It is said to be Murcia’s Enchanted City. Gredas de Bolnuevo is an area which Mother Nature, assisted by the wind and the water, has shaped to her whim, eroding the stone, slowly but surely, over thousands of years. This area of highly eroded sandstone formations next to Bolnuevo beach is considered a monument of national interest.
The Enchanted City of Bolnuevo is a quirk of nature, and appears to defy the laws of gravity. It should be noted that it is made up of clay, and that it owes its yellowish colour to the high sand content of the clay. The clay contains microfossils dating from the Pliocene era, no less than 5 million years ago.
In a nutshell, it is one of the Region of Murcia’s most remarkable and mystical landscapes — to the point where it has even been used to stage live performances, thanks to its unique, magical beauty.
- The natural context — What are the Gredas de Bolnuevo
- How to get to the Gredas de Bolnuevo
- Recommendations for your visit
- What can I see in the surrounding area
- Where to stay in Murcia
The natural context — What are the Gredas de Bolnuevo
The Gredas de Bolnuevo are strange natural formations found in Murcia, next to the parish of Bolnuevo (part of the municipality of Mazarrón, and located very close to the Sierra de las Moreras protected space). The site has been christened the Enchanted City [Ciudad Encantada, in Spanish] due to its resemblance to Cuenca’s Enchanted City.
It appears that the origins of the Gredas de Bolnuevo date back to the Pliocene era, 5 million years ago. According to scientists, there was initially an inflow of water from the Atlantic, which made its way towards the Mediterranean, flooding coastal areas of the primitive Iberian Peninsula as it progressed. All the signs are that the sea later retreated, and this caused the submerged surface of the land to reappear above the water. And in this case, the atypical formations which we can see today near the beach also emerged. This is the reason why the Gredas de Bolnuevo have so many fossils and marine microfossils.
Many of the sandstone formations that we see are reminiscent of mushrooms, and most have a characteristic yellowish or brownish colour that brings to mind scenes from films set on other planets. We should also say that the Gredas de Bolnuevo occupy a very small space. So visitors do not need to spend much time here, as there are no other paths or trails to follow.
How to get to the Gredas de Bolnuevo
The Gredas de Bolnuevo belong to the Murcian province of Mazarrón, and are easily accessible. They are barely a 10-minute drive from Puerto de Mazarrón and 50 minutes form the city of Murcia. The easiest route is to take the RM-3 motorway and, when you arrive at Mazarrón, continue along the RM-330 and RM-D6 roads until you reach the coast. Next to the Gredas de Bolnuevo, there is a large car park.
Recommendations for your visit
If you visit this place during the summer, we recommend that you bring your swimsuit, because you’re bound to fancy a dip in the waters that surround the Gredas de Bolnuevo. People say that the best time to visit this natural space is very early in the morning, as that is when the formations have the best colours. It is best not to go at the busiest times in the summer, as there is always the possibility that the car park will be full.
What can I see in the surrounding area
There is no need to spend a great deal of time visiting the Gredas de Bolnuevo, so it is worth taking the opportunity to see one or two of the area’s other tourist attractions. For example, there’s Bolnuevo and Mazarrón, or if the weather is good, you could spend the day in one of the superb coves to the west of Gredas de Bolnuevo, such as Playa de Bolnuevo or Cala del Rincón. Every November, a pilgrimage takes place in Bolnuevo, dedicated to the Virgin for a miracle that occurred in 1585, when the town was saved from being attacked and plundered by Algerian pirates.
Where to stay in Murcia
The best option, if you want to enjoy first-class comfort and be near the Gredas de Bolnuevo, is the Occidental Murcia 7 Coronas hotel (Paseo de Garay, 5). This four-star hotel has 156 guest rooms and facilities that make it the ideal choice for a holiday as a couple, as a family or with friends. In addition, its bistro, specialising in seasonal ingredients, offers attractive and varied cuisine. The hotel has a permanently lit terrace offering one of the finest views of the city, and where you can enjoy sipping a cocktail by the light of the moon. Moreover, you are certain to be impressed by the establishment’s value for money.
