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La Vega Baja is the southernmost region of Alicante. The coastline offers fabulous beaches that stretch for miles and consequently there is much development along the coastline and a well established tourist magnet for towns such as Torrevieja, Guardamar and Santa Pola which offer many facilities to keep the tourist happy. Inland, the plains of Vega Baja are irrigated by the River Segura which enters the sea at Guardamar. Many fruit and vegetables are grown on these fertile plains, notably, asparagus, broccoli, artichokes and citrus fruits.
Located at the mouth of the River Segura, Guardamar del Segura is a medium sized town and is another tourist magnet. In 1829 Guardamar was destroyed by an earthquake and was originally situated further inland but the town was rebuilt closer to the coast. The Dunas de Guardamar is a woodland park by the coast that was created the end of the last century when pine trees were planted to prevent the advancing sands from the beach encroaching on the town. There are plenty of wonderful, sandy beaches with large stretches of sand dunes. The town retains much of its original Spanish charm and has a mixture of international restaurants and typical Spanish bars. The town is easily reached from Alicante and is only 23km from the airport and 35km from Murcia’s San Javier airport, linked by the main N332 coast road. On Wednesday afternoons, the streets are busy with the hustle and bustle of the weekly market and on Sundays the “rastra”, the flea market, takes place.
Lies between Torrevieja and Guardamar, overlooking the salt lakes. Originally an agricultural town but the expanding tourist industry is now the main focus for the town’s inhabitants although it retains much of its Spanish charm. It’s a small town with 2800 inhabitants. Los Montesinos is served by Torrevieja which is only a 10 minute drive. Its market is held every Friday evening. Club de Golf La Finca is a few kilometres from Los Montesinos and La Marquesa Golf Club is a 15 minute drive away. The town is 35km from San Javier airport and 42km from Alicante airport.
Is another agricultural town across the salt lake. With a population of 4000, San Miguel offers plenty of shops, bars and supermarkets, with a market being held each Wednesday. The amenities in Torrevieja are 12km away.
This used to be a traditional farming village but the tourist industry on the coast has caused it to expand and now the town has a large sports hall, a theatre. Close bye is the village of Benijofar and both towns have now attracted a large expatriate community but they are quieter than the nearby Torrevieja and Guadamar. There are plenty of shops and supermarkets catering to the needs of the tourist and expatriate community and the services offered by Torrevieja and Guardamar are only a 15 minute drive away. The market in Rojales is every Thursday. La Finca Algorfa and La Marquesa Golf Clubs are a few minutes drive away. Alicante airport is 29km away and Murcia’s 35km. The main roads ensure that Benijofar and Rojales are easily accessible, well connected with both the coastal towns of the Costa Blanca as well as inland Vega Baja.
The River Segura is the life blood of the Vega Baja, where the economy inland is mainly agricultural. This is channelled by thousands of irrigation ditches, the origins of which are Roman and Moorish. The area is almost completely flat and the irrigation channels allow water flow to the soil in what is otherwise a dry, temperate climate. As such, the plains of the Vega Baja are rich and fertile, producing the bulk of the Alicante Province’s fresh produce.
Orihuela is the major town of the Vega Baja. The old city has superb churches and buildings of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance origin. The Santiago church is the building where the Catholic Monarchs held a general parliament in 1488 in order to generate funds to finance the movement that was to culminate in the conquest of Granada in 1492. The town has all the amenities you would expect from a large town including a hospital, a good selection of shops and banks, supermarkets. The market is held on Tuesdays. Orihuela is easily accessible, situated inland on the N340, 5km from the A7, the motorway that runs between Murcia and Alicante. It is 22km from Murcia and 59km from Alicante. San Javier airport is 38km away.
Founded by the Moors and is close to Orihuela. Redovan is famous for its hemp and cotton and its production of espadrilles and ceramics. At the end of September, an exhibition of hemp products is displayed to celebrate St. Michael. Redovan is a small town with a population of 5600. 4km north of Redovan is the town of Cox. Originally a Moorish farmstead, The village of Benferri with a population of 1000 is located on the edge of the district, north of Orihuela, near to the border with Murcia. It is conveniently situated on the A7 motorway. Redovan and Cox both have their own shops and supermarkets. It is 6km from the service centre of Orihuela. Alicante and its airport are 52km away. It is easily accessible via the N340 or the A7 motorway.
North of Cox, the wide streets of Albatera, lined with palm trees and its white-washed houses make the town a pleasant place to visit. On the town square there is a church with a splendid baroque door, intricately crafted in stone. In July, the town honours St James the Apostle with a week of open air celebrations including novilladas, when novice bullfighters challenge young bulls. Close to Albatera, the village of San Isidro was established in 1959, after a law was passed to encourage settlements in marshy areas. San Isidro is now a very pretty village with many palm trees in the area. Albatera has a population of 9000 and has a good infrastructure. Orihuela is 12km away. Situated on the N340, Albatera is within easy reach of Alicante 41km and Murcia is 37km.
East of Albatera, is the smallish town of Catral which is in the heart of the Vega Baja. The lands around the town are very fertile which mean that the area relies heavily on agriculture although the town has now attracted a large number of ex- pats who have decided to make their home there. The Hondo Reservoir is nearby and is perfect for those who like to walk along its many trials.
East of Catral, the village of Dolores was established when the marshy land of the Vega Baja was drained at the beginning of the eighteenth century so that the marshy areas of the Vega Baja could be used for farming. Livestock are farmed around Dolores and a large cattle fair is held there in August. Dolores and Catral each have about 5000 inhabitants. The towns are fairly accessible, positioned on national roads that run through the area
Lies on the banks on the Segura. One of Vega Baja’s citrus farming villages with a population of 1000, Algorfa is situated amongst lush and fertile countryside. The village has attracted many foreigners who have made this area their home. The new La Finca golf course is here. Algorfa holds a market on Sundays.
Bnejuzar / Jacarilla/ Bigastro
Further inland by approximately 15 minutes you come to Benejúzar, a semi industrial town with 5000 inhabitants and then Jacarilla which is close to the Palace of the Marquis of Fontabla, with its extensive gardens. This is a lovely town and well worth a visit. In the centre of the Vega Baja is the town of Bigastro, an industrial town on the river Segura, Nearby is La Pedrera, a recreation area with mountain bike trails, walking trails along with barbeque and camping areas. The area is well connected to the main roads of the area. Alicante and Murcia airports are less than 50km away.
Almoradí is an interesting town with much Spanish charm and contains some superb architecture including the Church of San Andrés and the casino. If boasts a theatre if drama interests you and excellent Spanish plays can be enjoyed. Almoradi has 13,000 inhabitants, its inland location makes it a quieter alternative to the coastal towns. Well worth a visit is the excellent market which is held there every Saturday . It is a 25 minute drive to the tourist centre of Torrevieja. Alicante airport is less than 40km away, San Javier airport less than 50km.
El Baix Vinalopó, is the region located just south of Alicante has some of the most beautiful stretches of beaches in the Costa Blanca.
The capital of the Baix Vinalopó, Elche is famous for its forest of date palms, three hundred thousand of which surround the city, originally planted by the Moors in the Tenth Century and is now probably the largest collection of palms in Europe. The city was built on the banks of the Vinalopó River and a dam was built at Elche in 1632 to allow irrigation in the surrounding farmlands. Elche is a thriving city with a rich history. Spain’s most famous piece of ancient art, the stone bust of an Iberian priestess known as Dama d’Elx dating from 5B.C. was found nearby. It is now on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Madrid. Greek, Roman and Moorish artifacts have also been found in the area. The old city has a number of buildings worthy of interest including the Moorish fortress and the Moorish baths. All over the city are buildings with elaborate stonework as well as numerous statues and monuments. Elche’s palm trees, prominent on her streets, give the city an exotic flavour. In the Huerto del Cura – the Priest’s Garden – stands an unusual palm known as the Imperial Palm, notable for its seven arms. A miniature train ride can be taken through the palm grove that surrounds the city. An important nature reserve at the Laguna del Fondo, is a few kilometres from Elche. Elche is the third largest city in the Valencia region with a population of 300,000. It has all the amenities you would expect to find in a large city including a shopping mal and a British school. A street market is held on Monday and Saturday and on Sundays there is a craft market on the Plaza de Raval. Rio Safari park on the Elche-Santa Pola road is a good day out and the kids can see animals and a dolphin display. They can also enjoy the swimming pools and water slides. Elche is 23km from Alicante and 12km from the airport, connected by the N340. There is a railway station at Elche with connections to Alicante and the rest of Spain. The coast is a 20 minute drive from Elche.
Santa Pola is a very popular tourist town In days gone by Santa Pola had one of the biggest fishing fleets in the Mediterranean. Today, thousands of tourists head to Santa Pola’s 15km of beaches to soak up the sun or enjoy a variety of water sports. With many sandy beaches and several secluded coves the Gran Playa is the most popular beach. In the town centre is an impressive 16th Century castle now used as a museum. At the beginning of September, the town comes to life with street parades when the fiesta La Virgen de Loreto is held. The Cabo de Santa Pola, the headland next to Santa Pola is a nature reserve that is formed from fossilized coral reef, rising to 100 metres above the sea. A number of migratory birds including albatross and heron spend winter in the reserve, attracted by the salt flats. Offshore from Santa Pola is the island of Tabarca, the waters that surround the island and its islets have been designated a marine sanctuary. There are plenty of restaurants (serving excellent fresh seafood), hotels, bars and shops. Santa Pola has a lively night life scene during the summer. Daily markets sell freshly caught fish. The rastra (the flea market) held on Saturdays is a must for bargain hunters. Santa Pola is within easy reach of Alicante airport, situated just 8km away on the main N332 coastal road. The city of Alicante is 18km away.
Crevillente is an industrial town with many unattractive carpet factories, but the old centre is very attractive, with flat-roofed Moorish houses adjacent to gardens of sub-tropical plants. Near to Crevillente are the Sierra de Crevillente, the haunt of Jaume, a legendary bearded bandit in the style of Robin Hood, who was later executed in Murcia. The mountain range rises to over 2,700 feet from the coastal plain. The San Cayetano natural park is within the mountains and is very popular with bird watchers hoping to catch sight of birds of prey. The Laguna del Hondo is another important ecological area located on the plains near to Crevillente. Various migratory birds use the area as a stopping off point on their way to Africa, including Flamingos and Imperial Herons. The town has a number of international restaurants as well as cafes and bars. The town also has a railway station connecting Alicante and Murcia. Situated on the N340 and near to the A7 motorway, The town is easily accessible from Alicante, the airport is 25km away. Elche is 18km from Crevillente.
Bordering Murcia, this inland region of Alicante has always been an important corridor of communication between the Mediterranean and inland Spain. A completely different life to the packed out beaches of the Costa Blanca. The Vinalopó Mitja is an area where you will find a chance to discover a taste of authentic Spanish living. Its countryside is lush with almond groves and vineyards and its peaceful villages continue to attract foreign residents seeking the tranquility of rural life.
Elda and the nearby town of Petrer are separated by just one street, together they form the largest urban area of El Vinalopó Mitja with a combined population of 81,000. The manufacture of shoes is Elda’s main industry and the town’s shoe museum displays an interesting array of footwear from around the globe. The town is of Moorish origin and contains the Church of Santa Ana which was originally built as a mosque. The semi-ruined Elda castle is on a hill to the north of the city. Although Petrer is just 4km away from the centre of Elda, its inhabitants speak Valenciano whereas the people of Elda speak Spanish. Petrer is the site of one of the most impressive castles in the region, thanks to extensive restoration work. Elda has plenty of schools, including a university, a new hospital, a 10 screen cinema complex and a Carrefour hypermarket and shopping centre complete with drive-through McDonalds. The town has a very good selection of shops and a huge indoor market that is open 6 days a week. An open air market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Elda has a national railway station with fast connections to Alicante, Murcia and the rest of Spain. Elda is easily accessible from Alicante which is 36km away via the N330 motorway. It is about 30 minutes drive to the coast. Alenda Golf Club is 18km away.
Monòvar is a semi-industrial town and also producing footwear. The area is renowned for the production of Fondillon wine. Also famous for its 18th Century church with a leaning tower, the old town is attractive with steep narrow streets flanked by stone houses leading up to a clock tower. The hermitage of Santa Barbara on the hill above the town is of architectural importance With a population 12,000, Monòvar is a lively town with bars, restaurants shops and supermarkets, a health centre, a sports centre and schools. Situated next to the N330 motorway, Monòvar is easy to reach. It is 34km from Alicante and 26km from Alicante airport
Novelda is an important producer of wine and marble. The church of Santuario de Santa Maria is a remarkable building and a must see. The church was constructed mainly from local marble and small stones giving it an unusual, bubbly outline. The tall towers at either side of the façade give it a fairytale atmosphere to the church. Next to the church, the 12th Century La Mola castle ruins are located on an outcrop. There are several large supermarkets in the town and many restaurants and also bars and cafes. A market is held on Wednesdays. Novelda is 2km from the N330 motorway, giving easy access to Alicante 28km away Alenda Golf Club is just 5km away.
Aspe is located 5 km south of Novelda on the main road. The old town centre has been renovated bringing to life the beautiful architecture and this area has also been pedestrianised. The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is interesting with its church and modernist casino. A town of 16,000 people, Aspe has several large supermarkets, schools, restaurants and bars. Alicante is 24km away, Aspe is 5km off the N330 motorway. The Alenda Golf club is a ten minute drive from Aspe.
Pinoso is a small and quiet town, surrounded by the pine groves of the Sierra del Coto. The vineyards around Pinoso produce high quality grapes and the town is an important producer of wine and reputed to be one of the richest towns in Spain. At the beginning of August the town comes to life with the fiesta. Parades, fireworks and novice bullfighters fighting young bulls. Pinoso is attracting more and more foreign nationals seeking a quieter and more Spanish lifestyle to the alternative on the coast. A short drive away is the village of Alguena where a good market is held on Sunday and when the local shops stay open until midday. Pinoso has a mature infrastructure with many modern amenities including a medical centre, schools, a theatre, a selection of good Spanish restaurants, bars and supermarkets. There is also a very large leisure centre with outdoor and indoor swimming pool plus tennis courts, football pitches and gymnasium. An indoor market for fresh produce is held every day and on Saturdays, the street market attracts shoppers to Pinoso. Pinoso is 56km from Alicante and 30km from the large service centre of Elda.
La Romana has been called the village of “pine trees, marble and excellent wine.” The village, is surrounded by lovely countryside where vineyards and almond orchards are grown. In September, a “Paella in the Park” is held when a giant paella pot is set up outside and the locals take part in a fiesta. La Romana is popular with expatriates looking for a quiet, rural home away from the crowds on the coast. There is a local doctor, 2 small supermarkets, bakers and butchers, bars, restaurants and a large furniture store. A street market is held on Saturday mornings. There is even a community swimming pool that opens during the summer. The local village school has many northern European pupils. La Romana is 40km from Alicante and the coast.
The village centre is very attractive with traditional Spanish architecture. There are several bars and restaurants with outside tables, perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine. The Hondon valley is one of outstanding natural beauty and becoming a popular place for northern Europeans to settle
This village is down the road from Nieves by approximately 10 minutes and both are grape growing centre’s. The village is popular with northern Europeans who want to get away from the coast and integrate into the Spanish way of living. The village has several shops, bars and restaurants but or the main weekly shop the larger supermarkets can be found at Aspe 8km away. Alicante airport is only 34km
To the west of the Alicante province, the region of L’Alt Vinalopó includes the urban centre’s of Villena and Sax.
Villena is an important communications centre, serving as a crossroads between Castile, Murcia and Valencia. Due to its position, the city has a rich history and continues to thrive today. There are several historic buildings of interest to be found here amongst the architecture of modern day Villena. The town is spread out around an ancient Moorish castle that has witnessed many historic battles. The Festival Museum is located in Santiago Square, displaying collections of old costumes and posters from the traditional Moors and Christians Festival that is played out annually in towns and villages across the entire region. Villena has all the amenities you would expect from a large town, with a national railway and good road connections. It is 59 km to Alicante Airport on the N330 Motorway. The nearest golf course is Alenda Golf Club, 40km away. A weekly market takes place on Thursdays.
The town snuggles beneath the base of a striking outcrop of rock and on the summit sits a fourteenth century castle. The name of the town itself is derived from the Latin word Saxum, meaning rocky place. The castle is heavily fortified with battlements and towers; it is an impressive landmark by day or by night, when it is lit up. An enormous snow well was built in the rocks in the 17th Century, it was used to store snow to provide the town with water in the summer months. Sax is situated next to the N330 motorway which runs straight into Alicante, 32km away. The nearest golf course is Alenda Golf Club, 15km away.
The village of Salinas is in a fairly isolated position, near the Sierra Salinas, 22km west of Sax. The village used to lie on the shores of the nearby Laguna de Salinas, a salt lake. The village was rebuilt in its present location in the 18th century when the lake rose, flooding Salinas and killing most of the inhabitants. Salinas is 20km from the urban centre’s of Villena, Elda and Monovar and 49km from Alicante. It is reached by a winding road that runs between Sax and Monovar. A market is held every day except Tuesday, Friday being the best day to visit.
Come on, live the dream.
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