About La Zenia, Spain
La Zenia is a small seaside town in Spain’s Alicante region. Despite its compact size, it packs a huge punch for things to do for residents and tourists, making it a hugely popular destination for British expats. It is conveniently placed close to several major towns, including just 10 minutes from Torrevieja. La Zenia is also within 45 minutes of two international Airports. Its popularity means there is an established and welcoming British community in La Zenia giving a familiar feel to the town, on top of the traditional Spanish culture.
While its location provides the town with stunning weather, scenery and nature, La Zenia is also home to a wide array of shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. There’s never a shortage of things to do in La Zenia, and we’ve listed the top 10 things to spend a day in this idyllic Spanish town.
1. Relax at La Zenia Beach
The location of La Zenia, Spain on the Costa Blanca South means it experiences over 300 days of sunshine per year, so what would be more perfect than to soak up the sun on La Zenia beach. The hot summers and mild winters mean there is barely an unsuitable beach day throughout the whole year, and La Zenia residents are spoiled for choice by several stunning Blue Flag certified beaches in the town. The beaches and coves, named Cala Bosque, Cala Cerrada, Cabo Roig and Playa Flamenca all have their own charms and appeal, giving you the variety to find your perfect spot.
La Zenia beach and others nearby are perfect for sunbathing in the Mediterranean rays, cooling off in the shallow waters and for strolls along the promenade. They are serviced by an array of bars and restaurants, so you have no reason to not spend all day on the sand!
To get a feel for the beauty of the beaches, take a look at this live La Zenia webcam feed of the seafront.
2. Shop and be Entertained at La Zenia Boulevard
La Zenia Boulevard is an open-air complex of shops, eateries and entertainment facilities, located just a few minutes’ drive from La Zenia beach. It has its own street signs, fountains and a park to make it feel like its own town, and it is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the region. It’s also convenient for locals, with a supermarket and pharmacy.
You really can shop until you drop with over 150 stores in the Boulevard, including familiar names such as Primark, H&M and Zara with an abundance of local Spanish offerings. Also, there is a range of restaurants, cafés and bars to refuel, offering everything from quick bites to long sit-down meals, all with a sea view from the central plaza.
In terms of things to do in La Zenia, there’s more than just shopping at the Boulevard, with an abundance of concerts, parades and shows, as well as bowling, a cinema and a children’s play area, making it perfect for families. Adults can have a night out at the casino, with a range of games and tournaments. La Zenia Boulevard is conveniently located to arrive by car, with free parking, and is well connected by bus, making it the perfect place to spend a few hours or a whole day exploring.
3. Explore La Zenia Market
Markets are a traditional part of Spanish life on the Costa Blanca and La Zenia has a weekly Saturday market at Playa Flamenca. Traditionally, Spanish locals will visit the market to buy fresh produce for the week ahead, with high quality seasonal food and local specialities all available. The market is also home to stalls offering a wide range of goods, from local handmade leather bags to kitchenware. You’ll also find café stands and food stalls if sitting back and people watching is more your thing. Be prepared to barter if you want a true and immersive local experience! The colours and smells of the market are an amazing sensory experience, and a must visit for residents and tourists.
4. Tee off!
Golfers will thrive in La Zenia, Spain due to its proximity to a number of high quality courses. The town is a short drive from five golf clubs, leaving you spoilt for choice. The climate makes the region a perfect spot for year-round playing conditions, explaining why La Zenia is already a popular destination for golfers looking to make a base in Spain. The Royal Campoamor Golf Club, Las Ramblas Golf Club, Vistabella Golf, Villamartin Golf and Las Colinas Golf and Country Club are home to award winning courses, all within the pristine landscapes and natural flora of the Orihuela Costa region.
5. Go for a Drink
La Zenia, Spain has a vibrant nightlife thanks to an abundance of pubs and bars. The cosmopolitan nature of the town means there are not only local bars but also British and Irish pubs, thanks to the UK expat community calling La Zenia home. It’s not just cerveza or Guinness though, with a number of cocktail and gin bars, ensuring you’ll find your perfect watering hole in La Zenia.
6. Get a Bite to Eat
The restaurant scene in La Zenia is lively, and as well as many things to do in La Zenia, you’ll find many things to eat! There is no shortage of eateries serving local meals and international cuisine in the town. There are beachside chiringuitos, tapas bars and the usual fast-food suspects. Or, if you’re after a fancier affair, there are several fine dining and contemporary restaurants in the town.
7. Have a go at Water Sports
If the warm shallow waters of La Zenia beach weren’t temping enough, how about upping the ante? There are a range of water sports possible in La Zenia, including jet-ski and paddle board hire. Or if that isn’t enough to get the adrenaline going, you can also try out parasailing over the crystal-clear waters!
8. Go for a Hike or a Cycle
The stunning landscape and vibrant flora surrounding La Zenia, Spain make it perfect for the outdoors oriented amongst you. You can stroll along the promenade, a popular route for dog-walkers and runners that meanders along the coast, or further afield into the surrounding nature reserves. You may even bump into a flamingo or turtle on your way! For those looking to explore a little further, the area is perfect for cycling, and there are a number of local rental companies offering traditional and electric bikes, to help get you pedalling.
9. Explore the Nearby Cities
La Zenia, Spain is ideally located between several cities that make for the perfect day trip from the town. Nearby Torrevieja is within a 10 minutes drive from La Zenia, where you’ll be treated to even more beaches, nature reserves and even a water park.
A half and hour drive will get you to the ancient city of Cartegena. Founded 220 B.C., and a thriving city during the Roman period, Cartegena is perfect for those looking to explore the history of the region. You’ll find the ruins of a 1st century B.C. theatre and other ancient walls, villas and murals.
Alicante, the capital of the Southern Costa Blanca region, can also be reached in under an hour. With its Mediterranean architecture, white sandy beaches, and even a Moorish castle overlooking the city, it will make for a perfect trip from La Zenia.
10. Visit the Nearby Nature Reserves
The stunning scenery of the region surrounding La Zenia means there is an abundance of nature reserves near the town. There are lagoons perfect for bird lovers due to a number of rare species calling them home. Perhaps most impressive is the salt lakes near Torrevieja, with two vast salt lagoons coloured pink by the microorganisms in the water. The high salt content means you can spot unique flora and fauna, and even flamingos who migrate to the region during the year! There are many other natural spots in the area, including Rio Seco area, a dried up riverbed that meanders through stunning rock formations!
Conclusion
Despite its compact size, there is no shortage of things to do in La Zenia. Its cosmopolitan nature makes for the perfect blend of Spanish culture and familiarity, while the stunning Mediterranean climate allows for year-round enjoyment of the beaches and scenery. So whether you’re a family or a retiree, you can be sure that La Zenia, Spain will keep you endlessly entertained.
