A Day Out Mula, Bullas and Cehegin
The inland part of the province of Murcia is just as delightful and worth visiting as the coastal part. It has spectacular scenery as it lies within the Espuna and Revolcadores Mountains along the course of the Mula river. There are many charming towns and villages that have been inhabited since prehistoric times, and plenty of unique culture as this area has remained relatively isolated throughout history.
This day out is designed to give you a good feel for the area, but there is so much to see and do in all three places, that you might prefer to spend the whole day visiting only one of them. Or perhaps you can 'mix and match' these destinations with Caravaca, Moratalla or Calasparra that make up the other day out to inland Murcia.
Mula is a great place for a morning coffee and an explore. Bullas has an interesting wine museum and many, many bodegas to visit. Cehegin is quite simply a delight, a walk through its narrow streets up to the town hall is a must.
The ‘Vivas Verdes’ is a cycling and walking path that runs along the route of the old Murcia - Caravaca railway which closed in 1971. The route is 48km in length from Caravaca de la Cruz, past Cehegin, Bullas and Mula, it currently finishes at the Banos de Mula, but the extension of the path into the city of Murcia is almost finished.
Places to stop during a day out Mula, Bullas and Cehegin
- Mula: located at the start of the fertile valley Mula is dominated by the impressive ruins of the Castle Velez.
- Bullas: situated in the flat fertile plain this has been a wine producing area since Roman times.
- Cehegin: crammed on the side of a hill the town is dominated by the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, its old quarter has been declared as a National Treasure.
Places of Interest
1 Mula
N38°02.419 W1°29.593Parking: is in the street and is free, stop where you see a space, the street is closed every Saturday as it is used for the weekly market, so you might have to park further away.
From here: the main town hall square, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, is situated on this street, just keep walking!! Go to the far end of the plaza and turn right for the art museum located in the Casa Pintada and the Iberian art museum located in the Palacio del Marques de Menahermosa. Turn left for the Museum of Art of San Miguel and to enter the haphazard streets of the old town and walk up to the castle.
Top tip: just spend some time exploring the old town, the views out over the town are stunning. The way up to the castle is signed (not very well) but just continue uphill beside the Inglesia de Santo Domingo!
Places of interest and things to do in Mula
- Town Centre: old town with narrow winding streets situated around the Plaza de Ayuntamiento.
- Castillo de los Fajardo or de los Vélez: the castle ruins are closed, but a walk up via the old town is well worth the stunning views from the top.
- Casa Pintada: houses a collection of Cristobal Gabaron’s art and other exhibitors.
- Palacio del Marques de Menahermosa: houses El Cigarralejo collection of Iberian art, it is free and is open Tuesday-Sunday 10.30-14.00.
- Museum de Art de San Miguel: houses a collection of religious art, it is free and is open Tuesday-Sunday 11.00-13.00.
- Artists Market: held on the second Sunday of each month in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento from 09.00-14.00.
- Vivas Verdes Cycling & Walking Route: follows the old Murcia - Caravaca railway line.
2 Bullas
N38°03.011 W1°40.115Parking: is on the street and is free.
From here: walk back to the main road, turn right for the old town or go straight ahead for the new town.
Places of interest and things to do in Bullas
- Old Town: a maze of small, twisting old streets centred around the Plaza de Espana and Plaza Vieja.
- New Town: large modern street packed with shops.
- Museum Don Pepe Marsilla House: the stately home of the wealthy Bullas resident Don Pepe Marsilla, it has been renovated and refurbished to represent a typical house of an aristocrat at the turn of the 19th century. It is open to Thursday & Friday 11.00-14.00, Saturday 11.00-14.00 and 17.00-20.00 and costs 3€ for per adult and 2€ for a child or pensioner.
- Artists Market: known as the 'El Zacatín' craft market this is a traditional street market where visitors can find a wide range of typical products from the region, in addition a demonstration of an old craft is carried out. It is held on the first Sunday of every month from 09.00-14.00 right in the centre of the old town.
- Vivas Verdes Cycling & Walking Route: follows the old Murcia - Caravaca railway line.
3 Bullas Wine Museum
N38°03.050 W1°39.900Parking: is in the street and is free.
From here: you are right beside the wine Museum.
Places of interest and things to do in Bullas Wine Museum
- Wine Museum: located in an old wine cellar that used to produce 350,000 litres of wine annually this museum is totally dedicated to the production of wine. The exhibits display everything about the industry including past and present techniques. It is open Tuesday-Saturday 10.30-14.00 & 17.00-20.00, Sunday and fiestas 10.30-14.00 and costs 3€ for an adult and 2€ for pensioners and children.
- Tourist Office: the entrance to the museum is through the tourist office, so make sure you collect information about the wine route for when you return for a day of sampling!
- Wine Route: this trail has been devised to enable followers to get to know all about the wine trade and its history. A really informative booklet which lists the route, places to visit and opening times is available in English from the tourist office.
4 Cehegin
N38°05.524 W1°47.925Parking: is in the car park (blue sign with a P on it) and is free, alternatively you can park in any of the streets if you can find a space.
From here: cross the roundabout with the water fountain on it and enter the old town via the steps.
Places of interest and things to do in Cehegin
- Old Town: declared a National Treasure as it has preserved its Muslim origin, it is packed with interesting buildings, churches and twisting, narrow streets.
- Urban Tourist Route: collect a leaflet from the tourist office situated at the top of the hill in the Plaza del Castillo about this marked route through the most interesting streets of Cehegin.
- Archaeological Museum: founded in 1976 and spread over three buildings this museum houses a really interesting collection of artifacts. It is open Monday-Sunday 10.00-13.30.
- Artists Market: known as the 'Mesoncico' craft market this traditional street market is held on the last Sunday of every month between 09.00 and 14.00 in the Plaza de Castillo.
- Vivas Verdes Cycling & Walking Route: follows the old Murcia - Caravaca railway line.
