Torrevieja, on Spain's Costa Blanca

Torrevieja on the Southern Costa Blanca of Spain is about 35km south of Alicante airport and is right on the coast, just south of the other large resort of Guardamar Del Segura. Torrevieja used to be a tiny fishing village, like many Costa Blanca towns, but it has experienced a huge explosion in population and development in recent times, mostly due to the huge numbers of people moving to Torrevieja from Northern Europe or buying holiday homes in the area. These consist of mainly of apartments, some luxurious and beach front with fantastic sea views, or apartments, flats and townhouses situated in the middle of the main town within walking distance of Torrevieja shops and restaurants.

For those considering buying a business, opening a business or starting a new business in Torrevieja, there are many commercial properties for sale (se vende) or for rent (se alquiler). Torrevieja, as a rapidly expanding town, has excellent facilities with three good local hospitals. There is a wide selection of property in Torrevieja. You can find typical Spanish apartments in the heart of this vibrant town, beautiful urbanisation resorts with a great choice of apartments, Duplexes, townhouses and villas and there are lots of individual resale homes and off plan properties and options. Torrevieja is an excellent town to buy your first property in Spain as it has so many amenities and it’s a good town to ease your way into the Spanish way of life.

Torrevieja is surrounded by salt lakes, Europe’s oldest and largest and as a result, the Torrevieja climate is said to be one of the healthiest places in the world to live. The salt lakes at Torrevieja and La Mata are protected and form the habitat for numerous protected species of birds such as the greater flamingo. The salt is also commercially extracted providing one of Torrevieja’s main industries. The fascinating Sea and Salt museum can be found in Torrevieja town. Any visitor to Torrevieja is bound to visit the harbour area with its numerous restaurants, tapas bars and shops. The fish restaurants offer fresh fish from the local fishing boats.

The esteemed Real Club Nautica of Torrevieja and Puerto Deportivo Marina holds in excess of 1500 moorings. Torrevieja has many attractive parks (parques), gardens (jardins) and squares (plazas) to sit down and enjoy the shade. Torrevieja’s indoor market offers fish meat and fresh vegetables. Torrevieja’s weekly local market is on a Tuesday and also offers locally m ade goods and produce. Torrevieja has two water parks, Aquapolis and Flamingo, and a large indoor sports centre. Spanish music fans and tourists flock here in August for the Habanera Festival, a celebration of the lilting songs bought back to the town from Cuba by the 19th - century salt explorers.

Torrevieja loves its fiestas, not only does it celebrate traditional festivals but these have been joined by newly created ones that have been promoted due to the importance of tourism in Torrevieja.

Starting from the beginning of the New Year, the first fiesta takes place on 5 January with the colourful and imaginative “Parade of the Three Wise Men”. February is Carnival time and the streets are filled with music and crowds that take part in the many parades, both during the day and at night. Easter is a time of solemnity and devotion, with many processions over the Easter period. Some of the most important of these processions is the “Silent Procession” on Maundy Thursday, and the “Holy Burial Procession” on Good Friday, as well as the “Encounter” on the morning of Easter Sunday.

In May, Torrevieja has its “May Fair”, which is a small taste of Andalusia beside the port of Torrevieja. The atmosphere is similar to what one might find on the streets of Seville. This is followed by the “Procession in Honour of the Virgin of the Rocio” that takes place during the month of June. Also during this month, Torrevieja enjoys the “Festival of the Sacred Heart”.

During the month of July there is the “Sailors Festival”, which is in honour of the Virgin of the Carmen. This is followed by the most famous cultural event of the city, the International Habaneras and Polyphony Contest.

The month of August honours Saint Emigdio, the Co-patron Saint of the city. This is especially celebrated around the Calvario District. August also celebrates the Coronation of the Salt Queen as well as the festival in honour of Saint Roque. Also, during this month, Torrevieja honours the Assumption of the Virgin, which is commemorated in a Holy Mass in the main church in Torrevieja.

November is the turn for musicians who honour their Patron Saint Cecilia with live concerts and parades.

The most important fiesta of Torrevieja is held in December in honour of the Patron of the city, the Immaculate Conception. Torrevieja is decorated with colourful parades of ‘carnival figures with large heads’ and are joined by the sounds of the flute and the drum. On 8 December, day of the Immaculate, a solemn procession takes place around the main streets of Torrevieja.

There are some wonderful examples of Moorish architecture around Torrevieja town including the Torre del Moro – a 14th century cylindrical Moorish tower. The beautiful neoclassical Church of Immaculate Conception in Torrevieja was built in the early 19th- Century where the original church was built before being destroyed in 1829.

Torrevieja property and Torrevieja real estate has risen considerably in the last few years as many people from Northern Europe have realised it is an excellent town to buy a home, whether it is a holiday home or a home for a retirement investment. Therefore, Torrevieja house and property prices have surged upwards. It is still possible to find cheap bargain properties in Torrevieja or bargain properties in need of some renovation. The houses are better known as villas, and old houses are better known as fincas. Most villa properties for sale will be outside of the main town in urbanisations surrounding Torrevieja.

Torrevieja has some huge urbanisations to the south such as Dona Pepa, Los Balcones, Residencia Los Altos, San Luis, La Siesta, El Chaparral, Toretta and El Limonar.

BEACHES AROUND TORREVIEJA.

The fine white sand and clear still waters of the Mediterranean lapping on the beaches of Torrevieja and the Costa Blanca are one of the main attractions to the area. Most beaches provide entertainment areas for children, volleyball, showers, climbing frames and water slides. There is an abundance of cafes and bars along the waterfront promenades to sit and relax and enjoy the refreshments and tapas on offer. There are numerous glorious beaches, including La Mata, Guardamar, Playa Flamenca, Los Locos, and El Cura. Playa Los Locos Towards Torrevieja, the beach becomes a series of small coves that spread up to Cabo Cervera. This part of the beach has been adapted for disabled persons, or persons of limited mobility. There is a lifeguard and Red Cross facilities, along with good parking areas, restaurants and disabled facilities. Playa Del Cura Is one of the most popular beaches as it has games and activities for children, including a park. It has the attention of the Red Cross along with disabled facilities. It has numerous bars and restaurants set along the promenade at the back of the golden sandy beach. Windsurfing and waterskiing can be enjoyed here Torrelamata Beach Has many attractions for divers and nautical sports. The beach is always very clean and has numerous facilities for families and children and has lifeguards for your security. The water has a beautiful blue colour and is crystal clear.

See below to view a selection of our bargain properties in Torrevieja.