Attractions in Torrevieja
- Blue Flag Beaches: Started in 1987, the Blue Flag Campaign annually recognises those beaches with excellent environmental conditions and services. The distinction is bestowed by the European Federation of Environmental Education.
- Travel tip: If you want a long stretch of secluded sand, Playa Vivers (near Guardamar) is a short 15-minute drive from Torrevieja. It's backed by sand dunes, which are dotted with pines, palms and eucalyptus (picnic anyone?).
Sand: friend and foe? It depends if you're on Torrevieja's beaches or on the Costa Blanca's heralded golf courses.
Although the lapping Mediterranean Sea and stretches of soft sand (including four prestigious Blue Flag beaches) are Torrevieja's biggest drawing points, they are not it's only attractions.
Set inland from town are Torrevieja's two lagoons, the famously pink Torrevieja and the blue La Mata. Although the site of continued salt production since Roman times, the lagoon environment is now also a protected nature reserve offering brilliant bird watching (over 200 species including flamingos), walking, bicycling and horseback riding.
If impeccably manicured 6000+ yard golf courses float your boat, five impressive golf courses sit within a 30 or so minute drive from town. For those who like nothing more than spending lazy days playing bowls, there are no less than four clubs in and around Torrevieja. For children, Torrevieja also hosts Costa Blanca's premier water park, Aquapolis.
Moorish history in the area is also strong and there are still some architectural relics lining the coast. The city of Torrevieja itself offers several museums, an elegant casino and some grand historical buildings, like the early 19th-century Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Here's a more detailed guide to what Torrevieja has to offer:
Beaches
Torrevieja's shoreline is blessed with four Blue Flag beaches and numerous quaint coves that are peaceful excursions.
Soft sands and superior services - beaches at your beckon
Stretching north from the port, there are three golden stretches of sand perfect for soaking up the sun. Playa de los Locos, Playa del Cura and Playa de la Mata are all Blue Flag beaches and sport seafront promenades, information offices, parking, bus access and oodles of other facilities (only Playa de la Mata lacks moored swimming platforms). South of the port, and sheltered by its southern dike, are the white sands of Playa de los Náufragos. It's Torrevieja's fourth Blue Flag beach and offers the most in the way of water sports.
More rocks, less sand - peaceful coves for swimming
Separating some of the popular beaches are less busy coves that make pleasant places for a swim. Cala Ferri, Cala de la Higuera and Cala de la Zorra have been recommended as good options.
Safe havens - cracking beaches for kids
With lifeguards, playgrounds and gentle seas, Playa de la Mata, Playa de los Locos, Playa del Cura and Playa de los Náufragos are good beaches for children. The flat seabed of los Locos is best suited for young swimmers.
Sunbathing missing from your vocabulary? - beaches for sports
Whether six, sixteen or sixty-six, water sports are on option on most of Torrevieja beaches. Besides beach based sports like volleyball, Playa de los Náufragos offers windsurfing and water skiing. Windsurfing is also possible at Playa de la Mata.
Full access - beaches for the disabled
Playa de los Locos, Playa del Cura and Playa de los Náufragos all offer safe wheelchair access to the beach and sea. Facilities include special walkways to the seashore, amphibian chairs, rest areas with sunshades and special furnishings, and showers with bathing chairs.
Torrevieja and La Mata National Nature Reserve
Immediately inland from the coast are Torrevieja's famous salt-water lagoons and the 3700 hectare nature reserve that now encompasses them. The two lagoons have been used for almost 2000 years to mine salt. Although production is lower today than in the 19th and 20th centuries, Torrevieja's port continues to ship one million tonnes of the salty stuff around the world each year.
Over 200 bird species have been identified in the nature reserve, including flamingos. Besides bird watching, the nature reserve is an excellent place to walk, cycle or horseback ride. Seeing that the area reserve is a salt flat, you don't have to worry about any hills!
The Sea and the Salt Museum
This ethnological museum delves into the relationship of the sea and the people of Torrevieja. It's separated into salt-making techniques, traditional fishing techniques and sail making. The most important piece in the museum's collection is a Delfin S-61 submarine, which was given to Torrevieja by the Spanish Ministry of Defence. This impressive and unique vessel is located at the fishing port. It's hoped the entire museum will soon be relocated to the port, near the recently renovated Eras de la Sal y Embarcadero Historical site.
The Interpretation of the Salt Making Industry Centre
Found at the old train station, this interpretation centre delves into the salt making industry of Torrevieja and the city's history. It also explores the relationship of the industry with the people of Torrevieja.
Church of Immaculate Conception
The Church of Immaculate Conception's vibrant three-tiered plinth towers have played in Torrevieja's blue skies for over a century and a half and now watch over the lovely palm-laden Plaza de la Constitución. The neoclassical church was built atop the site of a smaller, early 19th-century church that was destroyed in 1829. Inside is the Purisima Virgin, sculpted by Ponsad in 1940. Some of the blocks used in the church walls are from the original Moorish watchtower that used to sit on the coast nearby. The city was actually named after the Old Tower (Torre Vieja).
Torre Del Moro
This 14th cylindrical Moorish tower with crenulated top on Cape Cervera remains one of Torrevieja's greatest symbols. Built as a watchtower to warn of impending attacks from Barbary pirates, it now offers a beautiful view of the coast.
Torre La Mata
The defensive walls of this 14th Moorish tower lead some historians to believe it may have been more than a mere watch tower. Nearby, submerged in the canal that feeds the La Mata lagoon, are Roman archaeological remains from the 1st century AD.
Aquapolis Water Park
Join the grandkids on the kamikaze slides and river rapids, or take in the sun while they surf in the wave pool. The park also has some gentle slides for younger children.
