Pilar de la Horadada is a popular holiday destination located two kilometres inland on the Costa Blanca (Alicante). The area offers several kilometres of wide sandy beaches, small intimate coves and a landscape of great natural and scenic beauty. Bordering the Pinar de Campoverde urbanisation, Sierra Escalona is especially worth a visit for nature lovers.
A sporting marina is situated near the 16th century watchtower on the coast at Torre de la Horadada, offering 539 mooring berths for boats of up to 12 metres, a ramp, a dry dock and several workshops.
History
This part of Spain has attracted travellers since prehistoric times, but the first people who left substantial traces were Iberian traders who lived and worked from upper Andalucía to southern France until 150 BCE (BC), by which time they were fully “Romanised”.
There are Roman quarry remains on the coast at Mil Palmeras beach that probably provided the stones for the Via Augusta Roman highway between Cartagena and Elche.
Pilar de la Horadada’s museum is small but has an interesting exhibition highlighting its rich history.
Beaches
Pilar de la Horadada municipality offers five kilometres of stunning “Blue Flag” beaches, with clear shallow waters that make it safe for small children to have a bathe.
Watersports enthusiasts have a range of options including sailing, diving, skiing and fishing excursions, organised by the marina’s nautical club.
Thanks to the good quality of seawater in the area, the Mediterranean tape-weed (a sea grass that only grows in unpolluted waters) forms large underwater meadows that prevent erosion of the sea soil.
Golf
The neighbouring Murcia region’s mild climate makes this area an ideal destination for golf-lovers, who can enjoy playing at any one of 22 golf courses virtually throughout the year, with facilities to accommodate golfers of every level.
The nearest 18-hole golf course is five minutes out of town, at the attractive Lo Romero club.
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Cuisine
The fertile inland plains produce an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood is caught daily by the local fishing fleet, and farmed meat and game are brought down from the mountains, ensuring a rich culinary selection to suit every taste – with rice being prominent.
Both the town and the coastal area offer a variety of bars and restaurants accommodating all tastes and budgets.
Fiestas
Pilar de Horadada town hall provides many occasions to celebrate the Spanish way of life, starting in January with The Three Kings, followed by Carnival in February and Holy Week (Semana Santa) in March or April. The first weekend in May is reserved for the Feria de Sevillanas, while the Romería de San Isidro takes place around the 15th.
On the night of 24 June the beaches are full with families, making huge camp fires and taking a dip in the sea at midnight. It is the only day of the year when camp fires and camping is officially allowed on Spanish beaches. On 16 July the coastal villages honour the patron saint of the fishermen, the Virgen del Carmen, during a procession out to sea.
August, as the main holiday season for Spanish residents, is highlighted by the Fiestas de Verano (Summer Parties) with regattas, sports tournaments on the beach, music festivals, a golf open and many other activities continuing until September.
In October, the city’s patron saint festivities honour Our Lady of the Pillar, starting with a flower offering on the 11th, covering the façade of the town’s church, and a float parade on the last day.