Orihuela Costa

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Orihuela Costa is a coastal region situated on the southern part of  Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante. It stretches from Punta Prima on the outskirt of Torrevieja  down to Campoamor next to Mil Palmeras and Torre de la Horadada. Despite its name Orihuela Costa is actually located around 20 kilometres away from the main town of Orihuela – and is a satellite town of Orihuela.

Climate
Orihuela Costa  enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with cool sea breezes in summer and protection by surrounding mountains against the cold North winds in winter. The area averages nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and the average temperature easily exceeds 20 degrees.

In 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the climate of the area as one of the most equitable in the world – neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. On average it can boast 325 sunny days each year making it an ideal all year round destination

Natural surroundings

  • Orihuela costa lies in a fertile plain of Segura river, backed by mountain ranges. This area owes an important ecological heritage, which is reflected in the wide variety of landscapes that contrast each other, such as the River Segura which winds its way through two different types of landscapes: dry lands and irrigated lands. Also in sharp contrast to the irrigated lands of the plain, the mountain rages of Orihuela, Callosa de Segura and Albatera all stand out and, on the right bank of the River Segura raises Sierra Escalona. All these mountains have great ecological value and landscape that is representative of the native flora and fauna.

Beaches
Orihuela Costa has 16 kilometres of coastline which varies from rugged coastline with crystal-clear water to fine white sandy beaches. These beaches are ideal for water-sports, fishing etc., or for just relaxing and enjoying the wonderful Orihuela Costa weather.

  • Punta Prima. This attractive cove beach consists of two lever with a length of 170 meter by 15 meter wide. it is accessed by ramps and stairs. It is  planned to install a lift this year to provide access for the elderly and physically handicapped to the beach area. This beach features a wide range of facilities in the area as well as bus stop and public telephone.

  • Playa Flamenca This popular beach has a length of 15o meters and width of 15 meters. Its access has no obstacles. This sandy beach is bordered on the north by Playa La Mosca and south by  Playa La Zenia . This beach has been  blue flag awarded. Acknowledging the constant attention to the beach and its facilities by the town hall. This beach is provided with parking facilities, special access for handicapped people, play area, toilets, foot washing facilities, life-guard tower and red red cross station. Further more you find a bus stop and a taxi rank.  There is also a nice promenade stretching from north to south. Next to the beach you find many restaurants where visitors can enjoy the traditional dishes of the area.
  • La Zenia This is one of the most popular beaches in  Orihuela Costa. This sandy beach is 350 meters long by 60 wide. This very popular beach will be endeavouring to secure a Blue Flag next year and is an ideal location for the practising of all kind of water sports. There is special access for handicapped people, toilets, foot-washing facilities and a Red Cross station, public telephone, parking, play area, taxi-rank and a bus service in the area. Closed to this beach you find plenty of restaurants where you can tasted  Spanish and European dishes. Next to this beach you find hotel La Zenia.
  • Cala Capitan.This sandy beach has a length of 157 m and a width of 85 m.  It is bordered on the north with a small tongue of land that separates it from the beach of La Zenia. On the Cala Capitán beach stands out a small islet called Isla del Carmen, accessible from the seashore of the beach and located a short distance. From it you can sunbathe and practice diving,  snorkelling and watching the thousands of little fish such as mullets, breams, etc.  swimming in the clear blue water. This beach shows off the blue flag since 2003 and the Q for Quality Tourism. There is special access for handicapped people, toilets, foot-washing facilities and a Red Cross station,  parking and  play area.
  • Cabo Roig. This cove shaped  beach has a length of 420 metere and a width of 20 meter. This beach is ideal for those who love water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing.etc. The beach has been awarded with the Blue Flag as was the nearby marina.This beach is provided with parking facilities, bus stop, special access for handicapped people, play area, toilets, foot washing facilities, life-guard tower and red red cross station. Close by you find many good restaurants offering a wide range of good food.
  • Playa de la Glea Campoamor. This sandy beach has a length of 513 meters and a width of 70 meters. It is bordering on the north with Aguamarina beach and to the south with the marina and Playa Barranco. This beach is awarded with the blue flag  and the Q for Quality Tourism.  There is special access for handicapped people, toilets, foot-washing facilities and a Red Cross station, public telephone, parking, play area, taxi-rank and a bus service in the area. Closed to this beach you find plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy good food. In the nearby you find hotel Montepiedra.
  • Playa Aguamarina. This natural beach has a length of  500 and a width of 30 meters. It is bordering on the north with Playa Caleta de la Glea and on the south with Playa de la Glea.There is special access for handicapped people, toilets, foot-washing facilities and a Red Cross station, public telephone, parking, play area, taxi-rank and a bus service in the area
  • Playa Caleta  de la Glea. This beautiful beach has a length of 387 meters and a width of 43 meter. It is bordering on the north with Punta de la Glea Cliffs and on the south with Playa Aquamarine. Due to its location next to Aguamarina, you find all facilities nearby.

Recreation and Leisure

The array of sports on offer in Orihuela Costa is almost endless, having a wide range of sports facilities available. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, you will have the opportunity to practise any sport you like from morning to evening.

All kind of water sports can be practised in Orihuela Costa , where there are plenty marinas with a huge range of activities: all types of sailing, windsurfing, rowing, canoeing, snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing. On the other hand for those who prefer land to sea, there is also an extensive range of activities to choose from: mountain climbing (Barranco de la Higuera),  biking (Sierra de Escalona) and hiking (Sierra de Orihuela and La Pedrera reservoir)

Golf
Orihuela Costa is an excellent choice for golf holidays, with four superb golf courses in the area Villamartin, Campoamor, Las Ramblas and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club.

Eating out
There are many welcoming restaurants along the area. do not midd a  typical noisy and busy Spanish tapas bar.Depending from the bar you can choose from many of the tapas on display in the glass cabinet. try the Revuelto which is scrambled egg with asparagus, and  the delicious Pulpo which is small pieces of octopus in a picle. Always  served with fresh warm bread and a glass of  Jumilla wine.

Excursions
It’s possible to take the ferry to Tabarca  island directly from the port in Torrevieja.

Cuisine
The local cuisine  is typically that of the Costa Blanca, which combines vegetables and fruit from La huerta del Segura ( fertile flood plain) and the Mediterranean Sea. Many civilizations have lived in this area (Celts, Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Muslims), all of which have all left their mark on the gastronomy.
The diet in Orihuela Costa   is a healthy Mediterranean one; the Costa Blanca is rich in fish, vegetables, olive-oil, rice and fruit and the ingredients which are all used to prepare delicious, healthy dishes, such as Paella Valenciana, Arroz Negro (black rice), Arroz al horno (Oven baked rice), Arroz a banda (fish and rice stew), Arroz del Señoret (Princes rice).

Aside from seafood, typical dishes include succulent lamb chops, rabbit in garlic, roast leg of lamb with garlic and fresh rosemary, and home made sausages and black puddings.

If you have a sweet tooth then you will enjoy the local homemade pastries and deserts that the whole region is famous for. Or Jijona ice-cream (Nougat), which is made with the almonds of the region.

Orihuela town history

Orihuela is the capital of the region of the “Vega Baja del Segura” (natural region of the Segura River); it has been the capital of a province and even of a kingdom. The city was named the first city of the province of Alicante, 11 September 1437.

In 576 it was the capital of the Visigothic province of Aurariola, to which it gave its name. In 713 (5 April) the military man and Count Teodomiro, proclaimed himself King of Tudmir.

In 825 the Kingdom of Tudmir, became a dependent kingdom under Umayyad control, and the capital was moved to Murcia. In 910 the Kingdom of Tudmir passed to the Emirate of Cordova.

In 1304 Orihuela was considered to be on the border between the kingdoms of Castile and Aragón. In 1366 it passed to the kingdom of Valencia.

1799 Orihuela was part of the province of Alicante. In 1810, Napoleon made Orihuela part of the Department of Segura with the capital at Murcia. In 1822, Orihuela passed to the province of Murcia. 1833 it became part of the province of Alicante. In 1920 nationalistic movements spoke of Orihuela as belonging to the “country of Murcia.”

Between 1988 and 2006 various research studies from the Universities of Andalusia, Castile and Murcia demonstrated that Orihuela was more culturally part of Murcia than Valencia in terms of phonetics, lexicon, architecture, agriculture, folklore, musical celebrations, instruments, language,  gastronomy and varieties.