Villamartin (Orihuela Costa): Complete City Guide. How to Get There and What to See
1. General Information
Villamartin is an urbanisation within the municipality of Orihuela on the Costa Blanca coast, in the Alicante province of the Valencian Community. Construction and development of Villamartin began in 1972. The area has grown into a sought-after residential destination with thousands of apartments, townhouses and villas.
The majority of residents are English-speaking Western Europeans who have relocated over the past decade, transforming the former settlement into a modern town. Well-developed tourist infrastructure ensures quality family holidays: golf courses, go-kart tracks and water sports. Several yacht clubs operate in the Orihuela area: Puerto deportivo de Campoamor, Club Nautico Marina Salinas Torrevieja, Puerto deportivo de Cabo Roig, Club Nautico Torre de la Horadada and Marina de las Dunas en Guardamar.
2. Climate and Weather
The region’s main assets are its ecology, climate and developed infrastructure. Villamartin enjoys a Mediterranean climate with average summer temperatures of 26 degrees and winter temperatures of 11 degrees. With approximately 300 sunny days per year, the inland location protects residents from excessive humidity. The urbanisation ensures a quiet, green, ecologically clean lifestyle with full infrastructure.
Villamartin Weather Forecast for Today and the Coming Week
3. How to Get There
Alicante El Altet Airport is 50 minutes’ drive to the north; Murcia San Javier Airport is 20 minutes to the south. Orihuela Miguel Hernandez railway station, located near Flamenca beach, connects the city with Murcia, Cartagena, Alicante, Valencia, Zaragoza, Huesca, Catalonia and southern France. Regional and intercity buses depart from the same station.
4. History
The Villamartin Golf Course, founded in 1972, has welcomed golfers from around the world for over 40 years. The urbanisation’s development is inseparable from its golfing heritage. International tournaments are held here annually; notably, in 1994, the Mediterranean Open was won here by Jose Maria Olazabal.
Major golf clubs include Real Club de Golf Campoamor, Vistabella Golf, Golf La Finca, Las Colinas Golf, Club de Golf Las Ramblas and Club de Golf Villamartin. The latter two regularly host championships. The Villamartin course opened in June 1972 and today presents a challenging layout with olive trees and old pines. Unlike many Spanish courses, no two holes are alike, giving the course a distinctive character.
5. What to See in Villamartin
The main square features banks, shops, medical facilities, nightclubs, bars, cafes, restaurants and apartments. The square is famous for its palm grove inhabited by African ring-necked parakeets, which attract tourists.
La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre is 5 minutes’ drive away, offering international brands, restaurants, cafes, bowling, a casino and a 7D cinema. For families with children, the Zenia Park children’s area operates.
El Limonar International School, founded in 1998, accepts children aged 3 to 18, with teaching in Spanish and English. The school educates students from over 30 nationalities, predominantly British and Spanish - a popular choice among expat families.
Active leisure includes cycling and walking routes through the urbanisation and surroundings. The Orihuela Costa promenade offers magnificent coastal views. A 6-kilometre cycle path connects promenades and beaches through Dehesa de Campoamor, Cabo Roig and La Zenia.
The pink salt lakes - Laguna Salada de Torrevieja is one of Europe’s saltiest and largest lakes - a wonderful spot for walks and ecotourism in the Salinas de la Mata y Torrevieja natural park. Rare wild orchids bloom amid Mediterranean vegetation. The reserve is home to diverse waterfowl including up to 2,000 flamingos during breeding season. The lagoon’s unique colour is caused by tiny crustaceans living in highly saline waters. Walking and cycling trails pass through ecosystems, pine forests and vineyards.
6. Beaches
Several sandy beaches - Campoamor, La Zenia, Flamenca and Cala Capitan - hold the “Blue Flag” for cleanliness, water quality, safety and family amenities.
Playa de la Zenia is 4 kilometres away, stretching 360 metres long and over 100 metres wide. Also known as Cala Bosque. Located in the north of Orihuela municipality, bordering Torrevieja. Fine white sand complemented by a pleasant promenade. Water sports (diving, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing) and beach volleyball attract active visitors. Lifeguards on duty in summer; Red Cross service operates daily. Full infrastructure includes beach bars and restaurants.
Playa Campoamor (Playa de la Glea) lies to the south, near the Miguel Caballero sports port. One of the largest beaches on the Orihuela coast (513 metres long). Located left of the Campoamor marina with excellent service and facilities. Protected dune vegetation enhances the beach’s natural beauty.
Playa Flamenca (Cala Estaca) north of La Zenia is a cosy natural cove with fine golden sand and an extended promenade to Capitan bay. Numerous restaurants nearby. Summer lifeguards, parasol and sunbed hire, beach bar. Infrastructure includes playgrounds, bio-recreational equipment, sports facilities and disabled parking.
Cala Capitan at Cabo Roig cape attracts fewer tourists than La Zenia, offering greater comfort and tranquillity. The clearest water in the region. Convenient pedestrian and vehicle access with spacious parking.
7. Property in Villamartin: Types and Prices
As a relatively new urbanisation, Villamartin offers diverse property types. Historically expensive housing is now complemented by simpler homes and apartments for a wider buyer range. The urbanisation has no high-rise development; Villamartin is characterised by low-rise buildings of 2-3 storeys maximum. New complexes on vacant plots are limited to four storeys maximum.
How Expensive Is Property in Villamartin?
Average indicators (December 2021 data):
- Price per square metre: EUR 2,008/m2
- Average property price: EUR 174,350
- Annual change: +3.2% (2021 vs 2020)
By property type:
- Villas and detached houses: from EUR 170,000
- Modest older apartments: from EUR 75,000
- Modern new-build apartments: from EUR 150,000
- Townhouses: EUR 110,000-120,000
Average Cost per Square Metre by Property Features
- Fully furnished (resale): EUR 1,830/m2
- Apartments with terrace: EUR 2,146/m2
- Homes with lift: EUR 2,340/m2
- Residences with garage: EUR 2,427/m2
Villamartin continues to develop with plenty of vacant plots remaining. Developers limit building heights to preserve the urbanisation’s character, ensuring a unified aesthetic for the future.
The town attracts many foreigners thanks to ubiquitous golf courses and convenient airport access. It suits both year-round family living and seasonal holidays.