Ciudad Quesada Guide (Alicante, Spain): What You Need to Know Before Moving
Contents
1. Location and Map
Airports
- Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC)
- Murcia International Airport (RMU)
Cities
- Torrevieja (5 km). Located on the other side of the Laguna Salada de la Mata from Quesada. This is the largest town in the south of the Costa Blanca and a popular destination for foreigners and investors. Ciudad Quesada is sometimes called a suburb of Torrevieja. Many Quesada residents visit Torrevieja for business, shopping or beach recreation.
Guardamar del Segura (8 km). A coastal town with good ecology and infrastructure for both living and holidays. Importantly, between Torrevieja and Guardamar stretches a flat coastline approximately 15 km long with some of the most beautiful beaches on the coast. Guardamar’s population is around 15,000.
Alicante (40 km). The provincial capital, a major city and port, commercial and cultural centre. The nearest airport is here. Alicante is a modern European city, large enough with all the necessary infrastructure for holidays or permanent residence. Main attractions include Santa Barbara Castle and the bullring. Population is approximately 330,000.
Murcia (60 km). Capital of the province of the same name to the south of Ciudad Quesada. An administrative and business centre, a major city (around 450,000 people). Near Murcia is the Murcia International Airport (RMU), which we already mentioned. Travellers love this city for its historical heritage, Arab and medieval architecture, castles, bridges and parks. The city is home to the prestigious Universidad de Murcia, founded in 1272.
Cartagena (70 km). Another city in the Murcia province combining cultural heritage with modern attractions. Every September the famous “Romans and Carthaginians” festival takes place. Near Cartagena is La Manga - a narrow sandy spit separating Europe’s largest lagoon from the Mediterranean Sea. La Manga has a wide golden sand beach ideal for family holidays with children. The nature here is unique and pristine, as all manufacturing is prohibited. Cartagena’s population is approximately 215,000.
Benidorm (100 km). If you want to play roulette or dance the night away, you can head to Benidorm, located in the north of the Costa Blanca, twice as far as Alicante. Benidorm is called the Spanish Las Vegas. The city is extremely popular among British and European tourists, with many casinos and nightclubs to suit every taste. The population is just over 70,000, but in summer numbers multiply many times over.
2. Weather and Climate
3. Leisure and Recreation
Best Golf Resorts
- La Marquesa Golf. The city’s first and most famous golf club was founded by Justo Quesada in 1989. It soon became one of the reasons British investors choose to buy property in Ciudad Quesada.
- Greenlands Sport Club. A new complex with multiple courses located in the western part of Ciudad Quesada, near the AP-7 motorway. It is gaining popularity and is considered an excellent value-for-money option.
Restaurants, Bars and Cuisine
Ciudad Quesada’s restaurants are ready to treat guests to all the flavours of Mediterranean cuisine: here you can try paella and diverse seafood, or order a bottle of wine from Costa Blanca vineyards.
Grande Italia - an Italian restaurant. We recommend trying the pasta, fish, steaks and desserts. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine and desserts costs approximately EUR 50.
Old Don Carlos - an Irish pub, located to the left of the Quesada entrance gates.
Vista - a rooftop lounge bar, located to the right of the entrance. They offer an incredible variety of cocktails (EUR 5-7 each).
Ali Baba - a Chinese restaurant. Travellers and tourists love this place for its hospitality and service; they recommend trying the sushi, spicy soups and duck. Dinner for two costs approximately EUR 40.
Advance table reservations are recommended at all listed venues, especially during high season.
Shopping
Ciudad Quesada has supermarkets from well-known retail chains such as Mercadona, Consum and Lidl, as well as several shopping centres. The Zoco Sunday Market also operates here - a weekly market attracting several hundred traders from surrounding towns and villages. You can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, as well as ready-made food and clothing.
For branded clothing shopping, it is worth visiting La Zenia (south of Torrevieja, 20 minutes by car from Quesada) - Centro comercial Zenia Boulevard. It features clothing, shoes and accessories from over 150 leading European brands.
Other Activities
The town offers numerous leisure and entertainment options for every taste and budget, including several bowling alleys and billiards clubs. Residents and visitors enjoy Aqua Park Ciudad Quesada. Here you can ride high-speed water slides, navigate inflatable obstacle courses, relax in pools and visit special children’s zones - perfect for the whole family.
Beyond golf courses, there are many other sports: tennis courts and football pitches at the Municipal Sports Center in the northern part of Quesada. Fitness and bodybuilding enthusiasts can visit Quesada Fitness Gym.
The town also has many public parks and gardens with picnic areas where you can spend time with family and friends, and even encounter wild hedgehogs and lizards.
Language is not a problem in Quesada, especially when attending one of the Spanish language schools for the foreign population. Infrastructure for seasonal and year-round living is actively developing. New restaurants, shops, beauty salons and many other establishments open in Quesada virtually every week.
4. TOP 7 Beaches Near Ciudad Quesada
1. Playa del Cura
Located in the southern part of Torrevieja, 10-15 km from Quesada depending on where in the town you live and the chosen route. This is Torrevieja’s most popular beach, but it is quite short (350 m) and narrow. Finding parking is difficult in high season. Bars and cafes nearby. Sunbeds, parasols and permanent lifeguards are available.
2. Playa de los Locos
Another popular Torrevieja beach with rocks and sand. It is twice as long as Playa del Cura (around 700 m) and less crowded. If you are looking for a calm atmosphere, this is the place. A retirement home is also nearby.
3. Playa de La Mata
La Mata adjoins Torrevieja but is considered a separate administrative unit with its own town hall, schools, nurseries and health centre. At the junction of Torrevieja and La Mata, the coastline changes. Cliffs and coves give way to a flat sandy strip - Playa La Mata, awarded the Blue Flag for excellent infrastructure. Everything needed for a comfortable beach holiday is available: sunbeds and parasols, sports grounds, changing cabins, bars, lifeguards and more. Some sections are pet-friendly. La Mata beach is popular among residents of Torrevieja and surrounding towns. There is room for everyone: Playa La Mata is quite wide (40-50 m) and long (approximately 3 km).
4. Playa Les Ortigues
Located north of La Mata, along the Lomas de Polo Pinomar settlement and the N-332 road. Unlike Playa La Mata, this is a wild beach with minimal infrastructure. But this is precisely what attracts those who prefer secluded relaxation. A pine grove stretches along the beach, providing privacy. In some places, the Playa Les Ortigues shore reaches over 100 metres in width.
5. Playa Moncayo
Playa Moncayo is one of the best beaches in the south of the Costa Blanca. It is spacious and long (approximately 2 km). The beach is clean, equipped with volleyball courts, and offers jet ski and other water sport hire. Shade is available among the sand dunes.
6. Playa Centro
Playa Centro is the main beach of Guardamar del Segura, considered one of the most attractive places in the region. In high season, Red Cross lifeguards are on duty; sunbeds, parasols and cocktails at a beach bar are available. At the end of the beach is a zone of fishing huts. They were built before the “hundred-metre law” was enacted, so some stand too close to the water and are deteriorating from water, salt and wind, but by law cannot be repaired. They are now a local attraction.
7. Playa Los Viveros
In addition, Guardamar del Segura is known as an ecological green zone, especially in the northern part where Parque Reina Sofia and Parque Alfonso XIII are located, very popular among children. Peacocks freely roam and fly among people, alongside swans, chickens, ducks, squirrels, turtles and fish. A road through the green zone leads to Playa Los Viveros. The beach is quite wide (45 m) and long, stretching to the town port. Wooden walkways lead to the beach through palm-lined avenues. Here you can enjoy comfortable relaxation away from the noise.
5. Property Prices in Ciudad Quesada
The town has virtually no apartments - the vast majority of properties are detached houses (villas) and smaller homes called chalets. Duplexes and townhouses of various formats are also popular.
| Property Type | Approximate Cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Villa (new-build) | EUR 300,000 - EUR 700,000 | Villa with 3 bedrooms, pool, terrace and private garden |
| Villa (resale) | From EUR 220,000 | - |
| Chalet | EUR 150,000 - EUR 250,000 | Bungalow with 2 bedrooms in a gated complex |
| Townhouse | From EUR 180,000 | Bungalow with 2 bedrooms in a gated complex |
6. Conclusion
Ciudad Quesada is an excellent place to buy a holiday home, as well as an attractive town for permanent residence. It is located in an ecologically clean area and suits people of all ages. Quesada is easy to reach, and just a few minutes’ drive separates it from some of the best beaches on the Costa Blanca. Property in this area is steadily appreciating, offering the opportunity to profit from resale.