Costa Cálida - Águilas

Almost on the frontier with Almería province, the city of Águilas is the southernmost coastal district in the Region of Murcia, Spain. Though a settlement already existed here in Roman times, known as Urci, and that the Moors fortified aganst pirate attacks, the Águilas we now know came into creation in 1785 under the reign of Charles III of Spain. Realizing that Lorca and the rest of the county needed a sea port from which to export their fruit and vegetable produce, the construction of this port city in Águilas was promoted and in the early 18th century, the city became an independent municipal borough in Spain.

The seafaring essence of Águilas determines the origins of the ingredient of the local dishes: Fresh fish, prepared in a million different ways. Some examples of this: the “moraga”, with sardines, the “parrillada” of fish, squid, prawn, and even whiting and red mullet. Anchovies in a dressing of garlic, vinegar, and paprika, sea-bass “alajopescador”, pickled swordfish... seafood rice, brines, octopus salad, fish broth, and delicious desserts like “tortada” , and “pan de higos”. From the land we have exquisite tomatoes and capers. This ancestral cuisine features some contrasts in terms of tastes, as well as being strongly rooted in the maritime tradition: fish stew, octopus salad, ajo colorao, ensaladica cocida, arroz a banda. Along the coast we can enjoy a variety of different appetizers or “tapas”, or a drink by the sea in one of the innumerable bar and terrace-cafés in the promenade of Águilas, Spain.

Águilas has preserved some of the most deeply rooted and traditional crafts, among others, the esparto grass. The “cordeleros”, weave the bundles of “soaked” esparto to obtain very tough cords and ropes. The esparto has been soaked in seawater and dried in the sun for days before this, to allow for easier handling. This is the last trace of a craft established here since Iberian times. Wine coopering is also still carried out in Águilas, Spain. At the bay of el Hornillo is a small shipyard where boats are built for coastal fishing, and other kinds of vessels of different draughts.

A divers paradise. Diving clubs, beginner´s and more advanced courses in light sailing, rowing and canoeing, material rental, qualified monitors, and the practice of fishing "a chamber or from breakwaters, are one of the activities that have been designed to enable visitors to make the very most of their stay. You can make a first dive or participate in specialized dives to sunken ships or into underwater caves in places such as Cabo Cope, isla del Fraile and La Catedral. Three perfectly sign-posted walking trails exist for visitors to see archaeological remains, the local animal and plant life and some highly impressive scenery. Visit the Protected Landscape of Las Cuatro Galas, featuring the steep rocky cliffs of the Beach of La Carolina.

Festivities are deeply felt by the locals in Águilas, Spain. First of all, there is the Carnival. Sumptuous parades where residents play an active role, from Friday to Tuesday, where music bands and carriages flood the town with colours. Event of National Interest and which has been held for around two hundred years. Among all of the events during these days, the National Salsa Contest is outstanding. On the last Friday before the Holy Week, is the day dedicated to the Virgen de los Dolores, patron saint of the town. In the summer, on the 16th of July, there is a long-standing seafaring tradition in most fishing towns, the marine procession of the Virgen del Carmen.

In Águilas, Spain you will enjoy a visit to the Town Hall (19th century) with its Neo-Mudejar
facade. the Parish Church of San Jose (19th century), the Casino (19th century), the Mineral Landing Stage of El Hornillo (19th century), the magnificent Train Station, the Railway Monument and, crowning the old quarter, the Castle-Fortress of San Juan de las Águilas (18th century), which separates the beaches to the east and the west. On the outskirts of the town, we find the Tower of El Cope (16th century) and the Fortress of Tebar y Chuecos, a lookout tower located in a very mountainous area. The Maritime Visitors Centre, the Roman Baths Museum and the Railway Museum, Carnival Museum and Archaeological Museum are all worth a visit. The Jose Matran Museum is located in the Francisco Rabal Cultural Centre, Águilas, Spain.

The coastline of Águilas features a number of very interesting spots in Spain. Up to 35 coves, rocky points that enter into the sea, and fine sandy beaches offer a wide choice of activities, such as water-sports, scuba and snorkel diving around the rocky seabed, or just rambling or enjoying a relaxing bathe. Cala Reona, Calabardina, Calacerrada, playa del Arroz, playa del Hornillo are some of a few places in Spain where the unspoiled landscape is still maintained intact. In the town itself, are beaches like Las Delicias. Opposite the espigon (breakwater) of el Hornillo, the Isla del Fraile with a seabed full of rocky escarpments and seaweed colonies which will certainly please those keen on diving. Trekking lovers will find perfectly marked routes in the area, like the ascent to Cabo Cope, to the Castle of San Juan, or the journey to isla del Fraile-playa Amarilla, of great interest in Spain.