Orihuela Costa

Orihuela Costa is a coastal district of the municipality of Orihuela, very important city of the Costa Blanca located, south of the Valencian Community and in the southeast of Spain. It is located 55 kilometers south of the capital of the Province, and at the same distance from Murcia.

The coast is widely built due to the great tourism it has received throughout the years. However, it still preserves important virgin enclaves such as the creek of the Mosca, Sierra Escalona and several ravines of great interest. The Dehesa y la Pinada de Campoamor stands out in an important way.

In its territory, more than 57 urbanizations of very different amplitude are distributed. Likewise, it has two marinas: Dehesa de Campoamor and Cabo Roig. As a city dedicated to tourism, it has numerous hotels that allow pleasant accommodation to enjoy beaches and coves.

One of the most visited areas is a magnificent shopping center called "La Zenia Boulevard" where thousands of visitors and residents of nearby municipalities come.

The weather in Orihuela Costa

The climate is dry Mediterranean-subtropical, with several arid zones. The average annual temperatures are 18.5º, with about 14-17º in winter of maximum and 3-8º of minimum, being able to produce frosts although normally they are very weak, generally, there is no month of the year in the city in which they are not reached or exceed the 20º on at least one day of the month even if its winter.

What to see in Orihuela.

We must not forget to visit Orihuela City, since it is a Villa full of buildings and monuments worthy of being visited. Starting from the highest point of Orihuela, the Monte de San Miguel, we find the ruins of the Castle of Orihuela, Still in a precarious state of conservation it is worth climbing and enjoying the views of the city and the Palmeral de Orihuela, the second most great in Europe. On the southern slope of the mountain we find the Seminary with a baroque facade. We continue along the eastern part of the city, in front of the Church of Santiago, where the Puerta de Santiago and the Chapel of San José stand out.

We continue to the Sanctuary of Monserrate, where the image of the Virgin found by a shepherd when listening to a bell is kept. Nearby is the Rubalcava Palace, home to the Museum of the Reconquest, which holds objects related to the Moors and Christians Festivities. Just behind is the Archaeological Museum where is the only step of Holy Week that is prohibited from entering the church, "The Devil", due to the presence of a figure in the form of a devil.

In the Plaza de las Salesas, we find the Church of Santa Justa y Rufina, with its bell tower of the 14th century, with the appearance of a fortress and decorated with gargoyles and fantastic animals.

In the main street we find the Cathedral. With its various accesses such as the Puerta de las Cadenas, the Puerta de Loreto or the Puerta de la Anunciación.

We arrive at one of the most important monuments of the city, the Convent of Santo Domingo, known as "El Escorial" of Levante. It was the university seat from the 16th to the 19th century when it became a school. Next to the Convent, we find the Puerta de la Olma, whose frontal appears represents the Oriol bird, symbol of the city. In the direction of the Plaza de la Merced we arrive at the Museum of Holy Week that keeps all the processional steps except one.

In the current university campus, we find the Museum House of Miguel Hernández, with the memories of the poet born in Orihuela; and the Museum of La Muralla.

What to do in Orihuela Costa

On its beaches, coves and marinas you can practice water sports at any time of the year, thanks to the privileged climate of the area, which ensures an average temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius and more than 300 days of sunshine per year.

For lovers of golf, among the buildings and developments that have proliferated on the coast, you will be able to find three golf courses that currently have 18 holes each.

The beaches of Orihuela Costa

Over 20 kilometers from the City of Orihuela, in direction to Bigastro and passing through San Miguel de Salinas, Orihuela has 16 kilometers of coastline. Alternating transparent water cliffs and beaches of fine sand of recognized prestige: Punta Prima, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, Campoamor, Playa Flamenca and Mil Palmeras.

The coast of Orihuela occupies a large area of land in which are located urbanizations with predominance of single-family homes that maintain a quiet and humanized environment and a perfect balance between green space, among which we should highlight the beautiful pine forests of the Dehesa de Campoamor

If we prefer the characteristics of its coves we have: La Mosca, La Estaca, Cerrada, El Bosque, El Capitán and Aguamarina.

Holidays in Orihuela Costa

Among its festivities we highlight the following:

• The Easter or Holly Week, declared of International Interest. Party of strong religious spirit traditionally rooted in this city. During all the springs the Oriolan brotherhoods go out processionally, telling sculpturally the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
• The Festival of the Reconquest and Moors and Christians, declared of Autonomic Tourist Interest, around July 17 is celebrated in Orihuela the Anniversary of the Reconquest of the City.
• The Feasts of the Virgin of Monserrate. It is celebrated on September 8. This religious event is held to commemorate the appearance of the image of the Virgin in the Sierra de Orihuela under a bell that protected it, a place where the Virgin currently has her Sanctuary.
• And finally the Fiesta de San Antón that is celebrated on the Sunday before January 17.