Guardamar del Segura: Beach, Dunes and History

Guardamar del Segura combines an extensive coastline with dunes, pine forests, river landscapes and an unusually rich history. The beaches of Guardamar stretch for 11 km and offer fine, golden sand. At the same time, the dunes and pine forests on the Mediterranean coast cover 800 hectares. This gives you a variety of options for your trip: long days at the beach, trails through a distinctive landscape, historic sites and regional cuisine.

Between the Dunes and the Mouth of the Segura

Parc de les Nyores is located in the south of Guardamar del Segura, 200 m from the sea. The protected natural urban park covers 4 hectares of original sand dunes and complements the larger dune and pine forest areas with a clearly defined natural space. For walks or bike rides, Guardamar offers eight extensively described excursions as well as a downloadable map for planning your routes.

The Dunes and River Segura’s Mouth route leads from the Guardamar Tourist Office to the jetty at the mouth of the River Segura and is 3.2 km long as a round trip. Another option is the Port Route: it runs along the right bank of the lower section of the Segura to the northern edge of the town and through the pine forests to Marina de les Dunes Yachting Club and the fishing port. In one section, the fresh and salt water of the Segura mix; many waterbird species can be observed there.

History from the Caliphate to the Present Day

The Museo Arqueológico, Etnológico y Paleontológico Municipal opened on 13 July 1990 and was recognized as a museum by the Conselleria de Cultura of the Generalitat Valenciana in December 1993. A key historical site is the Islamic Caliphate ribat, an almost completely preserved Islamic monastic monument from the Umayyad-Andalusian period of the 10th to 11th centuries AD, with 23 prayer cells and a mihrab. The ribat is located in Alfonso XIII Park next to La Fonteta, near the mouth of the River Segura.

La Fonteta is a Phoenician colonial settlement from the 8th to 6th century BC that has been designated a Site of Cultural Interest. It is located next to the medieval Islamic ribat and includes a monumental wall with bastions, fortified dwellings and evidence of metallurgical activities. The hill of Guardamar Castle also tells the story of a long settlement history: it was inhabited from the 8th century BC until the 19th century and passed through Phoenician, Iberian, Roman, Islamic-Caliphate and Christian periods.

Fish, Tapas and Valencian Tradition

The local cuisine is closely linked to the traditional fishing fleet and the fishing port at the mouth of the river. Peix de Guardamar combines local catches such as squid, prawns and the renowned Guardamar red prawn with this maritime setting. The fish market at the port at the mouth of the Segura is open to end consumers; auctions take place from Monday to Friday at 10 a.m.

Culinary events are also part of the townscape. The Guardamar Themed Historical Tapas Route has taken place every year since 2012 over two weeks between October and November; more than 20 establishments participate. Guardamar’s Gastronomy Week has been held since 2005. The tasting menus must include one dish with the small sweet dried red pepper and another with the Guardamar red prawn. The celebrations of Our Lady of the Rosary include a flower offering and traditional Valencian dances in regional dress. The Auroros sing religious songs in the streets on 7 October and every Sunday in October before dawn.

Guidance for Choosing Your Hotel

Guardamar’s bus station is a four-minute walk from the town centre and has a taxi rank as well as a regular stop for the local urban bus service. When choosing your hotel, your own daily rhythm is therefore the key factor: you can organize your stay around days at the beach, nature trails, visits to cultural and historical sites or culinary events. Guardamar offers an unusually diverse mix, without requiring you to focus on just one type of travel.

More Places for Your Regional Research

If you would like to explore other places for your travel planning in addition to Guardamar del Segura, you can find Calpe, Novelda, Beniaia, Benigembla, Alcalalí, Aigües and Petrer here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Alicante.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Guardamar del Segura.