Guardamar del Segura is a municipality in the Spanish province of Alicante in the Valencia region with an area of 36 km². In 2018 this town had 15,132 inhabitants. "Guardar" means save and "mar" means sea. This charming coastal town is located between Santa Pola and Torrevieja and just 35 km from Alicante airport.
Guardamar is located at a height of 25m at the mouth of the Segura river. The Rio Segura rises in Fuente Segura, a village in the Andalusia region, and flows into the Mediterranean after a journey of 325 km at Guardamar.
The strategic location at the mouth of this river has determined the history of this town. After the Greek settlement 'Alone' it was inhabited by the Iberians. Arabs had their settlement in the eastern part where the dunes are now. You can view all the historical remains in the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum housed in the Cultural Center.
The first 'guardamarencos' lived within the city walls around the castle. In 1829 this settlement disappeared due to a major earthquake, but the castle survived and can still be visited. New houses that could withstand earthquakes were built closer to the sea, but at the end of the 19th century the city was again in danger. The sand dunes were advancing and would start to spoil the new city. That is why long rows of pine trees were planted to stop the sand. And this is precisely what is unique about Guardamar del Segura. The dunes and the 840 ha coniferous park are now protected natural areas.
With about 11 km of beautiful white sandy beaches, pine forests, palms, eucalyptus trees and beautiful dunes, Guardamar del Segura, better known as simple 'Guardamar', is a gem on the Costa Blanca South.
Guardamar has a lively center with many shops, restaurants and tapas bars. Two beautiful parks provide an oasis of green. The Reina Sofia Park is located in the middle of the town. Here you will discover the local fauna and flora while walking along paths, ponds and waterfalls. This park is surrounded by cozy restaurants and bars, an evening market, play areas for children and a theater evening show in the open air.
At the edge of the town you will find the Alfonso XIII park where you can jog, cycle and take long walks. The Paseo Marítimo is a beautiful palm-lined promenade along the beach with cozy terraces, restaurants and shops.
The port of Guardamar, Marina de les Dunes, functions as a marina and as a fishing port. The fish market can be found in the Fishing and Nautical Sports Club Marina de les Dunes, next to the mouth of the river and the fishing port. From Monday to Friday every morning at 10 a.m. the fish is auctioned. Everyone is welcome and the fish is of the highest quality. Bream, sole, turbot, squid, shrimp, King shrimp ...
On Wednesday there is a market in Guardamar, a colorful and fun place in the streets around the church. But Guardamar never sleeps! The town 'lives' throughout the year. The many parties and cultural events such as the Moros y Christianos fiesta, San Juan and many others are the pride of the guardamarencos. Young and old take part in these parties.
The beaches of Guardamar del Segura consist of fine white sand and are swept daily. Beaches as far as you can see, even in busy periods some beaches seem almost deserted. The beaches are safe for children and are monitored. To the north of the Rio Segura lies the nudist beach Playa dels Tossals accessible via a walkway. Playa dels Vivers is located on the right side of the mouth of the Segura and is a quiet beach with a beautiful dune area and forests. The Playa Centro is located on the promenade and is the busiest beach of Guardamar. A little further beyond the boulevard is Playa Moncayo, a quiet but beautiful beach with beautiful dunes. Playa La Roqueta is the next beach after which you will arrive in La Mata.
For water sports you can visit the port of Guardamar. If golf is more for you then you will find some beautiful golf courses in the area, for example Marquesa Golf is only a 15-minute drive from Guardamar. There is also a large selection of indoor and outdoor sports nearby.
And what about the climate? The region is popular with winter visitors and sun worshipers. Due to the presence of the salt lakes in the area and the combination of these with the sea and pine forests, it is one of the healthiest regions in Europe according to the World Health Organization. People with rheumatism, fibromyalgia and lung diseases lead a better life here. The mild Mediterranean climate provides many hours of sunshine, little rain, mild winters and warm, dry summers.
Average temperatures of 20° and 325 days of sunshine per year make Guardamar del Segura the ideal destination.
