Independent guides to living and studying in Europe
City Cards · Costa Blanca, Alicante province · Torrevieja
City Card No. 03 · COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
Torrevieja
Salt lakes, long promenades and one of Spain’s largest international communities.
GUIDE FOR THE COSTA BLANCA
Nearest airports
Alicante (ALC) and Murcia (RMU)
Landscape
Two salt lakes in a natural park
Character
Large, year-round international town
Rent, 60 m² flat
€760 a month
The short version
A flat, sunny coastal town where you can live in English, or in Spanish.
Torrevieja sits on the southern Costa Blanca between two salt lagoons, one of which turns pink in summer. Residents come from across Europe, and services in English are easy to find.
Apartments and townhouses make it one of the more affordable places on this coast, which is why so many retirees and families on a budget start their search here.
Torrevieja suits you if
- You want a lower-cost coastal base with services in English
- You are retiring and want flat, walkable streets
- You want two airports within reach
Look elsewhere if
- You want an older Spanish town with a historic centre (look at Orihuela or Elche)
- You dislike dense apartment development and summer crowds
Money
What living here costs
| Item | Typical cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Flat of 60 m² | €760 a month |
| Family flat of 90 m² | €1,140 a month |
| Utilities and internet | €110–170 a month |
Flat sizes use asking rents on idealista for September 2026 (Torrevieja €12.7 per m²; Spain average €15.1). Signed rents are often a little lower, and furnished, sea-view or new-build homes cost more. Other figures are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes.
The trade-off
Dense development and a busy summer.
Parts of the town are built up end to end, and the population swells in July and August. Local jobs are mostly in tourism and services.
Guides for this area
First 90 Days on the Costa Blanca €12.99
Coast or Inland? €12.99
Retiring to the Costa Blanca €12.99
Weighing Torrevieja?
Torrevieja, or somewhere quieter on this coast?
Start with a free discovery call. We tell you honestly whether it is worth going further.
Coaching and guidance only, not legal advice. Not an immigration lawyer or agent.