South Costa Blanca

It is one of the greenest residential areas in South Costa Blanca with something to offer everyone. A great choice of properties are available, apartments, townhouses, villas etc.,some with small gardens, others on much larger plots, newer or older houses, depends on individual needs.  New construction has been restricted here with thought being given to provide parks, open spaces and to safeguard the natural green areas ( Zona verde ). Nicknamed ‘Beverley Hills’.

The centre of the village provides a focal point and meeting area for local residents (  approx. 3,000 )  and holiday makers. The main street provides a plethory of bars, restaurants and shops, offering multi cultural gastronomy. In amongst them is a library, a doctors surgery, dentist, optician, chemist with a short walk to the local church used by a number of denominations.

Leaving the centre of the village there are 2 further commercial areas offering bars, restaurants and shops and these are situated in the newer part at the entrance of the village. Many of the bars here take advantage of the fabulous views of the local countryside and those of the Mediterranean and Mar Menor.

On the outskirts of the village is a municipal sports zone, with tennis courts and a football pitch and two public swimming pools which open throughout the summer with a lifeguard presence.  An active Neighbourhood Watch group and a police presence keeps the crime figures in the village very low.

Sunday morning is when the village springs to life with its own market in the main square selling fruit & vegetables, cooked chickens, clothes, handbags, touristic novelties and charity stalls for cancer and animals. Everyone tends to meet in the bars for a chat over coffee and toast or coffee and cake or better still, fresh orange juice. Perfect time to catch up with your friends.

A bus service enables residents or holiday makers to easily get to the local town of Pilar de la Horadada or go on further to the local beaches of El Mojon, Torre de la Horadada & Mil Palmeras.

Most people are introduced to Pinar de Campoverde by friends or relations but others by estate agents. Pinar de Campoverde is surrounded by natural beauty and as its position is higher than the local coastline many properties boast both country sea views. Despite its highly desirable location and ambiance, house prices remain reasonable.

Pinar de Campoverde now attracts the golfers as well as coastal holiday makers to the village. The new golf course ‘Lo Romero’ is loved by the local golfers and is now seen as one of the best courses in the area. It will certainly increase the number of visitors, which will be good for the village’s economy.

The Rio Seco Natural Park, a protected green zone along a dry river bed continues to draw the visitors. It is home to countless birds, wild animals, ancient trees and aromatic plants and is a walkers' paradise. It  takes  ramblers ( following the signs ) alongside a gorge of sandstone rock, shaped over the years by the elements to produce some stunning formations,. All around, the sound of bird song fills the air. For the more adventurous hiker, the trail forks off and you can follow a 10km track across country all the way to Mil Palmeras.

Pinar de Campoverde is only a short 10km drive from Pilar de la Horadada, and some of the area's best beaches at Torre de la Horadada, Mil Palmeras & El Mojon and the salt lakes and mud baths at San Pedro del Pinatar. Whether you're looking for a day out, away from the hustle and bustle, enjoying all that nature has to offer, or looking longer-term for a quiet and healthy lifestyle, Pinar de Campoverde has it all.

The area has seen some development over the last few years but it is still seen as a small haven on the coastline. The coastline extends towards San Pedro del Pinatar, bordering the salt lakes (famous for its flamingos) and conservation area and heads towards the port.

The area provides shops, bars and restaurants and for those extra facilities, the towns of Pilar de la Horadada and San Pedro del Pinatar are close by.

The promenade overlooks the marina and is home to many ice cream parlours. It links the beaches and allows the walking of the coastal footpath along the whole stretch of this coast. The coastline here is more than 14km long with very differing scenery.

Torre de la Horadada is central to this coastline and here you will find the 16th century defensive tower built to warn off the approach of enemy boats. There is a choice of beaches: small sandy coves, long wide beaches with fine white sand which are all very safe. The cleanliness of the beaches has earned them the European Blue flag. The beaches are used for volleyball, beach handball, football and for individuals gymnastics, walking and sea swimming.

There are many additional activities in the summer: competitions, concerts, firework displays, something for everyone. The marina is the focal point, centre for the sailing club, and the area offers water skiing, sailing, scuba diving and sports fishing.

Close by is the town of Pilar de la Horadada with its church, medical centre, banks, supermarkets and dynamic modern sports centre with crown green bowling, badminton, tennis, swimming, football etc., and for the golfer there is a choice of some 8 courses. The closest being the new Lo Romero golf course only 5 minute drive away, then Villamartin, Las Ramblas and Dehesa de Campoamor 10 minutes away and the rest La Serena, Roda Golf, La Manga, La Torre Golf and the Mar Menor Resort are to the south.

The area is made up of detached villas and many apartment blocks, encouraging a large influx of both summer and winter visitors. It embraces with the famous Rio Mar Resort well known for its beautiful garden and pool areas, which has recently been extended to the sea front.

The centre of the resort is made up of a walkway with bars, restaurants and shops lining each side of the street. It stretches from a large car park down to the promenade and beach. The whole area has seen an upgrading, with new pavements and road surfaces to entice the holiday maker and visitors.

Tucked away is a bar and restaurant, The Olympia, which offers an alternative to the beach. Relax the day away in its large garden and swimming pool. Or take a stroll over to the square, Peublo Latino, in Torre de la Horadada, to enjoy the more traditional Spanish restaurants.

If you have time, don't forget to visit the market on Tuesdays.

Villamartin is famous for its golf course. This course was designed by Mr. Puttman and opened in 1972. It is, therefore, one of the most established courses in the Community of Valencia.

Its extraordinary design and unmatched setting undoubtedly make this course one of the best golf courses in Spain. Its well-rooted and mature vegetation of over 35 years provides a beautiful backdrop.

VILLAMARTIN Golf provides a circuit for players of all skill levels to enjoy since it requires the use of every club in the bag. The greens at VILLAMARTIN are wonderfully designed and have attracted very important Tournaments.

The area is also close to Las Ramblas and Real de Campoamor golf courses and the three make up the golfing triangle.

Villamartin Plaza is also a renowned focal point. It is located at the centre of the Villamartin golf urbanization on the southern Costa Blanca. It is famous for its excellent range of bars and restaurants where visitors can enjoy a great drinking and dining experience, with a wide range of cuisines to suit every taste. There are also plenty of other facilities within the plaza area including shops, banks, pharmacy and a medical clinic.

The local beaches for the area are La Zenia, Cabo Roig and Campoamor which are only a 5 minute drive away.

The village offers a working Spanish community which is developing into a thriving village, with lots of bars, restaurants and shopping opportunities with a focus on trying out your Spanish language skills. It has a central square that provides the focal point for feast days and holiday activities and houses the local church. The townhall can also be found here, which provides maps of the local area with tourist information. It has its own local market on Friday afternoon.

The area is 10 mins from the coast, either the small coves of the Orihuela Costa or the long sandy beach of Guardamar. The choice is yours. It offers the best in rural living with the facilities of the coastal region. It is also an ideal location, for the cities of Orihuela, Elche, Murcia or Alicante for shopping and/or culture.

Close by is the conservation area, Salinas de Torrevieja. Here are footpaths, for walkers or cyclists that guide you around the natural park of Las Lagunas taking in the historical and ethnologic interests. The area is abound with fauna and flora. An area for relaxation.

San Miguel is centrally placed between the historic and important cities of Alicante, Cartagena and Murcia which are now modern bustling cities, with the best in shopping.

The town has easy access to the motorway network and so the perfect holiday destination for travellers landing at Alicante airport or that of San Javier.

The town offers a plethory of Activities - absolutely everything you could want, from top class golf courses (Villamartin, Las ramblas, & Campoamor – 5 min drive away) to horse riding and fishing, nightlife and wildlife. There is a regular cultural programme (famous for its fiestas and fireworks) and there's no shortage of social events. The busy local market on Wednesdays must not be missed for that perfect bargain. The town provides everything from Cave houses to Restaurants and Bars and all the other Local Services you'd expect.

Within 10 kilometres there are many Blue Flag awarded beaches along the Mediterranean coastline from Guadamar to the north and Campoamor to the south ( which includes all the beaches on the Orihuela Costa ), a different beach every day if that is what you want.

Punta Prima

Punta Prima is located close to the sea and offers a choice of older properties or more recent a development of high quality apartments in very nice surroundings: gardens and pool areas. The area provides walks along the coastal path either northwards to Torrevieja or south through the Orihuela Costa resorts.

Playa Flamenca

Playa Flamenca is one of the popular resorts along the Orihuela Costa today. The recently refurbished beach area and walkway are very attractive. The planned cliff walk will eventually run all the way from Campoamor to the busy town of Torrevieja, taking in the fabulous resorts of Cabo Roig, La Zenia and Punta Prima along the way.

Playa Flamenca is situated on both sides of the N332 coast road between Punta Prima and La Zenia and is just a short drive from the busy town of Torrevieja. To access Playa Flamenca you need to turn off the N332 at the Mercadona supermarket and the Orihuela Costa Town Hall. Also close by is the La Zenia exit from the AP-7 motorway.

Playa Flamenca is convenient for both Murcia and Alicante airports and is about a 30 minute drive from Murcia (San Javier) airport and a 45 minute drive from Alicante.

The well known Playa Flamenca market takes place every Saturday and shoppers from miles around flock to this exciting and vibrant market. Located on the main road through Playa Flamenca, from just past the Mercadona supermarket, it stretches for about a mile and although it can get very busy, the wide street on which it is held allows plenty of space for visitors to enjoy the experience.

All manner of goods can be purchased on the Playa Flamenca market, from fresh locally grown produce to clothes, bags, flowers and sweets. You can also try a Spanish paella or a Spanish omelette, cooked in the traditional way.

The Flamenca Beach commercial centre, together with Via Park and La Mosca are the main locations for bars, shops and restaurants, and here you will find everything you need in the way of entertainment. There are a wide range of restaurants offering dishes from all over the world, and there is also plenty of opportunities to try a spot of karaoke, watch a live act, catch up on the latest sport or join in a pub quiz.

Playa Flamenca is renowned for its fine weather and enjoys a beautiful warm Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, the area is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine every year and infrequent rainfall. Playa Flamenca is the perfect place to enjoy a family holiday or to relocate.

For golfers, there are the 3 main  golf courses all within 5 minute drive, that is Campoamor, Las Ramblas and Villamartin. Taking a slightly longer drive, there is the golf courses of La Finca, El Romero leading to the courses around Los Alcazarrea: Roda Golf, La Serena and the Mar Menor Resort.

La Zenia

Located between the resorts of Playa Flamenca and Cabo Roig on the N-332 coastal road, La Zenia has a lovely sandy beach, a first class hotel and a decent range of facilities. A huge new commercial centre being developed near to the Motorway exit will further enhance the range of facilities available to visitors.

La Zenia is a popular location for holidaymakers visiting the southern Costa Blanca, Spain. La Zenia has expanded in recent years to satisfy the needs of those seeking a new life in the sun, or simply a holiday retreat in sunnier climes

Beside the roundabout on the N-332 you will find a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants and if you have time be sure to spend an hour or two and take the cliff walk to Cabo Roig, this is a very pleasant way to spend a hot summers evening and you can enjoy the cooling sea breeze whilst taking in some breathtaking views across the Mediterranean along the coast to La Manga.

If you are in La Zenia on a Saturday do not forget to stroll along to the fabulous market at Playa Flamenca, a great place to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and to pick up some gifts and bargains to take home with you.

Cabo Roig

Cabo Roig, is an exclusive area within the Costa Blanca region. It is located just 15 minutes from San Javier airport and 45 minutes from Alicante airport (famous for its nightlife and major shopping areas) Elche, Orihuela, Murcia, Cartagena, areas rich in cultural events, traditional celebrations, museums, historic monuments and spas. So plenty of choice for flights and activities.
There is a choice of beaches here at Cabo Roig, Caleta beach or Cala Capitan or you can visit the beaches of Dehesa de Campoamor ( south ) or La Zenia ( north ). There are plenty of beaches to choose from within the 5 mile stretch of Orihuela coastline.

Cabo Roig is well known for the ‘strip’ an area amass with bars, restaurants, shops and entertainment and close to medical facilities, bus routes etc., so an ideal location for those not wanting to drive.

Close by is the well known Playa Flamenca market which takes place every Saturday and shoppers from miles around flock to this exciting and vibrant market. Located on the main road through Playa Flamenca, from just past the Mercadona supermarket, it stretches for about a mile and although it can get very busy, the wide street on which it is held allows plenty of space for visitors to enjoy the experience.

All manner of goods can be purchased on the Playa Flamenca market, from fresh locally grown produce to clothes, bags, flowers and sweets. You can also try a Spanish paella or a Spanish omelette cooked in the traditional way.

For golfers, there are the 3 main  golf courses all within 5 minute drive, that is Campoamor, Las Ramblas and Villamartin. Taking a slightly longer drive, there is the golf courses of La Finca, El Romero leading to the courses around Los Alcazarres: Roda Golf, La Serena and the Mar Menor Resort.

Campoamor

Situated in the south of the Orihuela Costa region, the lovely coastal resort of Campoamor is a perfect location for a family holiday, having a good range of facilities and some wonderful sandy beaches. Campoamor is handily placed for visiting both the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida regions and can be accessed from both Murcia (San Javier) airport which is 20 minutes drive away and from Alicante airport which is about a 45 minute drive.

Campoamor and Cabo Roig attract both Spanish and foreign visitors and has a large British expat community. A large amount of property development has taken place in both resorts in recent years and there are a good selection of properties available to rent or to purchase should you be looking to buy a holiday home in the sun.

Hotel accommodation is available in the Campoamor Golf Hotel and also along the Cabo Roig strip, with a number of aparthotels to choose from.

Campoamor is located on the N332 coastal road and can also be accessed from the AP-7 motorway (Dehesa de Campoamor exit).

Torrevieja lies about 30 miles south of the city of Alicante and was originally a salt-mining and fishing village as it is located between the sea and two large salt lakes (Las Salinas), which give Torrevieja a healthy micro climate.

Until 1802, Torrevieja existed only as an ancient guard tower, which gave the town its name (Torre Vieja (Spanish) means Old Tower) and some labourers' cottages. But in 1803, Charles IV authorized the movement of the salt mines from La Mata to the town itself and allowed the construction of dwellings there. In 1829, the town was totally destroyed by an earthquake but the mines were soon reconstructed and re-opened. In 1931, Alfonso XIII gave Torrevieja city status by special grant.

In the 20th century, a quarter of all the salt mined in Torrevieja, was sold in Spain itself and the rest exported was to foreign markets. Today, it is still an important industry in Torrevieja. You can visit the Museum of Sea and Salt.

In recent years the local economy has hugely expanded due to the tourist industry. This includes both a strong contingent of British, Germans and Scandinavians, many of whom live there all the year round, and Spanish tourists who have a holiday home in the city.

Places of interest include:

• Iglesia Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción - Originally erected in 1789 and then reconstructed in 1844, using stones reclaimed from the original Torre Vieja, (Old Tower)
• Parque de las Naciones or The Park of the Nations
• Museo del Mar y de la Sal (Sea and Salt Museum)
• Las Salinas - The salt lakes to the west of the city
• Paraje Natural Municipal Molino Del Agua - A natural park

And for the shopaholics the new shopping centre of Habaneras.

Torrevieja is well known for its very good bus service into the centre of the city.

It is still predominantly a Spanish village but has encouraged tourism with its new developments and easy access to local activities. Visitors have on hand a regular bus service along the coast and into the town of Torrevieja.

For tourists there is:

• The boardwalk which stretches the length of the beach area, safe from traffic and ideal for that evening stroll
• The ‘Salinas de la Mata’ is the beautiful salt water lake which is a Spanish nature reserve, boasting fauna and flora
• Parque Molino de Agua, a picnic area, ideal for walkers and cyclists and is wheelchair friendly
• An excellent street market every Wednesday
• An attractive beach with bars & restaurants

An area, that must be visited as it is ideal for both permanent living and for holidays. For golf lovers, there are courses available, Villamartin, Las Ramblas and Campoamor are within a 15 minute drive.

A typical Spanish fishing village, which has extended over the years, now provides a focal point for holiday makers and is an important coastal resort. The resort comes alive in the summer months and the long stretch of beach is an attraction for all. To the north of the resort, is a conservation area made up of pines and fauna and the beach is lined with sanddunes which extends to Santa Pola.

A castle can be seen over shadowing the town and at fiesta time sees the meeting of the Moors and Christians in full costume. Visit the local park to see its famous black swans. The town has a market on a Friday and lots of choice in shops, bars, restaurants etc.,

A town that is well worth a visit and ideal location for a holiday home or permanent living.

That man was Justo Quesada Samper and his childhood dream was to build his own city where people could live together in harmony, prosper and enjoy life to the full. His dream started to become a reality in 1972 when building began in what would become the town of Ciudad Quesada , rising up on the hillside, close to the older town of Rojales. The white villas and houses of the town look down on the surrounding countryside from their lofty position on the hillside, and can be seen for miles around.

The main access to Ciudad Quesada is through an impressive arched gateway just off the CV-90 road to Torrevieja, and also giving great access is junction 745 of the AP-7 motorway, linking Quesada handily with Alicante, Murcia and Cartagena - the airport at Alicante is just 30 minutes away. The main commercial centre of Quesada is just through the archway and here you will find a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants, Quesada also boasts a Social Club, a Medical Centre and an eighteen hole golf course and on the top of the hill you will find an excellent Aqua Splash water park with a great selection of slides and pools.

Although Quesada itself is new and modern, the nearby towns of Rojales and Formentera del Segura, are much older with many interesting places to visit, well worth a look are the cave houses at El Rodeo (Rojales), dug into the hillside during the 19th Century and now the location of a craft market, be sure to also visit the nearby Shell House a tribute to another man's incredible patience. Another interesting place to visit is the Natural Park which includes the salt lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja, now a protected area the Parque Natural de La Mata y Torrevieja is an important area for bird life, there is also a lovely shaded picnic area.

For beach lovers, the nearby towns of Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja can provide all that is needed, Guardamar in particular has miles of clean sandy beaches.

Of course much is also offered to the holiday-maker, from the coastal road N-332 you can visit the hinterland and the close cities like Santa Pola, and Alicante to the north and Guardamar, Torrevieja, and Murcia to the south. It is only a 20 minute drive from Alicante airport.

There is an unquestionably attractive coastal landscape for tourists, and the bathing season starts in spring and lasts until autumn. The sandy beach at La Marina stretches some 17 kilometres from Santa Pola to Torrevieja.

The area is famous for its environmental uniqueness, where great expanses of beach combine with spectacular rolling dunes where conditions are ripe for the appearance of really unique types of flora and fauna. Many Spaniards take their holidays here, (especially in August) and enjoy the family gathering with a picnic in the pine wood close to the beach or an eventful evening with one of the great Fiestas with “foam party” and live-Music.

In the evening you can enjoy the international cuisine, drink a little glass of sangria with Spanish live Music or enjoy the fantastic sunset. You should also visit a Spanish Bodega and try the different wines with tapas typical from the area.

During the day apart from the usual beach activities a varied sports and leisure activities are offered. You can rent bicycles, play mini-golf, take a diving course, or take a walk by the dunes or salt-work areas or go into the numerous small souvenir stores. Within the local area you can book a riding excursion, hire a quad or take a balloon flight over the area.

The Spanish weekly markets are popular. In La Marina it takes place every week on Thursdays and Sundays on the marketplace near the centre. On Saturdays it is at the the Mercado at Santa Pola and the biggest weekly market of the region is on Sunday in Campo de Guardamar. All offer the visitors local fruit and vegetables, as well as shoes from the Spanish traditional workshops, craft work, clothes, leather article and of course a sufficient offer of catering trade for every taste. Well worth a visit!