The Tourism Department of Orihuela City Council has presented its programme of “Routes, Visits and Activities for Summer 2026”, a broad and varied calendar of cultural, heritage, scientific and environmental experiences that will take place throughout June, July and August in different locations across the municipality.
The programme includes cultural visits, children’s dramatised routes, family activities, workshops, historical tours, evening experiences and, as the main new feature this year, a full series of nature routes and environmental awareness activities. The initiative is aimed at both residents and visitors, with the goal of showcasing Orihuela’s historical, cultural and natural heritage during the summer season.
June: Solstice, Nature, History and Heritage
June will feature two major highlights. The traditional Summer Solstice Route will take place on Sunday, 21 June, at the Church of Santiago, where visitors will be able to witness the unique natural illumination of its façade. This special phenomenon occurs only once a year and has become one of the most emblematic activities in Orihuela’s tourism calendar.
The Route of Theodemir will also be held to mark the anniversary of the Pact of Tudmir, signed 1,313 years ago, an event of great historical significance for the municipality. This activity forms part of the institutional declaration designating 2026 as the Year of King Theodemir, with the aim of highlighting this key episode in the historical development of the territory.
The June programme also includes cultural, children’s and heritage activities, such as the dramatised children’s Hernández route and the “Colorín Colorado” workshop, designed to introduce younger audiences to the figure of Miguel Hernández in a fun, participatory way. These will be complemented by further dramatised routes, workshops and historical tours in different parts of the city.
July: Nature, Science, Culture and Evening Experiences
In July, the Tourism Department will offer a particularly diverse programme, with nature-based activities taking on a prominent role alongside cultural and family-friendly proposals.
Key nature activities include the evening experience “Wild Nights in the Palmeral”, a biodiversity observation route in the wild lagoon area of La Glea in Orihuela Costa, and the interpretive activity “Desamparados: Otter Refuge”, focused on the recovery of the Segura River ecosystem and the presence of wildlife such as otters in this environment.
These proposals will be complemented by cultural and scientific activities, including a family route to MUDIC with an astronomy workshop, as well as heritage visits to different sites across the municipality. Together, they create a programme that combines nature, science, history and public outreach.
August: Heritage, Landscape, Culture and Evening Visits
August will continue with a varied selection of cultural, historical and heritage routes and visits in different parts of the municipality. These include the Museum of the Wall, the Santo Domingo Convent, Explore Cabo Roig in Orihuela Costa, the City Mill, Mount Hurchillo, Orihuela’s Huerta and the Museum of Sacred Art.
Several new activities will also be introduced in August, including a visit to the Monastery of San Juan for the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin on 15 August at 11:00 a.m., and an evening experience at the Museum of Sacred Art on 29 August at 9:00 p.m. This nocturnal visit will allow participants to discover the heritage site from a different perspective, further expanding the range of summer activities on offer.
Councillor Gonzalo Montoya highlighted that the programme reflects a firm commitment to diversifying Orihuela’s tourism offer by incorporating experiences that allow people to discover and appreciate the municipality’s outstanding natural heritage.
He also explained that the new nature routes have been designed to bring residents and visitors closer to areas of great ecological value through an informative, sustainable and family-friendly approach, while also encouraging respect for and conservation of the environment.
Montoya further underlined that Orihuela enjoys extraordinary environmental richness, ranging from wetlands and coastal areas to traditional agricultural landscapes and mountain spaces. This programme, he said, seeks to showcase all these natural resources, which form an essential part of the municipality’s identity.
Registration and Reservations
Places for all activities are limited and advance registration is required through the municipal tourism website.
Further information and bookings are available at: www.orihuelaturistica.es.
