
The region also boasts four international schools and three universities. Murcia university, founded more than 700 years ago, is one of the oldest in Europe.
Conclusion
The Murcia / Costa Calida region is now firmly on the map…..perhaps the last major region of Spain to yield its secrets!
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