What to do in the area

Orihuela  is a really nice historical town.  Depends what are your interests?

Hi, I've owned a house in Pilar De La Horadada since 2002 and go as often as I can.

These are some of my favourite places.....

Local(ish)

Mil Palmeras has a nice little pedestrianised area full of restaurants 

La Zenia shopping mall has a nice feel - stylish and open to the elements like an american mall 

Park in one of the back roads at Lo Pagan and walk along the pedestrianised road separating the Mar Menor and the Mudbath areas

Park at El Mahon and walk along the Mar Menor promenade 

Park up and go for a walk in the San Pedro nature reserve

Go to Torrevieja - park in the harbour car park - and walk along the sea front (best people watching early evening when the locals come out for their daily constitution)

Slightly further afield

Cabo De Palos - park by the lighthouse and walk along the sea wall & /or back down to the harbour area. Then drive up the La Manga strip, stopping to stretch your legs when something interesting catches your eye

La Union has an interesting mine which has guided tours

Cartagena - park in the underground carpark on the front. The main shopping street has some interesting buildings. There's a lift up to a nice garden vantage point overlooking a roman ampitheatre. Also there's a roman artefact exhibition, a boat trip round the harbour with an optional island stop off and a tour of Licor 43 factory on the outskirts.

Monteagudo has an interesting little exhibition on the large Jesus statue which towers over the area

Caravaca de la Cruz is interesting and allegedly the 5th holiest place in the world if you're into that - church at the top of the hill and the view is interesting regardless though

Calsparra has a nice sanctuary carved into the hillside and a very pleasant river walk 

Alicante (the old town around the town hall) is a nice area

Benidorm is worth a visit if you like people watching - though contrary to popular belief it definitely isn't full of half naked beer swilling brits PROVIDED you go outside of peak season 

I could go on and on.....

To finish, if you want to go out of the area without driving I've been on some good day trips with Daves Coaches - you can park at one of their pick up stops from Pilar up to Torrevieja. Their website is www.coachtripsonline.com

Have a great time.

Since 6 years we have an appartement in this area and still haven't seen everything. The beaches, the inland. Cartagena, murcia, alicante, even Valencia are beautiful cities. You do need a car but to many places to see. In torremendo is a beautiful lake (el pedrera de Torremendo). Have a nice time.