INLAND ALMERIA AND INLAND MURCIA
Inland Almeria ranges from the Eastern Alpujarras bordering Granada province to the desert like terrain around Tabernas (where many wild west films were made) and Sorbas to the plains and hills of the Almanzora valley, dotted with citrus fruit groves, almond and olive groves to the relatively green sierras and mountains of the Loz Velez area. Click on place names for details of property in Velez Blanco and property in Velez Rubio. The Almanzora Valley has received a very negative press lately, some of which is completely undeserved as it is a beautiful area with a wonderfully mild warm climate and welcoming spanish communities. We always check all licences and paperwork are in place before marketing any property whether off-plan, new or re-sale so click for details of all property in the Almanzora Valley. More information on inland Almeria and key towns can be found below (currently in process).
INLAND MURCIA
Murcia is a very diverse region, from the rural unspoilt inland with its breathtaking scenery, rivers and waterfalls which time seems to have forgotten such as the north west area covering places like Bullas (great wine bodegas), Cehegin, Caravaca, Calasparra to the lower Guadalentin area of Totana, Librilla, and the friendly town of Alhama de Murcia to the very cosmopolitan cities of Lorca and Murcia. 
This stunning building (left) is now a hotel and is located just outside Totana on the Aledo road and shows typical country views for the countryside inland of the coastal motorway. The statue below is the final one in a whole procession of statues up the mountainside, depicting images of Easter and the crucificion. This imposing statue overlooks the entire Lorca valley below. The Lorca valley and surrounding area is well connected to all transport networks, with the airports of Murcia (San Javier), Alicante and the new airport at Corvera within easy reach. Click on the place names for links to property in these areas. Puerto Lumbreras (Estacion), Aguilas (on the coast), Almendricos, Totana and Lorca all have railway stations linking to the major train routes to and from Murcia and the rest of Spain. 
This area has the best of all worlds, rural tranquillity, traditional lifestyles still much in evidence and yet cosmopolitan Lorca and major shopping centres (El Corte Ingles and even Ikea) just off the E15/A7 motorway near to Murcia city. The areas of Purias and Aguaderas immediately around Lorca are part of the agricultural backbone of the area with huge expanses of artichoke, broccoli, and almond fields yet they are within easy reach of the many beaches in and around Aguilas.
MORE INFORMATION
ALMERIA PROVINCE
Los Vélez Natural Park – Velez Blanco and Velez Rubio, Santa Maria de Nieva
Just over the border with Murcia on the A91 motorway and we re-enter the region of Andalucia and the province of Almeria (where the motorway also changes number to the A92!!). The first exit is the road to Santa Maria de Nieva, and this is one of the most scenic drives in the area (and linking the A92 motorway to the E15 near to Huercal-Overa). But back to the A92 leading towards the two famous white towns of Velez Rubio and Velez-Blanco, both of which are steeped in history and retain their Spanish charm and traditional lifestyle.
The Los Velez area was an important population centre in prehistoric times, and there are numerous ruins, forts, along with archaeological remains from the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras (now safely excavated). Cave paintings can be found in Cueva de los Letreros, a Unesco world heritage site near Vélez Rubio and La Cueva del Gabar near Vélez Blanco.
Vélez Blanco is a small whitewashed village just 6km north of Velez Rubio. It is easily identifiable from a distance as the town is dominated by the incredible Renaissance castle (an extension of the original Moorish alcazaba, built by the Marquises of Vélez Blanco in the early 16th century). Unfortunately the castle´s interior was cannibalised when the contents of the castle were sold by its then owners, the Dukes of Medina-Sidonia, to a French antiques dealer and much of it eventually ended up being owned by an American millionaire, and subsequently inherited by his local museum of Metropolitan Art. However Velez Blanco town hall has recently re-claimed its heritage and purchased back parts of the castle and is planning a major renovation of this impressive building. This includes the famous Patio de Honor - a fabulous courtyard carved in white marble by Italian craftsmen. The intention is to completely reconstruct the original using marble from the marble quarries of Macael (about 50km away and a town which supplies much of the granite and marble in Spain). The area known as the Blanco valley stretches from the town towards la Parroquia in the province of Murcia and the drive alone is a step back in time, rural tranquillity at its best.
Vélez Rubio is a growing agricultural town surrounded by olive and almond groves, easily accessed by the A92 motorway and located right on the edge of the national park. The most notable monument is easily seen from far away as the sun shimmers on the blue roof tiles of the stunning 18th century Baroque Church of La Encarnación in the centre of the “old” town, accessed by old cobble streets and set in a beautiful cobbled square surrounded by magnificently conserved buildings of architectural interest. Both Velez Rubio and Velez Blanco offer everything you could need in terms of everyday amenities, shops, local bakers (who deliver), banks, restaurants, health care, schools, traditional squares, not to mention the amazing atmosphere which can only be described as their incredible sense of history and “belonging”.
Fortunately, against this ancestral and historically important backdrop, the local mayors and town halls (ayuntamientos) take their ecological and conservation responsibilities very seriously so this is an area where architecturally interesting buildings are preserved and planning rules and regulations for new property are strictly enforced.
The Los Velez countryside was designated a natural park in 1987, and encompasses 22,670 hectares of contrasting landscape, rocky mountain summits (including the famous Maimon) and seemingly endless almond groves (visit in February to March time for a sea of almond blossom ) all overlooked and surrounded by pine clad mountains on one side and the rocky arid slopes on the other. This is one of the greenest areas in Almeria province which is of course renowned for its arid landscape (and, of course, the only desert in Europe).
Almost 50% of the plant varieties to be found in Almeria can be found here including some that grow exclusively in this area as well as exclusive butterfly and tortoise populations. For country lovers this is indeed a rural paradise as there are 17 birds of prey commonly seen in the skies (eagles a regular sight) and this area was declared a protected zone for birds in 2002. Bird life includes different species of hawks, golden eagles, short-toed eagles, booted eagles, goshawks, sparrow hawks, buzzards, griffon vultures, owls and more. Just imagine sitting on your terrace, cool beer in hand, watching the sun rise or set as these birds swoop and soar in what seems like “your” garden.