Orihuela is the largest municipality in the province of Alicante, with an extensive cultural and historical heritage.

While the old town is approximately 30 minutes inland, the municipality extends to the Mediterranean where Orihuela Costa offers 16km of coastline..

• What to do in Orihuela
  • Fiestas
    • Saint Anthony
    • Moors and Christians
    • Virgen de Monserrate
  • Golf
  • Medieval Market
  • Museums
  • Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
  • Archaeology Museum
  • Science Museum
  • Museum of the Reconquest
• Where to Eat in Orihuela
• Where to Stay in Orihuela
• The Surrounding Area
• Elche
• Pilar de la Horadada
• Torrevieja

What to do in Orihuela

Fiestas

Saint Anthony

Held on the 17t of January, the festival of Saint Anthony is one of Orihuela's most popular celebrations.

In honour of the patron saint of animals, events include a mass, procession, parades, games and a fair.

Following the mass animals are blessed to protect them from harm, and the day traditionally ends with a raffle in which a sow and her litter are awarded as a prize.

Moors and Christians

Orihuela hosts one of the oldest Moors and Christians festivals in the region, where residents dress in elaborate costumes to recreate battles and events from the city's history and legends.

Revived in 1974, the festivities also include parades of comparsas in their elaborate costumes, musical performances, dances and much more.

Virgen de Monserrate

According to legend, the image of the Virgin of Monserrate, Orihuela's patron saint, was hidden in a cave during the period of Muslim rule. After the city was recaptured, the sound of a bell rang for three days, guiding townspeople to the image beneath what is now known as the Cave of Discovery.

Since 1633, festivities in her honour, along with Saints Justa and Rufina, have taken place on the 8th of September. The celebrations begin with a pilgrimage carrying the image from its sanctuary to the Cathedral, where it is kept for several days.

Some of the stand out events during the festival include concerts, a procession of the image through the streets of Orihuela and a fireworks display.

Golf

Orihuela is a popular destination for golf enthusiasts with a number of courses nearby, attracting locals and visitors alike.

• Campo de Golf Villamartín
• Club de Golf Las Ramblas
• Real Club de Golf Campoamor
• Las Colinas Golf & Country Club
• Vistabella Golf

Medieval Market

In February, Orihuela converts the historic old town into a medieval market where they also organise a variety of musical and theatrical performances, and workshops on crafts from the era.

Museums

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art

The Museum of Sacred Art was opened following the end of the Spanish civil war.

Since 2011 it has been located in the Palacio Episcopal following its renovation.

Archaeology Museum

The Archaeology Museum contains discoveries from as far back as paleolithic era to as recent as the 19th Century.

Science Museum

The Science Museum offers a wide range of experiences designed to be interactive and entertaining.

With a variety of salas and workshops as well as a planetarium and allotment.

Museum of the Reconquest

Originally opening in 1985 the Museum of the Reconquest has documented the history of the festival of the Moors and Christian as well as that of the town and its legends.

Where to Eat in Orihuela

There are many great dining choices for food lovers all across the municipality of Orihuela, with popular choices in the old town and close to the sea.

• La Barraca - Seafood restaurant located in Dehesa de Campoamor. overlooking the port and Mediterranean Sea
• Casa Manolo - family-run restaurant since 1982, a short walk from the beach in La Zenia also offerind delicious ice creams.
• Agus Gastro Bar - A modern bar near the old town with a variety of dishes including vegetarian options.

Where to Stay in Orihuela

Whether you want to stay close to the historic old town or close to beaches, Orihuela has a variety of choices of accomodation.

Some popular options include:

• Hotel Montepiedra - located near campoamor bay offering sports facilities
• Servigroup La Zenia - a beachfront hotel overlooking La Zenia beach, with a wellness cenre and sea views.
• Palacio de Tudemir - four star hotel in a historic building near Orihuela Cathedral and old town.

The Surrounding Area

Elche

Elche has a rich cultural heritage with a variety of museuems and is home to the UNESCO world heritage site El Palmeral.

Pilar de la Horadada

The southern-most municipality of the Costa Blanca and Valencia, neighbouring Murcia, with popular blue flag beaches.

Torrevieja

An incredible popular tourist destination with beautiful nature reserve with it's iconic pink and green salt lakes.