As the heat of the day fades, the boulevard of Torrevieja comes to life. An evening market stretches along the waterfront, with stalls selling crafts, souvenirs and local treats, while street musicians add to the holiday atmosphere.

Right on the harbour you’ll find the brand-new Paseo del Mar, a modern leisure centre opened in summer 2026, with shops, restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and even a bowling alley — a great option for a family evening out.

Pair your stroll with an ice cream or a drink at one of the seafront cafés and watch the sun dip into the Mediterranean — a perfect end to a beach day.

The salt lakes near Torrevieja are one of the region’s most remarkable sights. The larger lake shimmers in a striking pink hue and is still actively used for salt production — the little train tour takes you there, departing from the Torrevieja boulevard. Along the way you’ll learn how the lakes formed and how salt is harvested, and at the site you can climb a genuine salt mountain for a wonderful view. Booking is essential (www.visitasalinasdetorrevieja.com).

Beside it lies the greener-blue lagoon of La Mata. Together they form a beautiful nature reserve, where flat, well-marked trails wind between the lakes — perfect for a relaxed walk or a bike ride, with flamingos and other birdlife along the way.

North along the coast, towards Alicante, the salt pans of Santa Pola offer more salt-pan scenery — and some of the best flamingo spotting in the region, with colonies that can number thousands of birds. Join a guided tour to learn about the salt, the birds and the flora, or follow the accessible trails yourself; there’s even a Salt Museum to visit.

Just to the south lies the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest natural saltwater lagoon, whose calm, shallow waters are ideal for swimming and water sports. The surrounding nature reserve offers walking trails past dunes and salt pans — and the famous therapeutic mud baths.

Just inland lies Orihuela, a small, atmospheric city pressed against the mountains — a world away from the coastal bustle. Its centuries-old monuments — the grand cathedral, the palaces, the convents — lie wonderfully close together, so you can wander from one to the next through the medieval quarter without ever needing the car.

For hikers, the town is the starting point of several trails up the mountainside, including the route to the famous viewpoint by the seminary. There you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over the old city rooftops and the vast green valley below.

Step off the ferry and into a car-free paradise: a compact old town enclosed by historic walls, traditional fish restaurants serving fresh catch, and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkelling (equipment can be rented on the island). Some ferries even have a glass bottom — near the island you can head downstairs and watch the fish glide beneath your feet. Really fun, especially for children!

You can depart from Torrevieja, Santa Pola (shortest and cheapest boat trip) or Alicante. Check our Pratical Information page and book online, or visit the harbours for information and bookings.

Adventurous souls can go rafting on the Segura at Blanca — great fun, and a wonderfully different way to see the valley from the water. Or simply let the river carry you downstream and stroll back along the bank, as the locals always do in the summer. And in Archena, the centuries-old thermal baths of the Balneario de Archena await: soak away any cares in the warm mineral waters, just as people have done here for centuries.

It’s a little over an hours’ drive from Palmera Penthouse — so plan a full day to do the valley justice. Unhurried, authentic and blissfully quiet compared to the coast.

Visiting in late winter? Then time your trip with La Floración in February and March. Thousands of peach, apricot and plum trees around Cieza burst into bloom, covering the valley in clouds of pink and white (www.floraciondecieza.com).
 

You don’t have to travel far for a good glass — wine is made closer than you think. In the former Palmeral of Torrevieja, one of the few palm groves by the sea, the young eco-winery Universo Ferris x Rafa Bernabé welcomes you for tastings amid vines, palms and sea breeze. In the La Mata nature reserve, vineyards even grow between the salt lakes: join a sunset tasting there, enjoyed with food beside the old salt factory as the lagoon turns golden.

Heading towards Elche, visit the biodynamic winery Faelo, where friendly tastings come with tapas made from local produce. And further inland lies the vast Jumilla wine region, stretching from Bullas to Yecla — a large area brimming with bodegas to visit, from small family estates to impressive wineries.

A delicious way to spend an afternoon — and don’t forget a bottle or two for your rooftop terrace at Palmera Penthouse.

Practical details about visiting wine farms, bodegas or regions can be found on our Practical Information page.