The Alicantinian town of Torrevieja is 41km away from the capital city, to the north, 23 km away from Elche, to the north-east, and 53 km from Murcia, to the south-east. This town has a protected Natural Park with two lagoons, and 20 km of coast, with six big beaches and about twenty sandy coves with many cliffs. It has a 45.000 population, and it covers 72'4 km2.

History: In 1829 an earthquake destroyed the central part of Torrevieja, so we can only find a few remains of its history. If there is something to highlight from the past of Torrevieja is the relevance of the salt marshes along time: from the settlement of its old civilizations to these days, period during which there was a flourishing middle class whose source of richness was the salt.

Culture and Art: The Festival Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonía, which celebrated its 50 anniversary, is one of the main tourist attractions during the month of July. It is celebrated in the Recinto de las Eras de la Sal –which used to be a salt warehouse-. The Torre del Moro is today a tourist mirador, but in the 18h century, this watchtower served to defend the local people from the pirate’s incursions. From there we can admire a view of Torrevieja coves. The Inmaculada Concepción Church is a temple dedicated to the Virgin. It was built in 1844 over the foundations of the former church, which was destroyed in the 1829 earthquake. The Casino is a modernist building which dates back from the beginning of the century, and has a Mozarabic lounge. The origins of the Museums of the Holy Week, and the Sea and Salt Museum have a strong connection to this region, both because of the religious fervour and the mark left by the sea and the salt. Concerning the Port, which at the beginning of the century housed one of the most important ship fleets in the Mediterranean, is nowadays focused on different arts of fishing, as well as on the salt shipment.

Climate: The climate there is very dry, and steady during the whole year –mild winters and hot summers-, with 360 days of sun and an annual average temperature of 18ºC.

Natural Spots: This municipality is surrounded by two lagoons which constitute the Salinas de Torrevieja, considered the most productive in Europe, and the second ones in the world. The fauna and flora concentrated in the lagoons provides an important ecological value to the area.

Festivals: Every month of the year Torrevieja take place different fiestas. One example is the Carnivals, which have become very famous in Spain. Groups from the region of Alicante participate in different parades, to provide light and colour to this amusing fiesta. The Holy Week is one of the most solemn and traditional acts in Torrevieja. During the month of May is held a very Andalusian style fare: the Feria de Mayo. The casetas set up for these days can house around 300.000 participants, most of them dressed up with the traditional Andalusian customs. On the 16th July is celebrated the Festividad de la Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of the fishermen and sailors) where visitors can taste the paella. In summer Torrevieja celebrates the Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonía. This style of music is purely tropical, and has taken roots in Torrevieja as a consequence of the salt interchanges with Cuba. It is, without any doubt, one of the most important cultural manifestations in Europe. Finally, it is worth mentioning the Patron Saint’s Fiestas, between the 1st and 17th December, in honour of the Purisima Concepcion. There are many scheduled acts during this festivity: musical parades, bonfires, young bull runs, religious processions, flower offerings, gastronomic competitions…

Communications: By air, El Altet Airport (Alicante) and San Javier Airport (Murcia) are quite near. By sea, the ports of Alicante, Denia and Valencia are the closest ones to travel. By land, you can reach Torrevieja through the secondary road 332 Alicante-Cartagena, the Levante motorway Madrid- Alicante, the Mediterranean motorway Alicante-Murcia, the toll motorway A-32 Alicante-Cartagena, and other secondary roads, the CV-90 and 3321.

BEACHES OF TORREVIEJA:

Playa de La Mata: It is the longest beach in Torrevieja (2250 metres), so around twenty accesses have been provided, which start from a nice seafront of palm trees. Its thin, golden sand is combined with the attractive environment which surrounds it, where stands out the Parque Natural de la Laguna de La Mata. This Park has a tourist information centre, which offers routes to visit the marshes. It was awarded with a Blue Flag that certifies the quality of the waters and services with which it is provided.

Playa de Los Locos: Thin, golden sand, low swell, an even sea bottom, and purified, intense blue water are the characteristics of this beach, awarded with a Blue Flag. To the north, its environment is characterized by small coves up to Cabo Cervera. It is a beach adapted to the disabled.

Playa de Los Naúfragos: Protected by the south dock in the port, is one of the beaches in Torrevieja with the most ludic and sport animation, and a great variety of activities. It is a semiurban beach, with purified waters and thin, almost white sand. For all this it was awarded with a Blue Flag. The environment of this beach is marked by Las Salinas and la Laguna de Torrevieja.

Playa del Cura: Located between Punta Margallo and the north dock of an important port, with thin, golden sand, and surrounded by palm trees. Behind it there are restaurants and other services for tourists which show one of the most animated images of this tourist resort. A Blue Flag certifies all its services, among which outstands the access for the disabled.