The azure waters lapping at the shores of miles of white sand beaches in Costa Blanca, are one of the reasons the area is such a popular holiday resort in Spain.

It is home to Europe’s largest salt flats which are inhabited by a huge variety of wild birds. The town is the centre of the regions massive salt industry and there are plenty of museums and information on  the whole area. With an average of only 6 days rain between November and March, golfing holidays are very popular. If golf is not your sport, there are plenty of facilities for bowling, go-karting, horse riding, tennis and cycling. The water sports here are also easily accessible, with instruction and equipment hire for all levels of experience.

There is a variety of amusement parks to entertain the family on a day out. The two large waterparks of Aquopolis and the Aquapark Quesada are great fun and are about 6 to 8 miles away.

 

Torrevieja is about 6 miles/15 minutes away and one place worth a visit for a relaxing drink or a midday meal is the old casino situated on the promenade opposite the marina near the fountain. The main public room has a magnificent ceiling. A leisurely stroll north from the casino will take you to another promenade worth the walk. The town is renowned for being named many times by the World Health Organisation as one of the healthiest places to live on earth.

 

Boat Trips 

Several boat trips are available from Torrevieja Fishing Port. There is an all day trip to the beautiful, unspoilt, Isla Tabarca (Tabarca Island) departing at 11:00 hours and returning 18:00 hours every day except Friday. The crossing time is approximately 40 minutes.

Also there are “coastline” boat trips lasting only 30 minutes if you want to get a view of Torrevieja from the sea. They depart at 11:30, 12:30, and 13:30 every day from Torrevieja Fishing Port. 

Both trips are on large catamarans with windows in each hull so that you can view the under-sea world of the Mediterranean. For more information or to book a trip call 0034-965-717447 or 965-716661 

 

Sports

You can enjoy water sports at their best. Windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing, water skiing and more. Also available are tennis courts, swimming pools and even basketball, handball and an indoor football field.

 

Torrevieja Bowls 

Greenlands bowls + 9 hole golf. 965-971681

La Siesta Bowls club. 966-785788

Quesada Bowls club. 966-719681

 

Torrevieja Horse Riding 

El Refugio. 966-725672

 

Torrevieja Scuba Diving

Aquaventura. 965-707761

 

Flying lessons from Alicante or Murcia

Chris. 699-659716

 

Torrevieja Safari Park

About 2.5 miles from Santa Pola. 966-638288

 

Aquapark Quesada Waterpark

 

Aquopolis Waterpark

Open June to September.

 

Torrevieja Nature reserve

Covering over 3,700 hectares the reserve includes both the la Mata and Torrevieja salt water lagoons. The water in the lagoon is allowed to evaporate and the salt collected. (1 million tons per year).

The salt marshes and reed beds are used by over 100 species of birds that feed on the small crustaceans and larvae that live in this highly salty water.  The lagoons are famous for the flamingos, grebes and avocets that live here. You can walk or cycle around the lagoons or simply visit the Reception Centre where there is a permanent exhibition.

Address: Information Centre, Nature Reserve of the Lagoons of la Mata and Torrevieja. 966-920404

Cartagena (35 miles/45 minutes)

The port of Cartagena in the Mediterranean’s Costa Calida, has been prized since Carthaginian times. Thanks to its strategic position on the Murcia coast, it has been inhabited by several cultures which have left their mark on its artistic heritage. A tour of the place and its museums will draw us into the history of a city closely tied to the sea.

 

Museum of Archaeology: 0034-968-539027

Museum of Underwater Archaeology: 0034-968-508415

Museum of National Maritime Archaeology:

 

Elche (34 miles/40 minutes)

Visitors who wish to explore a little further than the local beaches can experience an adventure in Europe’s largest palm forest. The vibrant forest forms a lush oasis surrounding the city of Elche, which is home to many colourful parks and gardens. The sub tropical gardens in Huerto del Cura are abundant with shade trees and blossoming flowers and the Parque Municipal is popular with families due to children’s playgrounds and grassy promenades.

 

Guadalest (70 miles/2 hours)

Located inland a few miles west of Benidorm is the quaint little village of Guadalest. It occupies one of the most stunning positions in Spain. The village is precariously perched on the pinnacle of a granite mountain giving fabulous views across the valley carved out by the river from which the village takes its name.  Driving to Guadalest through the village of Polop takes you through many twisting roads with breathtaking views which make the drive worthwhile even for the most nervous passenger.

 

On reaching Guadalest, you can see why the Moors, who constructed castles to defend the area, considered this place a site of strategic importance. Some of these castles were unconquerable and the remains of several can still be seen today even though they were bombarded in the 18^th century during the Spanish war of Succession.

However, the building that adorns most postcards is the whitewashed bell tower of Penson de la Alcala which seems to cling to the mountain face. Intriguingly the old village and castle is accessed through a tunnel carved from the rock and when you reach the other end and see the ancient houses you seem to have been transported to another age.

Guadalest has plenty of museums so you can learn more about its history, little crafts shops and places to buy a souvenir. Costing only a few Euros the visit through the tunnel to the village is definitely worthwhile as the castle tour (starting at 10 am) takes in the dungeon (great for the kids) and offers fantastic views across the valley from cobbled footpaths and lookout points.

The population of only 200 people now dedicates itself to tourism hence some of the best museums being located here.

 

Guardamar (14 miles/25 minutes)

Located next to the mouth of the river Sagura, Guardamar overlooks a long beach bordered by a large expanse of sand dunes covered with pines and eucalyptus. The setting is one of the most unique scenes in the area with an original combination of extensive coastal dunes protected by a verdant forest, fertile fields and orchards and the omnipresent beach and the Mediterranean sea. The forest parkland of the Dunas de Guardamar, with over 800 hectares running parallel to the coast is a wonder in a class of its own.

Lorca (83 miles/90 minutes)

Declared to be a Historic Artistic site in 1964, Lorca is known as the “baroque city” because of the significant architectural legacy of this style standing in its historic centre.

 

Some of the many great archaeological sites are:-

• The Milaria Column from the Roman age.

• The Tower of Espolon or the Alfonsina Tower.

• The San Antonio Porch, a gate from the old walled enclosure which guarded the city from the 10^th century.

• The palaces and baroque stately homes such as the palace of Guevara, the palace of the counts of San Julian and the Mula ancestral home.

• The fortress which transformed the medieval citadel into an impregnable enclosure is an outstanding example of military architecture.

Murcia (41 miles/60 minutes)

The region has its own special charm, not least because the coastline (so far) remains relatively unscathed by tourism and the major towns and small inland villages are still traditionally Spanish in character.

 

Places of interest

• The cathedral - a symbol of the city. The 96 meter tower with its 5 bells can be seen high above the city from miles around.
  

• The Romea Theatre - named after the famous local actor, Julian Romea as is the square in which it stands built at the northern end of the Arab city wall.
  

• The Church of “Nuestro Padre Jesus” - the main feature is the set of 8 processional floats belonging to the fraternity and the 556 figures of the world famous Christmas Crib.
  

• The casino -  dating back to 1847 contains a lovely library, the hidden secrets of the lady’s Powder Room, a magnificent patio and a splendid Neo-baroque Ballroom.
  

• The Bishop’s Palace - the Bishop’s palace its central courtyard, main staircase, Bishop’s Balcony (known as “El martillo”) and Palace chapel should be seen.
  

• The Convent Church of Santa Ana - not only an architectural pleasure but visitors are recommended to sample the delicious freshly baked cakes which the Sisters of the Enclosed Order sell.
  

• Salzillo Museum - the museum houses an impressive collection of life sized polychrome sculptures. The figures were carved by 18^th century Murcian sculpture Francisco Salzillo and beautifully painted in bright colours (polychrome means “many colours”).

Santa Pola (24 miles/35 minutes)

Traditionally, the town is a fishing town. It boasts excellent beaches with views to the salt marshes. The towns museum is set in the 16^th century castle Fortress which is an example of renaissance military architecture. It has a monographic exhibition focusing on the history of Santa Pola with 6 main themes:

• Prehistory

• The Iberians

• Roman Portus Illicitanus

• The fortification of the coast

• Fishing

• The Salt beds

The museum is designed to be educational and it has high technology systems including an audiovisual room showing a range of documentaries.

Ferries are also operated from here to the Isla Tabarca (Tabarca Island) 

Car Hire

All drivers in Spain must be 21 years old and have held a full driving license for 12 months.

 

The Complex can offer a totally relaxing holiday for those who prefer not to hire a car. Several restaurants, shops and banks are within reasonable walking distance. However, a car hire is required to reach beaches approximately 3 miles away.