July is mid-summer and peak season on the Costa Blanca, with beautiful, sunny Mediterranean days. It's perfect beach weather so expect crowds!
The average temperature in Torrevieja in July is 25C, with highs of around 27C. Sea temperatures are also on the rise at this time, reaching a very pleasant 24C on average mid-month. The highest temperature ever recorded in the area at this time is 40C, so expect several days of the month to exceed 30C. It's likely to be very hot indeed, though the high temperatures are mediated somewhat by cooling sea breezes and low humidity. Windspeeds are lowest at this time of year, around 3m/s, so inland the heat will feel much more intense. The temperature won't fall significantly overnight and it should still feel pretty warm, with average lows of 16C in Torrevieja.
With around 13 hours of sunshine each, on average, it's definitely perfect beach weather!
Conditions are likely to be quite similar across the Costa Blanca at this time of year, with average temperatures of 25C and highs of 29C in Benidorm. Further North and inland in Spain it's usually slightly cooler on average, though with higher humidity in the cities and minus the cooling sea breezes, it will feel much warmer. In Barcelona, for example, the average temperature is 23C.
Summer is the dry season in Spain and there's likely to be very little rainfall across the country. Torrevieja expects average rainfall of only 6mm over 1 day in the month. Further north it tends to be wetter year round. Madrid has rainfall averages of 30mm over 6 days. Even just up the coast in Benidorm they expect around four times as much rainfall as in Torrevieja, about 37mm over 5 days.
There are plenty of villas to rent in Torrevieja, and private renting is an excellent alternative to the usual large hotels and aparthotels. There is a huge scope of choice, from basic home-from-home bungalows in the town centre, to beachfront luxury mansions with outdoor pool and hot tub. Villas are perfect for families, who may prefer a little more privacy and outdoor space, or for those on a budget who don't want to eat out every night.
If you're a keen golfer, or looking for a little more pampering, the five star La Finca Golf Resort and Spa, just up the coast (close to Alicante), is perfect. The rooms are elegant and modern, with large terraces and balconies overlooking the pool or gardens. Or book the Luxury Junior Suite with lounge and terrace, which includes a free bottle of Cava, a welcome detail (chocolates or strawberries), and aromatic candles in the bathroom, incense, fresh flowers, and spa discount. The Wellness Clinic, besides a range of delightfully relaxing spa treatments, also offers cutting edge plastic surgery and a variety of homeopathic treatments for various conditions, should you feel the need to visit one of their practitioners.
The artificial rock pools at Juan Apricio Esplanade were built when the Juan Aparicio Esplanade was redesigned. Right in the heart of Torrevieja, between El Cura Beach and the Dique de Levante, bordering the Juan Aparicio Esplanade, the pools are interlocked with small beaches (reached via steps in the rocks). The nearby Keeper Bar offers refreshment and snacks, with an outdoor terrace with fabulous views out over the coast.
The long Torrevieja coastline is made up of several coves and capes, some of them well-adapted for swimming. They're likely to be a little quieter in the peak summer months, and, with crystal clear waters, prove an excellent place for swimming and scuba diving! However, if you prefer your beaches with plenty of amenities, restaurants and shops, or feel you may require the rescue services of a lifeguard at any point, it's important to note that these coves are much more remote; you won't find any surf schools, cafes and ice cream stands here.
Bar Patricia in Toretta III is well established, having been on the spot for more than 20 years. It's frequented by both locals and tourists thanks to its busy entertainment and reasonable prices. They host regular karaoke, jam sessions, barbeques, bingo, quiz nights, line dancing, Spanish lessons, car boot, open the box, and even have a park for the kids to play in while the adults enjoy a drink in the sun. The food is pretty good, standard Spanish pub fare, perfect for a lunch or early dinner.
Casa Toni on Plaza Isabell II is a family friendly bar with great food and atmosphere. Quieter than some of the other bars in the evenings, it's the perfect place for a simple drink in the sunshine.
If you're looking for some family friendly evening entertainment to go along with your meal, check out Villa Restaurant Salada. They hold regular flamenco and horse shows, with colourful characters and costumes, on their open air stage. Follow the show with a meal at their delightful restaurant, or a few drinks at the Bodega bar.
The Gravina Museum of Fine Arts in Alicante is located in the Palacio del Conde de Lumiares, and was constructed between 1748 and 1808 and subsequently declared a historical monument. The museum is devoted to the painting and sculpture of Alicante from the sixteenth century to the early decades of the twentieth century, housing nearly 500 works, including a sculpture by Francisco Salzillo and a portrait of Ferdinand VII by Valencian painter Vicente López Portaña. The museum also has several works by the most important regional painters of the nineteenth century: Antonio Gisbert, Joaquín Agrasot, Lorenzo Casanova, and Fernando Cabrera.
Canalobre Caves are located in Busot, a small town about 23 km from Alicante. The entrance is found 700m up the northern slopes of the mountain ridge of Cabezón de Oro. The rock formations are beautiful, and the fascinating thousand-year history is well explained by knowledgeable local guides. For many people, they're a must see when visiting the area, and can get quite busy during the summer months.
