We visited at the beginning of September from Mojacar and found a really quiet very scenic road to get there. The town was very pretty with lovely views and narrow streets and we had planned to spend a night there and explore more of the area the next day. However we arrived at the start of siesta and there was nobody to be seen and the hotel was shut. We drove off exploring and when we returned at 5.00pm people were starting to emerge but the hotel was still shut which surprised me so early in September. We just drove back to Mojacar which only took about a hour but you really feel that you are in the ''real spain'' in Velez Blanco.

We were in Almeria last November exploring the area, as we are due to relocate to Spain in summer 2005. On the Sunday of our visit, the snow was just starting to fall, so with no option of "beach" and with a 2 and 4 year old we stuck a pin in the map and came up with Velez Blanco. As we arrived the castle was just opening, around 11am, and the children spent a magical hour exploring it. It is in a fantastic location, the views are stunning and many Spanish families had driven up to the castle to meet and chat and see the snow! Everyone was friendly and we later explored the little town which was very pretty. We liked it so much in November, that it is now on our shortlist of places to buy, along with several in neighbouring Murcia. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.