36 Discovering The COSTA NEWS, October 14-20, 2016 Orihuela Costa

Campoamor port. Photo by Trini Alcaina and Mª José Quiles

By Karen Marco paths and cycle tracks, so apart Orihuela Costa is a gorgeous from enjoying lazy days on the succession of 11 sandy beaches beach, Orihuela Costa is ideal and coves stretching along the for walking and cycling. With Spanish Mediterranean coast, an average of 320 days of an- between and Pilar nual sunshine and a mild de la Horadada, in the south of winter climate, it’s a popular Province. As the name place throughout the year. implies, it’s the coastal area of Two leisure harbours, golf Orihuela, a fascinating histori- courses, a huge shopping cal city packed with medieval centre at La Zenia, and an monuments some 20 km in- amazing variety of restaurants land. just add to the area’s natural at- In the 1980’s this part of the tractions and means there’s Costa Blanca became very something for everyone to do. popular and many Brits bought reasonably priced holiday Orihuela Costa from homes here in the new urban- north to south isations; some of them stayed and made their homes in PLAYA DE PUNTA PRIMA , others have since retired Just to the south of Torrevieja, here. Punta Prima beach is backed La Glea beach, Campoamor. Photo by Trini Alcaina and Maria José Quiles More than 16 kilometres of by a stone seawall with steps coastline are mainly intercon- (and a lift) up to the pretty sea- nected by promenades, coastal front promenade lined with palm trees. It carries the Euro- CABO ROIG ling along the paths through pean ‘Blue Flag’ quality stan- Sheltered by Cabo Roig head- the nearby pine woods which dard along with the majority of land, Cala Caleta is ideal for have shady picnic areas. La Orihuela beaches. paddling and swimming as the Glea beach is located to the left sea is habitually calm. This of Campoamor leisure har- cove is just south of Cabo Roig bour. Attractions include an Cala Mosca is a deep, shel- marina, where you can see the area of protected sand dunes, tered sandy cove. From here landmark XVI century watch- a choice of hotel accommo- you can walk along Playa Fla- tower which was used to warn dations and restaurants as menca seafront (which features of the pirate attacks which fre- well as the chance to practice a a huge sundial) to neighbour- quently took place along the variety of water sports. This is ing Cala Estanca, another Costa Blanca centuries ago. possibly one of the most at- lovely cove with golden sands. Restaurants and water sport tractive beaches on Orihuela It’s a popular beach with all the facilities are just some of the Costa. On the right-hand side amenities such as restaurants nearby attractions. Cala of the harbour, Playa Bar- and beach bar, kiddies play Capitán is a wide sandy cove ranco Rubio is Orihuela’s areas, sports zones and also fa- with a small islet jutting into longest beach (655m). The cilities for the disabled. The the sea. Amenities include contrast of reddish cliffs, seafront promenade leads children’s play parks, beach golden sands and turquoise south as far as Cala Capitán. sports, facilities for invalids, sea is quite distinctive. and a ‘chiringuito’ beach bar LA ZENIA café in summer. Calas de PLAYA MIL PALMERAS A popular area with plenty of Aguamarina is the stretch of A beautiful open stretch of restaurants and cafés nearby. coastline between Cabo Roig fine white sands below reddish Cala Cerrada is a fine sandy and Campoamor; quiet little cliffs situated beside the cane- cove backed by cliffs which af- coves with areas of fossilized lined Cañada de Matamoros ford panoramic views over the sand, reached down steps from river. A summer beach bar and Orihuela coastline. Around the the promenade. children’s play areas are some headland you’ll find Cala of the attractions. Bosque, a popular sandy beach CAMPOAMOR suitable for all the family, with This is traditional classy re- Read more about the Costa Cabo Roig Tower and Leisure port. Photo by Paco Pertegal special facilities for the dis- sort with a marvellous leisure Blanca on my personal travel abled. harbour. Enjoy walking or cyc- blog: www.kalitravel.net