La Mata
La Mata is a traditional seaside village which has managed to retain a lot of its charm and character. The square is at the heart of the village and is easily recognised by round watch tower beside the sea. A lovely variety of bars, cafes and restaurants are to be found in the village and also along the beach. La Mata is a really great place to visit for a picnic in the Waterwheel Park, a stroll on the wooden walkway south to Torrevieja or a walk along the beach north to Guardamar.
On the other side of the N332 is the Natural Park of La Mata, an important bird reserve and vineyard! There is an Visitors Centre which contains lots of interesting facts and figures about the park. You can park here and follow the sign posted wine walking route. Alternatively drive closer to the lake and park beside the cemetery to walk along the wooden walkway to the shores of the lake, or hike uphill to the pigeon cotes and wander through the grape vines back down to the lake. There are also trails for cycling along, huts and towers for watching the birds from, and picnic tables to enjoy your packed lunch on.
Places of interest & ideas of things to do in La Mata
- Beach: long fine sand.
- Wooden Promenade: south to Torrevieja, north to Guardamar.
- Village Centre: small single high street and picturesque church square.
- Market: small Wednesday morning behind village square.
- Waterwheel Park: man made park with pine trees, stream, brick walkways and benches.
- La Mata Natural Park Visitors Centre & Wine Walking Route: info about the park and signed posted walking route through the grape vines.
- La Mata Natural Park: this car park is much closer to the lake and the picnic area.
Ideas of places to twin La Mata with day or night
- Starting from the village of La Mata take in its small street market on a Wednesday morning, then stroll along the beach north to Guardamar, or south along the wooden walkway to Torrevieja for a spot of lunch, before ambling back, a great day out filled with fresh air, scenery and shopping.
- Visit the large busy town of Torrevieja in the morning maybe explore one of its museums, have a coffee in the beautiful old casino or simply indulge in a bit of shopping, then drive to La Mata Natural Park enjoy a picnic and a walk along the trails soaking up the peace and tranquillity of this nature reserve.
Places of Interest
La Mata Beach
N38°01.567 W0°39.249Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets very busy during high season, so you might have to park further away and walk or get here early in the morning.
From here: looking out to sea turn left to walk north to Guardamar or right to walk along the wooden walkway to Torrevieja.
La Mata Market Small Wednesday Morning
N38°01.567 W0°39.249Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets very busy during high season and on market day, so you might have to park further away and walk or get here early in the morning.
From here: follow the shopping trolleys towards the church square.
La Mata Natural Park
N38°01.214 W0°39.927Parking: is in the gravelled car park and is free.
From here: follow the wooden walkway to the picnic area and bird watching tower, the walkway is great for pushchairs and wheelchairs, or walk uphill to the pigeon cotes and then follow anyone of the unmarked trails through the fields of vines back down to the lake edge.
La Mata Natural Park Visitors Centre and Wine Route
N38°01.478 W0°39.471Parking: is in the gravelled car park and is free.
From here: the white visitors centre is beside the car park it contains information about the park and its fauna and flora, follow the sign post for the wine walking route pasted the grape vines.
Top tip: this a great place to watch the sun setting behind the impressive Callosa mountain.
La Mata Promenade
N38°01.567 W0°39.249Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets very busy during high season, so you might have to park further away and walk or get here early in the morning.
From here: head for the sea, turn left for a walk along the beach to Guardamar or right for a walk along the wooden promenade to Torrevieja.
Top tip: the wooden promenade is excellent for pushchairs and wheelchairs or if you want a walk by the sea but don't want to get sand in your shoes!
La Mata Village Centre
N38°01.567 W0°39.249Parking: is on the road and is free, it gets very busy during high season, so you might have to park further away and walk or get here early in the morning.
From here: the cafes, bars restaurants and small selection of shops are along the beach front and around the church square.
La Mata Waterwheel Park
N38o00.844 W0o39.519Parking: is on the side of the road wherever there is space and is free.
From here: walk into the park and explore.
Top tip: the park is known in Spanish as Parque del Molino de Agua and contains a beautiful flowing stream, brick walkways, pine forest, sand dunes and benches.
