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Area Guide

La Costa Blanca

Costa Blanca, or the white coast, stretches from Denia in the north to Pilar de Horadada in the south of the Alicante province. White sandy beaches, mountains, culture, history, food and wine.

170 beaches, 50 mountain peaks over 1000 meters, 21 golf courses, 10 nature parks, 10 Michelin stars, 35 vineyards spread over 10,600 hectares (DO Alicante) and more than 300 sunny days a year. History and culture from the year 1000 BC influenced by the Phoenicians, Iberians, Hellenic, Romans, Moors and, of course, Catholicism. In many of the villages along the coast, "fiestas" are organized around the struggle between the Moors and Christians, and the Catholic Easter processions are impressive - and one of Spain's most famous can be found in Orihuela 30 km from Torrevieja.

The Costa Blanca is a wonderful place for living as well as for holidays. Here you can enjoy a laid back holiday and delicacies from the Mediterranean coast and beach life, an active holiday with sport and action, or take a "Ruta de Vino de Alicante" , and visit the vineyards or why noty the castles "100 castillos de Costa Blanca". Bike routes for mountain bikes and regular bikes. Some of the best amusement parks in Europe, such as Terra Mitica and Mundomar. If you do not have a car during your stay, various tours from both Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa are arranged. By car, the road is short to Madrid or more than 160 km of ski slopes in the Sierra Nevada. The possibilities are virtually unlimited.

The advantage of the Costa Blanca is that the winters here are mild, it is the driest area in Europe, and the area with the most sunny days and the best climate in the winter throughout Spain as well as Europe. So if you plan to play golf or just have a break from cold winter days, Costa Blanca, and southern Costa Blanca in specific, are the area that most likely will meet your holiday wishes of sun and warm days.

Costa Blanca's capital Alicante is also worth a visit. There are buses from Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa almost every hour. It is advisable to take the elevator up to the Santa Barbara castle, built by the Muslims about 800 AC at 166 meters over sea level. Here you will get a good overview of the city. Below the castle is the old town, known for its charming narrow streets, many plazas (squares), bustling nightlife and good places dining and tapas. A 5-10 minute walk from here are the popular shopping streets around Avenida Maisonnave.

Santa Pola - Gran Alacant

The first tourist town south of Alicante is Santa Pola, 11 of its 15 km long coastline are beaches. A fisherman´s - and tourist village famous for its food. Gran Alacant is the residential area best suited for tourism and all year living, close to the beach, and with a popular shopping center along the main road (N332).

At the northern end of the Salinas de Santa Pola nature reserve, there is a salt production, and the rest is a protected area known for its unique bird life. Most visible, and known, are probably the pink flamingos that mostly stand with their heads down in the salty water and eat.

3 kilometers from Santa Pola on the road to Elche is a zoo, Rio Safari Elche, they offer shows for kids and adults and a guided tour with a “train”. They have their own buses from Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa. During the tourist season, you may want to plan your trip in advance. Find contact info here or visit their stand at Vista Alegre in Torrevieja, in front of Casino de Torrevieja. They speak good English.

La Marina

Between Santa Pola and Guardamar is a small village called La Marina. It consists of a main street with some shops, bars / restaurants, beaches and a camping. The residential area ​​La Marina is located a bit away from the beach on the other side of the N332 (main road), and belongs to San Fulgencio municipality.

Guardamar de la Segura

The outlet of the river Segura is located at the northern end of Guardamar (and why it is called Guardamar de la Segura). An historic city characterized by its long beaches, and a pine forest that was planted to prevent the sand from spreading. In the pine forest, or Dunas de Guardamar, you will find "Parque de Reina Sofia" which is frequently used for excursions by locals.

Quesada/Rojales

Rojales is located along the river Rio Segura, just west of Guardamar, and 15 minutes by car from Torrevieja. This is a traditional agricultural village, but also known for its caves, Cuevas de Rodeo, which used to be homes, but now are museums and cultural workshops.

In the municipality of Rojales is the popular residential / villa area Ciudad Quesada, and one of Costa Blanca's oldest golf facilities, La Marquesa Golf. Ciudad, which means city in Spanish, comes from the founder Justo Quesada Samper's dream of building his own city. It's not a proper city, but has everything one can expect from a city, and consists of 7000 homes (mostly villas/ detached houses) and 16,000 people. Here is the Norwegian School with 140 students, and with all grades from primary to upper secondary school. In addition to golf course, shopping malls, and wide-ranging offer of restaurants, there is a small water park here Aquapark Rojales.

Los Montesinos

Around Torrevieja's salt lake there are 3 villages/ cities: Torrevieja, San Miguel de Las Salinas and Los Montesinos. The latter is a small typical agriculture village. Los Montesinos is located between Quesada / Rojales and Torrevieja. On the outskirts of the city center, is the residential area La Herada, which has a more international environment, and consists of apartments, townhouses, bungalows and detached houses with communal areas and community swimming pools.

A good dining tip is to visit Bar La Graciela, one of Vega Bajas (the agricultural areas around Torrevieja and Orihuela) best paella restaurants. It is located in Los Perez in Los Montesinos, on the road to San Miguel. The paella is made the traditional way over open flame with wood, and in a rustic setting.

San Miguel de Salinas

One of the 3 towns (villages) around Torrevieja salt lake. Around the center of San Miguel there are several residential areas. Ciudad de Comunicaciones and Altos de Mediterraneo are popular residential areas, and latter with more new built properties. Parts of what is normally refered to as Villamartin, like Blue Lagoon and Eagel's Nest is strictly speaking in San Miguel. Otherwise, there are some new homes built west of the city against Orihuela. The center of the village is typical Spanish style village.

Salt and Sea has been the hallmark of Torrevieja for centuries, but from being a small salt and fisherman's village of 3000 people, the city has grown to become a metropolis in a short time, and is now one of Costa Blanca's most important tourist towns with around 100,000 inhabitants. It is especially the residential tourism that characterizes Torrevieja, and therefore it is also a vibrant city throughout the year. Torrevieja is still today one of Europe's most important salt producers.

In Torrevieja there is a considerable colony with foreigners. You will find British, Scandinavian and German shops, hairdressers and restaurants, there are Russian, Swedish and Norwegian churches and several consulates here. Torrevieja has become the home town for many non Spanish inhabitants. Although there are many foreigners from all over the world, the Spanish part of the population is of course the dominating, with almost 60%.

The municipality consists of different residential areas spread over 70 square kilometers.

Center

In the center are some cozy shopping and pedestrian streets, a small amusement park (seasonal), beaches and a countless amount of bars and restaurants. Along the promenade there are several places to bath, there are natural pools where you can swim right in the center of town, here you will also find the La Cura beach. In the downtown areas there are many charming apartments, all close to shopping, restaurants and beaches, but most would not have communal areas and communal swimming pool, which is normal in the residential areas surrounding the centre and Torrevieja.

Los Locos-Frutales

In the northern part of the city center is the Los Locos beach. In addition to a beach bar, there are several restaurants, shops and the popular 222 disco. A short walk from the beach is Calas Blancas, Los Frutales and Rosaleda. This are a popular areas dominated by British, Irish and Scandinavians with closed residential complexes and communal swimming pools. The properties are mostly oldish townhouses and apartments, but with some new built modern houses spread around. Between Calas Blancas and Frutales, is Los Angeles, a quiet villa area with several green parks.

Aguas Nuevas

The borders can be a little diffuse in Torrevieja, and especially in Orihuela Costa. One thing is the actual borders, which in many cases does not correspond to the names what people commonly would use. Aguas Nueva's outer borders are Los Frutales and Rosaleda in the east, Torre del Moro in the north and Nueva Torrevieja to the south. This is probably the area with the densest population of Scandinavians in Torrevieja. Altos de Bahia is one of the Norwegians' absolute favorite places in Costa Blanca.

The western part, just above Torrevieja's impressive sports complex, consists of modern and new, and partly new residential complexes. A relatively new but lively neighborhood, mixed with all year living and tourism. With proximity to the shopping center (Centro Comercial Aguas Nuevas), bus stop for the bus connection La Mata-Torrevieja, La Mata Beach, Municipal Swimming Pool and sports facilities, Torrevieja's Friday Market and Laguna de La Mata Natural Park. Here you have popular residential complexes like Vista al Sal, Sol Park, Arcos Del Mediterraneo, Princessa Maria and Vista Bella.

Further east you will find Torreblanca, Altos de Bahia, Altos del Sol, Coma, El Molino, and not least the popular shopping center Centro Comercial Torremarina, built on what was used to be the "Plaza de Torros"; or bullfighting stadium in Torrevieja. Here the settlement is somewhat older, but there are a wide range of modern and brand new residential complexes.

In this part of Aguas Nuevas you get closer to the sea, the small bays, and the cliffs that are located between Los Locos and La Mata beach. Where you can easily find an undisturbed bathing place, scuba diving is practised in this area, and in one of the bays younger people hang out and dive into the ocean from the cliffs.

La Mata

La Mata is a bit like a city in the city. Even though it belongs to Torrevieja, La Mata has more of its own identity than other areas belonging to Torrevieja. They have their own local "fiestas", their own wine, several parks, a nature park, and a magnificently popular beach with restaurants and several beach bars. Inside the city center they have their own public health centre, post office, SUMA (local tax office), and the town hall has a small "satellite town hall" here. There is great mix of modern and older homes, apartments, townhouses and fashionable chalet villas. A number of renowned restaurants with an international kitchen.

La Siesta, San Luis and El limonar

This is on the border to Los Montesinos, and on the way to Ciudad Quesada. Here the Norwegian Seamen's Church. La Siesta and San Luis borders the nature park Laguna de La Mata Natural Park, and El Limonar towards the Torrevieja Salt Lake. The settlement here is somewhat older, consisting mostly of detached houses. But there are both apartments and townhouses / bugalowers in closed complexes with communal swimming pool. In addition to the Norwegian Seamen's Church, La Siesta houses a small water park "Agua Flamingo".

The Habaneras area-Carrefour-Torreta

Between La Siesta and Torrevieja is an older residential area. At Carrefour is Jardin del Mar IV and V, consisting of townhouses and apartments with communal areas and pool. At the salt lake, Torreta I, II and II consists of older bungalows, some of these neighbourhood could do with a little upgrading, while Torrealmendro, Baños de Europa and Club Salino are a bit newer and cozy residential complexes that are popular among British and Scandinavians. In this area you will also find the Torrevieja ITV station (MOT), police station (Policia Local) and the fire station.

The Habaneras Center is Torrevieja's largest shopping center, with well-known brands like H & M, Zara, Jack & Jones and Intersport. On the other side of the street is Ozone, with fast food restaurants, bowling and cinema. Nabobygget houses Carrefour, is hypermarket selling everything from fresh fish to home appliances.

Acequión, Los Náufragos and Mar Azul

On the outskirts south of Torrevieja centre you will find us in Feriebolig Utland og Feriebolig Leie, in Calle Villa Madrid, about where Acequion begins.

Here are two child-friendly beaches. Acequion Beach, sheltered by the pier and the Marina International, is a quiet, tranquil and shallow beach, while Naufragos, which is a little more exposed to waves, is suited for ballgames like beach vollyball and football, and they will set out a floating playgrounds for kids during the summer. Along the Acequion beach you will find several cozy restaurants that have tables and chairs literally planted in the sand. Here they serve the days menu with a good selection of different plates for around 10 €, including 2 dishes, dessert and drinks. Acequión is characterized by apartments in older building blocks on 5-6 floors, while Naufragos consists of terraced houses and apartments with green areas in maximum 3 floors..

To the south of Náufragos there a lot og building activity with modern style properties, before you come to Mar Azul / La Veleta. In Mar Azul all the houses are close to the sea, where the beaches are more rocky, but it is possible to take a dip if you want to. The buildings consists of some apartment blocks, terraced houses, two-storey apartment complexes, and some luxury detached properties.

Los Balcones

On the way out of Torrevieja towards San Miguel de Las Salinas you pass Hospital de Torrevieja, a new and modern hospital that has won several awards nationally. By the next roundabout after the hospital a little bit up to the left, is the Filton Center, and the famous Filton Restaurant as a kind of gate to the “Los Balcones” urbanization. Los Balcones is a quiet residential area, mostly with detached houses in green surrounding, and houses large park areas, suited for ball games, there are playgrounds for children, and tennis courts.

Just past the Filton Center is Hotel Spa and Golf Doña Monse, Torrevieja's only 4-star hotel. Further towards San Miguel and Orihuela, a new residential area is being developed by well-known builders such as Amay.

Punta Prima/Los Altos

Here we find Torrevieja's outer boundary towards Orihuela Costa, which is split in between Orihuela and Torrevieja. Here two neighbors in the same street can belong to two different municipalities.

Rocio del Mar is located on the sea side of the N332 (main road) by the roundabout of Punta Prima. Here are a number of popular restaurants, bars, as well as the Hotel Torrejoven along the main road. And down towards the sea there are popular residential complexes such as Señoria de Punta Prima, Sea Senses and La Recoleta. And all the way down to the sea, the legendary Restaurante Nautilus. Here you can enjoy something cold or hot to drink a few meters from the Mediterranean, have a lunch or a tasty dinner.

A little further south you will find Restaurante Punta Prima, and the charming little Punta Prima beach. This area, a few blocks from La Recoleta and Sea Senses, belongs to Orihuela Municipality. The homes here are mostly older detached houses.

On the other side of the main road, the street Calle Escorpiones divides Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa. Punta Marina on the right and La Ceñuelica to the left in the area called Los Altos. On the Torrevieja side there are some detached houses, but the most of the properties consists of townhouses, and apartments in 2 and 3 storey buildings. Residential complexes with green elaborated community areas and communal swimming pools. Here are supermarkets and bars spread around in the district. Most famous are the Villa Park III and Punta Marina centers, where you can find Jysk and McDonalds.

Just south of Torrevieja along the main road N332 down to Campoamor is Orihuela Costa, with border to San Miguel to the west. The N-332 runs throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia in the north, and almost down to Cartagena about 50 km south of Torrevieja. This part of the Costa Blanca belongs to Orihuela municipality. They have their own little "satellite town hall" in Playa Flamenca, where you also find Policia Local, Nacional (where you can apply for the national ID-number, or so-called NIE).

Orihuela Costa consists of several smaller beaches with beach bars, 4 major golf courses, dozens of commercial centers scattered around with bars, shops, banks, real estate agents and beauty / hair salons. Commercial center is shortened by CC (Centro Comercial). Orihuela Costa is a mix being a suburb to Torrevieja and a holyday resort area.

It is a little difficult to draw the boundaries between the different areas. Areas such as La Florida and Las Mimosas are often called Playa Flamenca, and La Regia is referred to as Cabo Roig.

Punta Prima/Los Altos

Here we find Torrevieja's outer boundary towards Orihuela Costa, which is split in between Orihuela and Torrevieja. Here two neighbors in the same street can belong to two different municipalities.

Rocio del Mar is located on the sea side of the N332 (main road) by the roundabout of Punta Prima. Here are a number of popular restaurants, bars, as well as the Hotel Torrejoven along the main road. And down towards the sea there are popular residential complexes such as Señoria de Punta Prima, Sea Senses and La Recoleta. And all the way down to the sea, the legendary Restaurante Nautilus. Here you can enjoy something cold or hot to drink a few meters from the Mediterranean, have a lunch or a tasty dinner.

A little further south you will find Restaurante Punta Prima, and the charming little Punta Prima beach. This area, a few blocks from La Recoleta and Sea Senses, belongs to Orihuela Municipality. The homes here are mostly older detached houses.

On the other side of the main road, the street Calle Escorpiones divides Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa. Punta Marina on the right and La Ceñuelica to the left in the area called Los Altos. On the Torrevieja side there are some detached houses, but the most of the properties consists of townhouses, and apartments in 2 and 3 storey buildings. Residential complexes with green elaborated community areas and communal swimming pools. Here are supermarkets and bars spread around in the district. Most famous are the Villa Park III and Punta Marina centers, where you can find Jysk and McDonalds.

Playa Flamenca. Horizonte and La Zeniamar

Between Playa Flamenca and Punta Prima is a Carrefour before reaching the popular Go Karts Orihuela Costa. Down the main road in Orihuela Costa, N-332, there are restaurants like beads on a string. The first roundabout after Punta Prima is CC La Mosca. Here is Supercore, an exclusive supermarket, as well as banks, restaurants, bars and a Burger King. If you follow the road further inland away from the beach is CC Citrus and CC Horizonte. Here is a Norwegian hairdresser and a Scandinavian school.

Further inward La Zeniamar, a known residential area that is very popular with British and Irish, as well asScandinavians. Further on, you will find Las Mimosas, Chismosas and La Florida - a somewhat older residential area dominated by expats.

Along the main road south bound comes the exit to Playa Flamenca. Here is the City Hall, Policia Local, Nacional and Guardia Civil. Local police keep track of parking, licenses, etc. The National Police has offices there to help with identity papers (passports, NIE and residencia) while Guardia Civil deals with criminal cases. Here is

a shopping mall with Mercadona, the local tax office is here (SUMA), a popular gym, and on the other side of the main road by the beach is the local post office, Correos. Just past the Flamenca beach there is a beach for dogs, and further towards Torrevieja, a nudist beach.

A few hundred meters from the town hall is the Orihuela Costa Saturday market. Here you can shop for “short travelled” fruits and vegetables, as well as clothes and souvenirs.

La Zenia

The white and beautiful La Zenia beach is one of Orihuela Costa's most popular beaches, with Hotel La Zenia as the nearest neighbor. At the roundabout you will find a good selection of bars and restaurants. Not least the legendary Paddy's Point. As well as real estate agents and banks. Further from the beach comes a small center with a McDonald's, De Bassus with own brewed beer, Mercadona and Orihuela Costas most known notary Margarita Acitores.

Just off the exit of the AP 7 motorway the La Zenia Boulevard, as in recent years has made La Zenia even more famous. It is the largest shopping mall in the whole of the Costa Blanca. Made as a small village with small plazas / squarse, in 2 floors + a garage downstairs.

Villamartín

If you take the bridge over the AP7 motorway and drive further inland you will reach Villamartin. Like Playa Flamenca and Cabo Roig, Villamartin is one of the most known urbanizations, and nearby areas are often referred to as Villamartin, although strictly speaking they are not. The first one to you meet is The Danish Hot Dog on the left just before CC Los Dolses. On the right is Mirador de Villamartin, and a relatively new residential area with a lot of new developments. Here are well-known residential complexes like Vista Azul, Sol Park Center and Urmosa's Green Hills.

Behind the Los Dolses Center, where you will find shops, bars, banks and real estate agents, are the residential areas: Los Dolses, La Rioja and Verdemar all very close to the famous Villamartin Golf.

On the way further inwards you pass the venerable Villamartin Golf, which opened as early as in 1972. Then Villamartin Plaza with its bustling life is renowned for its good food and nightly entertainment. Here are also banks and shops. Between the palm trees inside the plaza there are green parrots enjoying them self among the tourists. Definitely worth a visit.

Continue around the golf course to Eagles Nest, the older and cozy villa area Blue Lagoon, and then the Blue Hills and Las Filipinas. All popular living areas in the Villamartin surroundings.

Golf-Las Ramblas, Lomas de Campoamor and las Colinas

Just behind Villamartin Golf there are 3 other famous golf courses. Campoamor Golf Resort houses hotels, restaurants, and a large sports complex with 3 football pitches, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and fitness center. The golf course was opened in 1988 and is 6,277 meters with 72 holes.It lies in the shelter of wind in a plain landscape with small heights, and a vegetation characterized by palm trees, pine and olive trees

The driveway to Las Ramblas Golf Resort is just a few feet from the entrance to Campoamor Golf. There is an 18 hole 72 parade in a slightly more dramatic setting, with more vegetation, small valleys and rocky hillsides. The course was inaugurated in 1991.

On the road between San Miguel de Las Salinas and Campoamor / Mil Palmeras or if you drive through Campoamor Golf, that where the Las Colinas Golf and Country Club is located. It is a prestigious 71 par 18 hole championship course. It is rural in scenic surroundings.

All three golf courses have their own urbanizations in an access-controlled area.

Cabo Roig and Campoamor

Next roundabout south of La Zenia along the N332 is Cabo Roig. Cabo means cape, and Roig (pronounced roitsj) is Valencian for red, so it means the red cape. Strictly speaking, the Cabo Roig residential area is on sea side of the N332 road. Here are a number of fashionable homes in an older residential area, and 2 beaches, Cala Capitan and Playa de Cabo Roig. The latter is the most popular and has several restaurants and a small marina.

Along the N332 before and after the roundabout there are a number of restaurants, bars, shops, banks and law firms. Often referred to as "The Cabo Roig Strip";. The Cabo Roig Strip has an international feel, but with a high concentration of British and Irish tourists or residents. It is like a miniature Benidorm. Here you will find popular residential complexes like Aguamarina and Playamarina in addition to the Orihuela Costa health centre.

On the upper side of the roundabout, is La Regia where the previous developer San Jose dominates with its development Villa San Jose, but here are also Vista Azul, Colinas de la Regia and Colinas de La Zenia.

At the exit where the Cabo Roig strip ends along the N332 you can choose to drive down to Playa Glea in what is called Campoamor. Here is a marina and the residential area consists of a number of fashionable villas, and older high risers. Playa de Glea is Orihuela Costa's largest beach.

If you choose to drive the opposite road, you cross the AP7 motorway to the residential area of ​​Lomas De Cabo Roig, Las Ramblas and Campoamor Golf, and finally CC La Fuente before Blue Hills begins.

Pilar de Horadada has more than 20,000 inhabitants, and is the Costa Blanca and Alicante province's southernmost municipality on the border with the Murcia region. The municipality can roughly be divided into three "districts", Pinar de Campoverde, Torre de Horadada and Pilar de Horadada. Pilar is the center of the municipality with a main street where you will find a vibrant city center. Mainly dominated with Spanish residents.

Pinar de Campoverde

Mostly referred to as Campoverde, located 10 km inland, is an idyllic little villa area with about 3000 inhabitants. The name “Pinar”, comes from pine forest, and “Campo”, rural and “Verde”, green. Most of the expats here are British, but there are many Scandinavians, Germans and French too. Here is a bank, and there are several restaurants, shops and bars scattered throughout the urbanization. Rio Seco, which means dry river, forms a green strip down to the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can have a walk in beautiful green and natural surroundings from Campoverde and down to Mil Palmeras.

Between Campoverde and the Mediterranean is the Lo Romero Golf course. A 72 par course of 6,237 meters. It is known as the "The Golf Island", because the 18th hole is on an island surrounded by water.

Mil Palmeras, Torre de Horadada and Mojón

These parts of Pilar are dominated by residential or holiday tourism. Here are many British and Irish and Scandinavians who live permanently throughout the winter. While the Spaniards, and not least from the neighboring region of Murcia, have their holidays homes here.

Mil Palmeras consists of older construction. villas, townhouses, apartment blocks and the hotel Palmera Beach. Playa de Mil Palmeras is a large and white sandy beach. In the south end of the beach before Rio Seco, which separates Mil Palmeras from Torre de Horadada, there is a beach bar and a cozy little street packed with bars and restaurants.

Torre de Horadada and Mojón, flourish with a lot of construction activity after a period with stillstand as the crisis hit Spain. There are a number of modern villas for sale as well as apartments and townhouses in modern residential complexes.

Torre de Horadada has a small center where there is Guardia Civil police station. Here is also a small marina. Along the coast there are a number of medium sized and small beaches.

Mojón is the southern tip of the Costa Blanca and borders to the natural park and salt lakes of San Pedro de Pinatar. Here begins Costa Cálida, the Murcia region's coastal strip.