Welcome to the Costa Blanca, which means white coast and owes its name to the fact that in the past you could see many white almond trees blooming along most of the coast. The Costa Blanca today offers something for everyone, thanks to its wide range of nearby beaches, numerous attractions, culture, beautiful landscapes and a renowned reputation for having one of the healthiest climates in Europe with 320 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature. of 20 degrees.
Torrevieja - for those who want to be close to everything.
Torrevieja is one of the most famous resorts on the Costa Blanca and is a small town in the province of Alicante in the southeast of Spain and is located along the Mediterranean coast. Around 102,000 inhabitants live here and many foreign visitors choose to stay here during the cold, dark winter months in northern Europe. Thanks to the constant flow of Scandinavians, Torrevieja has a wide range of products and activities that attract most people and is a perfect destination for families with children, young people and retirees. In addition to the beautiful beaches nearby, there is also a vibrant nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants.
Beaches
In Torrevieja you will find several soft sand beaches such as Playa de los Naúfragos, Playa Los Locos, Playa del Cura, as well as promenades where you can stroll and sit in one of the many open-air restaurants.
In addition to beaches
From the port of Torrevieja there are boat trips to the small island of Tabarca and here it can be nice to walk around the town, snorkel and have lunch in one of the restaurants.
In Torrevieja there is also the Torre del Moro, which is a watchtower from the 15th century, as well as an old railway station, a large port and a beautiful casino from 1896. In the port there is a submarine that is now a museum floating.
Markets
Torrevieja's markets have a lovely selection of fruit and vegetables and much, much more, and the town market is open every Friday and is located on Avenida Delfina Viudes. Another popular market is the so-called lemon market, which is just north of Torrevieja in Guardamar and is open every Sunday, and if you don't have a car, you can easily get there by taxi.
Shopping
Torrevieja has a wide commercial offer, from small shops to shopping centers. Along the streets of Torrevieja you will find well-known international chains and local shops nearby. The Habaneras Shopping Center is a large shopping center, full of stores of all kinds and many famous international chains. In addition to these shops, there is also a cinema, a bowling alley and a variety of restaurants and bars.
La Mata – for the bather
Just north of Torrevieja is La Mata, an area with a wide sandy beach considered by many to be one of the best beaches in Spain and in its natural park (Parque Natural de Las Lagunas de Torrevieja and La Mata) you will also find lagoons of salt water and beautiful parks with hiking trails.
Los Dolses – for the golfer
The Costa Blanca is fantastic for those who enjoy golf and golf courses are close at hand. If you live in Los Dolses, you are just a stone's throw from the Villamartín and Campoamor golf courses, but within just a couple of miles there are many, many more to choose from for the avid golfer.
Los Dolses is also close to La Zenia, which has a large open-air shopping centre, Zenia Boulevard and which has the largest selection of shops on the south of the Costa Blanca. There are also many restaurants and bars here. It's worth a visit!
General information
Opening hours
Please note that in Spain they are still closed for siesta between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Smaller shops, cafes and restaurants close and open again in the evening. Large shopping centers such as Habaneras and Zenia Boulevard do not close, but it is good to remember that many may close during this time, so you will not be disappointed. The best thing is to take the customs of the place where you come from and maybe take the opportunity to take a nap when it is the hottest of the day.
Food
On the Costa Blanca you will find food from all over the world, but if you are curious to try Spanish specialties, tapas are a great way to try them. Tapas are canapés and small plates that you order and share among the entire group you are part of, rather than a single main dish per person. The typical dishes of the region are mainly different types of fish and seafood, but there is something for all tastes. These tapas can be ordered in restaurants, cafes and bars or in one of the many pleasant open-air restaurants along the promenade.
In the city's cafes you can also try "churros", which are fried pieces of dough sprinkled with sugar and often served with a cup of hot chocolate.
Keep in mind that Spanish restaurants have different hours than those of us in northern Europe are used to. Lunch in Spain doesn't start until 2pm, so if you want to have lunch at 12pm many places may still be closed. However, restaurants with a more international character tend to remain open. Also keep in mind that late dinners are the norm for Spaniards and Spanish restaurants are often empty until 9 p.m.