At Granfield Estate we do not just sell property in La Mata — we live here. Our office stands on the promenade, our agents walk past the beach on their way to work every morning. When clients ask "what is it like to live here?" we answer from personal experience, not from a brochure.
La Mata is not a tourist resort. It is a residential area with a permanent population, its own rhythm and its own character. There are no nightclubs or shopping centres. But there is a 4-kilometre beach, a flamingo lagoon and an international community of people who chose this place deliberately.
Daily life
Morning
A typical La Mata morning starts with a walk along the promenade or a run on the beach. By 8–9am the promenade cafés open — coffee with a tostada (toasted bread with tomato and olive oil) for €3–4. After that — shops, the market or a dip in the complex pool.
Afternoon
Beach, pool, a walk to the lagoon. Lunch at one of the promenade restaurants — menú del día (three-course set meal) from €10–13. An afternoon siesta — a Spanish tradition that every foreigner adopts quickly.
Evening
The evening paseo along the promenade is an unwritten ritual. Families, couples, retirees — everyone comes out at sunset. Dinner at a restaurant or at home on the terrace. Life in La Mata is quiet — by 10pm most establishments close.
Shops and groceries
- Supermercado Consum — the main supermarket, good selection, fair prices. 5 minutes from the centre.
- Mercadona — Spain's largest chain. The nearest is on the Torrevieja border, a 5-minute drive.
- Saturday market — a mercadillo every Saturday morning. Fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, olive oil, clothes, homeware. The week's main social event.
- Small shops — bakery, butcher, pharmacy — all on Av. de los Europeos.
Healthcare
- Centro de Salud La Mata — primary care centre. GP, nurses, blood tests. Free with a SIP card (for residents).
- Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja — a major public hospital 10 minutes away. Surgery, A&E, paediatrics, trauma. Considered one of the best on the coast.
- Private clinics — dentistry, ophthalmology, dermatology — in Torrevieja, 10 minutes.
- Pharmacies — 2–3 in central La Mata, open until 8–9pm. Duty pharmacy (farmacia de guardia) — 24 hours, on rotation.
Transport
By car
A car is the main form of transport. Torrevieja: 10 min; Alicante: 40 min; Alicante airport (ALC): 35 min; Murcia: 45 min. The AP-7 motorway (toll-free) is 5 minutes from La Mata.
Bus
The Torrevieja — La Mata — Guardamar bus runs regularly. Cost: €1.35 per trip. Convenient for car-free trips to Torrevieja centre.
Airport
Alicante-Elche airport (ALC): 35 minutes by car. Flights to most European capitals and major cities. Murcia-Corvera (RMU) airport is also used: 40 minutes.
Community
La Mata is one of the most international areas on the coast. Permanent residents include Scandinavians (Swedes, Norwegians, Finns), Germans, Belgians, Dutch and British. Many are retirees, but there are also young families working remotely.
Events and clubs
- Scandinavian clubs — Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish. Regular meetings, excursions, celebrations.
- Walking groups — group walks along the promenade and through the nature park. A great way to meet people.
- Fiestas — La Mata celebrates its fiestas in July (Virgen del Carmen) — processions, fireworks, competitions.
- Christmas market — small but cosy. Crafts, food, mulled wine.
Language
English is widely spoken in La Mata's shops and restaurants. Many staff are foreigners themselves. But basic Spanish makes life considerably easier, particularly when dealing with local government, doctors and banks.
Climate
| Month | Day temp °C | Night temp °C | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| April | 21 | 11 | 4 |
| July | 32 | 22 | 0 |
| October | 24 | 15 | 5 |
La Mata is one of Europe's sunniest areas: over 300 sunny days per year. Winters are mild (rarely below +5°C); summers are hot, but the sea breeze and proximity to the water make the heat manageable.
Our experience: pros and cons of living in La Mata
Pros
- One of the Costa Blanca's best beaches within walking distance
- Nature park with flamingos nearby
- Quiet, peaceful atmosphere — a village-by-the-sea feel
- Friendly international community
- Affordable property prices
- Torrevieja with full infrastructure 10 minutes away
Cons
- Limited choice of restaurants and shops — Torrevieja needed for serious shopping
- Little evening entertainment — if you want nightlife, this is not your area
- A car is helpful — you can live without one, but with limitations
- August brings more beachgoers (still far fewer than Torrevieja)
If you are looking for a quiet seaside life with nature, community and affordable prices, La Mata could be the perfect place. We know this because we live here ourselves.
Granfield Estate office: Av. Bélgica 1, C.C. Parquemar, La Mata, 03188 Torrevieja (Alicante)
Phone: +34 865 44 33 33
Frequently asked questions
Can I live in La Mata without a car?
You can, but with limitations. The beach, shops, restaurants, pharmacy and health centre are all within walking distance. But for larger shopping trips (Mercadona, IKEA), the hospital, the airport and travelling around the region you need transport. Buses run regularly and taxis are available.
Is La Mata safe?
Yes, La Mata is one of the safest areas on the coast. Low population density, permanent residents, quiet streets. As everywhere in Spain, basic precautions apply: do not leave valuables in your car, lock your doors.
Are there schools in La Mata?
There is a primary school (CEIP La Mata) in the area itself. Secondary schools are in Torrevieja (10 minutes). International schools: the nearest is El Limonar International School in Torrevieja.
What language do I need to live in La Mata?
English will see you through comfortably — many residents and staff speak English. But basic Spanish (A2–B1) significantly improves quality of life: interaction with neighbours, local government, doctors. Spanish courses are available in Torrevieja.
How much does it cost to live in La Mata per month?
Indicative costs for a couple: comunidad €50–100, electricity €60–100, water €25, internet €40, groceries €400–600, dining out €200–400, IBI (annual, broken down monthly) €8–25. Total: €780–1,290/month excluding rent or mortgage. That is 30–50% lower than Western Europe.
Why Granfield Estate?
-
⚑
Office on the coast — we live here
Our office is in La Mata, Torrevieja. We know every neighbourhood, every street and the real prices — not from a catalogue, but from daily work on the ground.
-
⚖
In-house lawyer — 10+ years of experience
NIE, bank account, property check, contract, notary — legal support at every step. First consultation free.
-
🏠
Property management
Buying to rent? Our management company handles tenant search, maintenance and all questions.
-
🌐
We speak your language
English, Spanish, Russian, German, Finnish, Swedish and more. Licence RAICV 1663, member of Asivega.
Granfield Estate · Av. Bélgica 1, C.C. Parquemar, La Mata, 03188 Torrevieja · +34 865 44 33 33
Read also
Mortgage in Spain 2026: Interest Rates, Conditions and Step-by-Step Guide
07.03.2026
A detailed guide to mortgages in Spain: rates for residents and non-residents, bank requirements for documents and income, fixed vs variable rates. We work with EU and non-EU citizens — seafarers, programmers, and remote workers qualify too. An honest breakdown without the fluff.
Taxes When Buying
01.04.2026
ITP, VAT, stamp duty, notary fees — buying property in Spain comes with taxes you had better learn about in advance. We break down all mandatory payments for the Valencia region: rates, who pays what, and how to plan your budget with no unpleasant surprises.
Obtaining a NIE in Spain
07.04.2026
The NIE is the first mandatory step before buying property in Spain. Booking through the police website, a wait of up to two months, and strict document requirements. We explain how to obtain a NIE on your own and how Granfield Estate can speed up the process.