10 Day Trips from Torrevieja – exploring the best nearby destinations
Torrevieja on Spain’s Costa Blanca is a very popular destination, known for its beautiful beaches, busy nightlife, and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. There’s so many great things to do in Torrevieja that you’ll find plenty to keep yourselves entertained.
However, if you fancy exploring a bit further afield, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there are so many places to choose for fun day trips from Torrevieja.
Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, these days out allow you to experience amazing culture, history and natural beauty of the surrounding region.
After living near Torrevieja for 5 years, we’ve had the chance to explore all the best places locally – from charming Spanish villages to natural parks and historic cities. If you’re planning a holiday in Torrevieja, or have recently moved to the area, here are 10 of our favourite day trips from Torrevieja that are 100% worth the drive.
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Quick list: Best day trips from Torrevieja
- Alicante
- Elche
- Tabarca Island
- Villajoyosa
- Benidorm
- Murcia
- Guadalest
- Cartagena
- Altea
- Valencia
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Some useful links when planning day trips from Torrevieja:
- Use GetYourGuide to find tickets for attractions and tours
- Find deals on bus tickets at BusBud
- Hire a car at RentalCars
- Find deals on rail fares at Trainline
Alicante
Distance from Torrevieja: 68 km (about 55 minutes by car)
Alicante, the capital of the province, should be at the top of your list of places to visit in this area! We love visiting Alicante regularly, there’s so much to do for all ages, and some beautiful views of the Mediterranean.
With a great mix of historical sites, beaches, shops and restaurants there’s plenty of things to do in Alicante. Start your day by exploring the Santa Bárbara Castle, perched on Mount Benacantil, offering panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. A stroll down the Explanada de España is a must, this beautiful promenade is lined with palm trees and mosaic tiles, leading you to the marina and beautiful beaches. You can also stop here for a drink and some tapas while you take in the sights.
Take a look at our 1 day Alicante itinerary for more information.
How to get from Torrevieja to Alicante:
Alicante is easily accessible via the N-332 road or the AP-7 motorway. You can also take a bus from Torrevieja’s central bus station, which runs frequently throughout the day.
Elche
Distance from Torrevieja: 46 km (about 40 minutes by car)
One of our favourite places in the area is Elche, if you want to visit a real Spanish town without hordes of tourists, this is the place for you. and if you like to be surrounded by palm trees, then you’ll love it here as much as we do!
Elche, known for its vast palm groves and rich history, is a great day trip option from Torrevieja. The Palmeral of Elche, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the largest palm grove in Europe, and lovely, peaceful place for a walk. We also recommend a visit to the historic Basilica of Santa Maria where you can climb to the top of the bell tower, and for families a stop at the fascinating Archaeological and History Museum of Elche (MAHE) to learn more about Elche’s interesting history is a great activity.
Find out more things to do in Elche in this guide.
How to get from Torrevieja to Elche:
Elche is a short drive from Torrevieja via the N-340 road. There are regular buses between the two towns, making it an easy place for a day trip.
Tabarca Island
Distance from Torrevieja: 30 km to Santa Pola (about 30 minutes by car) + 20-minute ferry ride
Something a bit different when looking for day trips from Torrevieja is to jump on a boat to explore a nearby island! This is a great day out that we’ve done a few times now.
Tabarca Island is a small, charming island just off the coast of Santa Pola. It has beautiful crystal-clear waters, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. But if you don’t fancy water sports you can wander through the island’s pretty village, enjoy fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants, and sit in the sun on the beautiful beaches while you paddle in the clear water.
Find out more about a day trip to Tabarca Island in this blog post.
How to get from Torrevieja to Tabarca Island:
The quickest way to get to Tabarca Island is to drive to Santa Pola and catch a ferry from there. Ferries run regularly throughout the day, especially in the summer months. You can also catch ferries from Alicante to Tabarca Island.
Villajoyosa
Distance from Torrevieja: 104 km (about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car)
You’ve probably seen lots of photos of Spain’s white villages, but what about this colourful one on the Costa Blanca?
Villajoyosa is a pretty coastal town known for its colourful houses and stunning beaches. We enjoy visiting Villajoyosa for a walk along the promenade and a spot of lunch looking over the beach. Don’t miss walking through the pretty old town, where you can explore narrow streets lined with shops and cafes. A visit the Valor Chocolate Museum is also worth adding to your trip to sample the chocolate and learn about the town’s chocolate-making history. Afterwards you can unwind on La Cala beach or take a stroll along the promenade for stunning views of the Mediterranean.
Find out more things to do in Villajoyosa here.
How to get from Torrevieja to Villajoyosa:
Villajoyosa is easily accessible from Torrevieja via the N-332 road. You could also drive to Alicante and jump on a tram or bus to Villajoyosa from there.
Benidorm
Distance from Torrevieja: 114 km (about 1 hour and 5 minutes by car)
I have to admit, that Benidorm isn’t one of our favourite places but if you like bustling resorts then you might want to add this to your list!
Benidorm is a lively beach resort famous for its stunning beaches, high rise skyscrapers and busy nightlife. You can spend the day at Levante Beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying some water sports. One thing we do like in Benidorm is the amazing view from the viewpoint at the top of the Sierra Helada Natural Park. Away from the busy promenade you should also explore the charming old town with its pretty streets, tapas bars, and the iconic church of San Jaime.
Find more things to do in Benidorm here.
How to get from Torrevieja to Benidorm
Take the AP-7 motorway for a smooth drive, or hop on a direct bus from Torrevieja to Benidorm that operates regularly throughout the day.
Murcia
Distance from Torrevieja: 70 km (about 1 hour by car)
We only discovered Murcia fairly recently, and wished we’d visited sooner! Murcia, is ideal for anyone who loves old Spanish towns with a lot of history and culture and is well worth a visit from Torrevieja. The city’s most iconic site is the Murcia Cathedral, with its stunning Baroque façade and impressive bell tower. Take time to stroll through the charming old town, visit the Real Casino de Murcia which will surprise you with its amazing decor, and relax in one of the city’s beautiful plazas with a coffee or some tapas.
See our list of more things to do in Murcia here.
How to get from Torrevieja to Murcia:
Murcia can be reached via the AP-7 motorway. There are also direct buses from Torrevieja to Murcia that run frequently.
Guadalest
Distance from Torrevieja: 130 km (about 1 hour and 40 minutes by car)
Definitely one of the most spectacular views we’ve seen on the Costa Blanca – the mountain village of Guadalest is a must visit.
Perched high in the mountains, the traditional Spanish village of Guadalest offers stunning views of the bright blue reservoir, and the surrounding valleys and mountains. Pay a visit to the castle, explore the small but fascinating museums throughout the village, and wander through the narrow streets filled with local shops and cafes.
Find out more about a day trip to Guadalest here.
How to get from Torrevieja to Guadalest:
The easiest way to reach Guadalest is by car, driving along the AP-7 motorway towards Benidorm and then taking the CV-70 inland.
Cartagena
Distance from Torrevieja: 62 km (about 55 minutes by car)
Perfect for lovers of history and culture, Cartagena is a city full of history, and definitely one worth exploring. You can’t visit Cartagena without seeing the amazing Roman Theatre, one of the best-preserved in Spain. The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology is also fun for kids to learn about the city’s naval history. Have a stroll through the historic city center with its modernist architecture, and enjoy a meal at one of the many seaside restaurants along the port.
Find out more things to do in Cartagena here.
How to get from Torrevieja to Cartagena:
Cartagena is easily accessible by car via the AP-7 motorway. There are also regular buses from Torrevieja.
Altea
Distance from Torrevieja: 126 km (about 1 hour and 25 minutes by car)
If you love a traditional white Spanish village like we do, you must plan a day trip to Altea.
Altea is one of the Costa Blanca’s most picturesque towns, known for its whitewashed buildings, narrow cobbled streets, and stunning views over the sea. Have a wander through the old town with its lovely shops, art galleries, and cafes. The iconic blue-domed Church of Our Lady of Consolation is a must visit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. Then head back down to the beach to stroll along the promenade, relax on the beach, and enjoy lunch at one of the seafront restaurants.
See more about a day trip to Altea here.
How to from Torrevieja to Altea:
Altea is accessible by car via the AP-7 motorway. If you prefer public transport, you can take a bus from Torrevieja to Benidorm and then catch a local bus or tram to Altea.
Valencia
Distance from Torrevieja: 165 km (about 2 hour 30 minutes by car)
Last but not least on our list of day trips from Torrevieja is Valencia, which has become one of our favourite cities in Spain. Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city, offers a mix of modern and futuristic architecture and historic buildings. Start your day at the City of Arts and Sciences, a stunning futuristic complex with museums, cinema, aquarium and more. Don’t miss the historic center, where you can visit the Valencia Cathedral and climb the Miguelete bell tower for panoramic views across the city. For lunch, try traditional paella at a local restaurant in the old town or along the sea front.
Find more things to do in Valencia here.
How to get from Torrevieja to Valencia:
Valencia is accessible via the AP-7 motorway. If you’d rather get the train, drive to Alicante where regular train services connect to Valencia.
This list should give you lots of ideas for some of the great day trips from Torrevieja, whatever your interests. Where will you explore first?
