Offering 320 days of sunshine and boasting the healthiest and cleanest air quality in Europe, Torrevieja is also known as the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’ Located just 45 minutes from two major airports, Alicante and Murcia (San Javier) Torrevieja is Spain’s fastest growing and most multicultural small city, with 124 nationalities making up the population of almost 104,000 registered residents. Torrevieja has its own microclimate, having a ring of mountains 30-kilometers away, two of Europe’s largest salt lakes, five Blue Flag beaches and parkland, which accounts for almost 65% of the municipality.

Torrevieja has long history of maritime affairs. It has not one, but three marinas, with berthing for more than 1,200 yachts, making it one of the biggest in the Mediterranean and most visited by those cruising along the coast. The city has an ever-expanding floating museum that attracts over 100,000 unique visitors each year. This includes the completely restored Pascual Flores, the last yacht that was built on the city’s beaches, back in 1917; the Albatross III Customs Boat and Spain’s only decommissioned submarine that is open to the public, the Delfin S61. Torrevieja has a number of rowing teams and are Spanish Champions in different categories. Each year there are a number of sailing regattas including the Optimist series for youth sailors, plus kayaking, power boating and scuba diving, not to mention swimming from the city’s fine, white sand, beaches.

One of the best Sports facilities is Spain is found in Torrevieja. For a city of its size, there is nothing else to rival it anywhere in the country. The complex possesses four pavilions; in one an Olympic size swimming pool, which is used for national championships, synchronised swimming and International water polo, a 5,000 seat sports area for handball, football, gymnastics and concerts; the second is specifically designed for gymnastics, fitness and sports therapy; the third houses a gymnasium and squash courts while the fourth is also used for handball, basketball, indoor football, gymnastics and roller hockey.

The complex also has three full size artificial grass football pitches, with stadium seating, an athletic complex with grass for football, rugby and cricket and a 400 metre track, an International standard multi-use football/rugby facility, the Nelson Mandela Stadium, tennis, font-tennis and padel courts plus a municipal football stadium, with seating for 8,000 spectators, the Vicente Garcia. The facilities are popular for competitions, tournaments and where International teams can train year round for football and rugby, due to the city’s temperate climate.

Culture plays a big part as a local attraction. Each month the city has at least one fiesta, which includes the International Habaneras Choir Competition, Semana Santa Easter Processions, Carnival, the May Fair, Three Kings Christmas Parades and performances in the city’s three city centre theatres. Torrevieja has just opened its Conservatory of Music and International Music Auditorium and Convention Centre, which can cater for up to 1,400 spectators for a performance.

There are four exhibition rooms and five museums around the city with a fifth, the new Semana Santa museum in construction while in July the City shall also host a local Titanic Exhibition, one of the very few in the region (www.TitanicExpo.com). When it comes to large-scale events, the city also has a performance area that holds upwards of 35,000 spectators and the city has welcomed such artists as Shakira, OMD, REM, Raphael, The Commitments, Bachelors, Supremes, Glen Miller and Count Bassie Big Bands, Lionel Blair, Frank Carson, Roy Walker, Jimmy Cricket and the Temptations. The list just goes on and on.

There is plenty to do for kids; two Aquaparks, go-karts, amusement centre, fun fairs, regular circus visits, bowling, plus courses in football, rugby, swimming, tennis, languages and of course the excellent beaches. The region has a number of fine hotels, a four star Spa resort and many other hotels and guesthouses close by. Spain’s largest shopping mall is being built ten minutes drive away while there is plenty of shopping in the down town and commercial areas offering everything you need. Torrevieja is one of those cities that has something for everyone, as long as you know what you are looking for.