The town of Torrevieja is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It acquired commercial and economic importance in the 19th century, when salt mining centers were opened here. Now these salt lagoons have been transformed into a national park. So what to see in Torrevieja?
Of course, Torrevieja is famous for its long sandy beaches, clear waters, mild climate and colorful nature. By the way, this town is considered the warmest and sunniest in all of Europe. In August, temperatures can reach 32 degrees. In addition to just a beach holiday, you can also play beach volleyball, go water skiing or go on an entertaining hike along the rocky coast.
The symbol of Torrevieja is a powerful watchtower, towering on a promontory overlooking the sea. It was built in the XIV century. Now, from its top, a stunning view of the city and the lagoon opens up. There are few preserved ancient architecture in the city, but there are many interesting buildings in the Art Nouveau style. And in the middle of the 20th century, a wooden pier with a shipyard was restored.
There are also many museums in Torrevieja, the most famous of which is the Museum of Sea and Salt, which tells about the history of this city and the salt industry. And in the port, an old submarine, donated to the city by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, is open for tourist visits. Torrevieja also hosts the famous Cuban Habanera Dance Festival every year.
TOP 10 attractions in Torrevieja
Torre del Moro tower
Torre del Moro tower
The Torre del Moro tower is the symbol of Torrevieja. It is located on the picturesque Cape Cervera and is a powerful stone structure with a jagged top. Its name, which translates as "Moorish Tower", sends us far back in time - during the Reconquista - the liberation of Spain from the Arabs.
It is believed that the first defensive tower on this site was built at the beginning of the XIV century. Military operations were repeatedly conducted here - in 1378 two Arab galleys landed on the shore, and then the war broke out between Castile and Aragon. Subsequently, the tower was rebuilt and strengthened several times.
Now this snow-white round tower is wildly popular among tourists. It is located in the territory of a huge park, five kilometers from the center of Torrevieja and just a hundred meters from the seashore. The tower is surrounded by two small huts - reconstructions of old fishermen's houses, where an interesting cafe operates. You can climb the very tower of Torre del Moro - at its top there is an observation deck, from where you can enjoy stunning views of the lagoon and the city itself.
It is worth noting that in addition to the Torre del Moro tower, in the suburb of Torrevieja, there is another approximately the same defensive tower - Torre La Mata.
Museum of Sea and Salt
Museum of Sea and Salt
A small museum of sea and salt was opened back in 1995, but immediately became wildly popular among tourists. His collection is dedicated to the main "craft" of the city's inhabitants - salt mining. Torrevieja became a major salt mining center in 1803, and Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark became one of the main buyers. It is known that in the 19th century, only a quarter of the mined salt remained in Spain, and the remaining three quarters of the goods were exported. Thus, the city quickly grew in size and richer.
Now, in the Museum of Sea and Salt, one can get acquainted with the history of the salt-extracting industry and even with the process of extraction and processing of salt itself. It also displays trade documents and maps, as well as antique salt-mining instruments and tools.
A separate exposition is dedicated to navigation, seafaring and fishing. Of particular interest are the precise models of merchant and fishing vessels, and the highlight of the program are the amazing sparkling sculptures made of salt. They also depict old steamers as well as famous architectural structures.
A branch of the Sea and Salt Museum is the so-called floating museum, located in the fishing port of Torrevieja. Not far from the modern building of the museum is the historical complex of Eras de la Sal.
Eras de la Sal
Eras de la Sal
Eras de la Salle is a masterpiece of industrial architecture from the 18th century. It includes a wooden jetty with a dock, a small shipyard and a salt storage warehouse. In the 19th century, when the town of Torrevieja became a major economic center thanks to the extraction of salt in the region, it was here that business and trade were in full swing.
At the end of the 20th century, the old wooden pier was replaced, and the famous city festival of the fiery Cuban dance of the habanera is now taking place in the courtyard of the former shipyard and warehouse.
Juan Aparicio promenade
Juan Aparicio promenade
The promenade (or alley) of Juan Aparicio is the most popular destination in all of Torrevieja. It runs along the rocky coastline and connects several cozy beaches at once, including the famous La Cura beach. The embankment was rebuilt in 1999 and became completely pedestrianized. Now there are many souvenir shops, cafeterias and bars, as well as two curious swimming pools that appeared after reconstruction at the end of the 20th century.
Not far from La Cura beach, another symbol of Torrevieja rises - a row of powerful columns imitating ancient ones. This composition, which is called Las Columnas, that is Columns, symbolizes the diversity of Mediterranean cultures. An elite restaurant serving local cuisine is located next to this monument.
Floating museum
Floating museum
In the fishing port of Torrevieja, there are two amazing exhibits belonging to the city's famous Museum of Sea and Salt.
- First of all, this is the old submarine Dolphin, donated to the municipality by the Spanish Ministry of Defense. Now you can climb aboard and see how the interior of the former submarine is arranged; to get acquainted with the life of a submariner. The Dolphin submarine, open to tourists since 2004, is the first museum of its kind in the whole of Spain.
- The second exhibit of the floating museum is a small customs patrol boat that has been operating for over 30 years. Tourists are invited to board this curious ship with the romantic name Albatross. It was converted into a museum in 2006.
It should be noted that the floating museum closes in bad weather. However, it is not for nothing that Torrevieja is considered one of the sunniest cities in all of Europe.
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Church of the Immaculate Conception
The Church of the Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada-Concepcion) was built in 1789, but 30 years later the city was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake. The temple was rebuilt, while the stones were used for construction, which consisted of the famous medieval watchtower - the symbol of the city. The modern church building dates back to the second half of the 19th century. It contains bright elements of the neoclassical style. The triangular main portal of the temple stands out in particular, in the niches of which graceful statues of the Virgin Mary are installed. Inside, the temple is richly decorated with paintings and sculptures.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception is the main temple of Torrevieja. The altar of the temple contains the miraculous image of the Mother of God, which is carried out during solemn festive processions.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The City Museum of Natural History is housed in an old building of the former railway station. It tells about the life of the fishing village, which used to be Torrevieja, about the history of salt mining in this region, but also other interesting exhibits are exhibited.
Here are the skeletons of marine animals, including dolphins and whales. Copies of Mediterranean bird and turtle eggs can also be seen. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the unique mollusks and corals that were found in the tropical seas washing Africa. Visiting the museum is free.
The natural history museum is adjoined by the luxurious Doña Sinforosa Park, facing the waterfront. There are many attractions for children, as well as a variety of music festivals and concerts.
Torrevieja beaches
Los Naufragos beach
Torrevieja is famous for its luxurious sandy and rocky beaches. The length of all beaches is 20 kilometers. Many of them are located within the city limits and therefore are often crowded, but there are also more closed beaches hiding in rocky coves. Almost every beach has the opportunity to rent a sun lounger with an umbrella, and some even have special areas for beach volleyball, diving, water skiing and other active leisure.
- Los Naufragos Beach is located within the city of Torrevieja and is considered one of the most popular. It is adjacent to the business districts and the new port, but still has a clear water and sand. Here you can play beach volleyball, rent a motor boat, and the secluded rocky coves are ideal for fishing.
- Los Locos Beach is located in the northern part of the city. Its coastline is 750 meters long. It is famous for its golden sand, warm waters and a variety of entertainment - a diving board is installed on the beach, as well as a funny pyramid with hanging ropes for climbing. The history of the name of this place is curious - literally the beach is translated as "beach of the crazy", because earlier there was really a shelter for the mentally ill.
- La Mata beach is located in the eponymous suburb of Torrevieja. This is the longest beach in the city - it is more than 2 kilometers long. The beach itself connects two famous defensive towers - Torre La Mata, located on the very shore of the sea, and Torre del Moro, located on Cape Cervera. On the territory of this luxurious sandy beach, there are several beach volleyball courts and even beach soccer. A cozy promenade with various cafes and restaurants leads to the beach. The beach slowly turns into luxurious dunes, on the territory of which the Molino del Aqua Park is laid out.
Torre La Mata Tower
Torre La Mata Tower
The Torre La Mata Tower is located in the suburb of Torrevieja of the same name, La Mata. This ancient defensive structure was built in the XIV century, but was rebuilt many times. The modern building was completed already in the 16th century. This thick tower served as a defensive fort, protecting the town from Arabs, pirates and other enemies. Now it is a powerful round stone structure, erected on a rocky ledge that goes straight into the open sea. Not far from the Torre La Mata tower is the La Mata National Park with its famous salt lagoons.
On the territory of the city of Torrevieja itself there is another ancient defensive tower - Torre del Moro, at the top of which a stunning observation deck is open.
Salt lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja
Salt lagoons
The famous salt lagoons of La Mata and Torrevieja have been used for salt extraction for several centuries, which subsequently led to the growth of the city of Torrevieja itself and its transformation into a commercial and economic center. Now these territories, where salt lakes are located, are under state protection and have been transformed into a national park.
The lagoons are characterized by an amazing landscape - this is a marshland saturated with salt. Therefore, unique plants grow here, adapted to exist in similar places with brackish soil. Curious grasses, lichens and even succulents grow here.
To the south, the concentration of salt in the soil decreases and the landscape changes. There are already typical Mediterranean trees and shrubs - fragrant thyme, luxurious pine trees and even eucalyptus trees.
The salt lagoons are famous for their vibrant pink flamingos. There are also a variety of ducks, waders and even a bird of prey, the harrier, a distant relative of the hawk.
