Aguamarina residential area, Orihuela

This area of Orihuela Costa contains mainly modern apartments, many with sea views

It’s easy to see the Aguamarina residential area of Orihuela-Costa as a kind of intermediate area between the larger developments of Campoamor to the south, Cabo Roig to the north and La Regia and Villa Piedra to the west, but despite it being relatively small, and the fact that there is no clear dividing line between the area and its neighbours, it stands out for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the coastline itself: the beach at the southern end is sandy to the south but then gradually the amount of greenery increases and it gives way to a protected “micro-reserve”, which is bordered by the Paseo Marítimo. Among the reasons for this area enjoying protection from urban development is the largest population in Spain of the plant Tribulus terrestris, commonly known in Spanish as “cat’s head”, and there have also been interesting paleontological discoveries in the tiny coves and caves down below.

Here there are few if any bathers, most of the visitors preferring the easy access and comprehensive facilities of more established parts of the coast, and the modern residential developments behind the nature reserve enjoy impressive sea views from their raised location. Click for Orihuela beach guide

These properties in Aguamarina are generally more modern than in other beach-side locations along Orihuela’s coast, reflecting the fact that the development is more recent than its neighbours. The homes are pleasantly designed and many have sea views, thanks to the fact that the development is located on a hill. Most are low-rise constructions, either small semi-detached and terraced houses or two-floor apartment buildings, and there are also higher-rise apartment complexes on the cliff-top just down from the shopping and restaurant area. Many of the properties are occupied even in the winter, but the majority are holiday homes.

Plenty of shopping and facilities nearby
At the western end of the area Aguamarina flanks the N-332 road, and here and on the Calle del Mar there are a plethora of shops and eating establishments. Should you be in need of shopping or at a loss on a rare rainy day this will be sufficient for most visitors’ needs, but within easy driving distance there are many more shopping and dining opportunities: the largest local mall is Zenia Boulevard, just 4km away along the main road, while other large retail parks are Habaneras in Torrevieja (20 minutes’ drive), Dos Mares in San Pedro del Pinatar (15 minutes), Espacio Mediterráneo in Cartagena (30 minutes) and the Nueva Condomina and Thader centres in the north of Murcia (45 minutes).

An alternative shopping visit for shoe fans would be the towns of Elche and Elda, where thousands of locals make their living in the footwear industry, one of the few sectors which have continued to thrive during Spain’s economic crisis over recent years. Shoes from this area are exported all over Europe and the rest of the world, and for those who like to keep abreast of the latest fashions the factory outlets in the area are a veritable shopper’s paradise.

Those wishing to sample the wares at typical local street markets in the morning can make a trip to any of the following, all of which are held weekly:
Monday: Santa Pola, San Pedro del Pinatar, Elche.
Tuesday: Orihuela, Mil Palmeras, Benijofar.
Wednesday: Monforte del Cid (fruit and veg only), Guardamar del Segura, La Mata. Santiago de la Ribera, San Miguel de Salinas.
Thursday: Campoamor, Cabo Roig, La Marina, Aspe (fruit and veg only), San Javier, Rojales.
Friday: Torrevieja, Pilar de la Horadada, Los Montesinos.
Saturday: Santa Pola, Almoradi, Playa Flamenca, Elche.
Sunday: La Marina, Ciudad Quesada, Campo Guardamar.

Local health centre and pharmacy facilities
The local public health centre is in Calle del Mar at the inland end of the Aguamarina area, next to the N-332. During the week there is an all-night emergency unit at this centre, and at weekends this facility is operative 24 hours a day. The telephone number is 965 322965.

There is a chemist’s just opposite the health centre, on the landward side of the large roundabout on the main road.
Two hospitals are located between 15 and twenty minutes’ drive away: one is the Los Arcos hospital to the south just outside San Javier (leave the AP-7 motorway at km 780 on the RM-1/MU-301 heading towards Santomera and Sucina), and the other is the Torrevieja hospital to the north (signposted from the N-332 on the CV-95 towards Orihuela).

Three golf courses within a 10 minute drive
There are three golf courses within a ten-minute drive from Aguamarina, namely Las Ramblas, Campoamor and Villamartín, and Las Colinas and Vistabella are only a few kilometres further afield. Under half an hour away by car is the historic town of Orihuela itself, which gives the municipality its name, and other possible visits include the cities of Alicante, Murcia and Cartagena, all of which are well under an hour away by road.
 

Lots to see and enjoy in the Orihuela municipality

Orihuela as a municipality has a wide range of attractions and activities, with plenty of places to visit and activities to enjoy. More detailed information can be found in the dedicated Orihuela municipality section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every page, including suggested places to visit and things to do.