The ultimate guide to Torrevieja, an earthly paradise on the Costa Blanca

Torrevieja, a shining pearl on the Costa Blanca, is located on the sun-drenched southern coasts of Spain. This seaside resort, one of the sunniest places in Europe, mixes Spanish charm, snow-white beaches, vibrant culture and rich history. And thus beckons to vitamin D-hungry bon vivants from all over Europe. If you're planning to visit this Mediterranean paradise - or better yet, live there - this is your ultimate guide to experiencing the very best of Torrevieja.

Get to know Torrevieja

Pack your sunscreen: the climate of Torrevieja is wonderful

Suppose the map of Europe is a dartboard, divided according to climate. Where are you aiming your arrow? To drizzly Belgium, which struggles to get a two or a three? Or to the south of Spain, where the highest points can be found? The answer is quite vague. On that dart board of good weather, Torrevieja scores the highest, triple 20. Here the sun almost always shines, a rain shower is an event for which you call the neighbors and snow has only ever been seen by grandpa, when the animals still spoke.

Torrevieja owes its favorable climate to its southern location and the gentle influence of the sea. The mountains and hills in the hinterland block clouds and protect against cold fronts. Result: 320 sunny days per year. The average annual temperature of 19 degrees does mask seasonal differences, but even in winter temperatures barely dip below 15 degrees. In July and August the mercury tends to hover around an average of 30 degrees. Then even the Mediterranean Sea warms up into a nice warm bath.

Embrace beach life

If you like to feel sand between your toes, Torrevieja is the right place. Some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Spain adorn the miles of coastline of this vast seaside resort. Plenty of choice, but all Torrevieja's beaches have fine golden sand and crystal clear water in common. Whether you want to sunbathe, sip cocktails in one of the atmospheric chiringuitos or simply enjoy a daily run or walk with the dog, it's all possible in Torrevieja.

Many beaches boast a blue flag - an indication of clean water and top-quality infrastructure. Torrevieja also has many intimate bays where you can enjoy snorkeling between the rocks. You never have to look far for other water sports - see below.

Some beaches in Torrevieja

• Playa del Cura. Sandy beach with shallow water, ideal for families.
• Playa de los Locos. You don't have to be loco to choose this popular sandy beach.
• Playa Los Naufragos. City beach with fine sand, palm trees, a promenade, restaurants and a playground.
• Playa de la Mata. One of the most famous beaches, north of Torrevieja - long and wide, beautiful and blessed with golden sand.
• Cala Ferris. Secluded, rocky bay south of the center, surrounded by palm trees.

You can walk endlessly on a boulevard along the coast of Torrevieja. Along the way you may come across the Monumento de las Coralistas (a fountain with frescoes on the sides) and the statue of Lola - a fisherwoman who stares in vain at the horizon, hoping for her husband to come home. Also take a walk on the one and a half kilometer long pier, the Dique de Levante. A lighthouse awaits at the end of it.

The salty wonders of Las Salinas

The pink salt lakes of Torrevieja, or Las Salinas, are unique. These salt flats not only photograph well, they are also home to a whole host of birds - including flamingos. A walk along the muddy paths around the lagoons is an experience that reflects the enchanting beauty of Torrevieja, especially at sunset. The mud apparently has a medicinal effect. Fact: the salt lakes yield half a million tons of salt every year. Just enough, in other words, to sprinkle on your fries.

Dive into culture and history

The charm of the old city center

The historic center of Torrevieja is a labyrinth of cute alleys, colorful houses and traditional Spanish architecture. Here you will discover hidden squares and charming cafés where you can taste authentic Spanish dishes. The Plaza de la Constitucion is the beating heart of the old city center, a beautiful square with lots of greenery, fountains to cool off and a beautiful traditional church. The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Conception (Church of the Immaculate Conception) was built in 1798, destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt in 1844. During important Christian festivals, such as Christmas or Semana Santa , the processions leave from this square. The beautiful nativity scene is also located here.

Museums and monuments

The city is dotted with cultural sights and museums that offer insight into history:

• Museo del Mar y de la Sal (Sea and Salt Museum). The name speaks for itself: this museum is dedicated to the city's heritage, both maritime and salt mines. In addition, as a visitor you can marvel at an extensive collection of objects, models and knick-knacks made of salt - from model ships to the church of Torrevieja.
• Museos flotantes Delfin S-61 y Albatros III . Two floating museums in the fishing port of Torrevieja. On board the Delfin S-61 you will explore a real submarine and discover a valuable piece of maritime history. The cramped space is particularly striking, the narrow corner and cramped corridors. Definitely not for those who suffer from claustrophobia. Next to it is the Albatros III, a patrol boat that has been converted into a museum.
• Museo de la Semana Santa . The treasures of Holy Week, or Semana Santa, come out once a year . The rest of the time they are in this museum a few kilometers outside Torrevieja.
• Torre del Moro . On the coast of Torrevieja lies this sturdy old tower from the fourteenth century, almost as thick as it is high. Once used to defend these areas from pirate attacks, they now mainly offer beautiful views over the Mediterranean Sea. The park around the tower is a pleasant resting point during walks.

Culinary delights

Torrevieja has a thriving culinary scene that blends traditional Spanish flavors with a modern twist. From the tapas bars in the old town to fish restaurants along the marinas to specialized restaurants from all over Europe, you will find it all here. Don't miss the chance to taste local specialties such as arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock) or caldero (traditional fish stew).

No region in Spain without its own wine. Although less known than the wine of La Rioja or Andalusia, that of the Costa Blanca is also not to be missed. The local sweet dessert wine, made from Moscatel grapes, is popular with many. But you will also find excellent red or rosé wines here. In Torrevieja, wine growers mainly produce the noble liquid in the mountains, in and around villages such as La Romana, Hondon de las Nuevas and Hondon de las Frailes.

Outdoor adventures

Nature

Nature lovers will not be disappointed in Torrevieja. A selection from the offer:

• Parque Natural de la Mata y Torrevieja
• This protected natural park offers hiking trails, birdwatching spots (including flamingos) and beautiful landscapes that highlight the region's biodiversity. This area contains two saltwater lakes, separated by the natural rock formation El Chaparral. In the visitor center you can pick up brochures with suggestions for walking and/or cycling routes.

• Parque del Molino del Agua
  Literally: the watermill park. This is a quiet city park with many old pine trees and water features - in other words: an ideal shelter on a too hot summer day.

• Parque natural el Hondo
  In this nature reserve in Elche, just north of Torrevieja, bird watchers scan the water from shelters in an attempt to cross the purple heron, heron or track heron off their list.

An active lifestyle

(Water) sports

Torrevieja is the ideal place for people without a seat. You can walk, walk, cycle or mountain bike there. Quad bikes, paintball, kayaks, zip lines and archery await in the adventure park of Lo Rufete .

But with such a large playground as the Mediterranean Sea, it will not be surprising that water sports in particular attract visitors. For example, Scubaworld in Punta Prima is considered the best diving center on the Costa Blanca. You can learn the tricks of the trade under the guidance of certified instructors. Elsewhere in Torrevieja you can windsurf, kitesurf or sail.

Orihuela-Costa , ten to fifteen minutes away, is also a mecca for water sports enthusiasts.

golf

The beneficial climate makes the Costa Blanca an excellent place to work on your swing. Within a radius of ten kilometers around Torrevieja you will find no fewer than six golf clubs: Real Club de Golf Campoamor , Vistabella Golf , La Finca Golf , Villaitana Club de Golf , Las Ramblas Golf Club and Las Colinas Golf . I bet that handicap will visibly improve here?

Enjoying with the (grand)children

Children are king in Spain. In Torrevieja, your (grand)children can have fun in playgrounds and water parks, at the fair (from June to September) or at mini golf.

Water parks

Torrevieja has several water parks. Both Aquapolis Torrevieja and Aquapark Flamengo are equipped with slides, attractions and swimming pools. At Aquapolis, an entertainment team provides activities and games throughout the day.

Shop till you drop

In and around Torrevieja you will find two large shopping complexes. In the city itself is the Habaneras shopping center - where, in addition to terrorizing your credit card in clothing stores, you can also watch a movie in the cinema, play mini golf or go bowling. La Zenia Boulevard is considered the largest open-air shopping complex in Europe. Let those hard-earned money roll.

With 1200 stalls, the Torrevieja market (Mercadillo de Torrevieja) is the largest in Spain. Every Friday from eight in the morning to two in the afternoon you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, delicacies and clothing on Avenida Delfina Viudes. In summer you can also browse the daily craft market on Paseo Maritimo de la Libertad.

More about the markets in and around Torrevieja .

Festivals and events

Even a Spanish village the size of a handkerchief organizes events. It is therefore no wonder that there is also a lot to do in Torrevieja, including:

• Habaneras Festival . An international singing competition that has attracted participants from all over Europe for more than forty years.
• Ruta de la Tapa. Twice a year - usually in April and November - you can enjoy homemade tapas at a wide range of participating traders for next to nothing.

Day trips from Torrevieja

• Cartegena
  This large port is considered one of the most important in Spain, but also boasts old windmills and a Roman amphitheater. About sixty kilometers from Torrevieja, easily accessible by car or bus. Cities such as Murcia and Elche are also worth a visit.

• Tabarca
  Boats leave from Torrevieja to this island, the smallest inhabited island in Spain. Here you will find no cars or high-rise buildings, and barely asphalted streets, but a small walled village with a beautiful church, sandy paths and lots of protected nature. Opt for a glass bottom catamaran if you want to see what lives below sea level.

• Palmeral of Elche
  These enormous date palm orchards became a UNESCO World Heritage Site . An oasis, fed by irrigation systems dating from the time of Moorish rule.

• Alicante
  In the capital of the province of the same name, it is wonderful to stroll through narrow streets, past old fig trees and to the 16th-century Castillo de Santa Barbara. Elsewhere in Alicante you can experience history and culture in the ruins of the Roman city of Lucentum and museums such as MACA (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante), in the harbor is the Spanish galleon Santisima Trinidad.

• Oceanografic Valencia
  A two-hour drive from Torrevieja is the second best aquarium in the world, according to TripAdvisor. You can spot sharks and belugas in the longest underwater tunnel in Europe.

Accessibility

Flights depart from Belgium to Alicante (airport 40 minutes from Torrevieja). Murcia airport, 30 minutes from Torrevieja, has no direct connection to Belgium. Motorways AP7 and N332 pass near the town, connecting Torrevieja with the Costa Blanca and the rest of Spain.

More inspiration for day trips on the Costa Blanca .

Can't get enough of Torrevieja?

Relax on the beach, experience culture and history, explore nature or taste delicious Spanish cuisine: it's all possible in Torrevieja. Can't get enough of this pearl on the Costa Blanca? Do you want more than an annual holiday? Then you might be ready for a (second) home in Torrevieja. Search our offer for your place in the sun .

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