Free walking tours in Águilas and what to see

Must-sees

Águilas looks out to sea from San Juan castle, an 18th-century fortress overlooking the harbour and both bays. From the top the town makes sense. Below is Plaza de España, with the town hall and its huge fig trees, where everyone meets. Nearby is the casino, an early 20th-century building worth a look inside.

The mining past can be seen at the Embarcadero del Hornillo, an old iron ore loading pier stretching out into the sea. Then there are the beaches. The town beaches, such as Levante and Poniente, are easy and calm. To the south come wilder coves, surrounded by volcanic scenery and very clear water. If you come in February, the carnival fills the streets with colour for several days.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-wish free tours are not usual in Águilas. The usual options are guided walks through the town and the castle, sometimes organised by the tourist office, and activities at sea. Kayak trips, snorkelling routes and dives are a good way to get to know the coast. There are also outings to the nearby Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre park, with paths by the sea, and trips to Lorca to see its fortress and Baroque centre.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the essentials: the morning for the castle, the square and the Hornillo, and the afternoon for a town beach. If you want to explore the coves, do a sea activity or visit Lorca, allow two or three days. In summer, keep the middle of the day for the water and the shade, and get about early or late in the afternoon.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to stay in the centre, between Plaza de España and the harbour. From there you can walk to almost everything, with bars and restaurants nearby and Levante and Poniente beaches a step away. If you want more peace and have a car, the developments by the southern coves are an alternative, although you will depend on the car to go out to dinner or into the centre.