Orihuela old town
- Driving time
- About 30 minutes by car
- Area
- Vega Baja
- Sight
Orihuela old town is a protected historic centre with a cathedral, convents and the Monserrate sanctuary, and it is about a 30 minute drive from Lago Rosa Apartment.
Something most beachgoers on the Costa Blanca never see: the main town of the municipality their beach belongs to lies inland, at the foot of Mount San Miguel. The River Segura runs right through it, a position that long made it strategic. The old centre has been protected as a Conjunto Histórico Artístico since 1969.
Walk past the cathedral, the churches of Santas Justa y Rufina and Santiago, and on to Santo Domingo, the great Renaissance building that housed the university from 1610 to 1824.
Just outside the old walls, in the Rabaloche district, stands the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Monserrate, the shrine of the town's patron saint. Tradition holds that her image was found in a cave, still venerated there. The building has a Neoclassical façade and a Baroque interior. Around 8 September the town honours her with festivities and a procession.
Our tip: start with the tourist office
Orihuela's tourist office knows which buildings are open. See orihuelaturistica.es or call 965 304 645.
Quieter than the coast
This is a Spanish town, not a beach resort. Take your time over lunch and wander the lanes.
With a guide
The town regularly organises guided tours, including ones around the Virgen de Monserrate in September.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Orihuela?
The protected old town, the cathedral, Santo Domingo, churches and the Santuario de Monserrate, at the foot of Mount San Miguel.
What is Santo Domingo in Orihuela?
A large Renaissance building that housed the town's university from 1610 to 1824.
Can you visit the Santuario de Monserrate?
Yes, but opening times vary. Ask Orihuela's tourist office.
