Village Centres

Gran Alacant

There are many places to visit in Gran Alacant Spain

Gran Alacant sits high on the cliffs overlooking the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. It is in a fantastic location just minutes south of the vibrant and fashionable city of Alicante and north of the traditional resort of Santa Pola.


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Places of Interest

  • Gran Alacant Beach

    N38o14.434 W0o31.021

    Parking: is on the side of the road and is free

    From here: walk along the wooden walk ways over the sand dunes onto the beach.

  • Gran Alacant Beach Car Park

    N38o14.265 W0o31.153

    Parking: is in the car park area and is free.

    From here: walk out of the car park area and turn left for the wooden walk ways that lead onto the beach.

    Top tip: the car park gets very busy during high season, so come early or take the tourist train from the centro comercial. 

  • Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Front Entrance

    N38°14.006 W0°32.949
    • A number of large supermarkets and some service shops
    • Great selection of restaurants, cafes and bars
    • Some childrens fair ground rides and play area

    Top tip: this is one of the stops for the tourist train, it is schedualled to leave here at 25 mins past the hour, tickets cost 2€ for one circuit .

  • Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Nova Mar

    N38°14.428 W0°31.600
    • Selection of restaurants, cafes and bars

  • Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Orden

    N38°13.974 W0°31.732
    • A supermarket and a restaurant

  • Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Plaza Reino Unido

    N38°13.505 W0°31.237
    • Convenience store and a few service shops
    • Selection of restaurants bars and cafes

  • Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Sueno Azul

    N38°13.885 W0°31.455
    • Selection of restaurants bars and cafes
    • Some service shops
    • Opposite small Thursday morning market
       

  • Gran Alacant Commercial Centre Top

    N38°13.612 W0°31.409
    • Selection of service shops including a pharmacy
    • Some restaurants and bars

  • Gran Alacant Lighthouse

    N38o13.031 W0o31.049

      Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.

    From here: walk along the road to the turning circle and then follow the path to the lighthouse.

    Top tip: parking is limited here, so you can park at the Centro Comercial and take the tourist train (charges apply). To park right beside the lighthouse take the turning on the N332 between Gran Alacant and Santa Pola which is marked with the sign post that says El Faro Santa Pola . 

  • Gran Alacant Market Small Thursday Morning

    N38°13.885 W0°31.455

    Parking: is on the side of the road and is free, it get busy here on market days so you might have to park further away and walk.

    From here: the market is on the opposite side of the road.

  • Gran Alacant Parque Sierra Santa Pola

    N38o13.807 W0o31.608

    Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.

    From here: the park which contains a childrens playground, adult fitness equimpment and a kiosk, is opposite here. 

  • Gran Alacant Promenade Arenal

    N38o14.520 W0o31.012

    Parking: is on the side of the road and is free

    From here: walk along the promenade into Arenales del Sol where there are lots of shops, cafes and restauarants, or down onto the beach. 

  • Gran Alacant Tourist Train

    N38o13.989 W0o32.945

    Parking: is in the car park and is free

    From here: this is one of the the 11 stops for the tourist train. It opperates during most of the year and is schedualled to leave here at 25 mins past the hour, tickets cost 2€ for one circuit. For more information about the route and timetable take a look at the official website.

  • Gran Alacant Viewpoint

    N38o13.031 W0o31.049

    Parking: is on the side of the road and is free.

    From here: walk along the road to the turning circle and then follow any of the paths to the lighthouse. There are benches at both viewpoints eitherside of the lighthouse, but the best views of the Island of Tabarca are to be found at the viewpoint just past the lighthouse.

    Top tip: parking is limited here, so you can park at the Centro Comercial and take the tourist train (charges apply). 

  • Gran Alacant Village Centre

    N38o13.616 W0o31.363

    Parking: is in the car park and is free.

    From here: the small parade of shops and resturants is opposite, the library, townhall and childrens playground are beside the car park. 

  • Santa Pola Scenic Drive Northern Point

    N38°13.496 W0°30.784

    From here: this is the coordinate for the northern point in Gran Alacant of the coastal road which runs beside the sea underneath the cliffs from Santa Pola. 

    Top tip: it gets very busy especially during high season, so is sometimes best avoided in the summer.

  • Santa Pola Scenic Drive Southern Point

    N38°11.781 W0°30.928

    From here: this is the coordinate for the southern point in Santa Pola of the coastal road which runs beside the sea underneath the cliffs from Gran Alacant.  

    Top tip: it gets very busy especially during high season, so is sometimes best avoided in the summer.

Polop

The mountains around Polop are one of many places to visit here.

The village of Polop is located inland in the Costa Blanca North in an area known as the Marina Alta. The local economy is based mainly on agriculture, so much of the surrounding countryside is covered in polythene to act as giant greenhouses. 


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Places of Interest

  • Polop Castle

    N38°37.386 W0°07.941

    Parking: the streets in the village are very narrow and parking places are very limited, so it is best to park here on the waste ground.

    From here: walk down into the centre of the village, you'll see the zig zag path up to the castle to your left. 

  • Polop Market Small Wednesday Morning

    N38°37.386 W0°07.941

    Parking: the streets in the village are very narrow and parking places are very limited, so it is best to park here on the waste ground.

    From here: follow the shopping trolleys to the market.  

  • Polop Village Centre

    N38°37.386 W0°07.941

    Parking: the streets in the village are very narrow and parking places are very limited, so it is best to park here on the waste ground.

    From here: walk down into the centre of the village. 

Inland Costa Blanca Village Selection

Selection of Inland Costa Blanca Villages

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Places of Interest

  • Dolores Village Centre

    N38°08.431 W0°46.147

    Parking: is on the road and is free.

    From here: walk toward the church and the heart of the village.

  • Formentera Village Centre

    N38°05.025 W0°44.719

    Parking: is on the road and is free.

    From here: walk towards the church square which is the heart of the village.

    Top tip: the river which has a lovely path alongside it is just a few streets away. Exit the square at the opposite side to the church and just keep walking in the same direction, the river is right ahead of you.

  • Jacarilla Village Centre

    N38°03.693 W0°51.935

    Parking: is on the road and is free.

    From here: the entrance to the park and church is beside you and the cafes, bars and small village shops are all around.

    Top tip: the park is closed during high winds, so be careful not to get locked in when it is windy!

  • Quesada Village Centre

    N38°03.765 W0°43.716

    Parking: is on the road and is free, if you can't find a space try any of the side streets.

    From here: explore the main high street of Quesada which has a very international feel to it and is always busy. 

  • San Miguel de Salinas Market Medium Wednesday Morning

    N37°58.563 W0°47.569

    Parking: is on the street and is free, it gets very busy when the market is on, so you might have to park further away and walk or get here early in the morning.

    From here: follow the shopping trolleys to discover the medium sized market.

Los Nietos

Taking the train is just one of many places to visit in around Los Nietos Spain

Los Nietos is the largest of the three villages that sit on the southern shore of the Mar Menor, the other villages being Mar de Cristal and Playa Honda.

It has its very own impressive marina that sits at the end of a long pier in order for the water to be deep enough for the boats! The beach is wide and long and is of course, like all good beaches backed by a lovely promenade.

Unusually Los Nietos has a train station. The journey takes about half an hour and is a beautiful one through the Sierra Mineras to Cartagena.


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Places of Interest

  • Los Nietos Beach

    N37°39.018 W0°47.332

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the long beach.

  • Los Nietos Marina

    N37°39.018 W0°47.332

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the beach and you’ll clearly see the marina poking out into the Mar Menor on a pier, you can walk to it and explore.

    Top tip: do not try to drive to it as there are only a few parking places!

  • Los Nietos Promenade

    N37°39.018 W0°47.332

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the promenade.

  • Los Nietos Train Station

    N37°39.108 W0°47.835

    Parking: is in the designated car park area and is free.

    From here: there is only one platform as this is the end of the line! The train runs roughly every 30 minutes from 07.00 to 20.00 and takes about half an hour. There are 15 stops including La Union, the journey terminates in the train station in Cartagena which is opposite the main Tourist Office and the stop for the Tourist Bus. The return journey to Cartagena costs 2.30€ for an adult. 

    Top tip: for timetables and prices visit the Feve website. Put Los Nietos (there are 2 other stations in Los Nietos) in the Origen and Cartagena or any other station you want to go to in the Destino. Add the date you want to travel, then press Consultar Horarios for time tables and Consultar Precios for prices.

Los Urrutias

The beach is one of many places to visit in and around Los Urrutias Spain

Los Urrutias is a charming small village on the shores of the Mar Menor. It has a beautiful church and plaza, which gives the village an old-world feel. Both the beach and the promenade are long and merge with the beach and promenade of Punta Brava to the north. There is a tiny marina which just adds to its charm, a good time to visit is on a Thursday morning when the village hosts its weekly market.

Places of interest & ideas of things to do in Los Urrutias


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Places of Interest

  • Los Urrutas Beach

    N37°40.858 W0°49.765

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the long beach.

  • Los Urrutas Market Small Thursday Mornings

    N37°40.858 W0°49.765

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: follow the shopping trolleys to discover this small market.

  • Los Urrutas Promenade

    N37°40.858 W0°49.765

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the long promenade in front of the beach, turn left to walk all the way to neighbouring Punta Brava or right for views of the small marina.

  • Los Urrutas Village Centre

    N37°40.858 W0°49.765

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: this is the village centre, explore and soak up its old-world feel.

Punta Brava

The view point is one of many places to visit in and around Punta Brava Spain

Punta Brava is an excellent place to stop because it has a viewpoint from where you get a real feel for the area. You can see right across the calm waters of the Mar Menor to its islands and the La Manga Strip beyond. If you look in the opposite direction the views of the Sierra Mineras are just as stunning. You can simply marvel from the road, or follow the walking route around the hill to its top for even more amazing vistas.

Punta Brava also has a lovely long beach and promenade; both connect into the beach and the promenade of the village of Los Urrutias to the south.


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Places of Interest

  • Punta Brava Beach

    N37°41.675 W0°50.383

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the long beach.

  • Punta Brava Promenade

    N37°41.675 W0°50.383

    Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets busy during high season so park wherever you see a space!

    From here: walk down onto the long promenade, turn right to walk all the way to Los Urrutias.

  • Punta Brava Viewpoint

    N37°41.402 W0°50.520

    Parking: is on the road and is free.

    From here: admire the views!

  • Punta Brava Walking Route

    N37°41.376 W0°50.443

    Parking: is on the road and is free.

    From here: follow the marked walking route around the hill, detour off to the top if you want 360 degrees of panoramic views.

Monteagudo

This lovely statue is one of many places to visit in and around Monteagudo

Monteagudo is a small village with a very big statue!! You can walk through the narrow streets of the village which has just over 2,000 inhabitants up to the base of the statue. From here you get a great view out, over the roof tops of the village and down the valley towards the city of Murcia, and the El Valle and Carrascoy Regional Park.


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Places of Interest

  • Monteagudo Christ the Redeemer Statue

    N38°01.130 W1°05.868

    Parking: is in the streets and is free.

    From here: walk up beside the church using the small alley way just to the left of it, follow the path all the way to the top.

    Top tip: the views from here are awesome and are even better when the sun is setting, remember to take a torch so you can walk back down safely during dusk.

  • Monteagudo Village Centre

    N38°01.130 W1°05.868

    Parking: is in the streets and is free.

    From here: explore the surrounding streets of this village with its small selection of bars and cafes.

Sucina

The church is one of many places to visit in and around Sucina Spain

Sucina is a tiny village (and I really do mean tiny) which has found itself surrounded by golf courses and resorts.

The village consists of a mixture of old and new. The church and its square are still at the heart of the village and there are some old houses to be found in the surrounding streets. There are also many newly built houses, and the British influence can be seen in the church square with the cafes which advertise ‘fish and chips’.

Places of interest & ideas of things to do in Sucina


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Places of Interest

  • Sucina Village Centre

    N37°53.406 W0°56.592

    Parking: is in the streets and is free.

    From here: explore the streets that surround the church, you really can’t get lost!

Avileses

The village centre is one of many places to visit in and around Avileses Spain

Avileses is a tiny village (and I really do mean really tiny) which has found itself surrounded by golf courses and resorts. The village consists of a collection of a few streets, a couple of bars and the church. It feels much more Spanish than the village of Sucina as hardly any new properties have been built within the village, although there are plenty around the neighbouring golf courses!

Places of interest & ideas of things to do in Avileses


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Places of Interest

  • Avileses Village Centre

    N37°50.910 W0°56.500

    Parking: is in the streets and is free.

    From here: explore the streets that surround the church, you really can’t get lost!

Balsicas

The village centre is one of many places to visit in and around Balsicas Spain

Balsicas is a relatively large village only 12 kilometres inland from the Mar Menor. The village contains a mixture of old and new, which means there is plenty to look at as you wander around, stopping in the lovely park and seeing the asymmetric church. There are two main attractions; Ros castle and a train station.

Trains run everyday from here; south to Torre Pacheco and Cartagena and north to the city of Murcia and beyond, all the way to France if you really want a long journey!!


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Places of Interest

  • Balsicas Ros Castle

    N37°49.013 W0°57.323

    Parking: is in the street opposite the castle wall.

    From here: if the big iron and wooden gates are open, then the caretaker will be there, he loves to show people around but only speaks Spanish.

    Top tip: this is not an official tourist attraction, so does not have opening hours or entrance fee, it is just something to do if it is open!

  • Balsicas Train Station

    N37°49.131 W0°57.069

    Main Stations along the line: east to Cartagena and west to Murcia.

    Parking: is in the streets around the train station and is free.

    From here: enter the train station and purchase your ticket.

    Top tip: this train line is used by various regional operators, but you can find the timetable using the Renfe website. Click on the word welcome to change the site to English, then in the drop down menus on the Departure select either Cartagena if you want to go to Murcia or Murcia if you want to go to Cartagena. In the drop down menu for Destination select the station that you are going to, select the date, then click search. To find the time that the train stops at Balsicas click on the train that you want in the Train/Route column and the time table will pop up. 

  • Balsicas Village Centre

    N37°49.013 W0°57.323

    Parking: is in the streets and is free.

    From here: explore the streets that surround the church and pretty plaza.

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