Moving to Orihuela Costa - The Complete Guide

Orihuela Costa, Spain – A Guide for European, British & Irish Buyers

Orihuela Costa is one of the most popular coastal areas in southern Spain for people looking to buy a holiday home, retire abroad, invest in property, or relocate for a better lifestyle. Located on the southern Costa Blanca in Alicante province, it stretches for around 16 km along the Mediterranean coast between Torrevieja and Pilar de la Horadada.

The area is especially attractive to buyers from the U.K., Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia because of its warm climate, modern infrastructure, beaches, golf courses, international community and relatively affordable property compared with many other Mediterranean destinations.

Why People Choose Orihuela Costa

Climate & Outdoor Lifestyle

One of the biggest attractions is the weather. The area enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year with mild winters and hot summers, making it ideal for year-round living or winter escapes.

People are drawn to:

Outdoor café culture
Beach living
Golf and walking
Cycling and watersports
Relaxed Mediterranean pace of life
Lower living costs than much of Northern Europe

La Zenia

Beach lifestyle and shopping

Best suited for:

Holiday homes
Families
Buyers wanting everything nearby
Rental investors

La Zenia is one of the most famous and busiest parts of Orihuela Costa.

Popular for:

Sandy Blue Flag beach
Walking distance amenities
Large expat community
Restaurants, bars and shopping
Family-friendly atmosphere
Strong holiday rental demand

It is home to Zenia Boulevard Shopping Centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Alicante province.

The Main Areas of Orihuela Costa

Villamartin

Villamartín is inland slightly from the coast and is famous for golf and social life.

Popular for:

Villamartín Golf Course
Villamartín Plaza
Restaurants and nightlife
Villas, apartments and golf resorts
Strong expat presence

It is one of the most social and active communities in the area.

Best suited for:

Golfers
Social retirees
Remote workers
Rental investment

Campoamor

Dehesa de Campoamor is greener and more spacious than many neighbouring areas.

Known for:

Pine forests
Beaches and marina
Larger villas
Luxury developments
More relaxed atmosphere

It appeals to buyers wanting a quieter and more upscale environment.

Best suited for:

Luxury living
Families
Buyers wanting privacy

Punta Prima

Punta Prima sits close to Torrevieja and offers a mix of modern apartments and established residential areas.

Known for:

Seafront promenade
New developments
Year-round population
Good transport links
Restaurants and beach clubs

It feels more residential than purely tourist-focused.

Best suited for:

Permanent living
Apartment buyers
Winter residents

Cabo Roig

Cabo Roig is considered one of the more prestigious coastal areas.

Features include:

Marina and coastal walk
Villas and luxury homes
Beach clubs and restaurants
Palm-lined avenues
Scenic sea views

It attracts buyers looking for higher-end property close to the sea.

Best suited for:

Luxury buyers
Boating enthusiasts
High-end holiday homes

Playa Flamenca has become one of the most established international residential areas.

Known for:

Beach coves and promenade
Weekly street market
International atmosphere
Apartments and townhouses
Excellent services year-round

It is especially popular with British and Northern European residents.

Best suited for:

Full-time living
Retirees
Buyers wanting community feel
Long winter stays

Playa Flamenca

Beaches in the Area

Popular beaches include:

La Zenia Beach
Cala Capitán
Cabo Roig Beach
Playa Flamenca Beach
Campoamor Beach
Punta Prima Beach

The coastline offers:

Beach bars (chiringuitos)
Watersports
Coastal promenades
Snorkelling coves
Family swimming areas

Orihuela Costa is famous for its Blue Flag beaches and clean Mediterranean waters.

Golf & Leisure

The area is one of Spain’s best golf destinations.

Major golf courses include:

Villamartín Golf
Las Ramblas Golf
Campoamor Golf
Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

Golf tourism plays a major role in the local economy and attracts year-round visitors from Northern Europe.

There are numerous other golf courses within a 30 minute drive.

International Community

Orihuela Costa has a very large international population with strong British and Irish communities.

You will find:

English-speaking businesses
Irish pubs and restaurants
International supermarkets
Expat social groups
Sports clubs and social events
English-speaking trades and services

This makes settling in easier for newcomers.

Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the strongest reasons many retirees choose Spain.

Residents benefit from:

Public healthcare system
Private clinics and hospitals
English-speaking doctors
Nearby hospitals in Torrevieja and Murcia
Pharmacies everywhere

Many private medical professionals speak English due to the international population.

Airports & Travel

Alicante Airport

Approx:

45–50 minutes by car

Murcia International Airport

Approx:

35–40 minutes by car

There are regular flights from:
- London
- Dublin
- Belfast
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Edinburgh
- Amsterdam
- Brussels
- Oslo
- Stockholm

The area is well connected for European travellers.

Property Types

Buyers can choose from:

Apartments
Townhouses
Detached villas
Golf resort homes
Luxury frontline properties
New-build developments

Popular reasons people buy:

Winter sunshine
Holiday home use
Retirement
Rental income
Lifestyle relocation
Remote working

Typical Buyer Profiles

British & Irish Retirees

Usually looking for:

Warm winters
Healthcare access
Established expat community
Low-maintenance apartments or villas

Families

Usually attracted by:

International schools
Safe residential areas
Outdoor lifestyle
Affordable family property

Scandinavian & Northern European Buyers

Often interested in:

Modern new-build properties
Energy-efficient homes
Long winter stays
Golf and wellness lifestyle

Investors

Interested in:

Holiday rental income
High summer demand
Long-term capital growth
New developments

Important Things Buyers Should Know

Advantages

Excellent climate
Strong international community
Modern infrastructure
Beaches and golf
Good airport access
More affordable than Marbella or Ibiza

Possible Downsides

Busy in peak summer
Some areas feel highly international rather than traditionally Spanish
Car recommended in some residential zones
Urban planning and licence checks are important before buying property

Overall

Orihuela Costa offers a combination of:

Mediterranean lifestyle
International convenience
Good property value
Strong rental demand
Excellent climate
Modern services

For many Europeans, British and Irish buyers, it provides a balance between holiday atmosphere and practical year-round living that is difficult to find elsewhere on the Spanish coast.

Best Areas Depending on Lifestyle

Lifestyle and Areas

Beach & nightlife
La Zenia, Cabo Roig

Quiet retirement
Campoamor, Mil Palmeras

Golf lifestyle
Villamartín, Las Colinas

Family living
Playa Flamenca, Punta Prima

Luxury property
Cabo Roig, Campoamor

Rental investment
La Zenia, Playa Flamenca

Buying Property in Orihuela Costa

Buying Property in Orihuela Costa – Complete Guide

Orihuela Costa is one of the most popular areas in Spain for property buyers, offering a wide range of apartments, townhouses and villas close to beaches and golf courses.