Greetings from Orihuela Costa: beaches, golf and life by the sea

Orihuela Costa is one of the best-known residential and holiday areas on the Costa Blanca. Despite what its name might suggest, Orihuela Costa is not an independent town. It is the coastal part of the municipality of Orihuela and consists of several well-known residential areas and urbanisations.

Driving around the area quickly shows just how varied it is. There are sandy beaches and small coves, large residential developments, shopping areas, restaurants serving almost every cuisine imaginable and several golf courses. Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Campoamor and Villamartín each have their own character, so Orihuela Costa rarely feels like one single destination.

A coastline filled with beaches and coves

One of the biggest attractions is naturally the Mediterranean Sea. The municipality of Orihuela has around 16 kilometres of coastline with eleven beaches and coves, giving you plenty of choice between wide sandy beaches and smaller sheltered bays.

La Zenia is one of the best known. Cala Bosque has fine sand and plenty of facilities, while Playa Flamenca, Cala Capitán, La Caleta in Cabo Roig and the beaches of Campoamor are also popular. Several beaches have quality certifications and a wide range of visitor services.

Walking the Cabo Roig coastline

One of our favourite ways to discover Orihuela Costa is on foot, particularly around Cabo Roig.

The Cabo Roig Blue Trail runs between Cala Capitán and La Caleta, following the coastline and passing five viewpoints. Along the way there are beautiful views across the Mediterranean, rocky coastline and homes overlooking the coves.

This is also one of those places where it becomes easy to understand why so many people choose Orihuela Costa: you can walk beside the sea yet remain only minutes away from restaurants, shops and residential areas.

La Zenia: beach and amenities close together

La Zenia is probably one of the best-known parts of Orihuela Costa. It combines residential areas, a popular beach, restaurants and shopping, making it attractive to both holidaymakers and permanent residents.

You can spend the morning at the beach, go shopping in the afternoon and end the day at one of the many restaurants nearby.

Shopping at La Zenia Boulevard

For anyone who enjoys shopping, La Zenia Boulevard is difficult to miss. The shopping centre sits in the heart of Orihuela Costa and provides a large range of shops, restaurants, terraces and entertainment. The Orihuela Costa tourist information point is also located here.

This concentration of facilities is one of the reasons many people find day-to-day life in Orihuela Costa so convenient.

Playa Flamenca: central and lively

Playa Flamenca is centrally positioned within Orihuela Costa and combines residential neighbourhoods with beaches, amenities and restaurants. Its seafront promenade links neighbouring coves and provides a pleasant place for a coastal walk.

The area is highly international, something you immediately notice in its shops, restaurants and services. For people who have only recently moved to Spain, this can make the first months of settling in considerably easier.

Cabo Roig and its red cliffs

Cabo Roig has a distinctive appearance. Its reddish cliffs, villas, small harbour and coastal promenades give the area a very different character from Playa Flamenca or Villamartín.

The historic Cabo Roig watchtower is a reminder of the defensive role this coastline once played. The tower is protected cultural heritage and can be viewed from outside.

A walk around the coastline is particularly worthwhile. In places the path runs above the Mediterranean, offering views over the coves and open sea.

Campoamor: quieter and greener

Those looking for a little more peace and space often consider Dehesa de Campoamor. The area has wide beaches, green surroundings and residential developments with both apartments and villas.

In many places the atmosphere is quieter than around La Zenia or Playa Flamenca. This makes Campoamor attractive to people who want easy access to amenities without necessarily living in the busiest part of Orihuela Costa.

Golf in Orihuela Costa

Orihuela is closely associated with golf. The municipality has five established courses providing a total of 90 holes: Villamartín Golf, Las Ramblas Golf, Real Club de Golf Campoamor, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club and Vistabella Golf.

Around Villamartín, Las Ramblas and Campoamor in particular, residential life and golf are closely connected. Apartments, townhouses and villas sit around green areas and courses while remaining within easy reach of the coast.

Even if you do not play golf yourself, these neighbourhoods can be appealing because of their space, greenery and relaxed surroundings.

Eating out in Orihuela Costa

The international character of Orihuela Costa is clearly reflected in its restaurants. Spanish, Italian, Indian, Asian, Scandinavian and British cuisine can all be found within the area.

There are restaurants overlooking the sea along the coast, while La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig and Villamartín have large concentrations of restaurants and terraces. The official Orihuela tourism website even has a dedicated section for eating out on the Orihuela coast.

We would still recommend seeking out traditional Spanish restaurants from time to time. That way you can combine the international convenience of Orihuela Costa with the gastronomy of Alicante province.

Orihuela Costa with children

The area is practical for families. Beach days can easily be alternated with shopping, bowling, water sports and trips to other destinations on the southern Costa Blanca. La Zenia Boulevard, for example, also has a bowling centre.

For even more ideas, our guide to activities on the Costa Blanca South covers a wide range of family outings and day trips.

Living in Orihuela Costa

A major difference from a traditional Spanish town is that Orihuela Costa is made up of several residential areas rather than one historic centre around which everything has developed. This makes it especially important to explore several neighbourhoods before deciding where you would like to live.

La Zenia works well for people who want lots of amenities nearby. Cabo Roig attracts those who want to be close to the sea. Campoamor offers more peace and greenery in many areas, while Villamartín is particularly popular with golfers and buyers who do not need to be right beside the beach. Playa Flamenca offers a combination of coastline, amenities and a central location.

Buying property in Orihuela Costa

The property market is equally varied. You will find apartments, penthouses, townhouses, new-build developments, golf properties and detached villas.

This also means that searching only for 'Orihuela Costa' is often too broad. A home in Villamartín provides a completely different lifestyle from an apartment within walking distance of La Zenia beach or a villa in Campoamor.

If you are considering buying here, take a look at our complete guide to living and buying property in Orihuela Costa.

Moving to Orihuela Costa

For people considering moving to Spain, Orihuela Costa is attractive because of its combination of amenities and a large international community. The growth of the coastal population and new residential developments has made this part of Orihuela a significant area in its own right.

The international environment can make the transition to Spanish life easier. At the same time, it is worth remembering that living here feels very different from living in historic Orihuela city or in a traditional inland Spanish village.

Don't forget Orihuela city

Orihuela Costa forms part of the municipality of Orihuela, but Orihuela city itself is inland and has a completely different atmosphere. Here you will find monumental buildings, churches, museums and a much more traditional Spanish city environment.

That contrast is part of the appeal: you can live beside the Mediterranean and still discover a completely different side of Spain within the same municipality.

Why Orihuela Costa remains so popular

Orihuela Costa may not have one historic centre or one central square that defines the whole area, but its variety is exactly what makes it appealing. If you want beaches, there is plenty of choice. If you love golf, several courses are close by. Shopping and eating out are equally easy.

And because each residential area feels different, it is possible to choose an environment that genuinely suits the way you want to live.

One person falls in love with an apartment in La Zenia, another wants a villa in Campoamor, while someone else immediately feels at home beside the golf courses of Villamartín.

That means Orihuela Costa is not really one destination at all. It is a collection of different ways to enjoy Mediterranean life on the Costa Blanca.

Greetings from Orihuela Costa!