Guardamar - a brief history

Guardamar del Segura is situated at the mouth of the River Segura – in the south of Spain’s Costa Blanca. It is a town bathed by the waters and salt of the Mediterranean Sea and belongs to the ‘Comunidad Valenciana’ – the Community of Valencia. It is the southernmost point where the Valencian language is spoken (also known as Catalan) – although Spanish (castellano) is spoken widely throughout the area.

It is a town whose history can be traced back to ancient times via its outstanding archaeological sites. Phoenicians, Iberians, Romans and Moors have all settled here - and all have left their mark on the town.

The landscape is rich in cultural heritage and it is a town steeped in legends, traditions and festivities – all of which are preserved today in the annual local calendar of events.

The natural landscape is of tremendous environmental value. The 11 kms of coastline are characterised by beaches of fine sand and majestic dunes – a protected natural area which is home now to forests of pines, eucalyptus and palm trees. The forest covers an area of some 800 hectares and is the result of the dune stabilisation work carried out by the forestry specialist, Francisco Mira (You can visit his Museum- which also houses the Tourist Information Office – in the Plaça de la Constitució in the town centre.).

Another prime local landscape is that of the ‘market garden’ area or ‘huerta’, watered by the endless irrigation channels and providing abundant supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The Lagoon at la Mata is a natural park and migratory bird reserve – a paradise for bird lovers who will delight in the sightings of flamingos, white storks, harriers and black-winged stilts.

For more information on Guardamar – visit the Tourist Information Office at Plaça de la Constitució or why not join them on their ‘Path of History’ guided visit of the town. Tel 96 572 44 88 (Bookings for the Visit need to be made in advance.) Please also check seasonal hours – as timetables change.

  • Tourist Information Office
    Plaça de la Constitució 7
    03140 Guardamar del Segura
  • Opening Hours
    Mon. – Sat 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (winter timetable)
    Mon - Sat 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. – 8 30 p.m. (summer timetable)