Visit Orihuela
Orihuela is in the province of Alicante in the Valencia and Murcia region of Spain. Orihuela is an attractive town whose restored old quarter is worth a visit.
Explore Orihuela
Orihuela is a working town in an agricultural area full of orange and lemon groves. It has an authentic Spanish atmosphere and is a lovely day trip from the busy resorts of the Costa Blanca.
Orihuela has a lovely old quarter and plenty of buildings reflecting its important past when it was once the first city of the province of Alicante. Take time to wander the streets and soak up the atmosphere.
There are a wealth of historic buildings to admire in Orihuela. Most of the 17th and 18th century mansions are private but the tourist office is housed in one of them, the splendid Palacio Rualcara, giving you the chance to have a closer look. It has an impressive marble staircase and the yellow room upstairs is often used for weddings.
Orihuela's cathedral is a Gothic building with a Romanesque cloister'. The cathedral was built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier mosque. It's Sacred Art Museum contains Velazquez's 'The Temptation of St Thomas amongst other important artworks.
The Baroque Monastery of la Visitacion Salesas has cloisters containing paintings by Vincente Lopez. There are various medieval churches including the Iglesia de Santiago in a Catalan Gothic style and the Iglesia de Santas Justa y Rufina - take a look at the gargoyles on the tower.
The Baroque College of Santo Domingo was originally a Dominican monastery and then became a university in 1569. It was closed again in 1824. It has two lovely cloisters. This is just one of a number of attractive Baroque buildings in the town.
The College of Santo Domingo is near to Spain's second largest palm forest. Walk beyond the Santo Domingo College and you will soon get to them.
The Museum of Semana Santa (Easter Week Museum) is home to various items related to Easter Week including a She Devil statue, La Diablesa. The Diablesa statue, with wings, horns and breasts is by de Bussy and is the only demon to take part in Easter parades in Spain. There is also a painting by Ribera. Many of the exhibits are still paraded during the Semana Santa fiesta.
There is also the Miguel Hernandez House-Museum to visit and is the house where the poet Miguel Hernandez lived with his family in the early 20th century. Inside are furniture and personal objects which belonged to Hernandez.
Orihuela Costa is a coastal area and is about 19km from the town of Orihuela. This stretch of coast is on the Costa Blanca and incluedes coastal resorts such as Punta Prima, Cabo Roig, Villamartin and Campoamor. Villamartin is a resort and also a prestigious golf development.
Places to visit nearby
The lovely hill top village of Guadalest is the most visited attraction in Valencia and is well worth visiting.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Alicante guide and the Valencia and Murcia guide.
Map of Orihuela and places to visit
Orihuela places to visit
Alicante
With a medieval fortress above the town, a Boroque town hall, wide esplanades, sandy beaches, and lots more.
Alicante guide
Cartagena
The old town near the port has narrow medieval streets and a lively eating and drinking area.
Cartagena guide
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron is a pleasant beach resort on the Costa Calida which has miles of long sandy beaches protected by the Sierra de la Almenera mountains.
Puerto de Mazarron guide
Guadalest
Guadaleste is a very pretty mountain village with a belfry perched on top of a rocky outcrop. It also has a moorish castle.
Guadalest guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Valencia and Murcia