Costa Blanca Entertainment and things to do

Torrevieja is in truth the name for an old tower (Torre Vieja) which is located some where in the area. It is most Known for being a seaside town, with all the attractions that go with it. A fantastic seaside will take you from the Port harbour to the end of town towards La Mata to the north, many outdoor bars and cafes fill the sreets, and all offer a very suitable menu at the right prices. What more could be better than to stop for a beer, and look out over the Med, before setting off again on a stroll? There are a few sandy areas along the way, which are very busy in the summer. If you decide to turn into the town, you will not be disappointed. Great shops and restaurants are everywhere so is the atmosphere of a true Spanish town. In the evening, the whole area comes alive, but not until after 10 o’clock. There are also many discos and interesting nightspots in the area. Just a mile in land, you will see two large salt lakes, Laguna De Torrevieja and its sister Laguna De La Mata. These lakes, one pink and the other blue are due to the extraction of its salt, and have a very special healthy microclimate. It has been said, that this area is now one of the healthiest places in the world to live in, claims made by no other than the World Health association. On the side of the main ring road the N332, one can see 20-meter high salt hills, which, when it is packed in bags and distributed, it goes to the dinner tables of the world. This trade has given the town a livelihood since 1668, and even though one of the lakes has seen better days there is still enough salt to go around for many years to come. Another sideline from the salt came about in its early years of export, when the ships of Spain reached the far corners of the globe where the Spanish men took their culture with them, and exchanged it for that of the peoples they met. One such exchange was the songs and rhythm of the Habanera that is now a part of the Spanish people. Fishing also comes into play in the everyday life of the locals, though not a major industry. The daily catch can supply the town’s restaurants, not only feeding the people of the area, but its biggest moneymaker the tourist. If you are a fish lover then you will not be disappointed. Blue flag beaches are everywhere on the Costa coastline, this mark of high quality is known across Europe, it simply means that its facilities are as good as it gets.

This must be the longest beach in the area and joins at one end to Guardamar, and at the other Torrevieja. This beach can get a little busy in the summer with parking a nightmare, so get there early. If you are a local or intending to become one, then buy a scooter, which would be great fun for short trips and no problem to park. The beach does form part of the small built up area called La Mata, which is full of shops and restaurants; you will also find rental accommodation for your holiday, some on the beachfront.

From one end of Guardamar to the other is about 11 km of beach. Starting from the north end walking south, you will first come across a large breakwater barrier where you could see many fishing. It is a great spot to join in the fun or buy something as fresh as it gets for the BBQ. Back on the beach with the sea on your left, you can see the most fantastic sand dunes to the right, a great spot to cook your fish. If you do decide to venture up the dunes, you will find the most wonderful nature reserve with trees and plants of all descriptions. Another great spot for that picnic. The park does lead onto the marina, a haven for the boat lover. In addition, of course you will find a bar or two where you could have a rest. A mile or so further down the sand, you would come across a row of houses on the beach. Some look well kept and lived in, others are falling down. This is due to yet another land law in Spain that states no homes can be on the beach. So if they have not fallen down in the next 8 to 10 years then they will be demolished, what that means also, is that the owners cannot do any repairs on them. After this beauty spot, you come to the town part of the sea front or where the town meets the sea, where there is a lovely promenade with cafes and bars serving Spanish foods of the best standard. If of course you are a true English person on holiday, you will be happy to know that they also do full English breakfasts all day long. In the summer, you would also come across wooden sheds that are built on the sands that are then opened up as bars and only a few feet from the waters edge. Garden furniture is place around for the customers with the necessary umbrellas. What a wonderful spot to chill out. Coming to the far end of your walk, you are back in the sand dunes, this time you can find houses built there that have been turned into shops or small painting studios. One such gallery was opened in December 2002 and is now open to the public every Sunday; all paintings on show are for sale and are painted by students in the classes that are held in the week.

If you look at the sea front of Torrevieja from the air, you would see that it is in fact made up of three large sandy coves, that are only linked to each other by man made foot paths. The first cove to the north is the start, or if you like the end of the promenade that would take you from one end of town to the other. The beach itself is nice but has rocky areas that are not kind on the feet. A main road runs its full length. If you are staying in town it is walking distance to hotels and apartments, and of course, all the bars and nightlife you could want. Depending on the holiday you are looking for, it could be the best palace to be. Walking on to the promenade and to the south, you would come to the next beach and more of the same, only that there is no road and the walkway has been built with the lot of thought. With fantastic cafes and a view across the ocean to the ships and small boats that always seem to be going by, you would find all of this so relaxing you could not help but to stop and linger for a while. Shops have been built along the front and so have the market stalls, which offer all those items that we feel we must buy on holiday but never look at again when we get home. After the beach part of town, you would come to the marina and more sand, in fact quite a lot of sand. In some parts, it must be 100 meters to the water. Lots of space to stretch out, the road still runs along its length but it is too far away to notice.

What you would find at all the beaches on this stretch of the cost line is the same. All are small coves in an urban area, the fine white sand is fantastic and to be honest so are the facilities that are on offer. There are Hotels, shops and even villas for rent. You would find yourself in your own little community with all on offer. These locations cover the area south of Torrevieja over a distance of 5 miles. To reach any of them drive down the N332 with the sea on your left and then take one of the roads to the left marked Playa, (this means beach in Spanish) you would then find a lovely cove. Parking can be a problem in the summer.

This is a very nice place to spend the day doing absolutely nothing. Again, a cove, but its large and the countryside around the beach is very beautiful with wild life and parrots all over the place. A beach bar (shed) in the summer and a few permanent ones for the rest of the season.

I will cover this area even thought it does not come under Costa Blanca, in fact its known as Costa Calida. The Mar Manor is a huge mass of water that is locked in by a small piece of land a few miles out to sea, called the la Manga strip. There is an opening to the sea of a few hundred meters, so the strip becomes a very big sea wall. Inside, the water is dead still and very shallow. The beach is long and sandy but does not have a tide. The place has become famous for the mud that people cover all over themselves for health reasons, and it has been reported to work. Making this area one of the healthiest places in the world to live, with the average age being 10 years longer than anywhere else. The La Manga strip has now been built on from one end to the other. Tall blocks of flats can be seen everywhere, the prices are as high as the buildings, with views to the sea on both sides of. The area is open to all, and again it is a good day out if not just for a look at the jet setters in this area. You could always pop in to the La Manga golf club, famous to all golfers, for the rest of us we have seen it on T.V. a few times hosting sports events for T.V. personalities markets.

Either you can love them, or you hate them. Sometimes it is necessary to visit them, an experience not to be missed. They can also be exciting and full of atmosphere; fantastic smells come from many mobile food stalls offering delights from many countries. It is good to remember Spain on the Costa’s has become home to many different nationalities from all over the world, and the markets have become a general meeting place for them all.

We have spit roast chickens cooked as you wait that you take away in a box for only 5 Euros, some times it comes with a free bottle of wine. Grab one on the way out with a fresh stick of bread and head down to the beach for a quick finger-licking picnic. On the other hand, maybe you fancy some German sausage, or meatballs served with mustard and bread. Then we have the Moroccan flavours, spices and smells from Africa. For the English people there far too manly places offering a breakfast fry up. We have stall after stall selling fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the Spanish countryside. You would also find many stalls selling junk for the tourist. The markets get busy, if its shopping you need go before 10 o’clock and be away within 30 minutes. It is a day out and a meeting place for many. The markets that take place in the streets of the towns and villages are the best, as there are more atmospheres and it is where the Spanish go for their bargains.