Posts Tagged ‘About’

• Torrevieja was formerly a small Spanish fishing village with a population of roughly 2,000 people, Torrevieja meaning “Old Tower” was heavily damaged during the 19th century by an earthquake (1829), along with many other surrounding villages also being destroyed. The early years of Torrevieja and its history mention only a few houses and the old tower – inhabited mainly by fishermen.

• After the earthquake, Torrevieja became independent from the town of Orihuela and setup the ayuntamiento in the year of 1830.

• Apart from the Old Tower, Torrevieja has been known for its export of salt for many centuries exporting hundreds of thousands of tonnes of salt every year worldwide. Not only has the salt lakes been a source of business but all a sign of beauty with hundreds of rare birds visiting them every year, the protected areas are home to many species of bird rarely seen anywhere else in the world.

• Also, the salt lakes have been protected by the Spanish government and now have National Park status (1996), the climate produced by the surrounding salt lakes is said to be one of the healthiest climates in the world as said by the World Health Organisation. This is due to the mixture of constant year round warm temperatures and the rich minerals produced by the lakes. The natural salt lakes dry the air, reducing the humidity and producing a healthy atmosphere – especially good for arthritis sufferers.

• The town of Torrevieja has benefited throughout its modern history from the salt export business and has been blessed with the tourism that it brings every year from European holiday makers and Spanish alike in recent decades.

• Holiday makers flock to Torrevieja every year in their hundreds and thousands, the population increases ten fold during the summer months with the Spanish all driving to the coast to enjoy their holidays on the beach. In recent decades the British and Europeans have fallen in love with the area, making Torrevieja their home as well.

• Torrevieja is an extremely popular town to have a second home / holiday home abroad, built up of apartments and townhouses in the town centre, with small urbanisations surrounding the town boasting villas and bungalows.

• Whether you are visiting Torrevieja for the day, buying a holiday home or living in Torrevieja permanently – there is plenty for all to see and do, take a walk along the promenade to visit the markets and stalls, there is also a large market in the main centre on friday’s (early morning until 2pm), there are dozens of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, local shops for those that enjoy bargain hunting, a fish market, the harbour or even relax on the beach for sun lovers. The Habaneras shopping centre which is located just outside the main town centre – which is relatively new – offers high street name shopping, the large shopping chain of Carrefour is directly next to Habaneras with many bars and restaurants located to the other side with a casino, bowling ally and cinema.

• Also nearby is a water park to take the kids to make sure they are worn out before you get back home for the evening!

• If lazing about is not your cup of tea and you like to be a little bit more active – there are plenty of sports to get involved with clubs and activities such as sailing, diving, tennis, bowls, athletics, football, gyms, golf and even cricket and rugby!

• Other places of interest include: Go karting on the Orihuela Costa, cinema in Pilar de la Horadada, salt muesum, boat trips out of Torrevieja, fishing trips, more weekly markets in surrounding towns and villages.

• If you want to venture out from Torrevieja, you are ideally placed to visit the two main cities which are either side of Torrevieja, Alicante and Murcia – only roughly 30 – 40 minutes drive each way.

• Also having an airport either side in San Javier (Murcia) and Alicante is also very handy so you can take you pick when booking your flights to visit the area.

Property in Torrevieja

• Property prices have risen dramatically over the past decade or so in Torrevieja, however – with the recent credit crunch and eastern countries joining the EU and offering cheap properties – property in Torrevieja is much more reasonable in price and is still attracting buyers.