Very appropriately the coast of Murcia is called the Costa Cálida (the Warm Coast). On average this south-east corner of Spain is the hottest and driest part of the country. (Although the Costa del Sol is further south, it is further west so is much more effected by Atlantic weather systems.)
Murcia is an Autonomous Region.
Much of Murcia was starved of development funding by the Franco Regime because it was one of the last areas to support the Republican Cause. This has given the Regional Government an opportunity to see the effects of development in the adjacent Regions of Valencia (with the Province of Alicante) and Andalucia (with the Costa del Sol). Possibly as a result of this more than 50% of the coastline of Murcia is designated as 'Protected'.
The Costa Cálida is in two distinct halves, divided by the mountainous peninsula around Cartagena. Much of Murcia's development has been concentrated in the northern section (around the Mar Menor and La Manga) while the southern part has remained relatively undeveloped.
The southern part of the Costa Cálida is the 'Golf de Mazarrón' (The Gulf of Mazarrón) and this itself has two distinct regions.
Development around the Gulf has been concentrated to the east of Bolnuevo, around Puerto de Mazarrón, Isla Plana and L'Azohia, while to the west, the coastline has been protected. Bolnuevo is therefore ideally situated to enjoy both the wilder coast to the west and the tourist developments to the east. In addition the mountains of the Sierra de las Moreras just behind Bolnuevo shield it from the inland developments around Mazarrón, Camposol and Lorca. You can walk to the top in about an hour.
Even further inland however (to the north of the E15 motorway) lies the Natural Park of Espuña.
Espuña can be reached in less than 45 minutes by car. The highest point has a radar station upon it and a road leads all the way up. Although it is so close, the top is higher than Ben Nevis! It can afford stupendous views on a clear day.
At the south-west edge of Espuña is the village of Aledo. Aledo is on a rocky promontory and has a fortified Moorish Tower. It is a beautiful village to visit, with narrow streets and typically Spanish houses crowding in upon one another.
Above Aledo, the forested slopes of Espuña are home to herds of Mouflon (like very large, dun coloured sheep with huge curled horns that were introduced from the Atlas Mountains in N Africa), Golden Eagles and Wild Boar. There are many kilometres of shaded forest roads for walking or mountain biking. In summer these are refreshingly cooler than the coast. On the northern slopes can be found the remains of Ice Houses. In the forest there are public barbecue areas and restaurants. (At one of these, the wild boar come down to be fed every afternoon!)
Lorca has a spectacular castle with exhibitions and English language guided tours. This castle was key in the struggles between the Christians and the Moors. A tourist train takes you around the town and then saves you from having to climb up to the castle on foot.
To the east of the Golf de Mazarrón is Cartagena. To reach it you drive up over mountains. Cartagena is a Naval Base and was defended by huge guns (built by Vickers of Barrow-in-Furness). The Guns have now been abandoned and the ones on the hills above L'Azohia can be explored. While the ladies can enjoy the views on the outside, the more adventurous members of the family can explore the tunnels with their magazines and mechanisms for moving and loading the huge shells, or even climb up inside the gun turrets. (A torch for every member of the party is absolutely essential if injury and broken legs are to be avoided!)
Cartagena itself is a fabulous city, now being developed as a Tourist Resort. There is a lot to see as more and more Carthaginian and Roman remains are uncovered. Several museums show the artefacts and tell the story of the City right from the Carthaginian founding to modern times with the Civil War air raid shelters. A lot of money is being spent to attract tourists - and cruise liners are beginning to put the city on their itineraries.
But if it is exploring you are after, you can find that closer to Bolnuevo by walking around the old mines of Mazarrón.
For more information follow this link to Things to Do.