The best family adventure on the Costa Blanca
The touristic city of Torrevieja not only offers sun and some of the best beaches in Alicante, it also has a rich cultural heritage, as well as an interesting history derived, in large part, from the salt industry and the fatal earthquake that happened in March 1829. Overcrowding and the busy environment tend to put many families off. However, if you’re planning your summer vacation and are looking for a perfect beach for a family trip, Torrevieja is your best option.
Torrevieja is one of the most famous coastal towns on the Costa Blanca, in Alicante. If you’ve chosen this summer destination this year, we assure you that you’ll have an unforgettable vacation. In this post you'll find the best things to see in and around Torrevieja, so take note!
Without a doubt, a must-see is the Archpriest Church of the Immaculate Conception, which is located right opposite the Plaza de la Constitución. The church was built at the end of the 19th century, on top of a previous one from the late 18th century. Some of the stones from the old tower that gave the municipality its name were used for its construction: “Torre Vieja” means the Old Tower in Spanish. It is located in front of the Plaza de la Constitución, in the centre of the urban framework designed by engineer Larramendi, after the fatal earthquake of 1829, which caused 389 victims in Torrevieja, Almoradi, Guardamar del Segura and other towns in the Vega Baja region.
If you want to enjoy the sun and the Mediterranean climate even more, you have to visit the Paseo de Vista Alegre. It’s located next to the Real Club Náutico de Torrevieja and Las Eras de la Sal. Stroll along and see interesting sculptures and a monument dedicated to the Habaneras, since it was on this walk that the first galas of the International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition were held. In addition, here you will also find one of the municipality's tourist offices and, two blocks from this one, you can visit the Museum of the Sea and Salt.
Parks and viewpoints in Torrevieja
Although what stands out most about a coastal city is always its beaches and areas close to the sea, Torrevieja has a huge variety of parks and natural areas that are ideal for enjoying your holidays. You can contemplate the tall palm trees, typical of the province of Alicante, and get to know the local and regional fauna.
The most famous park in Torrevieja is, without a doubt, the Lagunas de La Mata-Torrevieja Natural Park. This natural park is another of the essential places to see during your holidays in Torrevieja. It has an extensive protected area of about 3,700 hectares, with two lagoons located in the northwest of the town, which are differentiated by their characteristic colouration: the Torrevieja lagoon, pink in color; and the La Mata lagoon, which is green. In this last lagoon is the park's Interpretation Centre, from where you can take a beautiful and easy hiking route through the surrounding area, suitable for kids and with a section enabled for wheelchairs.
The Molino del Agua Park is located next to La Mata beach and includes an important pine forest of about 17 hectares, in whose subsoil there was a freshwater aquifer until not long ago. In the park you can see several of the old wells. Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Torrevieja is to take a quiet walk along its winding paths.
If you're also looking to do a bit of cultural tourism, the Parque de la Estación is perfect for you. Next to this park is the so-called Acequión, a canal that was built between 1482 and 1509 to convert the Torrevieja lagoon into a fish pond, which never yielded the expected results. The two museums located in the park (La Habanera and the Natural History Museum) and the Salt Industry Interpretation Centre, a few meters from the previous ones, are located in buildings that were part of the old railway station, which linked Torrevieja to Albatera.
Beaches and coves in Torrevieja
It is well known that the main attractions of this town are its beaches and coves. Its coast has many coves and beaches that must be visited, simply because of the views. Some of the impressive rocky coves to see in Torrevieja are Cala del Moro, El Mojón, La Zorra, La Higuera, Redonda, Gambote, La Tía Roqueta, de los Trabalos, Cornuda, del Longline and Cala Ferris, as well as the beaches of La Mata, Cabo Cervera, Los Locos, El Cura, Los Núfragos and Playa Rocío del Mar. In one of these coves, legend has it that a young fisherman fell asleep and, without knowing how, woke up in Oran, on the coast of Africa. Take note, that we will tell you a little more about these heavenly places!
Among the urban beaches in the municipality, Playa del Acequión stands out as the most famous and typical. With tall buildings right next to the beach, and so many bars and restaurants, parking is next to impossible here. Bus and bicycle are probably the best options to get here. Despite the lack of a Blue Flag or Quality Q, this is a very popular site all year round.
To enjoy a long walk and endless views, we recommend La Mata Beach. It’s the longest in Torrevieja, with a length of 2.3 km, and is located in the village of Torrelamata. La Mata Beach is more than 40 m wide and is bordered to the south by Cabo Cervera and to the north by the Torre de la Mata, which gives the town its name. The beach has a long promenade where you can find many bars and restaurants. Behind the beach there is a large stretch of sand dunes and a park of water mills. It is divided into three zones: Pueblo, Europeos and Dulce.
It has many beautiful coves, especially Cala Ferris, a 200-meter-long golden sand beach with many small dunes. There are no cafes or services here, but it's worth a visit because of its tranquility and natural environment. As long as you bring your own food and drink, you can spend a few hours sunbathing and swimming in its beautiful, crystal clear waters. The beach is surrounded by many palm trees and rocky areas, so you can feel as if you were somewhere tropical, but without leaving Spain.
If you like water activities, you'll love Cala Piteras. It has one of the most impressive Posidonia meadows in the area. Posidonia, which is an important part of the ecosystem, grows best in clean water, so if you see it, it's an undeniable sign that you're swimming in one of the best parts of the Mediterranean. This cove is not very large, since it is only 123 meters long and 15 meters wide, but that only increases its attractiveness. Thanks to this, it becomes a perfect place to enjoy the relaxation that we are all looking for on our holidays.
Aquopolis Torrevieja
If what you prefer is a different plan for a summer day, just as refreshing and without leaving the Costa Blanca, we recommend you visit us at Aquopolis Torrevieja. Located in the town of the same name, our park guarantees fun for the whole family: enjoy attractions for the bravest, more moderate routes and areas for the youngest members of the family. You can also kick back and relax in our VIP areas and rent your own float or deckchair, as well as enjoy our restaurants, kiosks and shops.
Skip the queues with our Speedy Pass, eat whatever you want every 60 minutes with the All Inclusive, and enjoy VIP areas and exclusive experiences. Don't think twice, choose us for a refreshing, fun and unforgettable day with your family this summer! Click here to get your tickets, vouchers and more now.