Torrevieja, Costa Blanca southTorrevieja, Costa Blanca south

Torrevieja is a busy, bustling town that has a lively atmosphere all year round, day and night. There are over 105,000 inhabitants 55% of which are of foreign origin. Torrevieja includes many residential areas which can be grouped together into nine main zones, all of which are well served by local bars, restaurants and shops as well as being highly residential.

This zone forms the southern boundary with the Orihuela Costa. It has the main Hospital with a 24 hour Accident and Emergency and the wonderful Reina de la Sal Parque which includes free to use sports facilities.

This area has the two sandy beaches of Acequión and Náufragos, the rural coves of Cala Ferris, the Parque Dona Sinforosa and the old marina known as the Puerto Deportivo Marina Internacional.

This is the area around the popular Las Naciones Parque with its man made lakes and islands. The old railway line which is now an urban green way for walking and cycling terminates here at the Estacion Park. The old station buildings have been renovated and house the Ricardo Lafuente Habaneras and the Natural History Museum, whilst the Nativity or Belen Museum can be found near the Park of Nations.

These areas are the original heart of Torrevieja and so are packed with amenities including the Town Hall and Tourist Office. The Tourist Train leaves from beside the wooden huts of the Day and Night Market, the Sea and Salt Museum is situated next to the Municipal Theatre and performances are also offered at the Palacio de Musica and the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre. The main shopping street runs past the Church Square and there is a long beach front Promenade with the iconic Wave Fountain, the impressive and original Casino building and the permanent Day and Night Market. The more modern Marina Salinas is protected by a magnificent 1.3 km long Pier which stretches out to sea and is floodlit at night. There is also the Cura Beach, the Vistalegria Promenade, the Floating Museums of the Albatros Patrol Boat and the Delfin Submarine, year round Boat Trips and the Summer Funfair. Torrevieja’s busy weekly Market occupies five streets every Friday morning and is the largest in the area with space for over 1,000 stalls.

The Habaneras is the location for the shopping mall, the Ozone Entertainment Area with a cinema, bowling alley, crazy golf and restaurants and the summer only Aqualandia Water Park with slides and rides to suit the whole family.

These inland residential areas are found on both sides of the CV95 and are well served by many commercial centres. The old railway line runs through here and the Flamingo Water Park is located in La Siesta.

This zone includes the fine sandy beach of Los Locas and the rocky coves of the Calas Blancas. These streets are mainly residential and include a number of commercial centres as well as the Semana Santa museum with the statues that are used during the Easter Parades.

The large municipal sports complex is situated in this residential area. The centre, known as both the Palacio de los Deportes Infanta Cristina and Sports City, includes an Olympic sized indoor heated swimming pool, two seasonal outdoor pools, courts and pitches for all types of sports, a gym, athletics track and the Vicente Garcia Stadium, the home of Torrevieja Football Club with a capacity for 6,000 spectators. All of these facilities can be enjoyed by everyone on a pay per use basis. On the opposite side of the N332 is the imposing Auditorio Internacional which sporadically hosts concerts and has almost 2,000 seats divided between its two concert halls.

This is the most northern area and area joins Torrevieja to La Mata. Its coastline includes the steep cliffs of Cabo Cervera and it is the start of the 2.5 km beach front promenade to La Mata. The Torre del Moro Parque, with the former watch tower provides impressive views and the area has several commercial centres situated between the urbanisations.

source: eurotourguide.com