A colorful, sunny town by the sea, full of salt, sunshine, and local life.
Welcome to Torrevieja — where Spain feels truly alive.
🌊 A City Shaped by the Sea (and Salt)
Torrevieja is a vibrant coastal town located in the province of Alicante, in the southern part of Spain’s Costa Blanca. Unlike the big tourist hotspots, Torrevieja feels more grounded — more real.
Its roots aren’t in luxury hotels, but in salt and sea.
Historically, the town grew around two natural salt lakes (Las Salinas) and its salt export industry. Even today, you can see the striking pink hue of the salt lagoon, which attracts photographers, health seekers, and curious travelers.
Salt shaped this city — and still plays a role in daily life. You’ll find salt sculptures, a salt museum, and even a yearly festival in its honor.
🏝️ Beaches That Locals Love
Unlike the polished, sometimes crowded beaches of big resorts, Torrevieja offers a blend of wild coves and family-friendly sandy stretches.
Top beaches to visit:
- Playa del Cura – right in the city, walkable, perfect for families
- Playa de Los Locos – a bit more local, with chiringuitos and space to breathe
- Cala Ferris – palm trees, clear water, natural vibe
- La Mata Beach – long and peaceful, ideal for walks
- No matter which beach you choose, there’s always the Mediterranean breeze, Spanish music nearby, and someone offering fresh churros.
🌆 A Town That Feels Lived In
One of Torrevieja’s greatest charms is that it’s not just for tourists. People live here, raise families, go to school, run small bakeries and bike shops. This gives the town a warm, lived-in feel that many modern resort towns lack.
You’ll hear Spanish, Russian, English, Ukrainian, German — sometimes all on the same street. It’s a multicultural blend that somehow works.
The central promenade along the sea is the town’s heartbeat — lined with palm trees, kiosks, cafes, and older gentlemen playing dominoes. There’s also the famous craft market and the iconic Monument to the Musician (Monumento al Hombre del Mar).
🧂 Don’t Miss: The Pink Salt Lakes (Las Salinas)
One of the most unique things about Torrevieja is Las Salinas — two massive natural salt lakes, one of which turns pink due to a special type of algae.
Locals bathe here (unofficially), claiming that the salty water helps with skin and joint problems. The lake also attracts hundreds of flamingos during migration seasons — a surreal scene.
🥘 Food & Culture: Simple, Local, Delicious
Torrevieja isn’t about fine dining — it’s about real Spanish food cooked with heart.
What to try:
- Arroz a banda – a local-style paella cooked in fish broth
- Tapas – from anchovies to Spanish omelette (tortilla)
- Churros with chocolate – especially after a beach walk
- Fresh seafood – catch of the day grilled with olive oil and lemon
- Don’t miss the local street markets on Fridays and the summer ferias, where locals dress in traditional outfits, ride horses, and dance sevillanas.
🎭 Events & Community
Despite its modest size, Torrevieja hosts dozens of festivals and cultural events, including:
- Habaneras Choral Competition – a historic singing contest tied to the town’s Cuban connections
- Carnaval – full of costumes and colorful parades
- Semana Santa – dramatic Holy Week processions through the city
- Summer cinema by the sea – free movies at the beach
- There’s also a growing art scene, pop-up workshops, and even coding schools and tech meetups for digital nomads.
💬 Why People Stay
Torrevieja has that rare balance: it’s lively, but calm. It has modern supermarkets and cozy bakeries. You can live a digital life, but still hear the seagulls and smell the sea.
Many who come here for vacation eventually stay — drawn by:
- affordable cost of living
- mild winters
- walkable lifestyle
- mix of Spanish culture and international communities
- 💬 “I came for a summer. I stayed for five years.” – a common phrase among expats.
🧭 Planning Your Visit (or Move)
Torrevieja is:
- 45 min from Alicante airport (El Altet)
- 30 min from Murcia airport
- 10–20 min drive from surrounding beaches and villages
You don’t need a car, but it helps if you live outside the center.
The town is also incredibly walkable and bike-friendly.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Torrevieja may not be on every “top 10 beaches in Spain” list — and that’s a good thing. It’s real, warm, a bit chaotic, sometimes salty, always sunny. It’s a town where life happens — slowly, loudly, colorfully.
Whether you’re a traveler, a local entrepreneur, or someone looking to settle down by the sea… Torrevieja has something to offer.
You just have to walk its promenade and feel it for yourself.