Aguilas Spain… have you ever visited this town?
The word “aguila” means “eagle” in English.
The town of Aguilas is a seaport in Spain’s south eastern province of Murcia.
It is a modern town with a population of around 35,000 people.
Aguilas has a captivating charm which is evident in its beaches, history and Mediterranean culture, you will love it 
Before we start… Yours Free
Spain 101 is a free ebook full of unique tips that will save you thousands of Euros when moving to / living in Spain.
Would you like to get it now?
Please click / tap on the image below:
Where is Aguilas Spain?
Aguilas is located at the most southerly point of the province of Murcia of Spain, on the coastline of the Costa Calida,
The nearest international airports of Murcia San Javier, only 90 minutes away.
(Aguilas Spain – Google Maps)
The international airport of Alicante is around 1.5 hours away from Aguilas.
There are a number of resorts and cities within easy travelling distance of the city including the capital of Region of Murcia: Murcia city
What is the History of Aguilas?
There has been the habitation of people in this area since the Palaeolithic Age.
Since that time many groups of people with differing cultures have made it their home from Phoenicians, and Romans leaving behind traces of their lifestyle.
Aguilas Spain was for centuries a fishing port which began during the Roman occupation of this region of Spain.
From 1785, the port began exporting produce grown on the fertile plains of Murcia.
During the 19th century its role changed to that of exporting products from the mining industry that by that time had begun with the extraction of iron, lead and silver.
General Information about Aguilas
If we drive up north along the coast, we will find two important towns such as San Pedro and Los Alcazares.
Aguilas Spain was created by Aranda and Floridablanca, the ministers of Charles III who realised the need for a port to export the regions agricultural products.
Yecla is one of the farthest towns from Aguilas, within the region of Murcia.
With the river plain of Lorca, Aguilas was chosen as the ideal destination.
(View of the Port of Aguilas)
With a tradition of being a seaport over time, the attraction of the long coastline of more than 35km led to the emergence of Aguilas being an important destination for the expanding tourism industry.
Its history saw a growth of interest in the town under the shadow of its beautiful castle, San Juan de las Aguilas.
The historical city of of Cartagena is around 55 minutes driving from Aguilas.
Are you from the United Kingdom? UK citizens have to apply for a visa to live in Spain long-term (more than 90 days), you may want to explore the non-lucrative visa Spain.
What is the Weather like in Aguilas?
The climate of Aguilas is described as being a typical Mediterranean one, having cooling breezes off the sea during the summer and protection by the surrounding mountains during the winter against the cold winds from the north.
There is an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine here every year and the average annual temperature is in excess of 20C, similar to the coastal city of Torrevieja, in Alicante province.
The climate has been described as being one of the world’s most equitable, being not overly hot in the summer or too cold during the winter months.
The area has around 325 sunny days every year making Aguilas Spain an ideal all year round place to live.
What Architecture can be seen in Aguilas?
Aguilas has as its most focal feature the castle-fortress of San Juan de Aguilas, built in 1579, this feature is located on a promontory leading out into the sea.
Below this sits the port, complete with its characteristic lighthouse in stripes of black and white which has warned seafarers of this stretch of coastline since it was erected in the middle of the 19th century.
(Castillo de San Juan, on the mountain, to the left)
Entry to the castle is just 2 Euros.
The castle is located high above the town and originally built to protect Aguilas against attacks by pirates in the 16th century.
The defensive fortress is well worth a visit and offers impressive views across the town positioned below and the surrounding countryside.
It is a steep climb to the top of the hill the fortress is located on, it is possible during the winter months to drive up the hill but parking spaces are very limited.
Another 19th century feature of Aguilas Spain is its town hall and the parish church of San Jose which contains an image of the patron saint among several interesting architectural features of this religious structure.
Gastronomy
The cuisine of Aguilas reflects the incredibly fertile plains of Murcia through its array of fresh fruit and vegetables which along with rice are the base ingredients for many of the regions dishes.
Add to this the seafood of the Mediterranean, in addition to the game and farmed meat and you have the ingredients for several local recipes including rice and vegetables, seafood rice and a vegetable paella known as Paella Huertana.
There are also several non-rice dishes including a rich stew, sauteed vegetables, ham and broad beans and a local soup known as Caldo Murciano.
How much does it cost to rent or buy property in Aguilas?
There are several two and three bedroomed properties, both apartments and houses available in Aguilas from 40,000 Euros.
Newly built two bedroomed apartments are available from 68,000 Euros and detached houses
Villas with four bedrooms are available from 195,000 Euros.
There are a number of two and three bedroomed apartments for long term rentals available from 400 Euros per month, with three bedroomed houses available from 500 per month.
Villas are available from around 600 per month to in excess of 1000 Euros per month.
What are the most Interesting Attractions I should visit in Aguilas?
Beaches
Aguilas has numerous beaches along its 35 kilometres of coastline with several solitary coves and beaches with crystal clear water.
The best beaches include La Higuerica, La Carolina, Calabardina and Las Delicias.
The area around Aguilas is among the best in the Mediterranean for scuba diving due to the rocky seabed here.
The favoured locations are close to Fraile Island and close to the rocks of Cape Cope.
Archaeological Museum
The museo Arqueologico de Aguilas Spain has a collection of artifacts relating to the local history and these are divided into important phases and cultures that have settled here from pre-history through to modern times.
Entry is free and the museum is located close to the Plaza de España, where the neo-Mudejar Town Hall is located, as is the parish church of San Jose.
Railway Museum
Entry into this small museum is just 1 Euro and it is packed with railway memorabilia and whether you have a strong interest in the railways of this area or not it is worth a visit.
It is operated by local railway enthusiasts who are very supportive and informative of the past of the railway here in Aguilas.
The Molino de Sagrera Windmill
This restored windmill located in the heart of Aguilas’ Old Town is a great reminder of the past when buildings such as this were a common sight in this area.
It is a welcome place to stop after walking among the narrow hillside streets in the Old Town.
The climb up is not easy, but the viewing point makes the effort worthwhile.
The windmill houses an exhibition room which relates to the important local tradition of esparto grass production and weaving.
Other Attractions in Aguilas
The seafront promenade is worth a visit and remains accessible until 10pm every evening with no cost for entry.
The Roman Baths located on the corner of Calle Canalejas and Calle Quintana have free guided tours available from the Archaeological Museum on Saturdays at 12.30pm. Anoother free attraction is the Football Museum.
Aguilas was the home of one of Spain’s first football clubs. It was founded by British workers who were in Spain constructing the railway line for the mining industry located further inland.
Yours Free
Spain 101 is a free ebook full of unique tips that will save you thousands of Euros when moving to / living in Spain.
Would you like to get it now?
Please click / tap on the image below:
If you would like to read about other important points for living / moving to Spain, here are other useful articles we wrote:
