Where is Torre la Mata?
Torre la Mata, often just called La Mata, sits on the coast about 5 km north east of the centre of Torrevieja, in the province of Alicante. It is part of the Torrevieja municipality, not a separate town.
The district takes its name from its old coastal watchtower, which stands right by the sea on the beach that carries the same name. The tower once guarded the salt works and the loading pier that stood opposite it.
South of Torre la Mata is the small headland of Cabo Cervera, and behind the beach lie the La Mata and Torrevieja lagoons. Inland, the older village streets of La Mata pueblo and the residential grid of Los Europeos continue the same area.
What is it like to live in Torre la Mata?
Calmer than central Torrevieja, and more Spanish in feel. The population of the La Mata district is small, a little over a thousand residents, so it keeps a village rhythm out of season.
Daily life happens along the seafront and the streets just behind it: small shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and beach chiringuitos, with a long esplanade running the length of the sand. It is a place for walking, coffee and slow days rather than nightlife.
Practical things you will use:
- The weekly street market, held on Wednesday mornings around Avenida de Francia, with roughly 250 stalls of fruit, vegetables, clothing and leather goods.
- Torrevieja's very large Friday market, one of the biggest in Spain, a short drive away.
- Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja, the public hospital serving the area, on the CV-95 on the edge of town.
- Supermarkets, banks, bigger shops and international schooling options in Torrevieja and the wider Orihuela Costa area.
Winters are mild and sunny, which is why so many northern Europeans stay on through the cold months. The beach stays popular in January for walkers.
How much does property cost in Torre la Mata?
Torre la Mata is small, so supply is limited and prices vary widely by street and distance to the sea. At the time of writing (September 2026), our own selection here looks like this:
- Apartments and bungalows: from around €270,000, typically resale properties within walking distance of the beach.
- Villas: most sit around the €1 million to €1.17 million mark, and these are the bulk of what we hold in Torre la Mata.
- The mid-point of our current Torre la Mata homes is close to €950,000, because the selection leans towards large detached houses rather than small flats.
Typical villas here are generous: often four or five bedrooms and around 280 to 300 m² built, and roughly six in ten of our Torre la Mata homes have a private pool. Everything we list in Torre la Mata at the time of writing is resale, not new build.
If your budget is nearer €150,000 to €250,000, look at apartments a little further back from the front line, or at neighbouring parts of Torrevieja such as Torre del Moro. On buying costs, resale purchases in the Valencian Community carry 9% ITP transfer tax (11% on the portion above €1M from 1 June 2026); new build is 10% IVA plus 1.4% AJD stamp duty.
How far is Torre la Mata from the beach and the airport?
La Mata beach is the longest in the Torrevieja municipality, about 2.3 km of sand running from Cabo Cervera towards the dunes of Guardamar del Segura. Most homes in the district are a walk of a few minutes to ten minutes from the sand, and the front-line villas are closer still.
The beach is well serviced in summer, with lifeguard towers, first aid posts, walkways and adapted access for reduced mobility. The northern end is quieter and more natural; the southern end is the busier side, with more bars and services.
Airports: Alicante-Elche (ALC) is around 31 km in a straight line, which is roughly 35 to 45 minutes by car. Región de Murcia (RMU, Corvera) is about 65 km away, so allow around 50 minutes to an hour.
Is Torre la Mata good for golf and the outdoors?
Yes, on both counts. Five courses sit within a short drive: La Marquesa Golf at Ciudad Quesada is the closest at roughly 15 minutes, with Villamartín Golf, La Finca Golf in Algorfa, Real Club de Golf Campoamor and Vistabella Golf all within about 20 to 30 minutes by road.
The outdoor draw here is the Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja Natural Park, more than 3,700 hectares of protected wetland and working salt pans. The Torrevieja lagoon is the famous pink one; the La Mata lagoon usually reads green, and both are important bird habitats where flamingos are regular visitors.
Entry to the park is free, with picnic areas, viewpoints and bird hides, and a flat circuit around the La Mata lagoon that suits family walks and cycling. At the southern end of the beach is the Molino del Agua park, a dune area you can cross on wooden walkways.
Who buys in Torre la Mata, and is it good for renting out?
Buyers here tend to be people who have already seen the busier resorts and want something quieter without giving up the beach. We see British, Scandinavian, Belgian, Dutch, German and Polish buyers, plus Spanish families from inland who have holidayed in La Mata for years.
It suits:
- Retirees and long-stay winter residents who want flat walking, sea air and a real village centre.
- Families wanting a large villa with a pool close to sand.
- Holiday-home owners who like a walkable, all-year location.
For rentals, the long beach, the promenade and the natural park give Torre la Mata a genuine summer season and steady winter interest from northern Europe. Walking distance to the sand and to shops matters more to guests than anything else, so check that carefully before you buy, and confirm the tourist licence position for the specific property.
If you would like a second opinion on a particular street or building, our office is in Cabo Roig and we are happy to talk it through, or you can browse the Torre la Mata homes listed above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Torre la Mata and La Mata village?
They are two parts of the same district of Torrevieja. Torre la Mata usually refers to the coastal area around the old watchtower and the beach, while La Mata pueblo is the older inland village core just behind it.
Can you swim in the pink lagoon?
No. Bathing in the lagoons is not allowed, as they are a protected ecosystem and a working salt production site, and the salt concentration can irritate the skin. You can walk, cycle and birdwatch around them instead.
Do I need a car in Torre la Mata?
Not for everyday life if you live near the seafront, as shops, cafes, the beach and the Wednesday market are all walkable. A car is useful for the hospital, big supermarkets, golf and the airport.
Is Torre la Mata quiet in winter?
It is much quieter than summer, but it does not shut down. The mild winter climate keeps a good number of northern European residents in the area, so a core of bars, restaurants and shops stays open.
Are there cheaper apartments than the ones shown here?
Sometimes, yes. Torre la Mata is a small district and our stock changes, so if nothing suits your budget today it is worth asking us and looking at nearby Torrevieja neighbourhoods at the same time.
Does the beach get very busy in August?
The southern section by the town does, as it is the main services area. The northern stretch towards the dunes is wider and calmer, and out of July and August the whole beach is relaxed.