Guardamar Dunes and Natural Parks: Europe's Green Oasis on the Coast

Guardamar del Segura is the only town on the Costa Blanca where a genuine pine forest lies between the residential streets and the beach. Not a strip of ornamental trees, not a landscaped park — a real forest of over 800 hectares, with dunes, wild trails and wildlife you will not find anywhere else on the urbanised coast.

At Granfield Estate we live among this nature — our office in La Mata sits on the southern edge of the forest. Morning runs along pine-scented paths and evening walks among the dunes are not tourist excursions for us — they are everyday life. And it is Guardamar’s natural environment that is the number one reason people choose to buy property here.

Parque de las Dunas: the pine forest that saved a town

The story of Guardamar’s pine forest is one of Spain’s most remarkable environmental narratives. At the end of the 19th century the town was literally being buried by sand: dunes shaped over centuries by sea and wind were advancing into the residential streets. Sand covered roads, houses and farmland.

In 1900, engineer Francisco Mira launched a massive reforestation project. Thousands of pines, eucalyptus and palms were planted on the dunes to stabilise the sand. By the mid-20th century the forest had grown and completely halted the advancing dunes. Today this man-made forest is a national heritage site, a protected area and Guardamar’s defining landmark.

What to see in the park

• Pine forest. Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) form the backbone. Tall, spreading trees with a characteristic resin scent. On a hot day it is 5–8°C cooler here than in direct sun.
• Dunes. Dune heights reach up to 15 metres. Some are stabilised by vegetation, others remain mobile. Walking on the dunes is only permitted on designated trails.
• Fauna. The forest is home to chameleons (one of their few habitats in Europe), squirrels, hedgehogs, owls and hoopoes. Along the coast — terns, gulls and waders.
• Flora. Beyond the pines — Mediterranean maquis: rosemary, thyme, rockrose. In spring the forest blooms and fills with fragrance.

Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja

To the west of Guardamar lies the second major natural feature — the salt lagoons. The La Mata lagoon (700 hectares) and the Torrevieja lagoon (1,400 hectares) are the largest salt lakes in south-east Spain.

Flamingos

The lagoons’ star attraction is colonies of pink flamingos. They live here year-round, but the best viewing times are spring and autumn (March–May, September–November), when the population reaches several thousand. Purpose-built observation platforms stand on the lagoon shore.

Salt lake and mud

The lagoon water is so salty that table salt is extracted here industrially. Mud from the lagoon bed is considered therapeutic — locals and tourists alike coat themselves in it on the banks. Scientific evidence for its healing properties is limited, but the tradition has endured for decades.

The River Segura and its estuary

The River Segura flows into the Mediterranean on Guardamar’s northern edge. The estuary is another natural zone with dense vegetation, reed beds and abundant birdlife. Herons, ducks and kingfishers can all be spotted here.

A walking and cycling path runs along the river. The route passes through orange groves and farmland — an entirely different landscape from the coast just 2 kilometres away.

Walking routes

Route 1: Through the pine forest to the beach (2 km, 30 min)

The most popular route. It starts from the town centre, passes through Parque Alfonso XIII and emerges at Playa del Moncayo. Shade throughout, soft ground, signposted. Suitable for all ages.

Route 2: Tusales dunes (4 km, 1 hour)

A circular route through the dune system. Starting point: Playa de la Roqueta car park. The path follows boardwalks among the dunes, through dense forest and out to the wild Tusales beach. One of the most scenic walks on the Costa Blanca.

Route 3: La Mata lagoon (6 km, 1.5 hours)

A route around the northern section of the lagoon. Starting point: the bird-watching centre. It follows the shore of the salt lake through Mediterranean scrubland. Best time: early morning, when the flamingos are most active.

Route 4: Segura estuary (5 km, 1.5 hours)

Along the river from town to the sea. Through orange groves, reed beds and green spaces. A flat route, also suitable for cycling.

Why Guardamar’s nature is unique

Along the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast from Barcelona to Almería, no other town combines all of these elements:

• An 800+ hectare pine forest right by the beach
• Natural dunes up to 15 metres high
• Salt lagoons with flamingo colonies
• A major river estuary
• A ban on mass development in the coastal zone

This is no accident — it is the result of a century of conscious environmental stewardship, beginning with Francisco Mira’s project in 1900. And it is the main reason Guardamar attracts people who value quality of life above noisy entertainment.

Living among nature: property near the park

Many buyers choose Guardamar specifically for the proximity to its natural areas. Apartments and villas near the pine forest are in consistently high demand, especially among Scandinavian and German buyers. The combination of protected nature and pristine beaches makes this area a strong choice for long-term property investment.

Guardamar’s southern neighbour, La Mata with its Blue Flag beach, shares the same nature-park ecosystem and offers additional options for buyers drawn to this coastline.

Our team at Granfield Estate will help you find property where the forest and beach are just a few minutes’ walk away. We know this area like home — because it is our home. Get in touch to arrange a viewing.

Office: Av. Bélgica 1, C.C. Parquemar, La Mata, 03188 Torrevieja (Alicante)
Phone: +34 865 44 33 33

Browse property in Guardamar del Segura →

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk freely across the dunes?

Only on designated trails and boardwalks. The dunes are a protected nature reserve. Leaving the marked paths can damage the fragile vegetation that holds the sand in place. Fines for violations are enforced.

Where is the best place to watch flamingos?

On the northern shore of the La Mata lagoon there is a purpose-built observation platform with binoculars. The best time is early morning (7–9am) during spring or autumn months. Flamingos are present year-round, but the colony is at its largest in spring and autumn.

Is it safe to walk in the forest?

Yes, Guardamar’s pine forest is a safe and well-maintained space. The main trails are cleared and signposted. There are no dangerous animals. The only precaution is sun protection and water during hot months, as shade is not continuous everywhere.

Are the routes suitable for cycling?

The River Segura route is ideal for cycling: flat and paved for most of its length. The pine-forest route suits mountain bikes. The dune trails are walking-only (boardwalks).