Endsleign Travel Insurance Center

Torrevieja is situated in south Spain and chances are if you were a tourist you would be hiring a car from Alicante airport, Murcia airport or driving south from France.

The main road that serves all that area is the AP-7 and is linked to both airports, you can follow this road right up through Northeast Spain until you reach France.

Alicante airport is the largest in the area and is a major hub for all of North Europe and the world. Most tourists who arrive here get on to holiday busses and are whisked away up to Benidorm a major tourist destination. Alicante airport lies 40 minutes or so North of Torrevieja and because many visitors either own holiday homes here or are renting one out, chances are they will hire a car.

As you leave Alicante airport you will have 2 choices of which direction to go. Either follow the one way system around to meet the AP-7 or take the back road to meet up with the N-323. The AP-7 road is quicker in most cases, but if you are nervous driving in a foreign country you will be driving on a faster road. It is well signposted, but beware there is a dual carriageway that takes you to the AP-7, my first visit I actually though I already was on the AP-7. As you follow the AP-7 south look for the signs and turn left at the relevant slip road which will then take you straight into Torrevieja past Carrefore.

The second option using the N-323 is not so obvious as the signs at the rear of the airport are very small. There are also limited street lighting and road markings at night and if you don’t know where you re going can be a bit scary. Head for the coast to pick the N-332 and turn right. The benefits of using this road are that it will take you directly to Torrevieja without any detours. It is also ideal if you are going to a holiday home just south of Torrevieja, as this road continues straight on to these areas. But beware at night, lighting is poor and sometimes the Spanish drivers can’t get by because of single lines in the middle of the road and sharp bends.

Murcia Airport is situated 30 minutes or so south of Torrevieja and has a direct link to the AP-7. Because this is a small airport, it can be much easier getting out of the airport straight to the AP-7 and is my favourite option. Turn right on the AP-7 and follow this road north. However you will face tollbooths as you near the Torrevieja area. If you wish to avoid these, divert off the AP-7 on to the N323 going north this time, where the signs on the AP-7 say Campoamor beach. Again the N323 will take you straight to Torrevieja but going north.

Torrevieja is pretty much made up of narrow Spanish streets, many of them one way. If you wish to park, follow the roads down to the harbour where there is a car park right there. Most locals however try to park in the narrow streets; if you look around long enough you should find a parking space but I never find it worth the extra time and hassle from the habour car park.

The Spanish like to drive their cars fast, and hate to stop for anything. If driving past a slip road either speed up, slow down or move over, but find a place for that driver to fit in because he will not stop. Ironically though I find them far more polite with the horn and considerate to let you in when queuing. They don’t mind slower drivers as long as they can get past and on with their business and seem less likely to judgeyour driving than in other countries. In the are area around Torrevieja however there is a hugh North European population who have bought holiday homes there, so that Spanish driver may not be Spanish after all. Safe driving!

Mark is webmaster for European Breakdown Cover and Direct Line Insurance also RAC.

Share This

Located in the far reaches of Aragon, Spain, the Parador of Sos del Rey Catolico is kind of “in the middle of nowhere.” The result of this is that relatively few tourists ever find their way here to this sleepy little village of less than a thousand inhabitants. When you enter, you’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped back several centuries in time. The village has a distinctly medieval feel.

The Parador Sos is of a typical Aragonese character. The building conserves and fits congruously with the monumental and historical atmosphere of the town of Sos del Rey Cat

Share This

The four-star Parador Ronda occupies an absolutely awesome location. It sits right on the edge of one of the deepest gorges in Spain - the “Tajo.” The views are stunning. If you aren’t timid of heights, walk out across the puente nuevo - the “new bridge” (that was built in 1761!?) just outside the Parador grounds, and you can look straight down 500 ft. to the river below! There are scenic footpaths through the Parador gardens and grounds that will lead you to lookouts with incredible vistas.

The Ronda Parador building is the former town hall. It has a very modern appearance inside, presents the traveler with every amenity, and all of it in very good taste. The Parador of Ronda is famous for the quality of the service they provide, and for the attentiveness of the staff.

Ronda itself is a fascinating city with an equally fascinating history. A moorish stronghold for centuries, it later became essentially a haven for bandits. They would loot the surrounding countryside and then return to their nearly impregnable location in Ronda and dare the authorities to try and get them out.

Modern bullfighting was invented here, and Ronda’s bullring is said to be the oldest in Spain. Wander the old town to your hearts content. You’ll get pleasantly lost - a few times - but it’s great fun exploring and you’re never far from the way back.

From here, you could drive out to some of Spain’s most typical “white villages” - Setenil, Grazalema, Gaucin, Olvera, Ubrique, Zahara de la Sierra, - and many others - each a dazzling drop of ancient culture in these rugged sierras.

Interesting excursions from the Parador:

- The Ba

Share This