The best traffic-free bike rides around Sierra de Orihuela

It is held on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Former episcopal city - typical Spanish city - lively Orihuela is located on the left bank of the Río Segura (60 km south of Alicante) and surrounded by a green valley with palm trees and citrus groves. It is a former episcopal city at the foot of a mountain with ruins of a fortress and buildings of the seminary. From the seminary you have a beautiful view. The historic center bears witness to a rich past, with Gothic and Baroque heritage, religious buildings and museums. In this typical Spanish city it is lively and cozy in both the old and the new city, with numerous restaurants, bars and terraces. The brightly colored houses on the river Segura in the center, may remind you of Gerona. In addition to the palm gardens of Elche, the palm forest (Palmeral) of Orihuela is also worth a visit. The forest, the second largest in Europe, is located on the edge of the historic centre History The city was called 'Aurariola' under Roman rule and 'Orguëla' under the Moors. In the 9th century, Orihuela was the capital of the Duchy of Teodomiro. After that, it was under the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate. In 1242, after the liberation from the Moors, the city was incorporated into the Kingdom of Valencia. It flourished during the period when it was a bishopric in 1564. After the war of succession, the city was destroyed by the troops of Philip V because Orihuela had sided with Austria. In 1910, the writer/poet Miguel Hernández was born in the city and his house can now be visited as a museum Nature - Active The city is surrounded by palm trees and orange and lemon groves. On the edge of the historic centre is the Palm Grove (Palmeral) and offers the perfect location for nature watching, picnicking or a pleasant walk. The Natural Park, "Pinar de Bonanza", is just outside the town (4.5 km north-west). This nature reserve has an interesting variety of fauna and flora, and is a popular place for cycling, walking and picnicking. The River Segura runs through the heart of Orihuela and is ideal for a relaxing walk. To the south, near the village of Torremendo, is the beautiful Pedrera reservoir, with its bright blue colours. There are beautiful views of the lake from various viewpoints. You can cycle and walk around the lake. You can go canoeing on the lake

Campus de las Salesas de la Universidad Miguel Hernández (left of the university facade; inconspicuous entrance with a small glass dome). Tuesday-Saturday 10am-2pm, 5pm-8pm (4pm-7pm in winter) Sundays and holidays 10am-2pm, closed on 25th and 31st December, 1st January. FREE admission! This museum at the foot of the Universidad Miguel Hernández contains finds from excavations on the former site of the Casa del Paso (1998-2000); remains of the enclosure wall, of the baths and dwellings from the Moorish period, of a Gothic palace, of an amok building and of several other buildings.

Ramón y Cajal Street. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-2pm, 5pm-8pm (4pm-7pm early September-mid June, Sunday 10am-2pm, Monday closed. This cathedral is mainly Gothic (14th century) and was thoroughly renovated and expanded in the 16th century. The north side has a beautiful Renaissance portal with the theme of the Annunciation. The interior is accessed via the apse, which was completed in 1942 with a very graceful 14th century cloister from the Convento de la Merced. Inside, some vaults have remarkable spiral ribs that are characteristic of Levantine Gothic. Also admire the magnificent latticework that closes off the choir, and the presbytery with the imperial coat of arms of Charles V and a beautiful altarpiece by Santa Catalina, said to be by Juan de Victoria (16th century).

Great walks and you get to see a lot too.

Orihuela Castle Ruins

Every year the first weekend of February

Orihuela is the southernmost point where El Cid managed to establish his protectorate. Already exiled, Rodrigo won the battle of Tévar against the Catalan count Berenguer Ramón II. From there it maintained a protectorate over the Islamic kingdoms of Al Hayib, between Tortosa and Orihuela. Orihuela is also monumental. One of its great examples is the urban wall of the city and, also, its numerous civil buildings built by the nobles who lived there in the 16th and 17th centuries.