Anyone been to Torrevieja???

Piggy-bank_2

I would agree with fudgem. I have been going there since I was a child in the mid 80's. Where exactly you are going will make some difference - many urbanisations that say Torrevieja are quite a way out of town now(as it's been expanding massively over the last 15 years) and are quite full of ex-pats with brits-abroad style bars etc, others are of a more cosmopolitan mix with a variety of eating/drinking places and easier access to the town centre. The town is still very popular with spanish holiday makers from inland, and there are much fewer "english pubs" in the town centre than in the urbanisations, and much much fewer than benidorm! We dont generally eat in the seafront restaurants in the evening, although do go to some of the smaller ones for the traditional, good value 'menu del dia' for a lunchtime nosh. An attempt to speak spanish to the propriators of these places usually goes a *long* way, I have sat and cringed as a family group asked for "Cheese Toasties" in very slow loud english.

There have been problems with crime, my parents have been broken into about 3 times in 2 years, but that was about 5 years ago now (and not at all since they had improved shutters fitted). Some of the other crimes I've heard of/witnessed are the kinds of thing that happen anywhere and can be quite easily avoided by not leaving all your common sense at home just 'cos you're on holiday - dont make a big loud fuss of arriving and catch the attention of passing bad'uns, dont leave your handbag under your deckchair they *will* be able to get it without you noticing. Keep your wallet in a difficult to get to place (the pickpockets are experts). I always carry two purses, one with say 30e in, and the other (well hidden) with the rest - If I was to be approached in any dodgy circumstance this might avoid me losing all my money. Dont play the pea/shell game! All that said, I have holidayed there alone as a young woman and had no problems eating out, going to markets or on the beach etc.

If you give us an idea of which development you are thinking of going to, maybe someone can give you some more detailed info - to give you an idea of the size, I read once that torrevieja increases to 10 times it's winter population during the summer!

There is a massive street market on Fridays, Cartegena is an interesting town to visit, and you can also take a boat trip to Tabarca island. In the past we've also driven to Guadalest for the day, although if they've been to benidorm they've probably been there.

HTH!

stellagypsy

Torrevieja is OK, it is a litle busy for my liking, we stayed a few miles away and I preferred this. I liked Cabo Roig, which has lots of lovely villas and appartments to rent (private rentals), nice sandy beach in a cove, shops, restaurants, etc. Also nearby is La Manga, which is also lovely. Further up the coast is Guadamar (more Spanish in style and atmosphere) and La Marina - stunning beaches. Again, loads of excellent private lets. You cannot beat this area for guaranteed sunshine.

The crime is there, true, but you just have to be careful like you would at home. I have never been robbed / burgled there. Just because you are on holiday you should still take security seriously - lock cars / doors / windows, use grilles if they are fitted, do not leave things lying around, etc. Just common sense, really.

HTH, Stella xx

hammy_the_hammer

crime is a real issue there...i seem to remember a recent news item about this being the crime capital of spain (this may have been not including some districts within larger spanish cities). friends have had basically anything worth taking stolen from their house on two occasions...if you are staying it would be more secure to stay somewhere that is properly established with plenty of full time residents about

alared

Which is the nearest airport,Murcia or Alicante?

fudgem

They're roughly the same, one is north and the other is south, so take the cheapest.

The Murcia one is a military airport and the last time we were there, the authorities closed it for an airshow, but I don't think this happens very often

stellagypsy

Murcia is nearer Torrevieja.

welshnige

Murcia is probably a tadge nearer but it was or still is a military airport, the advantage being they normally only have one flight in at a time so delays are normally less. The downside is that there is one bar/cafe......thats it! As for the crime Im afraid to say that it is common all over in Spain. Basically it is just common sense, not leaving things out, letting strangers in, leaving doors or windows open etc etc, no different to a lot of countries. There are opportunists everywhere in holiday resorts around the world who would rather rob than get a job.

LesD

welshnige wrote:

Murcia is probably a tadge nearer but it was or still is a military airport, the advantage being they normally only have one flight in at a time so delays are normally less.

Hmm, not sure the delays at San Javier are less. They've been improving the facilities this year, but they're still nowhere near adequate for the number of visitors passing through at this time of the year.

San Javier is much nearer - 20 miles compared with 40 miles from Alicante.

viktory

My parents used to live in Torrevieja. I have visited many times and really enjoyed it. Having said that, it might have been because my parents lived there. We had some really lovely, leisurely holidays just sunbathing and relaxing. We aren't ones for nightclubs though.

We did go on a few trips and visited some lovely places, like La Mata (great beaches), Gudalest and Benidorm. We never had any problems with crime either. Maybe we were lucky!

Personally, I would love to go back but they decided to return to England instead!