Things to Do

There are many things for everyone to do around here - here is a selection of places to visit to start you off. You will find much more by surfing other sites on the web, or by picking up one of the free local papers in the area.

The Beaches

As you would expect, there are plenty of fabulous beaches with endless white sand along the coast. Some streches can get very busy in the height of summer but you can always find quieter spots.
One of the best beaches has to be HERE - "ON YOUR DOOR STEP" - Guardamar village is about 10 minutes away by car.
Of course you could walk there via the beach - a little longer, with a nice gentle slope into the sea. There is often a bit of a breeze and you can find people flying kites and so on. In the summer, the section by the town itself has bars and cafes right at the edge of the sand and it can feel very busy. If you prefer a quieter area go out of the town a bit. La Mata, Cabo Cervera, and Torrelamata at the northern end of Torrevieja, is here the beach area and like Guardamar can be very busy during the summer period. There is a nice boardwalk with beach hut cafe and restaurants. On most beaches you can hire sun loungers, paddle-boats and even jet skis.

La Marina offers a nice strech of sand but quieter with less commercialisation. There's no beach in central Torrevieja itself - this is a pretty rocky area although there are swimming facilities.

Shopping

There are plenty of excellent shopping areas around - from local streetmarkets to traditional little shops to modern shopping centres to hypermarkets. Expect to pay a lot less than in the UK for things like leather goods, shoes, wines and spirits and more besides. Although many of the modern shopping centre developments will stay open all day, expect the more traditional shops in the towns and cities to close for the siesta around 1 or 2 pm and re-open again around 5 or 6pm until around 9pm.

About 15 minutes away is the Habaneras shopping centre in Torrevieja. This modern centre has the latest fashions and much else besides. Check out their website at www.habaneras.es In the centre of Torrevieja you will find more traditional shops in the maze of small streets. There's also a semi-permanent market at the end of the Paseo de la Libertad where it meets the Paseo Maritimo de Juan Aparicio, busiest in the evenings.

There are many open-air markets in the towns around and about. All are within a 45 minute drive, even some within walking distance. Here's a selection:

Markets in the Area

Monday Agres Callosa d'en Sarria Cox Denia Elche Formentera Granja de Rocamora Ibi La Nucia Monovar Petrer San Pedro del Pinatar Santa Pola Sax Tuesday Altea Aspe Beniarbeig Benijofar Campo de Mirra Castalla Elda Jalon Orihuela Relleu Sella San Flugencio Tibi Wednesday Albatera Alcoy Alqueries Benejamar Benidorm Benilloba Benitachell Biar Callosa del Segura El Campello Elda

Guardamar Montforte de Cid Muchamiel Ondara Novelda Orba Petrer Polop San Miguel de Salinas Salinas Sella Teulada Thursday Agres Agost Alpe Albatera Algena Alicante Hondon de las Frailes Gran Alacant Javea Jijona Pego Rojales Villajoyosa Friday Albatera Baneres Benidoleig Crevillenete Denia Finestrat Gata Granaja de Rocamora L'Alfas Monteforte del Cid Montesinos Onil Muro de Alcoy Torrevieja

Torrevieja Petrer Rafal Sella Tibi Saturday Almoradi Alicante Alcoy Alquerias Benissa Calpe Castalla Catral Elche Elda Gainas La Romana Novelda Pedreguer Playa Flamenca Relleu Salinas Santa Pola San Vincente Sunday Benidorm Buscot Alfafara Benferri Elche El Raso Guardamar La Marina La Murada Torremanzana El Raso Guardamar