Area guide

Country Areas

Castalla is an old fortress town, set in picturesque mountain surroundings only 30 minutes (by car) inland from Alicante. It is in a rural setting and has excellent views with greenery as far as the eye can see. The town of Castalla is quaint and old with narrow streets and a traditional Spanish feel about it , and has an historic medieval castle at its

highest point. Castalla is very well serviced with the motorway to Madrid, and Alicante and its airport via the new road, A-36. The nearest towns are Onil, Tibi, Ibi and Biar, all of them within ten kilometers. Ideal area for horse riding, walking and other sporting activities. The town has all the modern facilities that you would expect whilst retaining all of its charm. This area offers an exquisite location for those wanting to own a Spanish property who wants to live in country surroundings but within easy reach of the sea.

Pinoso is situated North West of Alicante. It has 6000 inhabitants and is the third richest town in Spain. This is because it owns Marble, Salt, Almonds, Vineyards and other natural resources that it sells throughout the world. The towns wealth is reflected in the quality of the social services, first class amenities and low taxes paid by local people. Pinoso is between the Sub Meseta, beginning of the mountain areas and the Sierra Del Carche. The area is surrounded by the Salinas la Pila and El Coto nature reserve. It is 450m above sea level with a mild climate in winter and hot dry days in summer. The pine forests and mountains are wonderful for walks, with the scents of wild Rosemary and Camomile in the air. Some of the amenities in Pinoso include:- medical centre, music college, sports centre, swimming pools, football ground, excellent restaurants, bars and street cafes. The fiestas take place most weekends from May till September in the surrounding villages and other small towns. Pinoso´s own fiesta is the first week in August for 10 days, people come from miles around to join the parades and dance until dawn. Alicante and the airport are only about 35 minutes away, 60km to Torrevieja and 60kms to Benidorm.

Albatera is situated on the N340, within easy reach of Alicante (41km), Murcia (37km) and Orihuela (12km). It has a population of 9,000 and has a good infrastructure. North of Cox, the wide streets of Albatera, lined with palm trees and its white-washed houses make the town a pleasant place to visit. On the town square there is a church with a splendid baroque door, intricately crafted in stone. In July, the town honors St James the Apostle with a week of open air celebrations including novillada, when novice bullfighters challenge young bulls. Close to Albatera, the village of San Isidro was established in 1959, after a law was passed to encourage settlements in marshy areas. San Isidro is clearly the work of town planners, its white houses are built on a grid of identical streets.

Rojales used to be a traditional farming village. The demands of the tourist industry on the coast have caused it to expand and it is now a town with a large sports hall, a theatre and large residential areas for people working in the service sector. A couple of kms from Rojales is the village of Benijofar. Both towns have attracted a large expatriate community but they are quieter than nearby Torrevieja and Guardamar. There are plenty of shops and supermarkets catering to the needs of expatriates. Amenities include a 24hour filling station, an internet cafe and an international pub. Rojales holds a market every Thursday. La Finca Algorfa and La Marquesa Golf Clubs are a few minutes drive away. The towns are within easy reach of airports, Alicante's being 29km away and Murcia's 35km. Main roads ensure that Benijofar and Rojales are easily accessible, well connected with both the coastal towns of the Costa Blanca as well as inland Vega Baja.

On the northern side of the Segura River, the town of Almoradi contains some interesting architecture including the Church of San Andres and the casino. If drama interests you, excellent Spanish plays can be enjoyed at the Cortes Theatre. A water tribunal operates in Almoradi to settle disputes over irrigation. The tribunal is an historic institution, reflected in the fact that it imposes fines not in euros or even pesetas but in Vellon reals - old Spanish coins. Almoradi has 13,000 inhabitants, its inland location makes it a quieter alternative to the coastal towns. An excellent market is held there every Saturday. It is a 25min drive to the tourist centre of Torrevieja. Alicante airport is less than 40km away, San Javier airport less than 50km.

Fortuna itself is located a short drive from the capital - Murcia. The town of Fortuna is renowned for its spring waters. Numerous natural springs such as La Higuera, La Cueva Negra or Los Banos famous for their content of hot mineral water since the Roman times have now become important spa resorts. The thermal waters with the mild climate have converted a traditionally farming town into one of the objectives of the so called inland tourism (some foreign visitors have settled in the town). It is endowed with schools, health services and culture. The landscape of Fortuna, sometimes reminding you of a desert, is nourished by the natural flows of water from the hot springs. You can enjoy the view of Cortao de las Penas, a mountain split by an earthquake, or the natural parks of Humedal del Ajauque and Rambla Salada. The economy is mainly based on agriculture, above all the collection and export of fruit. To a minor extent it is remarkable the manufacturing of shoes, construction, and exploitation of marble quarries and arid lands.

Calasparra is set in the tranquility of the mountains alongside the Rio Segura, with excellent road access making it an easy place to visit, and to travel to main resorts such as Murcia, Cartagena and Alicante. Calasparra has much to offer for holidaymakers and those who are wishing to take up permanent residence. One of the most amazing sites, and popular destinations for tourists in the Sanctuary de la Virgin de la Esperanza. The church is built into the mountainside with stone from the excavation. During the holiday times and on weekends, locals gather alongside the riverbank to socialise and eat as the Sanctuary has numerous communal BBQ's for all to use. For the more adventurous there is river rafting, which includes some white water, there is mountaineering, mountain walks, excellent fishing and hunting. Caves with cave drawings can be found locally with stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful underground divers.

Caravaca de la Cruz, the main town in the extensive area in the northwest of the Autonomous Region of Murcia, has 23,362 inhabitants. It has an area of 858.3km2, where fourteen villages are located. It is situated 625m above sea level, which provides a dry climate with an average temperature of 30 degrees C in July and 5 degrees C in January. The town has a unique and ancient history. This can be attested by the numerous archaeological sites found in the local area (Aeneolithic, Argaric, Iberian and Roman). However, the first plan of the town was laid out in the Middle Ages. At that time, the city was confined to the area within the Castle walls. It was precisely in this historical context, as Christianity was becoming more widespread, that, according to tradition, the Cross appeared in an area which was then a frontier town. Nowadays, Caravaca is a modern town with many facilities: District Hospital, Official School of Languages, MOT Centre, Open University, Area Agricultural Office, Chamber of Commerce. These, together with the agricultural and cattle breeding activities, and the industrial and service sector make Caravaca de la Cruz a dynamic and welcoming town.

Sucina village in the Murcia region, with its quaint street market and traditional spanish lifestyle, is in an area of stunning scenery, and yet is just 12km from the superb beaches of the Mediterranean coast and Mar Menor. The peaceful village has a rich historical and artistic heritage. It lies in an area of olive groves, vines, orchid fields, mountains, rivers, and a bird protection park, and is renowned for its ideal climate all through the year.

There are many facilities in Torrevieja and the surrounding areas - not least the countless superb restaurants, tapas bars and shops. Near to the marina and port are superb fish restaurants specializing in catch of the day. There is also a wonderful indoor market, which offers a tremendous selection of fish, fruit, meat and vegetables throughout the year.

There have been many superb improvements to the town in the last couple of years. Underground car parks have been built, beautiful fountains have been constructed, and the promenade pedestrianized. To this, have been added wooden benches and lighting along the coastline with man-made lagoons for swimming in the summer months. Disabled visitors have also been well catered for, with specially constructed ramps and platforms. A causeway between the sea Pink Try download mp3 for free and the harbor has proved immensely popular with residents and visitors alike. There are 3 excellent hospitals in Torrevieja, the newest and biggest being San Jaime, with state of the art facilities. There are private and national health clinics as well as many doctors and dentists of all nationalities.

Many beautiful plazas and historic churches can be found throughout the town to provide cultural interest. Torrevieja is served by a frequent, highly efficient bus service, both locally and to all parts of Spain and Europe. There are two aqua parks, and a large indoor sports centre with an Olympic size swimming pool to cater for the more energetic. As well as the many water sports activities and fitness centres available there is something here for every sports enthusiast. For those who desire more leisurely activities, there is a multi-screen cinema complex together with an excellent ten-pin bowling alley alongside numerous bars and restaurants.

San Miguel is a short distance inland from Torrevieja and is a typical Spanish market town with a small square at its centre overlooked by the town’s main church. It has excellent access to the motorways and the numerous beaches and golf courses along the coastline. Wednesday is market day in the town and the town centre has plenty of small bars and restaurants

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