Location
The Costa Blanca or "white coast" is situated between
the two other well-known areas of Costa Brava to the north and Costa Del
Sol in the south, and is within the region of Valencia with the warm
Mediterranean on its shores. Located on the Costa Blanca to the
southwest of Alicante, Torrevieja is named from the translation of "old"
or "ancient tower", a landmark which is found on the north side of the
town overlooking the sea. The tower was originally a moorish defence and
has been recently restored with gardens laid around. It is a popular place
for visitors with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop. This is an area
where Spanish people take their holidays. It is named by the world
health organisation as one of the healthiest places in the world to live
because of the climate. Two natural salt lagoons
lying close to the town have been recognised for centuries as being
beneficial for people with chest problems, arthritis, rheumatism etc. The
climate with its lowest average temperature of 15ºC combined with 320 days
sunshine each year, added to the famous Mediterranean diet of fresh meat,
fish, vegetable, fruit and even a glass of delicious local wine, go
towards making a healthier lifestyle a reality. All the beaches in this
area carry the European blue flag ensuring pollution free bathing.
Click on images to enlarge
The town
Torrevieja is a
typical and genuine Spanish town with narrow alleys, louvered windows and
traditional shops to attract the many tourists who visit the area.
The
town has an excellent indoor market, which is open every day and where
deliciously fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and spices are displayed
and sold by the typically Spanish stallholders. Each
Friday sees the centre of Torrevieja become a colourful market place where
a superb selection of Spanish handicrafts, leather jackets, gloves, bags,
baskets, shoes, pottery, textiles and souvenirs are available at excellent
prices. Torrevieja has a wonderful selection of restaurants, cafe's and
bars to suit all tastes, for example, French, Austrian, English, Italian,
Chinese and Indian food. Every August there is an international contest of
traditional folk songs. This event, called the "Habaneras" is one of the
cultural high-points of the Torrevieja year and is supported by artists
from all over the world. The area along the sea front in the town has been
set over to pedestrian use and offers a pleasant few miles of walking area
without traffic pollution. All along this area there are swimming areas,
seating areas, palm trees and monuments all adding to the natural beauty
of the Mediterranean Sea Shore. One of the walls of the main harbour
has been extended and raised to form a one-kilometre walk. This is a very
popular addition to the pedestrian facilities in the town.
The harbour in Torrevieja is still very much a
working harbour with prominent areas for the fishing fleet, fish market
and the export of the main product of the town - salt. There is also
a large marina formed in part of the harbour to accommodate the many boat
owners who are attracted to the area.
Click on images to enlarge
In the evenings, the area around the harbour comes
alive as a street market where all sorts of world arts and crafts are
available. Painters, caricaturists, face painters and cartoonists work
live on the streets selling their wares and entertaining the public. There
is a wealth of public parks in Torrevieja. The Aquatic Park is a water
theme and fun park with swimming pools, slides and rides to suit all the
family. The Park of the Nations is laid out as a large map of Europe with
each country clearly identifiable. Ponds and boats in the shape of giant
swans add to the entertainment available. The Aromatic Park is estimated
to be planted with over 15,000 aromatic species of plants and gives an
interesting and worthwhile place to spend a few hours. As in
all of Spain, religion is a very important part of public and family life.
During the times of religious festivals the square
and the area surrounding the church is filled with people anxious to
become a part of the festivities. At these times, tourists and visitors
are welcomed by the locals who are happy to be joined in their
celebrations. The plaza outside the main church near the centre of
Torrevieja is a popular place for tourists to rest during their
sightseeing.
History
Torrevieja is
situated in Alicante's southern extreme. There you can find the Torrevieja
and La Mata Lagoons (the first one with an area of approximately 1.400
hectares and the second one with 700 hectares). In both lagoons there is a
history of intense activity in natural salt extraction. This is the main
industry of the city and nowadays the government having been converted
into a Natural Park protects both lagoons. The origins of Torrevieja begin
from the early 18th century when it was a "TORRE VIGIA" - a place where
soldiers kept watch on the castle. Near the year 1759 a little settlement
was formed around this tower called TORRE VIGIA. This settlement was
formed by fishermen who lived near the place and discovered the amazing
quality and quantity of fish that could be gleaned around that piece of
coast. In 1829 there was a tremendous earthquake which destroyed the city.
King Fernando VII took up a national collection of charity and a new city
started to grow up. In 1830 the first city hall was established and the
city is one of the most important points of tourist interest of the entire
Mediterranean coast. The climate, beaches, food and of course its people
turn Torrevieja into a little Eden in this magnificent
Costa.
Out and about
This coast has long been a
favourite area for tourists from all over Europe and Spain. The Costa
Blanca is neighbour to the Costa Brava to the north and the Costa Del Sol
in the south, and lies in the region of Valencia. The city of Alicante
provides an ideal centre for the visitor with its international airport,
railway station, and motorway access to both the northern and southern
Costa Blanca resorts. Both the Spanish motorway network and the modern
high-speed train service from Alicante connect with the major countries of
Europe. The south Costa Blanca is famous throughout Spain for
its seafood which is landed daily at local ports along the coast. This
coast is protected by the Crevillente Mountains to the West and the
Mediterranean Sea to the East, which gives the Costa Blanca a wonderful
climate in both summer and winter. These conditions provide for the
Valencian fruit and vegetables for which the region is
renowned.
The salt lakes, Torrevieja
The two salt lakes at Torrevieja have been a source of wealth
to the area for centuries. Today, both of these lakes are recognised as
areas of natural beauty and have been named as "Parque Natural". The
larger, Lagunas De La Torrevieja still provides the main industrial output
for the town while the smaller Lagunas De La Mata is mainly a nature
reserve.
Useful information
Banks
They will cash travellers cheques, change currency
and have ATMs that accept all the popular cards including Visa,
MasterCard, Switch, Cirrus and Link.
Supermarkets
Torrevieja is certainly not lacking here! The
Mercadona, Champion, Carrefour and the Spanish ‘Todotodo’ compete to
supply a massive range of products, including British products.
There is even a Lidls here, the same as in Britain.
Chemists
All chemists (farmacia) display a large green cross
outside the shop. If you have a Spanish doctor’s prescription you
may get a large discount on the cost of medicines.
Children
Children are very welcome wherever they go and restaurants are
particularly understanding about their needs and will do their best to
provide meals to suit. Yet, to find a baby sitter in Spain is
difficult simply because it is part of the Spanish way of life for
children to accompany adults at all times, even very late at
night.
Clothing
Thick heavy clothes are not
required at any time of the year but particularly in summer, make sure to
take light clothes made from natural fibres. Sunglasses are
essential particularly if you intend to do a lot of driving. Spanish
people tend to dress with a casual elegance, but beach clothes are
acceptable to wear in tourist areas. However, during visits in
churches and monasteries please cover up. Sightseeing should not be
done in skimpy beachwear within inland areas as it could offend the local
older people.
Beaches
The beaches are plentiful and vary from vast expanses of sand
to small pebble coves. Many of the safe white sandy beaches are
proud to display the prestigious Blue Flag, which is awarded by the EU for
cleanliness and safety.
The three main beaches in walking distance to our
apartment are Punto Prima, La Zenia and Playa Flamenca. All three beaches
boast golden white sand along with secluded coves and rocks to fish from
if you wanted to.
Click on images to enlarge
Eating out and nightlife
You will find a good variety of
nightlife in Torrevieja, with bars, restaurants and shops catering for the
young at heart, or you could spend a night in the local casino.
Eating out is generally cheap, varied and
cosmopolitan near the coast and there is a good selection of restaurants
around that offer good local cooking. Lunchtime in Spain is not
before 2pm and dinner is usually at around 10pm but restaurants in tourist
resorts have adjusted their timetable to people wishing to eat
earlier. The food here is extremely healthy, with plenty of fresh
seafood, combined with produce from local market gardens.
We have tried a number of restaurants that are
located at Flamenca Beach Commercial Centre just 5 minutes walk from the
apartment. Although it is personal choice we recommend you try the
following restaurants. Spud Murphys (Traditional Fish and Chips),
New World (Chinese), Diva (Indian as seen on BBC2
documentary)
Watersports and other
recreational sports
Perfect weather on the Costa
Blanca
ensures year round golf and other sports, including tennis,
windsurfing, diving, biking, hiking, swimming, sailing, water skiing,
riding, go-karts, bowling greens or even hot air ballooning.
Torrevieja has one of the biggest marinas in Spain, as well as many
smaller ones including Campoamor and Cabo Roig, for all the boating
fanciers. You can hire boats from there.
Sightseeing and fun for all the family
Aquapark Torrevieja is the biggest of two local water
parks, the other Water Park is at nearby Ciudad
Quesada.
Fun Fair: The Funfair by the
marina is open in the summer and is great fun for
everyone.
Boat Trips:
There are many boat trips all around Torrevieja. Take a trip
to the nearby Island of Tabarca or sail along the coast and admire the
beautiful scenery.
Health Baths:
Take a medicinal bath in the lagoon. The water is supposed to
cure heart troubles, rheumatism and respiratory
ailments.
Driving in Spain
Speeding fines are payable on the spot.
Children under 13 years of age must sit in the back of the car. There are
two kinds of motorway in Spain – Autopista (a toll road) and autovia (toll
free). On the coastal motorway north of Alicante a high toll is
charged but there is no charge south of Alicante and on the N330 past Elda
and Villena. Petrol is cheap here and costs less than the tax we pay
on ours in the UK. Super, Normal and Unleaded (Sin Plomo) and Gasoil
(diesel) is used.
With a year round average
temperature of around 22ºC, the Costa Blanca is probably one of the
perfect places to practice golf on the Mediterranean coast. Dubbed
"Spain's Golf Coast" by developers, the Costa Blanca is entering a new
phase of growth with a marked increase in golf development.
There are already 15
championship courses located between Alicante and La Manga and with 10
more courses due to be developed or already being constructed, this
eastern Costa is well on the way to rivalling the Costa del Sol for golf
property and golf investment opportunities.
Already a popular area for
property buyers both from Europe and from within Spain, the Costa Blanca
is a natural choice for new golf developments. The area not only has a
enviable year-round climate, encouraging winter golfing and thus
year-round rentals for golf property owners, it also has excellent access
with daily flights to and from all major European cities to three airports
(Alicante, Valencia and Murcia).
You can download this very useful brochure which details the golf courses
in the region of Valencia.
The brochure is 5.44mb. Right click and "save target as" to save onto your
PC.
You will
need Adobe Reader to view the brochure.
Click icon below to download software.
Golf courses in the area
   
This is a
very useful web site
Torrevieja Information
Giving information for Torrevieja since 1998
www.TorreviejaInformation.com
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