Torrevieja things to do, a complete & up-to-date guide

For friends & family in Torrevieja

6. Stroll along the boulevard in Torrevieja

The Paseo Vistalegre is a wide promenade that runs along the port of Torrevieja. Along this route you will find several restaurants, bars and stores with terraces overlooking the adjacent moorings.

On the promenade are several monuments, including the monument to Habaneras music. There are also seating areas under pergolas that provide shade. This location is the connection between the city center and the city’s maritime zone.

7. Stroll through the city park in Torrevieja

The Parque de las Naciones is a city park with an area of nearly 40,000 square meters, located near the city center.

At the center of the park is a large lake formed in the contours of the European map, including fountains and waterfowl such as peacocks, ducks and geese.

There are green areas with trees and plants, walking paths and a large playground for children.

8. Visit water park in Torrevieja

Aquopolis is a large water park located on the outskirts of the city that has several pools and water attractions.

The park is divided into zones of different intensity levels, ranging from high slides for adults to shallow play pools for young children.

In addition to water activities, there are sunbathing areas, restaurants and areas for relaxation. Open during the summer season, the park offers facilities for a full day of water recreation for different age groups.

9. Going to the market on Friday

You can go here to one of the largest markets in Spain(Mercadillo de Torrevieja). This market consists of more than 1,000 stalls and is held in a large area near all the sports fields in Torrevieja.

You can go there for everything, think clothes, souvenirs, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. This market is open from 07:00 to 14:00.

10. Shopping in Torrevieja

For daily groceries and local stores, head to the streets surrounding the Calle Ramón Gallud downtown. Here you will find a mix of boutiques, shoe stores and specialty stores.

Looking for a larger selection and well-known fashion brands? Then you should go to Centro Comercial Habaneras. This open-air shopping center is located on the outskirts of the city and features well-known chains such as Zara, H&M, Bershka, Stradivarius and Massimo Dutti.

Right next to this shopping center is a large branch of the Carrefour and a recreational area with a cinema and bowling alley. For large-scale stores such as the IKEA (service point), Leroy Merlin or sports store Decathlon, you can visit the nearby business park or the neighboring Zenia Boulevard (about a 15-minute drive away), which is one of the largest shopping centers in the province of Alicante.

ALE-HOP

In the center and on the boulevard of Torrevieja you will find several branches of ALE-HOP. These stores are easily recognized by the life-size black and white cow at the entrance. The assortment consists of a diverse range of gadgets, accessories, stationery and gift items at low prices.

Nature & adventure in Torrevieja

11. Discover the natural sea pools in Torrevieja

Long the art of Torrevieja are the Piscinas Naturales, artificial coves shielded from the open sea by piers and rocks.

Although man-made, these baths take advantage of the natural tides and seawater, allowing you to swim without the strong currents or high waves of the open sea.

12. To the beach in Torrevieja

Torrevieja offers a diverse coastline that connects directly to urban life. In the center is the popular Playa del Cura, a sandy beach on the promenade with numerous restaurants and amenities.

On the north side of town lies Playa de los Locos, a spacious sandy beach popular with swimmers who want to avoid the crowds of the absolute center.

For a natural beach experience Playa de la Mata the best option. This is the longest and widest beach in the municipality, complete with a wooden walkway through the dunes and several beach bars.

Those who prefer quiet surroundings will find at Cabo Cervera several rocky coves(calas) with clear waters, which are ideal locations for snorkelers.

13. Sports in Torrevieja

Torrevieja boasts one of the Costa Blanca’s largest sports complexes, the Ciudad Deportiva (Sports City). This huge site houses facilities for virtually every sporting discipline.

You will find a modern soccer stadium, several artificial turf fields and a professional athletics track. For indoor sports, there is the Palacio de los Deportes, an impressive sports hall where basketball, handball and indoor soccer are played. There are also numerous tennis and padel courts available for hire by local clubs and tourists alike.

The complex is a well-known location for international sports teams who store their training camps here during the winter months because of its mild climate and high-quality infrastructure. For swimmers, there is an Olympic-sized indoor pool and several outdoor pools. You will also find a well-equipped gym and a rugby field on the grounds.

Water Sports and Golf

In addition to its mainland facilities, Torrevieja is an important center for water sports. The various marinas offer sailing lessons, rowing and kayaking.

For golfers, there are several renowned courses within 15 to 20 minutes’ drive, such as Villamartín Golf, Las Ramblas and the prestigious Las Colinas Golf & Country Club. These courses offer different levels of difficulty and are located in the rolling hills just outside the city.

Events & culture in Torrevieja

14. Visit the Media Maratón de Torrevieja

Every spring (usually in February), the city hosts the International Half Marathon. This sporting event attracts thousands of runners who cover a 21-kilometer course through the streets and along the coastline.

The route is mostly flat and runs largely along the boulevards, making it a perfect place for spectators to cheer on the runners.

15. Visit the Museo de Historia Natural

This museum focuses on the biodiversity of the region and the Torrevieja coast. The Museo de Historia Natural houses collections of skeletons of marine mammals (such as dolphins and whales), collections of sea shells and information about the various bird species that live in the nearby salt lakes.

It is an educational place where the ecological value of the Natural Park Las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja is explained, making it an interesting visit for nature lovers.

16. Visit the Museo del Mar y de la Sal

This is the city’s main museum and is dedicated to Torrevieja’s two pillars: the sea and salt.

At the Museo del Mar y de la Sal, learn how salt mining has shaped the landscape and the economy. You’ll find an impressive collection of objects ranging from archaeological finds to artisanal works made from salt (such as the famous salt boats).

The museum offers in-depth insight into local fishing traditions and the historic salt industry that put the town on the map worldwide.

17. Explore the floating museums in the harbor

In the port of Torrevieja you will find the Museos Flotantes, a unique experience where you can board historic ships. The showpiece is the S-61 Delfín, a real submarine of the Spanish Navy that now serves as a museum.

In addition, you can visit the patrol boat Albatross III and the salt barge Pascual Flores. During a tour of the submarine’s cramped compartments, you will get a realistic picture of how the crew lived and worked underwater.

18. Special holidays in Torrevieja

• February: Carnaval de Torrevieja, this is one of the most spectacular carnival celebrations in the province of Alicante. The city is dominated for weeks by colorful costumes and impressive floats, culminating in the grand parade and competition for the best show groups(comparsas);

• March/April: Semana Santa (Holy Week), Torrevieja celebrates Holy Week with processions in which heavy religious statues(tronos) are carried through the center. The procession of silence on Good Friday is one of the most moving moments for residents and visitors alike;

• May: Feria de Mayo, a typical Andalusian fiesta brought to the Costa Blanca. Tents(casetas) are set up in the harbor where people enjoy Sevillanas music, dancing, traditional dress and local gastronomy;

• June: Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Night), on the night of June 23, traditional bonfires are lit on Torrevieja beaches, such as Playa del Cura. It is customary at midnight to wash feet in the sea for good luck and purification;

• July: Virgen del Carmen, on July 16 the fishing community celebrates the day of their patron saint. The highlight is the maritime procession, in which the image of the Virgin leaves the port on a boat, accompanied by a large fleet of local fishing vessels and yachts;

• August: Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonía, this internationally renowned choral festival has been taking place in the port since 1955. It celebrates the historical connection between Torrevieja and Cuba through the Habaneras, melancholic sea shanties brought by sailors;

• December: Fiestas Patronales de la Purísima, in honor of the city’s patron saint, several events take place in early December, including the Gigantes y Cabezudos (giants and fatheads) roaming the streets and spectacular fireworks shows.

Things to do from Torrevieja

19. Visit the palm grove of Elche (El Palmeral).

About a 30-minute drive north of Torrevieja is the town of Elche, known for the largest palm grove in Europe.

This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has more than 200,000 palm trees. Within this forest you can visit the Huerto del Cura visit, a botanical garden home to the famous seven-stemmed Imperial Palm.

The garden is decorated with ponds, peacocks and a large collection of cacti. The palm grove was originally created by the Moors and forms a unique landscape in this part of Spain.

20. Discover the dune area of Guardamar del Segura

About 15 minutes’ drive from Torrevieja is Guardamar del Segura, a coastal town known for the natural park Alfonso XIII.

This is a vast 800-acre dune area with thousands of planted pine, eucalyptus and palm trees. These trees were planted in the late 19th century to hold back the encroaching dune sand.

You can walk or bike here on the landscaped paths that lead through the woods directly to the wide sandy beaches. In the park you will also find the ruins of an ancient Arab fortress(Rábita Califal).

21. See the Embalse de la Pedrera reservoir

About a 20-minute drive inland is the Embalse de la Pedrera reservoir, near the village of Torremendo. This reservoir is notable for its bright, azure water that contrasts sharply with the dry, surrounding hills.

Although you are not allowed to swim in the lake, there is a road that leads completely around the lake, offering several vantage points over the dam and water. The area around the lake is popular for mountain biking and hiking through the extensive nature and almond and orange groves that characterize the region.

Nice places in the surroundings of Torrevieja

22. Los Montesinos (about a 15-minute drive).

Los Montesinos lies inland and offers a glimpse of traditional Spanish life around the central church square. The area borders the north side of the pink salt lake. This makes the village a convenient starting point for hiking trails where you can often spot flamingos.

23. Santa Pola (about a 20-minute drive).

In this fishing town you will find an active port where fresh fish is brought in daily. From the quay, boats leave for the island of Tabarca, a protected marine reserve. In the village center of Santa Pola stands a 16th-century castle fortress that houses the maritime museum.

24. Orihuela Costa (about a 25-minute drive).

This coastal area consists of several sandy beaches and coves, such as La Zenia and Cabo Roig, connected by a continuous footpath. In addition to water sports and beach bars, you will find several golf courses and the large open-air shopping center Zenia Boulevard.

25. Elche (about a 30-minute drive)

Elche is known for the Palmeral de Elche, a palm grove with more than 200,000 date palms that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here you can visit the Huerto del Cura, a private botanical garden with a unique collection of cacti and the famous seven-stemmed palm. In the historic city center, the Basilica of Santa María is a striking point in the cityscape.

26. Alicante (approx. 50-minute drive).

The provincial capital of Alicante has a famous boulevard, the Explanada de España, and the historic district of Barrio de la Santa Cruz. Atop Mount Benacantil is the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. This fortress offers sweeping views of the harbor and the entire coastline.

More tips for your visit to Torrevieja

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