PROPERTY SEARCH

Torrevieja Today

Torrevieja: From tiny salt producing village to major tourist destination

Torrevieja

Nowadays Torrevieja is one of the largest towns in the province of Alicante and indeed in the region of the Comunitat Valenciana, but until quite recently it was a relatively undeveloped part of the southern Costa Blanca: in 1970 there were still under 10,000 residents, but since then the population has mushroomed to its current size of over 80,000, and it has now overtaken Orihuela as the largest population centre in the Vega Baja del Segura. In summer the population swells to an estimated half a million as flocks of visitors arrive, attracted by the beaches on 20 kilometres of coastline, the busy social life and Mediterranean climate.

This is one of the most cosmopolitan municipalities in the whole of Spain, with residents of 180 nationalities, and has Torrevieja a rich and varied social life with an impressive cultural infrastructure: the international auditorium, the Palacio de la Música and the Teatro Municipal, the modernist Casino, a number of attractively planted plazas and garden areas, as well as the beachside promenade, all a backdrop for the numerous concerts and cultural events which take place every year. Amongst these are the Habaneras choral festival, the annual feria filling the town with Sevillanas and horsemen, other local fiestas: Semana Santa, San Vicente Ferrer, the patron saint fiestas in August (San Emigdio) and December (Inmaculada Concepción), as well as the emblematic maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen in July.

But although culture is high on the agenda in Torrevieja, the main attraction is its seaside location, with 20 km of Mediterranean beaches forming part of the Costa Blanca drawing tourists throughout the summer, as well as a substantial population of foreign residential tourists who live in the area throughout the year, enjoying the healthy lifestyle and Mediterranean cuisine on offer in the many bars and restaurants in the municipality. The kilometre long dyke jutting into the sea is a popular walkway, the promenades are a pleasure for walkers and runners, the natural park areas around the Salinas offer walking and cycling opportunities, the marina offers mooring for leisure boats, there are plenty of watersports available, the municipality has impressive sports facilities in the Ciudad de Deportes and excellent healthcare facilities in the form of the Torrevieja Hospital.

The area is also very well serviced for those who enjoy shopping and sightseeing. The historic roots of Torrevieja can be summed up in just two words: salt and fish. Prior to the nineteenth century there was no evidence of human occupation apart from a couple of watch towers (“torres vigia”, part of the network installed along the coast to protect from Berber pirates), from which the name of the municipality is derived, and a few scattered houses belonging to fishermen, but in 1802 major production of salt began at the La Mata salt flats and the urban development of Torrevieja began.

For many years salt production was the basis on which Torrevieja’s economy was built, and the port became an important outlet not only for salt but also for the fruit and vegetables grown in the rest of the Vega Baja. Indeed, over half a million tons of salt are still produced here every year, and fishing and agriculture still remain important sources of employment.

CLICK HERE FOR THE HISTORY OF TORREVIEJA

The Torrevieja municipality is part of the Comarca de la Vega Baja de la Segura, an administrative district of the Alicante province, which itself is one of three provinces forming the Valencia Region, the Comunidad (or Comunitat in Valencian) Valenciana. Castellano (Spanish) is the main language, although some residents also speak Valencian.

The municipality is well connected, linking into the major AP-7 which runs along the Mediterranean coastline and is close to Alicante-Elche airport, indeed the council runs a well priced bus service directly to the airport.

Where is the Torrevieja municipality?
Click for map, Torrevieja

SELECT A SUBJECT OR READ THE LATEST TOWN ARTICLES BELOW

Torrevieja local news Property Torrevieja Cultural venues and churches What's on Torrevieja Tourist Information Medical svcs, useful numbers Where to eat Parks, natural attractions, walking Beaches Torrevieja Historical background Places to visit, Torrevieja

TORREVIEJA

Big step forward in connecting Alicante and Murcia desalination plantsThe CHS plans to connect the water plants located in Torrevieja and Águilas A major step has been taken this week to connect the two large desalination plants of Torrevieja in Alicante and Águilas, and in turn link them with the irrigation.. 30/09/2022

Dozens of shelters for stray cat colonies to be erected across TorreviejaThe aim of the initiative in the Vega Baja town, Alicante province, is to improve hygiene and the protection of feral felines Torrevieja's Department of Animal Protection plans to place 28 cat shelters across the municipality, specifically in.. 29/09/2022

Tram links between Orihuela, Torrevieja and Alicante-Elche airport in the pipelineThe Valencia Government plans to carry out a study to improve rail connections in the Vega Baja region of Alicante province President of the Valencia Government, Ximo Puig, announced a package of measures including tax reforms and free rail and bus.. 28/09/2022

Three French holidaymakers in custody over gang-rape of teen tourist in TorreviejaA fourth male was also arrested in connection with the alleged multiple rape at a flat in the Vega Baja coastal town, Alicante province Four people have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of an 18-year-old female Nordic tourist.. 28/09/2022

Another minor earthquake on the Costa BlancaThe latest seismic activity was in Guardamar del Segura, near Torrevieja There was an earthquake this Thursday, September 22, in the town of Guardamar del Segura in Alicante. According to Spain’s National Geographic Institute, the.. 23/09/2022

Married couple drowns on Torrevieja beachThe couple, believed to be Dutch, got caught in the undertow at La Mata A 56-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman drowned on Torrevieja’s largest beach, Playa de la Mata, on Monday September 19 when they were unable to swim back to shore because.. 20/09/2022

Record summer heat boosts salt harvest of main Spanish producer in TorreviejaSalinas de Torrevieja in the Vega Baja, Alicante province, expects a harvest of around 550,000 tonnes This summer's record heat and consequent evaporation process has boosted the harvest of Spain's main salt producer, the Salinas de Torrevieja.. 16/09/2022

How to prepare your home for the rainy season, according to waterproofing experts Leak ProofProperties with flat roofs in Spain are especially susceptible to flooding and leaks The rainy season in Spain is fast approaching, with experts predicting another serious Gota Fría storm some time in the next couple of months, bringing with.. 06/09/2022

Top beaches to visit in Alicante, Spain: Ultimate Costa Blanca South beach guideVisit the top beaches on Spain’s Costa Blanca in Alicante The Costa Blanca is a paradise strip of coastline on Spain’s eastern coast, in the Alicante province of Valencia. Encompassing such tourist hotspots as Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa..

Lawnhub supply-only service lets you buy quality artificial grass and fit it yourselfLawnhub sells directly to landscapers, builders and professional artificial grass installers as well as DIY enthusiasts LawnHub pride themselves on the superb quality of their Artificial Grass, which comes direct from the Netherlands. They..

Leak Proof Expert Commercial and Industrial WaterproofingThe best flat-roof Waterproofing services for Industrial businesses and commercial companies in Spain Most people aren’t aware of this but Waterproofing is one of the most important factors in the building industry, whether it’s in commercial..

What should you avoid doing with your WiFi router? Telecable help sheetThe 3 most common mistakes people make at home with their WiFi router The router is essential to your internet connection. It allows you to connect any device to the net. But sometimes people use it wrongly. We will explain some common errors with the..

Carports, wooden decking, trellising, sheds: Evolution with wood in Alicante and MurciaTransform roof terraces and gardens with wooden gazebos, summer houses; covering Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida Evolution with wood specialise in providing wooden solutions using hardwearing and practical woods anywhere along the Costa Blanca in Alicante..

Legionella: The dangerous bacteria lurking in heated pools, jacuzzis and whirlpools in SpainThe bacteria, which can cause Legionnaire’s disease, breeds in warm damp places like jacuzzis if they haven’t been used for a couple of weeks Every year, the heat arrives earlier and earlier in Spain, and with it the pressing desire to.. 30/05/2022

What is the tourist tax, how much is it and where in Spain do you have to pay it?Tourist taxes are becoming more common in cities around the world, meaning holidaymakers having to pay extra for hotel rooms The tourist tax is a surcharge that, in the last few years before the Covid-19 pandemic, became popular in several cities that..

Wi-Fi 6: what is it and what is the difference with 5G?The internet of the future is here, and Telecable tells us everything we need to know about Wi-Fi 6 and 5G Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are the two most modern standards for wireless connectivity. But what’s and difference, and which one is better? ..