The spa town of Archena, a place of significant archaeological finds, is in the heart of Murcia's market garden country, surrounded by the mountains of the pretty Valle de Ricote and 23 kilometres from the city of Murcia.
Places not to miss
A good itinerary could begin at the Archena museum (it is also the tourist office), with an exhibition on the history of Archena, which goes back to the age of the Iberians. Archaeological remains of the Iberian culture are on show, such as the Warrior Vase. Next, you could explore heritage buildings such as the parish church, the Town Hall, or Villarías palace, which houses the quirky Esparto Museum. The tourist office organises guided tours that visit these spots, or old waterwheels and chimneys.
Perfect for walking
Another strong point of Archena is the pretty riverside walk along the banks of the river Segura, which at seven kilometres is the longest in the region. It not only features lush vegetation full of palm trees, but along the walk you can read poems about the route by the town's own poet, Vicente Medina. The poems are carved onto standing stones and refer to local people and customs. Hiking enthusiasts can also climb up to the mountainous area of El Ope to get the best views over the city.
And naturally... the Spa
Located two kilometres from the town, its medicinal mineral and thermal waters were already popular with the Romans over 2,500 years ago. It is a complex with hotels, thermal gallery, etc. There you can also find the church of La Virgen de la Salud (Our Lady of Good Health) and a charming old casino.
Fiestas
Holy Week is one of the most famous celebrations in Archena (the town even has a “Monument of the Nazarene”). But the best time of all to visit Archena must be when they celebrate the Moors and Christians fiesta, the feast of Corpus Christi and the Virgen de la Salud (from late May to June).
Local Cuisine
Regional specialities include paella with rabbit and gachasmigas (similar to polenta). If you can, buy some of the homemade jam made from local fruit, and don’t miss the Tapas Route in November when you can vote for your favourite tapa at the participating bars.
How to get there
Archena is located 50 kilometres from Murcia-San Javier airport and just over 80 from Alicante-Elche airport. The town also has a train station a few kilometres away (with a taxi service), and local and intercity buses.
