Things to see and things to do in Torrevieja
Beautiful beaches Torrevieja
The entire Costa Blanca has more than 74 beautiful sandy beaches.
A number of these most beautiful beaches are situated in and around Torrevieja. Cabo Roig, Playa La Zenia, Playa Flamenca en Playa del Cura are some of the white sandy beaches with crystal clear water.
Playa de Los Locos (which was named after a former institute for the mentally ill) on the other hand, is a rocky beach.
Playa de la Mata, by far the largest beach is situated north of Torrevieja.
La Mata is a small seaside resort with a pleasant central square where you can also find a children’s playground.
The beach is 6km wide and quite large and even in high season you will always have some space.
You can also enjoy a drink and a snack at the chiringuito or beach bar here.
Beautiful bays such as the Cala Ferris and the Cala de la Zorra complete the picture.
Torre del Moro
South of the beach of La Mata near the central square of La Mata the Torre de la Mata marks the coastline. It is a 14th century fortification that had to defend the coast against pirates, just like the Torre del Moro in Torrevieja.
Market Torrevieja
The market of Torrevieja is about the largest of Spain. Whether you want to sniff up the local atmosphere or shop for your groceries, you will certainly find something to suit your taste in the 1200 stalls.
The market is held every Friday between 9h and 14h at the Avenida Delfina Viudes near Aquopolis Torrevieja and is certainly worth a visit.
La Mata Park Torrevieja
The park of La Mata is a nature reserve that offers a safe haven to many birds and animals. Most of the year you can spot lots of flamingos here. Only in the “colder” part of the year they migrate to Africa.
Algae and bacteria give the lagoon its blue-greenish colour.
The salt lake is connected to the sea by a canal. The water is heated by the sun and flows to the lagoon of Torrevieja where salt is extracted.
Together with the nature reserves of Torrevieja, Santa Pola and El Hondo this park forms a surface of wetlands that is vital to the fauna and flora of this region.
You can explore this park on foot or by bycicle via well-marked trails. The terrain is fairly flat and therefore also suitable for a visit with children and pets.
There are several picnic areas and bird watching posts.
El Hondo Nature Reserve
Parque Natural El Hondo is a nature reserve of 2.387 ha (about 5900 acres) north of Torrevieja between Elche and Crevillente.
Vegetation is rather scarce and consists mainly of reeds. You will also find palm and eucalyptus trees near the canal.
In addition to numerous fish species, many bird species are found here, even rare ones like the greater spotted eagle.
The park has many walkways and observation huts and is not only a paradise for bird lovers, but also for hikers.
Tabarca
Tabarca, a genuine former pirate island about 9km south-east of Santa Pola, is perfect for a day trip. A ferry will bring you to and from Tabarca from several seaside resorts. There even is a glass-bottom boat service that allows you to admire the underwater fauna and flora.
The island is about 2km long and 400m wide and has about 60 inhabitants. The boat trip to Tabarca and back is a nice activity by itself.
What to do on Tabarca
On the island you can take a walk through the characteristic village and through the nature reserve to the lighthouse. The island itself and the sea around it are protected nature reserves.
Tabarca has a beautiful beach and it is great swimming and snorkelling here. The water is crystal clear and you can spot lots of fish and coral.
You can taste the local caldero (fish stew) in one of the restaurants. Prices are a bit higher than on the mainland. A picnic therefore is quite a nice alternative.
Torrevieja waterparks
There are 2 waterparks in Torrevieja, at least if you also count that of nearby Quesada too. A day at a waterpark is a nice alternative to the beach and the children will certainly find this super fun.
Aquopolis Torrevieja is the biggest waterpark with numerous diverse attractions.
There is a mini club for the little ones and a daily aqua gym. You can eat and drink in the cafeteria and, if you would have forgotten anything, you can always go to the local shop.
Aquopolis Torrevieja is situated at the Avenida Delfina Viudes. It is easily accessible via the N332 and several bus lines have a bus stop here.
Tip: book your tickets online and get a discount.
Aquapark Flamingo Torrevieja
Aquapark Flamingo Torrevieja is smaller and somewhat quieter and therefore more suitable for families with small children. Nevertheless, it is one of the 4 best waterparks in Spain.
There is a restaurant and a cafeteria and various stands with refreshments and ice cream.
This waterpark is situated in the vicinity of the La Siesta urbanization, close to the Habaneras Shopping Centre and the big Carrefour.
Please note that these waterparks are only open during the warmest months (roughly from May to September).
Check the respective websites for exact opening times and admission fees.
Shopping in Torrevieja
Shopping in Torrevieja can be done all over the city. You will find local products as well as many international brands.
Habaneras Torrevieja
If you prefer to have everything concentrated in one place instead of strolling through the city, then the Habaneras Shopping Centre is the place to go to. This shopping centre is smaller and quieter than the big La Zenia Boulevard.
Habaneras is also a place for leisure. There often is entertainment for the little ones and the Habaneras Kids Club regularly organizes themed activities.
Visitors can also enjoy the mini-golf, the bowling hall and the games hall and restaurants and bars complete your shopping experience.
What must be about the biggest Carrefour in Spain is situated nearby. The enormous product range contains many foreign products for the benefit of the many tourists and expats.
Zenia Boulevard
Only a few kilometres from Torrevieja you can find La Zenia Boulevard, one of the largest shopping centres of the country. One can easily spend a whole day here and there is practically always animation for children, electric cars, a little train with supervision for the little ones that travels through the entire shopping centre and a covered play area.
There are also many restaurants and bars. Practically the entire first floor is dedicated to culinary pleasure.
The enormous underground and outside parking lots are free and even in the busiest periods you will always be able to find a parking spot.
Sports in Torrevieja
Sports in Torrevieja is very important to the city council and to the inhabitants, but also the many tourists and expats can benefit from the infrastructure. Torrevieja has indeed many sporty inhabitants. 300.000m2 (3.230.000ft2) was dedicated to sports facilities.
80.000m2 (861.000ft2) contains a large sports complex with, amongst others, a heated Olympic swimming pool, an athletics track, a sports school and a multipurpose rugby field with a capacity of 3.000 spectators.
10 tennis courts, a centre court, 8 padel courts and a cafeteria complete the infrastructure.
Naturally, in a football crazy country like Spain, Torrevieja had to have its own municipal football stadium, called “Vicente García”, as well as two fully equipped football fields with artificial grass, 4 spectator stands, changing rooms, etc.
Finally, the city has a wide range of fitness centres, hiking and cycling routes, water sport activities and much more. Sports enthusiasts will certainly feel like a fish in the water here.
You can go scuba diving at various locations here, rent equipment, take lessons and go on excursions.
Furthermore, you can rent motor- and sailing boats here, with or without licence, as well as jet skis, learn to sail, wake boarding, fly boarding, kite surfing, surfing, snorkelling, …, the options seem endless.
The Olympic swimming pool of Torrevieja.
Torrevieja Marina
Torrevieja has 2 marinas and a commercial port.
The Dique de Levante is a pier that consists of 2 parts and that runs along the main marina. One part is an 800m long arm that starts at the promenade of Torrevieja and runs along the marina in a parallel line with the coastline and stretches way out into the sea, offering protection to the moored boats and to the bars and restaurants in the marina. The second part is 600m long and forms an angle of 161° with the first part.
On the pier you can enjoy the wind in your hair and the view of the sea, the marina and the boats. Occasionally you can also follow a regatta from here.
It is unbelievable how many white sails you can spot at sea then.
In the corner which the marina forms with the pier you will find a bar / restaurant one floor above the marina with a beautiful view of the anchorage area behind the protection of the pier. It is wonderful to relax here with a drink and a snack.
You also look out here over a fixed wakeboard installation where you can learn to wakeboard or, if you are an advanced wakeboarder, you can show your tricks by jumping over the ramps and by spinning pirouettes.
Torrevieja & fishing
Historically fishery has always been an important source of income for the city.
Hence it is no wonder that you can book fishing excursions here. It is certainly a must do for fishing enthusiasts!
Torrevieja park: Parque de las Naciones
Parque de las Naciones is with its 26.000m2 a surprisingly big city park. As the name suggests, the park is dedicated to the nations of Europe and so you can find a scale reproduction of the European continent here. The islets in the 6.000m2 pond form the map of Europe. Children can go boating on the pond, alone or accompanied.
The Spanish come here to enjoy the environment and each other’s company, especially in the evenings. Many also play petanque or jeux de boules.
The Parque de las Naciones is situated on the outskirts of the centre of Torrevieja, between the CV-905, the main coastal road N-332, Calle Villa de Madrid and Ronda Cesar Canovas Girada.
The Statue of the Beautiful Lola (Estatua de la Bella Lola)
Below the promenade of Torrevieja, on some rocky parts of the beach there are some white stone benches where you can rest and enjoy the view of the sea and the sound of the breaking waves.
On one of these benches rests the statue of the beautiful Lola.
She would have lost her beloved man at sea, but not able to accept the loss, she came back every day to search the horizon, waiting in vain for his return.
Las Salinas de Torrevieja
Museum of Salt
The salt lakes of Torrevieja make this city the largest salt producer in Europe.
In summertime these large water surfaces reflect the heat of the sun and, together with the evaporation effect, the salt lakes thus provide cooling during the warmest period of the year, which always makes for a few degrees less than in the rest of Spain.
The area surrounding the salt lakes is a protected nature reserve where you can go hiking. Numerous fish and bird species are to be spotted here.
To undergo the therapeutic effect of a mud bath in open nature is a recommendable experience.
In the Salt Museum you can admire sculptures of salt and boat models and of course you get a good view on harvesting and transportation of salt.
Ruta de la tapa
Twice a year, in spring and in fall, a Ruta the la Tapa is being held. It is somewhat comparable to a pub crawl, but with a focus on these delicious Spanish snacks.
It is therefore an ideal way to taste these typical Spanish delicacies and to discover new original tapas. After all this event also includes a competition and so the tapa chefs can use their creativity to the fullest to the great pleasure of the gourmets among us.
The exact data can be found at the Tourist Information Office and website.
Tip !
At only a few kilometres south of Torrevieja
Outdoor karting – Minigolf – Paintball
About halfway between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, along the N-332, nearby the Carrefour of Punta Prima, you can find Gokarts Orihuela Costa Carting.
There is a track for adults and advanced kart drivers and a track for the youngest where they can safely run laps with slower karts.
Nearby there is a paintball field and a children’s fair.
At the top-floor of a nearby commercial centre you can play mini-golf on an excellent open air mini-golf course. Between two holes you can enjoy the view on the coastline. There are also several pool tables and table games.
On both locations there is ample free parking space and drinks and snacks are available.
Transportation in Torrevieja
Public transport – taxis
The possibilities to get in and around Torrevieja are extensive.
Several bus lines that run quite punctually smoothly open up the city and its surroundings.
For about the price of a taxi from the airport of Alicante to Torrevieja, you could also rent a car for an entire week. In high season, prices are higher, but still very affordable.
Preferably choose the formula collect and return with a full gas tank, as this will be the most economic option.
When you book a rental car, it is supposed to be fully insured. Under no circumstance let yourself be coerced to take an extra insurance when you collect the car.
In some countries, like in Belgium, it is possible to take a special insurance for rental cars for a couple of tens of Euros that rental companies have to accept. Do enquire about such an insurance policy at your insurance company before you set out to rent a car.
Those who like to move around in a sportier way can rent city bicycles, off-road bicycles or even electric bicycles from various bicycle rental companies. Some of these will even bring the bicycles to your house or holiday home and collect them again.
Taxis are fairly cheap here and thus also a good choice to get around without any worry. So, do not hesitate when you have been on a night out and would better not get behind the steering wheel yourself.
Parking in Torrevieja
When you come to Torrevieja by car, you will notice that it is not so easy to park in the city, especially in high season.
However, there are several underground parking garages and, centrally situated, near the marina, there is a large underground parking garage and 2 outside parking lots.
On the parking lot of the marina you can park for a very reasonable € 2,- a day. From here you can easily go in all directions on foot.
Welcome to Torrevieja!
