Where is Pilar de la Horadada?
Pilar de la Horadada sits on the Costa Blanca South, in the province of Alicante. It is the southernmost municipality of the Valencian Community, and the border with the Region of Murcia is only a kilometre or so away, with Alicante city around 66 km to the north.
That position matters in daily life. You get the Costa Blanca on one side and the Mar Menor and Costa Cálida on the other, so shopping, airports and days out are spread in two directions.
The town itself lies slightly inland. Torre de la Horadada, Mil Palmeras, Las Higuericas and El Mojón are the coastal parts of the same municipality.
What is it like to live in Pilar de la Horadada?
It feels Spanish first and holiday resort second. This is a real town of roughly 25,000 permanent residents, not a purpose-built urbanisation, and it only became independent from Orihuela in 1986.
Daily life is straightforward. The town has a health centre, pharmacies, banks, schools, a library, an indoor pool and sports complex, big-name supermarkets and a good run of ordinary Spanish shops and tapas bars around the church square.
The weekly street market is held on Friday mornings in the streets near the post office. It is busy, cheap and sociable, and in summer you may have to park some way off.
Outside the town you have farmland, citrus and vegetable fields, the Río Seco walking routes and the Lagunas de Lo Monte wetland, where flamingos feed. A 3 km path called Del Pilar al Mar links the town centre to El Conde beach, which you can walk, cycle or skate.
Healthcare is solid for a town this size. The main medical centre is open all day on weekdays, and the nearest large A&E units are at the public and private hospitals in Torrevieja.
How much does property cost in Pilar de la Horadada?
All figures below come from our own listings at the time of writing (September 2026), so treat them as a guide to asking prices rather than a valuation.
- Entry level: from just under €100,000 for the cheapest resale apartments and duplexes.
- Duplexes and townhouses: typically around €215,000.
- Penthouses: typically around €300,000.
- Apartments: median around €340,000, pushed up by a large share of new-build schemes.
- Villas, bungalows and detached houses: typically €370,000 to €410,000.
- Top end: a small number of front-line and luxury villas run into the millions, up to about €3.6 million.
Two things shape that mix. Around seven in ten of our homes here are new build, and more than three quarters have a pool, private or communal. The typical home is a three-bedroom property of about 85 m² built area, so expect sensible family layouts rather than huge villas.
On costs, resale purchases in the Valencian Community carry transfer tax (ITP) at 9%, rising to 11% on the part above €1 million from 1 June 2026. New build is 10% IVA plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD).
How far is Pilar de la Horadada from the beach and the airport?
The municipality has more than five kilometres of coast, with fine sand, several Blue Flag beaches and ramp access at the main ones. From the town centre the beach is a short drive, roughly ten minutes, or a bus ride.
If you want the sand on foot, buy on the coast. From most homes in Torre de la Horadada the beach is a five to ten minute walk.
For flights, Región de Murcia airport (RMU, Corvera) is the closer of the two, around 30 to 40 minutes by car. Alicante-Elche airport (ALC) is around 50 minutes to an hour, using the AP-7 and N-332.
Is Pilar de la Horadada good for golf?
Yes, and it is one of the best-placed towns on this coast for it. Lo Romero Golf is only about 3 km away, an 18-hole par 72 laid out on a former citrus orchard, designed by Jorge Gallén and Enric Soler and opened in January 2008. Its signature hole is the par-4 18th, played downhill to an island green.
Four more courses sit within a short drive: Las Ramblas at roughly 6 km, Real Club de Golf Campoamor and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club at about 7 km, and Villamartín at around 8 km. That means five very different layouts inside about 15 minutes of home.
Golf here is a year-round habit rather than a holiday treat. Winter tee times are busy, so book ahead from January to March.
Who buys in Pilar de la Horadada, and is it good for renting out?
Buyers are a mix. The town and its villages are home to thousands of British, German and other northern European residents, alongside a large Spanish population, which is unusual on this coast and a big part of the appeal.
Three types of buyer come to us most often. Retirees who want amenities within walking distance, families drawn by state schools, nurseries and language academies plus an international school in the municipality, and golfers who want a lock-up-and-leave near Lo Romero.
For letting, the coastal parts rent best in summer, while the town centre and Pinar de Campoverde suit longer winter lets and golf visitors. A pool, air conditioning and walking distance to either the beach or the market square make the difference. Check the tourist licence position for any specific property before you commit.
If you would like an honest view on a particular street or scheme, our office is in Cabo Roig and we are happy to talk it through, or you can browse the homes listed above.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pilar de la Horadada busy all year, or does it close down in winter?
The town centre stays open and busy all year because most residents live here permanently. The beach villages are much quieter from November to March, though many cafés and restaurants in Torre de la Horadada do stay open through the winter.
Do I need a car to live in Pilar de la Horadada?
Not for daily errands in the town centre, which is walkable. A car is very useful for beaches, golf, airports and larger shopping, as local bus frequencies are modest.
Which part of the municipality should I choose?
Choose the town centre for amenities and value, Torre de la Horadada or Mil Palmeras for walkable beach life, Las Higuericas or El Mojón for quieter sand, and Pinar de Campoverde or Lo Romero for pine trees, space and golf.
Is it better to buy new build or resale here?
New build dominates our current selection and usually means a pool, parking and modern insulation, but you pay 10% IVA plus 1.4% AJD and often wait for completion. Resale is cheaper to buy, quicker to move into and taxed at 9% ITP.
How does Pilar de la Horadada compare with Orihuela Costa?
Pilar is more Spanish in feel, with a proper town centre and market, while Orihuela Costa resorts such as Campoamor and La Zenia are more international and have bigger shopping and nightlife. Many buyers view both, since they are only 10 to 20 minutes apart.
Are the beaches good for swimming with children?
Generally yes. The main beaches are fine sand with calm, shallow water, lifeguards through the summer season and ramp access, and red flags are uncommon on this sheltered stretch of coast.