Are you thinking about moving to Torrevieja Spain?
If yes, this is your guide 
You are either from an EU or non-EU country… and I have the perfect articles I published on Torrevieja Translation to help you move to Spain, but I will put them at the end of the article.
Welcome to the most complete guide about moving to Torrevieja Spain
Before we start… Yours Free
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About Torrevieja
Torrevieja is a coastal resort on the Costa Blanca in the south east of Spain. It is famed for its quality beaches, a protected Natural Park and two salt lakes.
Torrevieja is located in the Alicante region of the Costa Blanca, some 47 km south east of the regional capital of Alicante and the nearest large international airport is 36 km from the resort.
(Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, South east Spain – Google Maps)
Other resorts and cities in the area include Benidorm at 77 km, Cartagena at 55 km, Elche 35 km, Guardamar 12 km, Orihuela 31 km and Murcia is 46 km with its airport at San Javier being just 28 km from Torrevieja.
Further north Alicante province, there are other beautiful towns such as Altea and Calpe.
What is the History of Torrevieja Spain?
Several historians list Torrevieja’s history as beginning as a settlement during the late 18th or early 19th centuries.
There is little evidence today of life here previous to that time. However, the area was heavily in use due to the salt flats by the Romans, if not before.
The earliest ancient findings were dated from around 500 BC when ceramics and a bronze arrowhead were discovered in the area of the Laguna de La Mata salt lake.
One historic event that stands out in the history of Torrevieja was an earthquake that struck in 1829, this led to the complete destruction of what little settlement existed at that time and one of the reasons why nothing of historical importance exists today.
General information about Torrevieja
The area around both Torrevieja and nearby Orihuela is famed for its producing salt with huge salt lakes visible along the road heading towards Alicante: the pink lake and the green lake.
Did you know more than half a million tons of salt is produced here every year?
These make up the La mata and Torrevieja nature reserve. To walk round them is very rewarding and these natural surroundings make it a good tourist area.
If you are thinking about moving to Spain from the UK, many British citizens love Torrevieja Spain, so you it could be a great city to start a new Spanish life
(Pink and green lakes of Torrevieja – View taken from International Space Station)
UK citizens have to apply for a visa to live in Spain long-term (more than 90 days), you may want to explore the non-lucrative visa Spain.
In addition to the salt industry, fishing and tourism keeps the local economy thriving. The harbour is home to around 300 fishing boats of all sizes and another 900 privately owned boats for other purposes.
Torrevieja takes its name from an old tower (vieja, meaning old, and torre meaning tower), and was first used around the year 1800.
From a village in the 19th century, Torrevieja has grown into one of Spain’s fastest growing cities with several foreign residents now calling the city their home among the 100,000 or so inhabitants of the city.
The plaza (square) and the main church, which was originally erected in 1798 and rebuilt in 1844 following the earthquake. It is a very central building and hosts many of the towns processions (e.g. Holy week and Christmas).
There are 3 theatres in the town:
- Teatro Municipal
- Palacio de Música
- Virgen del Carmen
You can walk to any of them as parking is at a premium. Many Charity shows appear at these theatres and are varied between Spanish and English shows and prices are reasonable.
What is the Weather like in Torrevieja?
Torrevieja, receives an average of 320 sunny days each year with an average temperature of around 17C.
Temperatures in July and August average at around 30C while the most comfortable months, weather-wise are during the months of April, May, June, September, October and Novenber.
The winters here are short and generally pleasant with daytime temperatures rarely falling below 10C.
About Culture in Torrevieja
Museums and culture are abundant here.
The sea and salt museum is housed temporary at Patricio Pérez street, whist work is being carried out in the Eras de la Sal complex (which also houses an open air theatre for summer concerts).
The museum is to show the imprint left by the sea on the people of Torrevieja Spain over the centuries showing the town is closely bound up with the sea and production of Salt.
The custom launch Albatros 111 was constructed in 1974 and is now a floating museum and is moored next to the submarine called Delfin which also part of the floating museum and offers us the chance to discover the insides of a sub. These are moored in the towns fishing port.
The Museo de la Semana Santa is situated a few kilometres out of the main town and this houses all the treasures of Torrevieja’s Holy week, where there are processions every night throughout the town.
(Playa de La Mata, Cabo Cervera – Torrevieja Spain)
Gastronomy
While Torrevieja has no traditional local dishes it can call its own, there is an abundance of typically Spanish food available, particularly tapas and paella or other regional seafood dishes.
Due to its international community there are also numerous opportunities to enjoy German, British and Italian foods here in Torrevieja.
How much does it cost to rent or buy property in Torrevieja Spain?
Buying property in Torrevieja is among the cheapest along the Costa Blanca with two bedroomed apartments available from 55,000 Euros up to more than double that price at 140,000.
Larger three bedroomed apartments cost around 150,000 Euros, while three bedroomed villas are available from around 300,000 Euros.
The price of long term rentals in the area can start from around 200 Euros per month for a studio apartment, 400 per month for a two bedroomed apartment, and up to 2,000 per month for a luxury penthouse.
What are the most Interesting Attractions I should visit in Torrevieja?
Laguna Salada de Torrevieja
This salt lake is one of the few in the world that is coloured pink, the bacteria in the water help give it that colour.
To arrive at the lake follow the green route, or via verde from the city centre until you reach a dirt path, continue along this path where upon arrival at the lake, you should be able to spot the numerous varieties of bird life that reside here in this official protected nature reserve.
Cervera Cape Tower
Known locally as the Torre del Moro, this tower is surrounded by picturesque views of the Costa Blanca across the 23,000 square metres of park land.
Markets
Every Friday, one of Spain’s largest open air markets takes place in Torrevieja, selling products ranging from food, textiles, clothes and accessories.
There is a smaller market that takes place every Saturday, while street markets are available every day in several locations across the city.
Iglesia de la Immaculada Concepcion
This church is transformed every year just before Christmas with a nativity display on the plaza.
The models on display are amazing in their detail and include moving models to create a subtle display of the ancient and modern including Mary sewing and Joseph at work in his workshop.
The displays also incorporate modern life of the city including the salt industry.
Marina
The marina in the city is a hive of activity especially during lunchtimes and in the evening.
Take a walk in this area to discover the surrounding streets, bust with restaurants, bars and small shops.
Many of the businesses are open until the early hours of the morning and include a wonderful indoor seafood market.
Festivals
Torrevieja has many festivals as is customary across Spain.
Its biggest celebration is held every August and known as the Habaneras Festival. It has taken place for more than 40 years and is an international competition of singing, with competitors arriving from across Europe to compete.
Competitions take place across several plazas and has its influence from Cuba, where ships would at one time carry salt to the Caribbean island and one of the things brought back was this piece of culture.
Hombre del Mar and La Bella Lola
The Man of the Sea is located on the Paseo Maritimo Juan Aparicio in Torrevieja and is a tribute to the seafaring men of the city who have over the years fought and sacrificed themselves to the sea. It has become a symbol of the city of Torrevieja.
La bella Lola is another famous statue you will see a few meters aways from the stairs that will take you to El Hombre del Mar.
(“La Bella Lola” at the seafront… always waiting)
Beaches
There are great walks along the promenade toward the eastern docks.
Here we have a magnificent avenue which is a raised structure supported on breakwater which runs out for almost a mile.
There are seats and pergolas where you can relax halfway along is a statue of a woman waving to her fisherman husband, a cycle path and walkway runs along the lower path leading to a new marina and very relaxing bars.
(A picture taken from the raised structure)
From the avenue, you can see Playa de los Náufragos and Playa del Acequión.
(Playa de los Náufragos, the raised structure is behind the right stone wall – Torrevieja Spain)
The playas (beaches) that are close to my street, Ramón Gallud, are called Playa de los Locos, and the nearest 3 minutes walk is Playa del Cura, named after a priest who was washed up on the shore. I love living so close to the sea and with the warm sunshine its heaven.
Image Credit: Mike Y., P. Heather, NASA
Yours Free
Spain 101 is a free ebook full of unique tips that will save you thousands of Euros when moving to / living in Spain.
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