Uncovering Torrevieja
Torrevieja is a coast town in Costa Blanca (here's where you can find more about it) and very popular with the British and Northern European visitors as well as Spaniards.
On the Vista Alegre Promenade, you will find many interesting points of attraction. For instance, the five sculptures stand as a tribute to musicians as Torrevieja hosts an annual international habaneras competition every July with its roots dating back to when Torrevieja sailors traded with Cuba and bought their traditional shanties back with them. You can visit The Habanera Museum located in the "Plaza de la Estación" to find out why this Caribbean music became so popular in Torrevieja centuries ago.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Vista Alegre Promenade
Then comes the Monument to the Choir Singer, which was created by sculptor Pedro Llorente in honour of all those connected with the Torrevieja choir.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Monument to the Choir Singer
The historic and beautiful Torrevieja Casino was founded in 1867 as an entertainment venue. It’s an interesting architectural mix of styles with an Arab room, a Granada-style patio with arches and ornamental bows, carved external columns and an incredible modernist ballroom with decorative motifs and dragons.
Eras de la Sal is a warehouse and jetty, used from 1777 to 1958 for transporting salt to offshore merchant ships; the distinctive building, featuring the industrial-style architecture of the 18th century.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Port
The port and the fun fair of Torrevieja are adjacent to each other, at the end of the promenade. You can find boats from hundreds of chic and sleek yachts to traditional fishing boats bringing home the catch of the day, as well as a submarine; the first Spanish navy ship to be turned into a floating museum.
Costa Blanca_Torrevieja_Funfair
Take a walk out to sea along the Dique de Levante promenade leading to the lighthouse. Along the boardwalk you will come across two sculptures, one, dedicated to the fishermen, and other, a fine tribute to the fishermen’s wives who witnessed the dangers their beloved faced daily as they sailed out from Torrevieja. Nearby is also the iconic sculpture depicting the lonely figure of Bella Lola sitting on a bench and also looking out to sea. She is probably the most photographed lady in Torrevieja as she wistfully waits for her loved one’s return.
When you walk a couple of streets back from the seafront, you get to the historic Plaza de la Constitución, where you’ll find the Town Hall and the magnificent Inmaculada Concepción Church dating back to 1789. Plaza de Oriente, on the other hand, has the modernistic Sagrado Corazon Church in the center which was built (or rebuilt) in 2009 and bigger than some cathedrals!
Although Torrevieja looks more of a tourist town, its life revolves around the sea and the production of salt. It has two huge salt mines, La Mata and Torrevieja Lagoons.
Torrevieja_Salt Lake (10)
Torrevieja Lagoon has a pink hue, which can be quite startling, depending on the light and time of year. This is due to various factors which include the high salt content of the waters and the presence of algae and crustaceans.
Connected with each other, the salt mines were declared a Nature Reserve; they reach the sea through La Mata. Salt mining in this region goes back to the beginning of Christianity, though it reached its peak during the 19th century. Nowadays, Torrevieja's salt is exported to the whole world and the annual production exceeds a million tons.
The best way to visit the Salinas is the guided touristic train.
You can check out El Museo del Mar y la Sal - sea and salt museum, reflecting the history of Torrevieja’s seafaring and salt extraction traditions.
The wetlands are also home to an interesting variety of wildlife, particularly flamingos and other aquatic birds.
The Windmill Square houses an exact replica of the one which existed in Torrevieja during the 19th century to grind grain and salt.
Torrevieja_El Molino
Along the coastline you’ll find a succession of rocky coves and wide sandy beaches, from La Mata down to Punta Prima in the south. Playa del Cura is situated in the heart of Torrevieja and the most popular beach in town. The lively seafront has many souvenir shops, eateries. Beware though, it's quite busy!
La Mata is Torrevieja’s longest beach – 2,300 metres of fine golden sand beach with a smart boardwalk seafront promenade with a variety of cafés and restaurants.
There are many coves to see if you're a fan; Cala Cabo Cervera is a small sandy cove with a short promenade, Cala del Mojón is a wide sandy bay encompassed by rocks which are ideal for fishing, Cala de la Zorra is a discreet little cove with sand and rocks, and clear calm waters, Cala de la Higuera is mainly gravel and rock.
Playa de Los Locos is just north of Torrevieja center of fine golden sands, with a smart seafront, equipped with all the amenities and services. The name translates as ‘beach of the lunatics’ referring to an old asylum here many years ago! At the end, you'll encounter Cala Palangre surrounded by rocks.
Torrevieja_Los Locos Beach
Playa del Acequión is within the bay of the port and its name is related to the kilometer gutter through which the Mediterranean communicates with the lagoon of Torrevieja and served to evacuate brines and waste, or allow the passage of water from the sea to fill the salt flats.
Torrevieja_Acequión Beach
Los Náufragos Beach is separated from Playa del Acequión by a salt dock (used to store salt from the salt lakes and to load merchant ships). It’s also one of the busiest beaches in town, with a promenade, kid’s play areas, beach volley nets and pedaloes, to add to the fun.
Torrevieja_Los Náufragos Beach
Cala Ferris offers one of the most spectacular sceneries in Torrevieja whereas Cala Piteras is a small rocky cove, on the border of Orihuela Costa to the south.
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