Vega Baja del Segura, features & places

Vega Baja del Segura is the southernmost comarca of the province of Alicante. The region gets its name from the River Segura, which flows through a fertile plain(vega) before flowing into the Mediterranean at Guardamar del Segura.

It is a region of contrasts: from the vast orchards of the interior to the world-renowned salt lakes and popular coastal towns of southern Costa Blanca.

Character and landscape

The landscape of Vega Baja is mostly flat and very fertile, which has made it one of the most important agricultural regions in Europe. On the coastline, the region is bordered by wide beaches and impressive lagoons.

Landscape features:

• Fertile river plain: a vast network of irrigation canals that supplies the region with water for horticulture;

• Salt Lakes of Torrevieja and La Mata: two huge natural lagoons, whose pink color from salt extraction is world famous;

• Dune areas: extensive, protected dunes with pine forests along the coast near Guardamar;

• Rock formations: steep cliffs and hidden coves at the coastal strip of Orihuela Costa.

Important towns and villages Vega Baja del Segura

The region has a unique structure with a historic Episcopal city inland and modern, international cities on the coast.

Orihuela

This is the historical capital of the region. Orihuela has one of the best preserved monumental centers of the province with numerous palaces, churches and a cathedral. The municipality is huge and extends to the coast(Orihuela Costa).

Torrevieja

Once a small fishing village known for salt mining, it is now one of the Costa Blanca’s largest and most international cities. Torrevieja offers vibrant city life, modern marinas and sprawling boulevards.

Guardamar del Segura

Known for its beautiful combination of river, sea and forest. Located at the mouth of the Segura River, it is protected from the encroaching dunes by an extensive pine forest (the Alfonso XIII Park).

Rojales and Ciudad Quesada

Rojales is a traditional village known for its cave dwellings. It spawned the large urbanization Ciudad Quesada, which has grown into an independent core with its own golf course and a very large international community.

Pilar de la Horadada

The southernmost municipality in the region and province. Pilar de la Horadada combines an active village center with the popular coastal areas of Torre de la Horadada and Mil Palmeras.

Local economy and facilities

The Vega Baja is economically very stable due to the combination of mass tourism and large-scale export agriculture.

• Agro-industry: the region is also called the vegetable garden of Europe because of its huge production of citrus fruits, artichokes and broccoli;

• Tourism: a very high concentration of vacation homes, hotels and recreational facilities;

• Salt production: the lagoons of Torrevieja produce hundreds of thousands of tons of salt for the world market every year;

• Services and care: due to its large international population, the region has numerous international clinics, schools and the large hospital of Torrevieja.

The region is well connected by the AP-7 freeway and the N-332 coastal road, providing easy access to both Alicante and Murcia (Corvera) airports.

Nature and active recreation

Nature in the Vega Baja is unique because of the presence of salt water and wetlands.

• Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja: a protected area ideal for hiking, biking and flamingo observation;

• Golf resorts: the region has one of the highest concentrations of golf courses in Spain, including Villamartín, Las Ramblasand Las Colinas;

• Water sports: Guardamar and Torrevieja offer extensive opportunities for sailing, kitesurfing and sport fishing;

• The Segura Route: a path along the river popular with cyclists who want to ride from inland to the coast.

Culture and traditions

The culture in Vega Baja is rich in history and religious expressions, with influences from both Valencian and Castilian traditions.

• Semana Santa: Holy Week in Orihuela has been declared of International Tourist Interest and is one of the most impressive in Spain;

• Gastronomy: typical dishes are Cocido con Pelotas and various rice dishes with vegetables from their own vega;

• Habaneras: Torrevieja is world-famous for its annual international choral festival of Habanera music;

• Museums: Orihuela houses the birthplace of the famous poet Miguel Hernández.

Real estate and living environment

The Vega Baja is one of the most popular regions in Europe for buying a second home. The offer is huge and very varied: from modern new-build apartments in Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa to luxury villas on the golf courses and authentic country houses in the villages of the interior.

Excellent amenities and relatively favorable prices make the region very popular for permanent residence by people from all over Europe.

Question & answer (FAQ)

See the other 8 regions of Costa Blanca

• Marina Alta: a mountainous coastal region in the north known for its jagged cliffs, hidden coves and the Montgó massif;

• Marina Baixa: a region of contrasts where the skyline of Benidorm and beautiful Altea meet at the foot of the high Sierra Aitana;

• El Comtat: an authentic inland district characterized by unspoiled natural parks, medieval markets and a rich tradition in olive oil and spices;

• L’Alcoià: the industrial heart in the mountains, known for its many bridges in Alcoy and its worldwide toy and doll production;

• L’Alacantí: the central region surrounding the provincial capital of Alicante, where urban culture and wide sandy beaches take center stage;

• Alt Vinalopó: a historic frontier area in the northwest with imposing castles, extensive vineyards and a rich archaeological heritage;

• Vinalopó Mitjà: the central valley of shoe industry and marble extraction, surrounded by mountains and vast fields of table grapes;

• Baix Vinalopó: a flat coastal region characterized by the largest palm oasis in Europe, extensive dunes and the international airport.