Torrevieja: from fishing village to skyscrapers

Torrevieja – the best city to live in? Let’s find out. In just a few decades, a small fishing village has turned into the flourishing seaside resort town of Torrevieja on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Torrevieja belongs to the province of Alicante within the Valencian Autonomous Community. The city covers just over 71 km². Fifteen years ago its population exceeded 100,000 people, but by today the figure has fallen below 90,000. Nevertheless, Torrevieja remains the third largest city in the province by population after Alicante and Elche. According to official statistics, only 46% of residents are Spanish, while the remaining 54% are foreigners. For many years the biggest foreign community was British, but in 2022 Ukrainians took the lead for the first time. Other nationalities include Germans, Scandinavians, French, Belgians, Dutch, Poles, as well as Moroccans and people from Latin America. According to the town hall, citizens of 120 countries live in Torrevieja, and the city is rightly considered the “Russian-speaking capital of Spain”.

At Granfield Estate, our office sits in the heart of this story — La Mata, where Torrevieja’s salt lake heritage meets its modern coastal identity.

Torrevieja is an ideal Mediterranean resort in Spain, but you will not find many cultural or historical monuments here simply because the city is relatively “young”. If you are looking for that type of experience, you can easily drive less than an hour to Cartagena or Alicante.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Torrevieja consisted of just a few houses, a lookout post and an old watchtower from which it takes its name (Torre Vieja – “old tower”). The story of Torrevieja begins as that of a tiny fishing village, like many others along the coast. However, Torrevieja has a unique feature. Its famous pink salt lake gave a powerful boost to development and turned the town into the largest salt-production centre in Europe. Salt and sun are the two main treasures of Torrevieja, which it generously shares with the whole world.

In 1829 an earthquake destroyed almost all the buildings, including the tower that gave the town its name. But the inhabitants did not accept this loss and, using their own funds, built a new tower. A visit to Torre del Moro is a must for every tourist and resident of the city.

Another noteworthy landmark is the Church of the Immaculate Conception (Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción) on Plaza de la Constitución. It is still the most visited church in Torrevieja, despite the construction of a new, modern temple. It was originally built in 1789 but was destroyed by the same earthquake forty years later. Interestingly, during its reconstruction the builders used stones from that very old tower that gave the town its name.

Torrevieja officially received city status only in 1931, by decree of King Alfonso XIII. So what allowed this small fishing village to become such an attractive and comfortable Mediterranean resort?

Of course, the sea and the sun. The Mediterranean Sea and a unique climate. Torrevieja stretches for about twenty kilometres along the coast and offers beaches for every taste: sandy or rocky, wide or small, wild or fully equipped, quiet or with plenty of entertainment. The beach season in Torrevieja practically lasts all year round. Although it is more pleasant to swim in the sea from May to October, you can walk along the promenade and sunbathe at any time. It never snows in Torrevieja (once every 40 years doesn’t count).
Torrevieja is among the top cities in Spain in terms of sunny days per year – at least 320. Average annual temperatures are around +12 °C at night and +25 °C during the day. The pink salt lake also makes a major contribution to the local environment, creating a microclimate that is extremely beneficial for health. Many people with different health conditions, as well as retirees, move to Torrevieja specifically to improve their quality of life. You can even cover yourself in therapeutic mud straight from a natural source – it works wonders for your joints. These unique natural attractions draw huge numbers of tourists from all over the world, and in high season the city’s population increases fourfold!
The town is also very appealing because of its affordable property prices. You can buy a studio apartment by the sea in Torrevieja for as little as 50,000 euros. At the same time, prices are not standing still – they are rising year after year, which attracts investors. If you live in Torrevieja for ten years, it is impossible not to notice how the population is getting “younger”. In the early 2000s, most residents were pensioners, while today you increasingly see young people, families with small children, noisy groups of schoolkids and couples in love of all ages. As a result, the city’s infrastructure is changing and developing: new buildings are being constructed to modern standards, along with children’s and sports playgrounds, cultural and educational centres, new parks and leisure areas.

And the city has no intention of stopping there. There are plans to build 18 skyscrapers in Torrevieja with heights of up to 29 floors! Some of them will be residential complexes and others will be hotels and tourist apartments. These are, of course, very ambitious plans. For now there are only about a dozen buildings in the city higher than six storeys. However, the first steps in this direction have already been taken. The project to build two 26-storey towers “Torres Baraka” (26 floors, 82 metres high, 130 apartments and 250 tourist units) near the beaches of Los Náufragos and Acequión is on everyone’s lips in Torrevieja. It is said that the development will cost the builder around 60 million euros. Opinions about this new architecture vary, but everyone agrees on one thing: it will attract even more tourists and at the same time help to solve the accommodation issue.

Such projects will significantly change the skyline of Torrevieja, making the city even more modern and attractive for young people and business, while the land freed up by building higher can be used to develop infrastructure and green areas.

As the attractiveness of an already popular resort continues to grow, property prices in Torrevieja are certain to rise as well. Now is the best time to buy! Contact Granfield Estate – we are the best at what we do.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you've decided to buy an apartment in Torrevieja, read our step-by-step guide: How to Buy an Apartment in Torrevieja: Step-by-Step Guide 2026.

How many people live in Torrevieja permanently?

According to current municipal data, the permanent population of Torrevieja is about 90,000 people. In the summer season, the city hosts up to 400,000 people. Notably, only about 46% of the residents are Spanish citizens — the remaining 54% are foreigners representing more than 120 nationalities.

Why is Torrevieja called the "Russian-speaking capital of Spain"?

Torrevieja has historically been the main center of the Russian-speaking community in Spain. There are Russian-speaking schools, shops, doctors, lawyers, and real estate agencies. Signs in Russian can be found throughout the city. After 2022, the Russian-speaking community has been joined by Ukrainians and is now the largest foreign community in the city.

Are there historical landmarks in Torrevieja?

Torrevieja is a relatively young city, so there are few major historical monuments here. The main attractions include the salt pink lagoons (nature reserve), Paseo Vista al Mar promenade, the Sea and Salt Museum, and the historic market. For lovers of ancient architecture and history, we recommend trips to Orihuela (18 km) or Alicante (50 km).

Is the infrastructure in Torrevieja developed?

Yes. The city has everything necessary for comfortable living: a hospital, clinics, supermarkets of all major chains, shopping centers, restaurants of various cuisines, sports facilities, and three marinas. Alicante International Airport is a 45-minute drive away, and there is regular bus service to major cities. What is lacking is a metro and high-speed rail, but for a resort city, this is not critical.

Our team at Granfield Estate lives and works on the Costa Blanca year-round. If you’re considering a move to Spain or looking for property in the area, we’re happy to share our local knowledge — get in touch for a free consultation.

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

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