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The peaceful medieval village of Aledo is huddled tightly behind vestiges of ancient walls, on a rocky outcrop that juts out alarmingly over the surrounding valley. Perched at the tip of the village is a watchtower, surrounded by a modern walkway offering beautiful views over the terraced hillsides and distant peaks. Three km (2 miles) away, an elegant 18th-century sanctuary with a richly carved artesonado ceiling houses a much-venerated image of the local patron saint, Santa Eulalia. Aledo sits on the borders of the wonderful Regional Park of the Sierra de Espuña.

There is little to see in the sleepy market town of Archena besides the florid Baroque Church of San Juan Batista and a few neglected aristocratic mansions, but its spa (Balneario de Archena) has been famous since Roman times. Prettily located in a cool palm grove on the banks of the River Segura, the spa has grown into a miniature village, complete with a delightful chapel and 19th-century casino. There are three hotels (see Mountain Retreats), and a whole range of health and beauty treatments are on offer.

Calasparra overlooks a lush valley on the banks of the River Segura; settlers have been drawn to this area since neolithic times. During the Middle Ages, it was an important frontier settlement controlled by the Order of the Knights of Malta, who built its 13th-century castle. Now, it’s a serene agricultural town surrounded by a sea of blossom in spring, and golden rice fields in the autumn. Rice dishes feature prominently on local menus (see Rice), along with pungent cured sausages and hams.

Jumilla, an unassuming country town piled chaotically on a hillside, is surrounded by endless vines. The Romans first introduced wine to the area almost 2,000 years ago, and it has been produced here ever since. You can find out about its history in the local Museo del Vino, or take a tour of the bodegas for a taste of what’s on offer. The old town has a pair of pretty churches and an unusual palaeochristian funerary monument, and is crowned by Jumilla’s much-restored 15th-century castle, which offers panoramic views of the vine-covered plain and distant sierras.

Medieval Moratalla is a tawny huddle of stone houses steeply piled around a sturdy castle. A traditional mountain town with few monuments, Moratalla’s greatest charms are the natural beauty of the surrounding sierras and its tranquil pace of life, which continues much as it has for centuries. The local cuisine is traditional, with hearty stews and plenty of grilled meat and game. The festivals, particularly Easter Week, are celebrated in old-fashioned style. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the town resounds to the sound of almost a thousand drummers making their way through the centre of town.

Mula is clamped to a steep hillside beneath the impressive ruins of a 16th-century castle. The intricate maze of winding streets and passages at the heart of the old quarter recalls the town’s Arabic origins. Here you will find faded mansions and elaborate churches, many built under the auspices of the Marquises of Vélez during the 16th century, when Mula enjoyed its greatest period of prosperity. On the fringes of the town, the delightful spa at Baños de Mula has been famous since Roman times.

The welcoming capital city of Murcia Province is a delightful mix of the old and the new, with flamboyant Baroque churches, elegant modern shopping avenues, flower-filled public squares and gardens, and intriguing museums all clustered together in the old centre (see Other Sights in Murcia). The magnificent Baroque Cathedral of Santa María (see Catedral de Santa María, Murcia) is one of the loveliest in all Spain. The graceful squares are packed with excellent tapas bars and restaurants.

A lush and verdant stretch of forested mountains in the heart of Murcia has been converted into the spectacular Regional Park of the Sierra de Espuña, a paradise for hikers, bird-watchers and anyone seeking respite from the searing summer heat. In spring, the slopes are covered with a carpet of wild flowers, and there’s a network of excellent walking trails adapted to hikers of all abilities. Wild boar, rare squirrels and mountain sheep have made the forests their home.