Widely regarded as the tourist haven of both southern Spain and the province of Alicante, Torrevieja is a popular destination for both the seasoned tourists and the first time explorers, from both inside and outside of Spain. However, such was not always the case and in the early 19th century, it was little more than a small fishing community with an old guard tower – this is also where the city derives its name from, Torre Vieja, meaning Old Tower in Spanish, its Valencian name is also derived from these same roots. Since then, the city has developed, through grants and enterprise, evolving from a mere outpost to an enterprising mining city to, finally, a hub of tourist activities.

In recent times, Torrevieja has seen a boom in its economy, fueled mostly by the large tourist influx and the salt mining industry, that has lead it to prominence, so-much-so that a large percentage of its residents now comprise of foreigners who are now permanently settled here. Out of a population of a little over a 100,000 people distributed over 71 km2, 13 % are British nationals, 5 % are German nationals, 28 % people comprise of various nationalities and a majority of the 48 % Spanish nationals registered as citizens of Torrevieja actually only use it as a summer residence and in truth belong to other cities of Spain.

Torrevieja Spain

Torrevieja consists of many popular tourist destinations, the many natural and man–made attractions of the city and the moderate climate that this area enjoys makes it an even more ideal destination for the summer tourists, justifying the strange phenomenon mentioned above. The natural landmarks of Torrevieja only make it an even more unique tourist spot as the large number of water bodies close to the city provide for a very unusual charm. This tourist city is as well known for its pristine, sandy and beautiful beaches as it is for its large salt lakes. It even has a salt museum that details the history of not only this former mining city but also the large salt lakes for its history conscious tourists.

Cultural Attractions of Torrevieja

The cultural attractions of the city are an immensely inviting feature as the diverse and great night life, the diverse musical concerts that take place here and the historic market, which are all next to none, make it a must visit destination for all culture enthusiasts. Even the Old Railway Station and the Water Fountains in Torrevieja are next none. The Iglesia Arciprestal de la Inmaculada Concepción and the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario are also must visit landmarks as their historic value is significant, not only for Torrevieja as a city but for Alicante and Spain as a whole as well! Torrevieja is one city which has managed to retain its old world charm with its immense cultural value despite the increasing commercialization and urbanization that this region is experiencing and is thus a must visit destination for any tourist.

This post has also been translated into Spanish by using the Google online translation tool, Torrevieja-Los turistas Cielo is the translated post. If you feel you can add something positive to the Spanish translation please feel free to contact me through the comments section below or though The Olive Branch contact page, many thanks.