Águilas — Coastal Town and Beaches

Águilas, 90 kilometres south of Murcia city on the border with Andalusia, is a small fishing port and resort town celebrated for its exceptional natural coves and the most flamboyant Carnival in the Region of Murcia. The ALSA bus from Murcia's estación de autobuses runs three to four times daily (€8, approximately 2 hours); by car via the A-7 and AP-7 coastal route, the drive takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. The town occupies a headland watched over by the Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas, a late 18th-century fortification with commanding views over the coast toward Cabo Cope and the Parque Regional de Calblanque. Entry to the castle grounds is free. The beaches around Águilas are its primary attraction. Playa de Las Delicias and Playa de Poniente are the town's main sandy beaches, both calm and sheltered, suitable for families and casual swimmers. More rewarding for natural beauty are the coves of the Puntas de Calnegre to the north — a protected coastal strip with crystalline water and rocky headlands accessed via unpaved tracks (a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the furthest coves). Calabardina, a small settlement 6 kilometres north of town, has a sheltered bay popular with snorkellers; equipment is available to hire locally. The town's seafront promenade connects the fishing port to the beach zone. The morning fish market at the Lonja de Águilas operates Tuesday to Sunday and supplies restaurants with the day's catch. Local specialities include pescado frito (fried fish) and rice dishes with cuttlefish; mid-range restaurants along the promenade charge €10–16 for a main. Águilas Carnival — declared of International Tourist Interest — runs for ten consecutive days in February or March with elaborate floats and costumes that draw visitors from across Spain.