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 Torrevieja, situated on the Costa
Blanca, was once a lively fishing village, it still maintains a lot of it’s original charm, however, the main industry here is now tourism, with many new developments and constructions in the area.
Here you can find plenty of everything, bars, restaurants, shops, banks, and of course a wonderful sandy beach and port.The area is also characterised by the
picturesque salt lakes with many species of birds and other wild life.
Monuments and culture
In Roman times, Torrevieja was an important port, the remains of which can
still be seen in La Mata, called the embarcadero romano, or Roman docks. Along the coast are the ancient watchtowers called El Moro and La Mata,
used in the Middle Ages to warn the coastal inhabitants of attacks by Barbary pirates.
Among the town monuments is the Archpriest’s Church of the Immaculate
Conception, from the turn of the century, the masonry bridge of the Acequión and the Modernist Casino, with an original Neo-Mudejar salon where numerous cultural activities are staged.
Fiestas
Torrevieja’s festive calendar begins in February with the sounds and colourful
sight of the Carnival celebrating the arrival of Spring. During Holy Week the locals form processions up and down the streets of the town dressed in
spectacular traditional costume and lining the streets with colourful markets. In the month of May, in the Real de la Feria, Torreviejans dance sevillanas,
taste the finest sherries from the South, and enjoy riding on horseback. In summer, there are outdoor parties and processions, especially on 16 July,
the feast day of Our Lady of Carmelo, the patron saint of sailors, with a traditional sea-and -land procession.
Cuisine
The cusine and gastronomy of the area is mainly fish and seafood, in
combination with produce from local market gardens. Meat is also very popular cooked on the ‘plancha’ and served with fresh salads and seasonal
vegetables. There are many fine restaurants and tapas bars in the area, and if you miss a good British meal you can also find traditional roast beef, fish and chips and even MacDonalds.
Beaches and the port
Torrevieja has a superb sandy beach which is ideal for sunworshippers and also for those interested in water sports, you can partake in many sports along the beach inluding diving, sailing, windsurfing, sea-fishing and yachting.
The port operated by The Royal Nautical Club and the International Sports Marina has over 1500 berths for sailing boats.
There is always plenty to enjoy
Why not take a medicinal bath in the waters of the lagoon, which are said to
have curative properties especially recommended for heart troubles, rheumatism or respiratory ailments. Participate in the numerous festivals held in Torrevieja.
Visit the most important salt works in Europe and see one of the most outstanding natural water preserves in the Land of Valencia.
Stroll round the Street Market held every Friday morning and see what there is to buy. In the evening, you can view the market stalls for local craftsmanship near the Port.
During the day, enjoy the sea and the sun along the beautiful beaches near the town. Night-time is the right time for enjoying local discos, pubs and cafés.
Visit the Holy Week Museum Tomás Valcárcel or the Museum of the Salt and Sea.
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