1
15 min + boatTabarca
The “pirate island”: a unique day trip by boat from Torrevieja, with a walled village, coves and a marine reserve. Busiest in summer.
Your Orihuela Costa guide
Orihuela Costa
Coves and beaches, La Zenia Boulevard, golf, the pink salt lakes, Tabarca island and the best day trips on the Costa Blanca: everything there is to do around the house.
- 4community pools in the residence
- < 5 kmto La Zenia Boulevard
- 6 kmto the nearest beach
- ≈ 45 minby car from Alicante airport
- 300+sunny days a year
The area
The relaxed side of the Costa Blanca
Orihuela Costa is the coastal strip of the town of Orihuela, in the south of Alicante province: around 16 km of sandy beaches, small coves and cliff-top paths between Punta Prima and Mil Palmeras.
Neighbourhoods such as La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Playa Flamenca and Villamartín are lively all year round, with restaurants from every corner of Europe, golf courses and a mild climate, even in winter.
- The watchtower of Cabo Roig, standing guard over the coast since the 16th century, next to a small marina.
- The coastal path that links the coves between La Zenia and Cabo Roig, perfect for a morning walk.
- Long winter stays: many guests come for weeks in November or spring, when it is still warm enough for the terrace.
Our tip: walk the coastal path to Cabo Roig at the end of the day, and stop for a drink with a view of the sea.
Beaches
Coves and golden sand
The coast of Orihuela alternates long sandy beaches with small rocky coves, many of them awarded the Blue Flag.
La Zenia and its coves
Small sandy coves between the rocks, with beach bars and calm water, ideal for children.
Cabo Roig and Playa Flamenca
A lively cove below the old watchtower, and a wide family beach with sunbeds and parasols.
Campoamor and Mil Palmeras
Long beaches further south, quieter outside the summer months. Bring the beach chairs and parasol from the house.
Golf
Golf all year round
Orihuela Costa is one of the golf hotspots of the Costa Blanca. Several courses are within a few minutes of the house, and some of our guests discover the game here.
CourseLocationHoles
Villamartín GolfOrihuela Costa18 holesOne of the oldest courses on the coast, opened in 1972, among pines and palm trees.
Las Ramblas GolfOrihuela Costa18 holesA varied, hilly course that winds through a wooded ravine.
Real Club de Golf CampoamorOrihuela Costa18 holesA classic set among almond and olive trees, a few minutes south.
Las Colinas Golf & Country ClubOrihuela Costa18 holesLaid out in a private valley and regularly ranked among the best courses in Spain.
Vistabella GolfOrihuela18 holesA wide, modern course inland, with views of the countryside.
La Finca GolfAlgorfa18 holesIn Algorfa, a mature course with its own resort hotel.
Book your tee times ahead, especially from autumn to spring, the busiest golf season.
Shopping
La Zenia Boulevard and the markets
- La Zenia Boulevard
An open-air shopping centre less than 5 km from the house, with fashion, restaurants and a supermarket. Open every day. - Supermarkets nearby
Everything you need for self-catering is a few minutes away by car, including international supermarkets. - The weekly markets
Fruit, vegetables, clothes and crafts: Playa Flamenca has a big market on Saturday mornings, and Torrevieja on Fridays.
Food & nightlife
Living on Spanish time
- Meal times
Lunch is between 2 and 4 pm and dinner rarely before 9 pm. In summer, the terraces stay busy late. - What to try
Rice dishes such as arroz a banda and paella, salted fish (salazones), caldero from the Mar Menor and, for dessert, turrón from Alicante. - The Spanish kitchen
The Spanish kitchen is one of the foundations of the Mediterranean diet: fresh fish, olive oil, vegetables and tapas to share. - Going out
The Cabo Roig strip and La Zenia have plenty of bars and pubs, and the seafront in Torrevieja is busy on summer evenings.
Nature
Pink lakes and flamingos
The pink lake of Torrevieja
Microalgae and tiny shrimps turn the water of this salt lake pink. A unique sight, and its salt and mud are known for their soothing effect.
Flamingos at La Mata
In the natural park of the La Mata and Torrevieja lagoons, flamingos breed again every year. Walking and cycling trails go around the lagoon.
Boat trips
From Torrevieja or Santa Pola, boats sail to the island of Tabarca, a protected marine reserve.
Go late in the afternoon for the best colours, and respect the signs: bathing is not allowed in the protected areas.
Orihuela
Orihuela, the historic city
The town that gives the coast its name lies about 30 minutes inland, at the foot of a rocky mountain, with a remarkable historic centre.
The cathedral
The Gothic Cathedral of El Salvador, begun in the 14th century, in the heart of the old town.
Santo Domingo
The former university college of Santo Domingo, with its Renaissance and Baroque cloisters.
Miguel Hernández
The house-museum of the poet Miguel Hernández, born in Orihuela in 1910.
The seminary viewpoint
The Seminary of San Miguel above the town: a climb rewarded with a view over the palm groves and the plain.
Moors and Christians
Every July, Orihuela celebrates its great festival of Moors and Christians with parades, costumes and music.
Day trips
The best days out
Approximate driving times from Casa Sarah, without traffic. Numbers match the map.
5
≈ 45 minCartagena
A port city with 3,000 years of history: Roman theatre, Modernist streets and a lovely harbour front.
6
≈ 45 minAlicante
Santa Bárbara castle above the city, the palm-lined Explanada and the old quarter of Santa Cruz.
2
≈ 15 minTorrevieja
The seafront promenade, the salt lakes, the Friday market and plenty of restaurants.
3
≈ 40 minElche · Elx
The Palmeral, a Unesco-listed palm grove with more than 200,000 palm trees, right in the city.
4
≈ 45 minMurcia
A cathedral with a spectacular Baroque façade, lively squares and some of the best tapas in Spain.
7
≈ 50 minCalblanque
A protected regional park with wild, unspoilt beaches between the dunes and the cliffs.
8
≈ 1 h 30Guadalest
A mountain village perched on a rock, with a castle and a turquoise reservoir below.
Map
Everything around the house
Casa Sarah is in Orihuela Costa, near La Zenia. The exact address is shared after booking.
The map couldn’t load. Driving times are listed with the day trips above.
PCasa Sarah, Orihuela Costa
MLandmarks (La Zenia, airport)
1Day trips
Weather
The Costa Blanca climate
Around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Summers are hot and dry, winters mild: January afternoons average about 17 °C.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high (°C) | 16.8 | 17.6 | 19.6 | 21.4 | 24.2 | 28.0 | 30.9 | 31.3 | 28.8 | 24.9 | 20.4 | 17.6 |
| Average low (°C) | 6.7 | 7.2 | 8.9 | 10.9 | 14.0 | 17.9 | 20.6 | 21.2 | 18.4 | 14.5 | 10.3 | 7.6 |
| Rainy days | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
Approximate long-term averages for Alicante, the nearest reference station.
When to come? May–June and September–October for the beach without the crowds; November to March for long, mild stays and golf.
Practical
Good to know
Airports
Alicante-Elche (ALC) is about 45 minutes by car, Murcia (RMU) about 35 minutes. We can arrange an airport transfer at a fair price.
Getting around
A car is handy for the beaches and day trips. Car hire can be arranged; parking is right in front of the house.
Time zone
Spain is on the same time as Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam, one hour ahead of the UK.
Emergencies
Call 112, the European emergency number. It is free and answered in several languages.
Electricity
230 V, standard European sockets (types C and F). UK visitors need an adapter.
Pets
Your dog is welcome at Casa Sarah (2 animals max, 30 € per stay). Check the local rules before going to the beach.
Languages
Spanish and Valencian are spoken locally, and English is widely understood. Ellis and Kristof speak Dutch.
Your base for all of it: Casa Sarah
4 guests (+2), a big sunny terrace, air conditioning and 4 community pools.
Photo credits
The area photos come from the Casa Sarah photo book.
- The pink salt lake of Torrevieja — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- The Mediterranean on the Costa Blanca — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- Sunset over the sea — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- Crystal-clear water on the Costa Blanca — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- La Zenia Boulevard, the open-air shopping centre — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- Tabarca, the island off the coast — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- Moors and Christians festival in Orihuela — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- The colourful houses along the Segura river — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- Orihuela at dusk — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- Tabarca island — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- The Roman theatre of Cartagena — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek
- The marina of Alicante — Casa Sarah, Fotoboek